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#26

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/14/10 at 12:06am

Four friends and I saw a terrific show tonight at the Cherry Pit called WANTON DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION. It's three unconnected stories that compliment each other. We all loved the show and, personally, I can't say enough good things about it. It's well written and the dry, comedic timing of the actors--all of them--is flawless. There's just nothing I feel could be improved upon. I've seen a lot of Fringe shows over the years and this is a stand out. It's in a small, somewhat out-of-the-way venue and could easily be overlooked, which would be a shame. I recommend this without any reservations. (And no, I don't know anyone associated with the show in any way...)

Earlier in the evening, we also say CATS DON'T GRIN at the Studio at Cherry Lane. I was entertained and the acting was good, but I came away unsure about what exactly the play was trying to say. It was thought-provoking enough to dominate the conversation through a short dinner afterward, but in the end, it won't be what I remember from the Fringe.

But WANTON DISPLAYS? Seriously excellent.

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#27

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/14/10 at 12:12am

I found a promo for Wanton Displays of Affection and am attaching it should anyone be interested.
LINK

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#28

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/14/10 at 5:38am

Caught the first performance of SHINE: A Burlesque Musical last night and it was absolutely fantastic.

Ribald, very adult-themed, extremely funny, and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. The songs and and most of the choreography was top-notch, and the performances were clearly well seasoned from it's run prior to the Fringe. (Seattle?)

This show is definitely well deserving of a long run well beyond the Fest. Will appeal to any fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. One of the numbers is a direct homage and the whole tone and tenor of the show is actually quite similar without being derivative at all. Some hilarious jabs taken at hyper-commercial Broadway musicals as well.

There's some video up on YouTube from it's earlier production for those that are interested.

#29

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/15/10 at 1:06am

I've heard several people say good things about SHINE. I'm going to buy tickets tomorrow.

Meanwhile, today's menu of Fringe shows included:

THE MEANS - excellent play about health care, insurance, end of life issues, and slippery slopes. Funny and thought-provoking.

WANTON DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION (yes, again) and I stand by last night's opinion. Avi Aronovitz's trip to the doctor is my favorite scene.

THE HAMLETTES - a clever idea, very well acted, but the script could use a little tightening up and clarity. Still, I enjoyed it. Three tweens get overly caught up in doing Hamlet in Theater Club and start speaking entirely in Elizabethan language. Scheming, betrayal and jealousy among middle school girls can be very harsh, dramatic and painful. Starts out rather humorously, but turns very dark.

MONETIZING EMMA - another candidate for my favorite. High caliber writing and quality acting. I'd feel comfortable encouraging people to make a point of seeing this one.

And now, for some sleep before another four show extravaganza starts tomorrow....

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#30

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/15/10 at 6:55pm

Really? No one is taking advantage of the Fringe and posting about the shows they've seen? REALLY?

I saw two more today:
GATE B23 and SAVING THROW VS LOVE.

SAVING THROW was awesome. I was kind of dragged to the show as the description didn't appeal to me, but as it turns out, one doesn't need to know a single thing about role playing games for this to be understood. Tightly written and performed, it was hilarious from start to finish. I loved it!

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#31

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/15/10 at 7:21pm

What did you think of B23?

Happy Birthday, Mom: 6.5/10

Entertaining overall if a bit slight.

Janice Lynde and Kristen Rozanski give noteworthy performances while JR Davidson is great as the Lothario. The remaining cast is solid enough with the problems stemming from the script itself which doesn't give them a great deal of dimensionality to work with.

That said, don't let the criticism dissuade you If the description of the show holds any appeal at all. It delivers just what it says on the tin, and while it could use a good bit of tightening up, there are enough laughs to make for a worthwhile outing.

#32

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/15/10 at 7:56pm

B23 was okay. I was entertained, but wouldn't go out of my way to see it. Good performances, though.

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#33

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/16/10 at 1:11am

I saw The Twentieth-Century Way last night. Fantastic acting and an interesting play. It's one of those shows that gets better the more I think about it.

Totally worth sitting for an hour and 45 minutes in the horrible Players Theatre. Ugh. I hate that venue.

#34

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/16/10 at 6:35am

I saw the first performance of "SPELLBOUND." It was epicly bad, but totally worth seeing. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

#35

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 12:53am

Lost and Found is really good at Cherry Pit. Do buy advanced tix.

johnraymondbarker.com

#36

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 1:29am

I saw Saving Throw Versus Love yesterday and had the same reaction!!! The woman at Fringe Central recommended it, it fit our time slot and it was fantastic! I don't play games but thought it was hilarious and one of the best acting companies I've seen in a Fringe show.

Really liked Jew Wish - very sweet one woman show. Wasn't thrilled with Wanton Acts of Desire, it felt like an ordinary Fringe show. Julius Caesar was well acted but not my thing. Get Rich Cheating was fun. Seeing When We Last Flew, Shaheed, Just in Time and Katrina Comedy Festival this week. Any other suggestions? Anyone see Fay Lane or By Hands Unknown?

#37

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 10:28am

Is anyone planning to see Platinum? I so wish I could go.

#38

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 11:15am

I'm seeing Platinum tomorrow night and am very excited. The score has some real gems in there.

Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

#39

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 11:36am

Be sure to post your thoughts!

#40

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 11:45am

Saw two more Monday evening:

HEADSCARF and the ANGRY BITCH: A one woman show featuring a Muslim folk-rocker. It was very creative, off-beat without trying too hard, and totally entertaining. Definitely worth going out of your way to catch a performance.

BUTTERFLY BUTTERFLY, KILL, KILL, KILL: I don't even know where to begin to describe what I experienced. A performance piece? A dance? A puppet show? A musical? It is apparently based on a really bad Japanese noir film involving assassins trying to move up in ranking. The choreography was terrific and it was quite funny without being an actual comedy. Again, I am describing it very awkwardly, but I was thoroughy mesmerized (sometimes in a WTF? way, but mesmerized none-the-less...) For me, this is the essence of what you might see only at the Fringe. I really liked it, even if I'm not sure what "it" was.

Tonight's plan: HETEROSEXUALS

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#41

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 1:15pm

i think that i'm seeing Heterosexuals as well this evening.

'Take me out tonight where's there's music and there's people and they're young and alive.'

#42

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 5:22pm

Seeing Platinum Wed. night and will post my impressions as soon as I get home.

#43

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/17/10 at 6:23pm

The Broadway Doc takes on Fringe, Part 1.

The Doc Diagnosis "Wanton Displays of Affection"

Trust Me, I'm a Doctor.

Updated On: 8/17/10 at 06:23 PM

#44

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/19/10 at 6:17am

Last night…

Terms of Dismemberment was a hot mess. Opening number was great but it was mostly downhill from there. Some genuine laughs to be had, but I'd say only about 50% of the jokes land. The cast was very good overall, some of the music was too, but nothing could overcome the abysmal book.

Platinum was a stark contrast. Utterly professional and polished by comparison. Outstanding cast, enjoyable songs, but lacking thrust. Good value given Fringe prices, far more "uptown" than usual fringe fare, but in the end rather forgettable.

Hamlet Shut Up was stellar as long as you're able to enjoy cheap laughs. Whatever you think it might be like based on the description, it's funnier, sillier, and even more outrageous by far. Pretty much anyone but the stodgiest high-brow purists will have a load of fun. At the end of the show it was mentioned that they think the Friday show is already sold out, which only leaves one remaining slot on Saturday. Definitely buy advance tix now if you're wanting to catch it.

#45

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/19/10 at 6:41pm

I have friends in Jurassic Parq the Broadway Musical and it looks hilarious! Looks like a lot of fun... http://www.jurassicparq.blogspot.com

#46

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/21/10 at 9:44am

Thursday:
WHEN LAST WE FLEW - So-so. You need to know Angels in America in order for it to make sense. And if you already know A in A, there is no need to pound the concepts home with a sledgehammer.
GROUND TO CLOUD - Very good. Dance with lighting effects, shadows, and, yes, some 3D (glasses included).

Friday:
THE BEATITUDES: Sloppy dancing and hard landings can kill a show.

RAISIN IN THE SALAD: BLACK STORIES FOR WHITE PEOPLE: I hated this show. It was supposed to be edgy, I guess. I found it inanely stupid. I'm as ready to laugh at inappropriate stereotypes as the next guy, but they didn't ring true. I expected to find something out about how "white ladies" are perceived, even endure some cringes of self-recognition along the way, but nothing. Good acting by all, but really...I thought this was a hot mess, as the kids would say. It just didn't work.

A PERSONAL WAR: THE MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS: Good, but breaks the 4th wall when the author starts addressing the audience before the show is over. Still...excellent multimedia staging and a lot of emotion. Keeps making me think about how horrific things happens all the time, elsewhere...things that change the lives of so many...and yet, to us, it is a two or three day news story.

Today:
HAMLET SHUT UP
BY HANDS UNKNOWN
FOR THE BIRDS
PICKING PALIN

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#47

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/21/10 at 9:48am

Just to summarize, of the 16 shows I've seen already, the five I would most readily recommend are:

- Saving Throw vs Love (I'm going back and taking friends on Tuesday)
- Wanton Displays of Affection (have seen it twice...took friends)
- Monetizing Emma
- Headscarf and the Angry Bitch
- The Means

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#48

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/22/10 at 1:22am

How did you like For the Birds and Picking Palin. I've heard the latter is good but lacks in pacing. (my wife is a political wonk so she'll probably love it no matter what)

Also did the friends you brought to Wanton Displays share your enthusiasm for it?

#49

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/22/10 at 11:57am

I was wrong about seeing For the Birds yesterday...our tickets are for NEXT Saturday.

PICKING PALIN was terrific...so much better than I'd expected. I hadn't paid that much attention to the description, so I was expecting a comedy of sorts taking shots at an easy target. What it turned out to be is an actual play in which Palin isn't even a character. It is a four character show that depicts the final days before she was announce as the VP and just how she may have slid into the spot. The really wonderful thing about it is that it doesn't presume that all Republicans are blithering idiots with no ethics or values or concerns for the country. I'm generally to the left of Democratic, just to make clear where I'm coming from. I agree that there are a couple of pacing issues that could be tighted up (but not much) and this could find a serious longer term run somewhere. It's really an excellent show.

BY HANDS UNKNOWN was also worth the trip. It's a series of vignettes written long ago by "regular" people to portray the experience of lynching from the black community's experiences. They never show the lynchings during the telling of the stories.
With the exception of one small unnecessary part that could have been cut (too much exposition), this is a heavy and grave story and the final minute drives it all home. It's hard for me to grasp that this REALLY happened. And it happened during MY lifetime. Okay, I was a toddler, but still.

HAMLET SHUT UP was creative and fun, a tiny bit too long. The live piano accompaniment is exceptional. I'm a little Hamletted out, but I was happy this one snuck in before I declared a moratorium on anything else Shakespeare related.

Oh, and yes...our friends DID share our enthusiasm for WANTON DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION. I read a review that dumped on it a tad for younger people playing older people. I thought that was part of the charm. And they nailed it so perfectly, that it kind of had a subtext of the familiar from older generations.

No shows today... We need a break.

Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10

#50

Fringe NYC?

Posted: 8/22/10 at 5:45pm

POPE! is HILARIOUS. Absolutely love it.

Have a Nice Life is also really great, and their last performance is tonight at 10:30, so I really encourage people to come out for it if they can.

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