Fringe Reviews

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:38am

So, with the Fringe Fest starting later on today, what's everyone's plans? How many shows are you seeing? Got an insider info? early predictions for hits and misses?


I myself am going to 27 shows, all on fridays saturdays and sundays (including 2 5 show days next weekend)

I'm also excited because a i have a friend directing a show that some other friends are starring in and stage managing.

FringeNYC site

Updated On: 8/20/06 at 12:38 AM

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:49am

Dam--- that's whole lotta Fringe shows.

What show do you know people involved in?

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:57am

The Big Picture.

The Director, couple of the actors and the stage manager and I all participated in SpringboardNYC this summer.

and the Director of The Argmageddon Dance Party has directed a couple shows at my college in the last couple years.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 1:53am

It just doesn't seem the same without Robbiej...

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:47pm

Saw two shows today.

First was "It's a Hit" which was amusing, and works well as a fringe show. At times a little tedious, but overall a good experience.

second was "Tell-Tale Heart: A Musicabre" It had a lot of potential. The score was interesting and appealing, but the show would have benefited from a better singer.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:30am

Show: Fallen Angel
Venue: The Village Theatre
Recommendation: Skip it.

This show depicts the story of Lucifer's rebellion against heaven because of his jealousy of God's attention to man. I think. Motivations and characterizations aren't exactly the strong point of the production. You'd think that at the Fringe, of all places, you could find some sympathy for the devil, but Fallen Angel definitely didn't go the Lucifer-as-Prometheus route I thought it was going to. Heck, it didn't even take the wry Good Omens path. Instead, it's an extremely earnest, extremely vapid, and rather New Testament story of redemption, forgiveness, and blah blah blah. The whole thing is sung through, which is a huge mistake- nearly every song is an undistinguished rock anthem with the same verse repeated again and again. Whatever happened to writing a middle eight? The two gospel numbers, "God Moves" and "This Thing Called Man", come off much better because that style of music is suited to musical and lyrical repetition. But overall, this show is humorless and conceptually empty, a waste of its strong-voiced and attractive cast. I realize that the Fringe isn't Broadway, but in a clearly semi-pro production like this one I really expect more.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:09am

that makes me sad about Fallen Angel, cause this show really looked really good, adn I'm going to see it during the fringe.

now for me, I saw another 2 shows today (well since its 12:37 i guess it was really yesterday now)


First was T.L.C.

It was an interesting look at the one character we see on stage (there are 3 other voices heard, but which are only recordings, and there is also Barney, the gold fish) but it tended to drag a little. The show would have worked much better, for me, had it been about 15 or 20 minutes shorter. It really just needed to be tightened up. The performance was good, at times a little over the the character she plays is over the top. The one really negative thing i have to say is that the claim of every venue being Air Conditioned is BULL SH*T. the Linhart was far from ACd, because a large square fan house left does not an AC make.


The second show I saw today so much potential it was disgusting. Breeze Off The River could have been a great show, something that could have been moved to a larger market, but sadly fell victim to the ameteurity (probably not a word, but I can't think of anything else) of the Fringe. The story is an interesting one. A young man (i cant remember his character name right now and my program is in my room) and his wife Rebecca, who have an 8 year old son seperate. The young man, who has quit his job to stay home and take care of his son while his wife's theatre career buds has nowhere to go, so he moves in with a gay man (and practicially his 2 gay friends Alex, an amalgamation of effeminite gay stereotypes, but not to the point of insult or annoyance, and Joey, a lawyer with the ACLU, who both come and go from Sean's appartment at will) that he has met only days before. Everything seems to be going well, Sean is adjusting to living with people, the young man is adjusting to life, trying to find a job, the child is adjusting to the seperation of his parents and this new life when all of sudden Rebecca shows up and wants custody of the child.

The show questions a lot of things. the two major questions it asks are; What is a family? and, What are the bounderies of love?

Now, to my point about the ameteurity of the Fringe. The show needs rewritting, desperately. It isinnumerable the number times I wanted to get up and leave because the subject matter moved from being dealt with in a real, and interesting way to a heavy handed, melodramatic fashion. The writing is also very unfocused. The play has its core story and the goal of what it wants to say, or explore, but there a large number of side issues that it needs to resolve. These are sub-conflicts that just get in the way.

Next, the acting. I don't know if it was because it was the first performance of the show, if it was nerves, if there hadn't been enough rehearsal time, the melodramatic writing, a lack of directing, all of the above, or if some of the actors just had no business being on a stage, but, with the exception the actress playing Rebecca the acting was iffy. Now, it wasn't a constant thing, there were times when it was all good, there were times when it was all bad, there were times when it was good and bad, and then there were times where it was non-existant.


Finally, I am personally not a fan of children in live theatre. it never works out as well as you want it to, and this was no exception. They would have probably been better served to go with a kid who was a little older than the character.


Like I said. It had the potential to be great, and I think with the proper rewrites and changes it could be improved.



Tomorrow I'm seeing 5 shows (4 scheduled, gonna buy another ticket out of conieninece.) Girl Scouts of America, House, The Last Spoken Word, ...Categories, and The Armageddon Dance Party

[Plum]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 12:20am

Show: Corleone
Venue: The Players Theatre
Verdict: Good, but not great

I haven't seen The Godfather, but I found this Shakespearean adaptation of it perfectly easy to follow. The structure of a mob family translates easily into that of a tragic royal family, complete with murder, betrayal, and exile. The actors were all fine in their multiple roles, and the spare scenery was very nicely used. My only problem is that this never rose to greatness- the ending of the show should be tragic, or at least filled with moral ambiguity, but all I ended up feeling was admiration for the relatively polished execution of this production. This is a fun Fringe tidbit at just over an hour long, but don't expect to be wowed.

Show: The Happiness of Schizophrenia
Venue: The Players Theatre Loft
Verdict: See it

A mix of monologue, song, and movement, this is the kind of autobiographical solo show that's especially common at the Fringe. I mean, that's the idea of the thing- to give a venue to performances that would normally be too weird or too narrow in their appeal to have one. And even though I've heard meditations on the nature of insanity before, Anthony Wills has the talent to fill the small performance space and make this more than a pseudo-intellectual piece of self-indulgence. He's well worth watching, and at under an hour long this is a good show to tuck into the middle of a Fringe-going day.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 12:59am

ok, so i saw 5 shows today, I'll post my reviews around 2pm cause I'm to tired to make a complete, coherent post.

[circusliz]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 12:04pm

Hi--

Are any of you planning on seeing Tradition! at the Fringe? One of my classmates from HS is in it, and I'm just curious to hear reviews.

All info is much appreciated!

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:18pm

I plan on seeing Only a Lad and Moral Values, because I've got friends working on both, and I almost stage managed the former. Unfortunately, my rehearsal schedule might not even let me see those two, so I don't think I can add anything else to the list. But if I end up seeing them, I will be posting a review! As un-biased as I can be, I swear. :)

[WickedLauren]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 5:04pm

I'm seeing Henry Kissinger on Wednesday, a friend is directing it. It got a good review from Saturday night.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:44pm

Ok, I know I said i was gonna post my reviews earlier, but I over slept and had to get to class.

So here they are.

It was a busy day, with 4 scheduled shows, and one I saw because I had the time inbetween 2 two of the scheduled ones.

First was Girl Scouts of America. This is was a pleasant suprise. It was funny and smart. There's not a ton to say about it. The play wasn't some great piece of eye opening art, but it worked. I would recommend it, espeically for anyone that has been involved with scouts, as you would probably find it funnier than I.

Second was the pick up show that wasn't scheduled, House. I can't say I understood this play. The performances were good, and the events of the play were interesting and funny, and at times a little heart breaking, but what it all meant is a mystery to me. The show begins with 2 people, apparently Turkish immigrants. A short time later, a latino couple enter the home (with a key) and confusion begins as to exactly who the home belongs to. After that, though, the show takes a bizarre turn as the two women begin to discuss if they are happy with their marriages. I would reccomend the show for its performances. Also, the Theatre was very uncomfortable (HEnry Street Settlement Experimental).

the third show was The Last Spoken Word. Again, good performances, but the writing was not great. It was pretictable, rambling, and too long. Because it was in the same theatre as House, making it throught the end was difficult.

4th was ...Categories (a simple play). The subtitle is not a lie. It is a simple play, and that's what makes it works. 2 good actors, plus an interesting story, plus an economic use of time equals a good show. Some might call it trite, but I enjoyed it. The two characters begin the show with a meeting in (I think) central Park. The show jumps around in time. The first jump is 5 years back, to the first time the two met, on a porch, at a college party. Go see the show. Its good.

(these revies suck, but I'm sorry, I'm not really in a reviewing state of mind)

The Last show was my favorite of the day. The Armageddon Dance Party Now, Take this all with a grain of salt, because I have a connection to this show, I currently go to school with one of the actresses, went to school with the stage manager/light board op. and the director has directed 2 shows at my school in the last 2 years. However, when i decided to see the show, I wasn't aware that any of those people were involved. Now, for some of you, you may be tempted to leave at intermission, DON'T. The first act seems like the show is just a series of misunderstandings, and college age humor. But the show is actually very smart. It full of humor, that can't be denied. But its much more than just that. If you take the oppurtunity to actually sit and watch the show and try ot understand it, it will make you think.

What would you do if it was the last day?


ok, no more shows til friday.

[magic8ball]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 3:24am

I'd like to add to this thread that anyone who is in the mood for an interesting, thought-provoking show should venture out to see "Bloodties" at the Access Theatre. It is an autobiographical work that features a fascinating glimpse into the life of its author, Ned Massey. Well-done and oftentimes moving.

Updated On: 8/15/06 at 03:24 AM

[Plum]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 1:10am

Show: The Onion Lovers
Venue: Cherry Lane Theatre
Verdict: Go for the cuteness. Stay for Kellie Arens.

This one-act play is basically an extended meet-cute. You've seen this story before- slightly uptight and repressed guy finally learns to unwind and be himself thanks to a free-spirited kook of a girl. Inevitably, the girl's role is the juicy one, leaving the guy's looking drab by comparison- just look at Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Here, the show is mostly worth watching for Kellie Arens' charming and, yes, kooky performance as Audrey, a compulsive liar in an orange sundress. The play would be more of a sucess if Audrey changed as well as instigated change, but overall it's a pleasant diversion.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 11:10pm

So, weekend 2 has begun. I had 2 scheduled shows today, but couldn't sleep this morning so I went to the city early and saw "58!"

58! was cute, but really that was about it.

"The Infliction of Cruelty" was amazing. Like potential off-broadway material. maybe even Broadway. The acting was so beyond description, and the story was great.

"The French Defense" really didn't suit me, but I think it was more because I haven't slept in more than a day so my tolerence level is really low.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 11:25pm

Was Kyle Menshew in Fallen Angel as Gabrial(sp?)? If so, how was he?

[Plum]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 12:27am

Gabriel was played by someone known as Delisco, who was actually one of the standouts of the show thanks to having one of those upbeat gospel numbers as his big solo.

Show: ...categories (a simple play)
Venue: Center for Architecture
Verdict: Eh. Take it or leave it.

This play, like The Onion Lovers, is a two-person relationship story, though it has more overtly artsy aspirations. Shifting back and forth between the two characters' college days and their chance meeting in New York a few years after graduation, the play is marked with projections of college and city scenes accompanied by pop music like Dave Matthews Band and Norah Jones. Melissa Osborne played the neurotic female half of the couple with fast staccato bursts of speech that sometimes passed too quickly to be comprehended. William Connel, as the more easy-going male, drew his words out more, often with an amiable grin fixed on his face. Neither of them really became fully formed characters to me, though, and the play didn't seem to have any point in the end. For all its attractive fixings, this show didn't come to much.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 12:35am

up to this point (12 of 29 shows) Infliction of Cruelty gets my vote for best of the fest.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/20/06 at 12:24am

ok, So Turns out, I'm gonna see 30 shows.

Saw 5 more today.

First was "Sax and Dixon"

It was funny. I have a great respect for people who can in and out of characters so well, and quickly. However, The story was a little silly. The show was enjoyable, but not great.

Second was "The Yellow Wallpaper"

Of the 30 or so in the audience, atleast 5 people were asleep at various points in the show, not counting me, counting me, its at least 6. This show was just not entertaining. I like the source material, but this dramatization was just boring. I slept for about 20 of the 45 minutes of the show and it was still the longest 45 minutes of my life.

3rd was "Don't Spit the Water" which was great.

Part of it might have been that I was one of the 3 audience members that got to participate. And I failed at not spittting the water. And at one point, I got a bigger laugh than the guy trying to make me laugh which was humorous.

4th was "Godversations" which was another boring show. I had high hopes given the description, but after about 15 minutes i had dozed off. Things started good, with some laughs, and then all of a sudden, the funny things weren't funny any more.

Finally was "Fallen Angel" which I might have dozed off during had it not been so over amplified. Just because its a Rock Opera doesn't mean you have to amplify it like it's a god damned slipknot concert. The score was boring. A lot of the lyrics were silly. But there were a couple of good songs, and a number of very good Performances.

So, after 17 of 30 shows (for me) I have some preliminary awards to hand out.

Best of the Fest has to be The Infliction of Cruelty.

Best Actress in a play. Elizabeth Van Meter as Prussian in Infliction...

Best Comic Timing, Aimee DeShayes as Zoe in Infliction...

Best Actress in a Musical. Joanna Glushak as Cherie in "It's a Hit"

and now, the most important Award, Best Hottie in a musical, Dan Domenche as Raphael in Fallen Angel

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 8:42am

So, yesterday was a long day. It began (atleast when it comes to actually viewing plays) at noon and ended (atleast when it comes to seeing plays, at midnight. The day itself was actually much longer than that.

SO, The day began with "Diving Normal" at the Access, which was well worth the 4 story climb that almost killed my fat ass. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't even almost perfect (it was in need of some rewritting) but the ground work of a really amazing play was there and there were 3 terrific performances.

second i saw "Grace Falls" and, well, it was a hot mess (for those of you not up to date on your slang, that means it was bad). I can't complain about the score, as it was one of the few redeeming things about the show. One of the other redeeming qualities was young dancer Amy Liszka as the mute sister Azariah. Her performance, just continues to prove the emotionality of dance, because that was all she had. Finally, the 3rd redeeming quality, the choreography. It was clear that the choreography had been the central focus of the preperation of these artist. On an unrelated note, Andrew Keenan-Bolger looks 12 on stage.

3rd I saw "Faust" which really, wasn't more than the origianl with a couple of video vignettes, and vulgarity littered music.

4th I saw "Rainy days and Mondays." There was good, and there was bad. The good, it wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it might be (after last year's "Seduction" the modern, gay, retelling of "La Ronde" i was worried about this gay little play). The bad, it wasn't nearly as good as I'd hoped it would be. Oh, there was some more good, in the form of Jamyl Dobson who acts circles about his 3 co-stars (and around most of the other performers in the festival.)

My last show of the day was "We Love You Johnny Hero." Unfortunately this show doesn't live up to what it's trying to do. it attempts to poke fun at the government and media, in a biting satire, but never succeeds at rising above fluff. there are a number of stand out endsemble performances, but not really but else.

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 9:00am

I have only seen one show and it was Rainy Days and Mondays. While I did not feel it was an amazing show, I felt it was ok. Nothing extraordinary but I was mostly entertained.

I have to disagree on your assesment on Jamyl Dobson. While I felt he was very good, he was a bit over the top at times but I do realize that was partly his character and partly his acting style. I also disagree that he acted circles around the other 3. I thought that Michael Carbonaro was truly great. He was very controlled and very heartfelt. After seeing him in the movie Another Gay Movie and now this, I believe he is someone to watch.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 9:22am

Well, Jamyl certianly acted circles around Ander Del Rio

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 9:46am

Zone

We can both agree that Jamyl was far superior to both Ander Del Rio and Benjamin Gabriel. Both were left in his dust.

[marcshow]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 10:51am

I agree with you, the show was, simply put "ok"
I was fearing much worse. Michael Carbonaro was by far the commanding player of the team, a pleasant surprise, bringing truth and heart to at times, very overwritten text. I was drawn in to his character and clear arc. The show and other actors would have crumbled without him. If there are Fringe Awards, his work should be considered.