101 RULES FOR DATING (OF WHICH YOU WILL HEAR 20 OR SO…) Review

101 RULES FOR DATING (OF WHICH YOU WILL HEAR 20 OR SO...) from Venzin-Althaus EXPLOSION! Photos by Jeff Burkle.

101 RULES FOR DATING (OF WHICH YOU WILL HEAR 20 OR SO…) from Venzin-Althaus EXPLOSION! as part of the 2011 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Megan Venzin and Emily Althaus are funny and charming as they recount personal dating misadventures that led to the creation of 101 RULES FOR DATING. A slide show of graphics and personal photos adds a fun, visual element to their storytelling. This format works well and creates many laugh out loud moments.

The show begins to lose its momentum about two-thirds of the way through the performance. The video of “man on the street” interviews is a tired device and runs too long. Following the film is an audience participation/improv section that does little to re-energize the show. Another story before the final scene would be a welcome addition.

Overall a fun, but uneven work. Its strength is their personal stories, the rest just seems to be filler.

The final performance of 101 RULES FOR DATING (OF WHICH YOU WILL HEAR 20 OR SO…) at the Art Academy of Cincinnati is Saturday at 8pm.

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