Fringe Festival buzz?- Page 3

[jbrunes]

Posted: 8/15/08 at 10:08pm

Saw The Johnny the other night. Pretty freaking awesome, funny, cool 80's music, live band. might see it again this weekend.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 8/15/08 at 10:36pm

Did I mention that Ascension is incredible?

(And no, I'm not in any way connected to it.)

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 12:54am

I'm seeing 10 shows, but more, if I can, now that I have seen some of your recommendations.

I highly recommend The Umbrella Plays. Very nice writing and terrific acting.

And, I have a lot of respect for Knuckleball. It's a show that would need some work if it were picked up by a regional or off-broadway theatre, but that's to be expected of most shows in a festival, right? I really enjoyed this piece and think it shows a lot of promise. I also very much enjoyed the actors. If you can, give it a shot. It will certainly give you much to talk about after!

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 9:02pm

I saw Perez today, WOW. SO hilarious. Definitely the best festival show I've seen in awhile, and I definitely agree that it could transfer to an Off-Broadway run at New World Stages and do very well. The whole cast was great, I loved Lindsay Nicole Chambers in her various parts (Amy Winehouse, robot!teacher, nun, etc.), and Laura Jordan as Kathy Griffin was AMAZING. Was anyone else a little creeped at how eerily similar she looked to Kathy? Down to the eyes and the makeup! And the facial expressions and voice were SPOT ON. It was uncanny! The guy playing Perez was awesome too, and Andrew Keenan-Bolger was very funny.

I loved the show, going to see the last performance with my friend, we both loved it and just had to catch it one more time. It's not sold out yet (I just purchased 2 tickets online), but I'm sure it will be soon. There wasn't an empty seat in today's house.

[HRman]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 1:27pm

Perhaps we should probably turn this thread into the "PEREZ HILTON LOVE THREAD." I sort of feel redundant posting another rave for this show, but I really had such a fantastic time yesterday that I might as well jump aboard.
Best time I've had at the festival in, let's think, maybe 6 years of seeing Fringe shows. It was exactly what I wanted all the previous Fringe shows to be. Hilarious, campy, fast-paced, consistently sustaining the joke of the show and under an hour and a half.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't necessarily understand all of the pop references, (I'm not really of that generation) but the actors were so committed with their impersonations that it didn't really matter.
The plot follows celebrity gossip blogger, Perez Hilton, in one day where he is called upon to save Los Angeles from terrorists plotting to detonate a bomb at what turns out to be the funeral of the late Britney Spears. Ridiculous! But at the same time, the show knows how silly it is and turns up the camp factor to the max (thanks to the excellent direction and choreography from Connor Gallagher).
The catchy pop score really served the show wonderfully. There were maybe one or two tunes that felt a little forced and out of place, but I assume they'll deal with that when it comes time for their much needed transfer. I would say the latter number with the four Celebrities was a little confusing and out of place.
Superb cast here. Highlights for me were Tim Drucker as flakey gay terrorist Kebab, Randy Blair as our high belting and zinger dropping hero, Perez Hilton. Laura Jordan as Kathy Griffin seemed to be the audience favorite and rightfully so. I haven't watched her D-List show and don't know tons about Kathy, but I got the feeling about her impersonation that I did watching Christine Ebersole's Edie Beale in GREY GARDENS, another movie I hadn't seen until after the musical. So in her skin and second nature that it didn't matter what kind of previous knowledge you had as an audience member. Andrew Keenan-Bolger gave us a hysterical Tom Cruise and a (pardon my blushing) yummy and shockingly ripped Zac Efron.
I read over on allthatchat that the show got extended which is great news! I'm glad I had purchased my tickets in advance because it was definitely sold out yesterday. But now there's going to be some more opportunities for the disgruntled show goers to get another shot at seeing what seems to be the audience's consensus "the Hit of the Fringe"

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 4:16pm

Well, you guys are definitely convincing me to try to see Perez Hilton, but I can only get in with my participant pass if there's room, so we'll see.

Last night I saw Green Eyes, which was very enjoyable. 2 singers and 2 modern dancers. The songs were really, really good, rock sounding, catchy, etc, as were the dancers, especially the female, Melissa Bloch. But all around known people in this -- Celina Carvajal from the Legally Blonde reality show -- who sang absolutely fantastically. I was amazed by her voice. Nick Blaemire who co-wrote Glory Days was the other singer, and he started kind of shaky, though I think that might have had something to do with the fact that he was singing into a wireless mic and a regular microphone (I don't know why). But then he was really great throughout the rest of the show. And Ryan Watkinson from Xanadu was the other dancer -- in addition to doing great things on roller skates, he can also do wonderful modern dance.

So I enjoyed the music and dancing a little more for what they were individually then the way they were telling the story. That could also be though that you maybe really had to follow and listen closely to the lyrics to get the story, and I was pretty tired and lacked the focus, so that might have been me. But overall, very good, I highly recommend it for the performers, the songs, and the dances.

[wexy]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 9:31pm

I saw "Raised By Lesbians" after work today, TONY gave it ****.
I'd give it ***.
Love those 5PM shows when you knock off work at 4:30.

[DinaGina]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 2:24pm

I saw "I Love You, Petty, & Favre" the other day. Terrific play...I laughed and cried. Highly, highly, recommend

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 4:34pm

Hi, everyone! It's been a while.

SCHÖNBERG (SCHOENBERG in the program guide) - This was interesting. It takes place during World War II, about a neurotic songwriter who takes lessons from the famous (but widely disliked) composer Arnold Schönberg. The acting was wonderful and there were lots of interesting ideas about art, culture, and war. Plus some very good piano playing.

Note: Even though SCHOENBERG's running time is listed as 1 hour 30 minutes, it actually ran about an hour.

PSALMS OF A QUESTIONABLE NATURE - The play was typical Marisa Wegrzyn (I'm basing this on the one other play of hers I've seen), in which the play takes place after the main incident and we are witnessing the aftermath and piecing together the story bit by bit based on what we hear. It was much better than the other one I've seen (THE BUTCHER OF BARABOO, if anyone is curious). The story kept me guessing at every step, the characters were fully delevoped (although there were only two, which might have made it easier). There were some big questions left unanswered, but they didn't take away from the enjoyment of the piece because none of the characters knew the answers. It was a realistic and satisfying kind of mystery. The acting was impressive, although I'm a bit biased because a friend of mine is in the cast.

I'd recommend both if they are your style, because both are well-executed pieces of theatre.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:08pm

I saw something called "Keep Your Eyes Open" this evening...devised by the PossEble Theater Company's youth group. A bunch of 11 year old girls discussing peer pressure and whatnot and how to deal. The audience's enthusiasm for the young group (mostly their parents, I assume) was very nice to see. Some of the show was amusing - most of which came out of a bunch of 11 year olds dancing to Soulja Boy.

Amy Poehler was in the audience - she seemed to have some connection with the piece, given that she was mentioned as "hero" in nearly every biography, and was sitting next to the adorable and tremendously attractive director Katie Cappiello.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 9:50pm

I have seen a few of the shows. I loved Baby Cow and hated Chandelevria to no end. It was just painful. That Dorothy Parker was quite good as was Untitled Masterpiece to a lesser extent.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 10:03pm

Stars in a Dark Sky at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's this afternoon. Powerful piece - staged reading of the letters of Hans and Sophie Scholl, two students who formed a student uprising against the Nazis during WW2. Found out and killed, of course.

Should be seen by all...

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 10:11am

I saw Paper Dolls last night. Very enjoyable and funny. Great cast (plus a hot shirtless guy). It may not be the best Fringe show I've seen thus far, but quite enjoyable nonetheless.

I've also noticed that for the most part, Fringe shows are shorter than advertised. I think there is a rule that they cannot be longer than advertised, or longer than a certain time, but can be shorter or something. But yeah, something I've noticed that might be good to keep in mind.

Posted: 8/22/08 at 9:07pm

Saw the matinee of KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN today and had the same reaction as Yankeefan, minus the Amy Poehler sighting.

But I wanted to give a heads up to anyone with a 9-13 yr old daughter that this is a MUST SEE. It's everything the Disney cartoons are not. Only two more shows Sat noon and 9:30pm.

For boys and once-boys like me, not so much. But very well acted, and for girls, a very relevant message. My daughter's first words to me as we walked up Commerce Street were "Now you know what I'm going through."


PossEble Theater Co

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/23/08 at 12:04am

Add me to the list of Perez fans. It was a lot of fun.

[wexy]

Posted: 8/23/08 at 9:39am

I think that there was less of a buzz about Fringe this year. Not a lot coverage (Time Out NY was good) There's only about 10 of us posting here.
Oh well.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/23/08 at 9:44am

nytheatre.com had a lot of coverage, too.

Posted: 8/23/08 at 9:55am

THE BOSS IN THE SATIN KIMONO - "loads" of fun.

Posted: 8/24/08 at 3:54pm

Just back from the closing performance of CHINA, THE WHOLE ENCHILADA, and still smiling. Never laughed so hard at the rape of Nanking, the wrath of the Khans, or the starvation of millions!

Fringing has been so much fun this year. We safely waded through the swarm of shows about bossy bottoms and tabloid tarts to find six tween-safe musical comedies. Our thanks to Time Out and nytheatre.com for all the previews and reviews that helped us pick and choose.

And our compliments to the planners! Last year we had to endure the musty basement of a church on Bleecker and a place that was so far on the west side it was almost in Jersey. This year, we didn't even have to cross the street to get from the subway to two of the venues.

So, now that it's over, who's gonna start the NYMF buzz thread?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/24/08 at 3:59pm

Oh, it ain't over yet. They've still yet to announce the Fringe Encores.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/24/08 at 7:28pm

Fringe encore series is announced!

http://www.fringenyc-encoreseries.com/

Featured shows:
The Complete Performer
Blanche Survives Katrina
Monsters in the Woods
Perez Hilton Saves the Universe
johnpaulgeorgeringo
The Fabulous Kane Sisters
The Boy in the Basement
Krapp39
See How Beautiful I Am
That Dorothy Parker
The Redheaded Man
There Will Come Soft Rains

I'm particularly excited for Perez Hilton Saves the Universe, if tickets would be available. Can Fringe participants (or Fringe encores participants, even, as I will be one of those?) still see the shows for the discounted price, does anyone know?

Updated On: 8/24/08 at 07:28 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/24/08 at 8:54pm

I was secretly hoping for PAPER DOLLS to be a part of it, as well. I'm sorry I missed that.

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/25/08 at 6:09pm

I can't stand Perez Hilton- I don't find him funny, don't find his website funny, the old Xanadu marquee that quoted from a Perez "review" almost turned me off from seeing the show altogether, etc... and yet, thanks to this thread I totally just bought a ticket to an encore presentation of Perez Hilton Saves the Universe.

any opinions on Blanche Survives Katrina, from those who have seen it?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 8/25/08 at 6:27pm

wickedrentq, I don't believe our Participant/Staff badges are good for the Encore series, since Fringe has nothing to do with it besides the logo. Were you at the party last night?

I have to get tickets for the shows I missed, particularly JOHNPAULGEORGERINGO, THAT DOROTHY PARKER, and possibly THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS. It's going to be weird paying for these shows now.

Sorry I was so absent this weekend! I saw a ton of shows (my final tally for the festival is 26), and, although there's no point in reviewing them now, I loved most of them.

I don't know if you realize, but KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN not only featured a cast of young girls, it was also written by them. Pretty amazing, and they definitely deserved their Outstanding Ensemble award.