Primary

Poignant Political Production

This comedy brings to the table everything we already know about our politicians, and presents it in a way that is digestible and honest. Heartbreakingly hilarious. Brava!

Water with a twist (or two!)

For a Fringe-length run time, this show makes the most of everything— script, blocking/stage/ minimal props and performers’ talents. Topically of the moment regarding what could or might influence an election outcome (or not…) Well worth your time!

Great premise, more workshopping

As others have noted, the premise is so, so promising. In fact, it is what drew us to Primary in the first place. And the campaign video montage is such a great start. But most aspects need more work: dialogue, story flow, and speaking (hard to hear/understand some parts). And, honestly, there may have been too much packed into the work. As I walked out of the theater, I would have had a hard time summarizing the story line. Wow, there was alot. Keep workshopping, and we hope to see this show on other MN theaters in 23-24.

Tightly packed political satire!

Really well done behind-the-scenes and in-the-closet-with-the-skeletons look at a fall of a (fictonal) centrist Democrat dynasty. Packs in a lot of issues, personal stories, character moments into a well-stuffed Fringe time slot with great performances by the whole cast!

Political Comedy w/ a Side of Family Drama

Primary is a searing dark comedy that explores power on the political and interpersonal levels. This show is well worth your time for the laughs and poignant questions raised about who gets a seat at the table of leadership and the tactics they employ to hold onto it. The cast works extremely well together and are supported by a complex, intelligent script. Like others, excited to see where this piece goes in the future!

Great show!

I this was a great show, hit many topics in a short amount of time and gave a glimpse of what a political family may go through when put into the public spotlight.

MUST SEE SHOW

FANTASTIC SHOW! The best written fringe show I saw this year.Its funny and heart breaking all at the same time. Under the circumstances Alex Church gives a phenomenal performance with the little prep time he had. Im begging, pleading, ON MY HANDS AND KNEES, you have to see this show.

So many tangents, too little time.

I liked the opening video and the beginning of the story. I wish they had announced the playwright was on script for the character Elizabeth and why, because many people do not experience this in theater going activities. For me, there were to many tangents, that could be full scripts, and not enough time to develop important topics. Maybe the beginning of a longer work in progress or multiple stories/plays.

Love the Context of the show

Everyone was so good, and the storyline was great and had me engaged

Must see!

This show has a bit of everything, comedy,drama politics and relationships. Brilliantly written and acted by Alex Church and the rest of the cast. I wish I could have gone again. Please go enjoy this show and support all the people who have worked so hard on it.

Script Editing & Casting Decision

The show has merit but who are we to focus on - Elizabeth or her daughter? Strong contemporary topics abounded in this show. I wonder what went into the decision to cast Elizabeth - I was taken back to see the actor reading is lined from a notebook. However,the fact they are donating to Women Winning is such a great plus.

Needs a bit more time

By the title, I mean it both in workshopping and as a show. I think this would work a lot better as a longer show, perhaps produced outside of Fringe. The acting was lovely, had a lot of great elements that I appreciated. The opening video was sharp and funny, and loved the messaging it was aiming for. However, I felt that there was a bit too much going on for the 60 minutes Fringe allows. It aimed to tackle a lot of political issues, and I think it would have been much more effective if it honed in on one or two. I also had a bit of trouble hearing the actors at times - one of those moments where the show seemed beautifully intimate, but actors needed to project a bit more, as I was straining to hear at times. I would recommend checking it out, and hopefully this takes on a new life after Fringe!

A Political Deep Dive

It is truly impressive how well explored the characters of Primary are, especially given how hefty a topic it is addressing in such a condensed amount of time. It did a particularly good job of painting how politics are not all black and white (or should I say, not all red and blue). It examines layers of conflict and corruption within the Democratic Party itself, which feels equally if not more upsetting than the blatant homophobia of the right. Additionally impressive is it’s ability to explore LGBTQ+ experiences and relationships (and their relation to the political sphere) in a way that was believable and avoided being preachy. Highly Recommend!

Got Democracy?

VOTE and BUY YOUR TICKET to this profoundly impressive show now. Snappy and smart, this show embodies Lincoln's quote: 'A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand' in more ways than one. It somehow manages to cleverly work in an autopsy of what winning really means in our modern political system while holding space for both the unjust discrimination and heroic triumph of the LGBTQIA+ community. The writing is stellar weaving in soul-crushing moments, sick burns, and snarky bits that land oh, so damn well. (I won't ruin it, but I will be for sure using one of the smart-ass remarks as my new go-to catchphrase.) The audience was totally into this show, guffawing at one moment and audibly gasping the next. Everything is done with perfection in this production: the poster art, the promo video, and the attention to all the details. The actors are solid and believable. They leave you feeling like they all need a hug. I will never look at a family photo in a campaign ad the same way again. If you're looking for the full meal deal, this is it. And, I approve this message.

Ticking Time Bomb Family

Alex Church really packed this court of characters, whose "culture war" identities are a liability for the towering stateswomen that these characters are forced to orbit and orient all their waking choices, both public and private, around. I will admit: I didn't realize the playwright, Alex Church, was not the intended actor for the matriarch role when I came into the show. I was ready to accept that this show was going take this nuclear political family's absurd pressure cooker of LGTBQ experiences and struggles to almost comical heights by having the esteemed, old guard Democrat mother be a transwomen, in light of all the other characters. Even though I eventually realized the binder Church was holding was, in fact, a script because of BTS complications that were not disclosed (to me), the characters of "Primary" were already such boiling barrels of queer secrets and seething disgust that I was ready for the show's universe to keep plunging me further into its vat of absurd, chemical rage. Written by Tri Vo, performer in Coyfish.