FRINGE: Africa & Plumbridge's magnificent cast

[steveshack]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 8:38am

There hasn't been much buzz on the Fringe's "Africa & Plumbridge" yet since it only played to its first audience a day ago, but I heartily want to recommend sitting up close and seeing this magnificent cast of 16 kick some serious ass. They are young, beautiful and totally Broadway-level talent, especially the two leads Janeece Aisha Freeman as "Africa" and Liz McConahay (from The Full Monty) as "Sharon Plumbridge."

(Disclosure: I'm related to the book writer/director so I won't comment on his work and of course you can take anything I say with a grain of salt but...).

But I can tell you that the singing and dancing in this show will have you jumping out of your seat. The score is also GORGEOUS with soaring melodies that build and then top themselves. If you get serious voice-orgasms with great singing, don't miss the final three perfs of this show. It's at the Players Theatre in the Village. Already slated for a Broadway run -- producers are literally falling all over themselves to get involved (not kidding) -- see it now before it costs a hundred bucks.
Africa & Plumbridge

[ShineOn]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:07pm

Janeece and Liz tore it UP. I was teary from Liz's first number, and pretty much hysterical by the end of the show. Those two gave really powerful performances.

The caliber exceeds that which is expected from a Fringe show. Go see it if you get a chance!

[Dawg]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:30pm

Dawg agrees wholeheartedly. I saw the show the other day as well. I have also seen a bunch of other Fringe musicals this year. They so often are disappointing-"Africa" does anything but. The cast is first rate, as is the score. This is quite clearly, in my eyes anyway, one of this year's best.

[steveshack]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:37pm

If you want to see the backstage story I've been keeping on the internet. It's my personal diary but much of it concerns Africa & Plumbridge, plus there are lots and lots of photos of the cast during the rehearsal period.
Bonus Round Diary featuring Africa & Plumbridge