Monthly Archives: May 2016

An explosive release of physical comedy, hysteria, music and more!

Becca Bernard. Photo by Kirk Marsh.

Cincinnati, OH–The Cincinnati Fringe Festival will host the World Premiere of THE FAINTING ROOM, a solo show created and performed by Brooklyn physical comedienne Becca Bernard. THE FAINTING ROOM runs for a 3 day limited engagement at OTR Community Church, 1310 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202.

Performances are June 7, 9:15pm; June 9, 6:30pm; June 11, 9:15pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at cincyfringe.com, in person at the box office 30 minutes prior to showtime, 1310 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, or by calling 513-300-5669. Running time is 60 minutes with no intermission.

THE FAINTING ROOM is an explosive release of physical comedy, music, and candid confession. This raucous show explores the ideas behind the historical phenomenon  “female hysteria,” celebrating self love and vibrators and rejecting the idea that it is better to be unhappy with someone or something that doesn’t fit than to be alone.

Inspired by true historic events, the show chronicles some of the anatomical misunderstandings of the age, the absurd treatments that were offered to cure hysteria; a medical condition that dates back from the fourth century B.C. to approximately 1952 and was typified by symptoms such as fainting, anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability and nervousness. The show also follows the present day journey of a woman who has just run away from the altar and is seeking help to feel like a full person.

Becca Bernard is a Brooklyn, NY based performance artist who blends physical comedy, clown, story-telling, music and dance to communicate her ferociously optimistic perspective of the world. She is excited to be back at the Cincinnati Fringe–last year she was a performer with Animal Engine’s production Dog Show. In addition to performing onstage as an actor, she is a resident clown for the Zany Umbrella Circus, the hospital organization Lev Leytzan and The Amazing Max Off-Broadway. Becca trained as a fool in Arezzo Italy, studying Commedia Dell’ Arte, mask performance and clown at the Accademia Dell Arte.