Yearly Archives: 2017

June 4, 2017 · 9:22 am

CFF17: My Fringe Show Rankings

Updated 6/11/17 8:15am

CFF_Larry 13_2_2

Katie Mitchell as Larry and Rory Sheridan as Keagan in LARRY 13:2 from Muwhahaha Productions. Photo by Erika NJ Allen.

I have reached that point in the Fringe Festival where I become woefully behind in reviews vs. productions I’ve seen.

Below I am ranking the shows I’ve attended to date, based on a number of criteria from the voices in my head. 🙂 Please understand that differences between shows in the rankings can be infinitesimal.

Links to reviews added as they become available.

  1. LARRY 13:2 | Review
  2. GOD OF OBSIDIAN | Review
  3. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF NICOLE JACOBS, PART 1: THE SISTER | Review
  4. GEN AND MABEL
  5. BALLS OF YARNS
  6. LADY MACBETH AND HER PAL, MEGAN
  7. BUSTED BUMPERS AND OTHER METAPHORS 
  8. 8 X 10
  9. IS THAT ALL THERE IS? | Review
  10. THE PINK HULK: One Woman’s Journey to Find the Superhero Within 
  11. WHERE THERE WERE WOODS
  12. WHITE PRIVILEDGE
  13. SPY IN THE HOUSE OF MEN
  14. ROMEO + JULIET + ANYBODYS
  15. pet fish are for killing by accident somehow it’s really quite inevitable
  16. VELVETEEN: OR HOW TO BE REAL
  17. MY DARLING DILOPHOSAURUS | Review
  18. ZELDA AND HADLEY: TOGETHER AT LAST
  19. SUMATRAN RHINO
  20. THE MONSTER SONGS
  21. WILDERNESS SURVIVAL 
  22. TOTALLY UNTRUE STORIES – TOTALLY UNLIKE ANY NOCTURNAL FLYING INSECT
  23. KATES
  24. BED (A FEVER DREAM)
  25. mOTHER
  26. HOME
  27. INVISIBLE GIRL
  28. NINE SHORT PLAYS FOR THE THEATRE
  29. VAPERS AT THE GATE
  30. FIGHT FOR 52¢   

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June 4, 2017 · 9:01 am

CFF17: My Fringe Schedule: Day 5/Saturday Sell Outs

I’m finishing out the first week of Fringe with three more performances by three new participants.

CFF_The Pink Hulk_1x1First up is THE PINK HULK: One Woman’s Journey to Find the Superhero Within

What’s the first thing Valerie does when she’s diagnosed with cancer for a second time? She tries to get laid. Battling breast cancer after fighting off lymphoma, Valerie’s afraid she might lose “the girls” and takes them out for one last hurrah. Does she succeed? Come see it to find out! This sexy, adventurous solo show follows the triumphant journey of one woman seeking her own “hulk-like” strength to find her superhero within!

PINK HULK is written and performed by Valerie David out of New York City.

CFF_Lady Macbeth and Her Pal MeganNext, it’s Cornfed Productions from Iowa City, IA bringing LADY MACBETH AND HER PAL, MEGAN to Cincinnati.

When comedian Megan Gogerty is informed that she can’t play Lady Macbeth – because Lady Macbeth is a tragic figure of powerful darkness, and Megan is the human equivalent of a golden retriever – she sets out to prove them all wrong. Silly, theatrical, and complex, Megan attempts to answer the question, “What’s it like to be a woman comedian?” Spoiler: it’s murder.

cff_DrDourandPeach_hires1

Dr. Dour & Peac. Photo by Kintz.

I wrap up the day at the family-friendly THE MONSTER SONGS with Dr. Dour and Peach from Washington, D.C.

Dr. Dour pours forth tales both horrible and wondrous in a torrent of musical stylings. And Peach helps. Together they deliver never-before-told tales of lovesick mummies, giant lizards, bargain-hunting zombies, and other hapless creatures of the night in a cabaret cocktail of original songs. The mysterious is scrutinized. The strange is eternalized. And the dangerous is epitomized in song. Dr. Dour (vocals, 10-string touch-guitar) and Peach (cello, banjo, cute) elucidate all.

Announced at last night’s news, eight performances SOLD OUT on Saturday. They were:

Congratulations to all.

Happy Fringing!

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June 3, 2017 · 8:04 am

CFF17: My Fringe Schedule: Day 4

Much to do today before I head down to OTR. (Mabel can’t drive herself to the dog park dont’ cha know.) Short and sweet, today I am seeing:

CFF_Busted BumpersBUSTED BUMPERS AND OTHER METAPHORS, written and perfomed by local performer Alexx Rouse. Rouse may be the first FringeNext entrant (2012-YOU WILL HAVE 25 MINUTES) who graduated into the primary line-up.

We all have those friends who tell us every detail about their lives. That person isn’t usually your father. Told in entries taking place on the car rides to school, BUSTED BUMPERS AND OTHER METAPHORS is a heartfelt, funny one woman show about what it’s like to realize that maybe your perfect nuclear family isn’t exactly all it’s cracked up to be. So hop in the car with Alexx. There’s White Castle in here.

CFF_Fight for 52 logoAlso in 2012, Howard Petrick made his first appearance at the Cincy Fringe with BREAKING RANK! His entry this year is called FIGHT FOR 52¢:

V. R. Dunne’s whole life and character had prepared him for the Minneapolis truck drivers strike of 1934. The workers knew him as a good organizer, who smoked union-made cigarettes, was fond of the movies, didn’t get drunk, and was honest. He never raised his voice or wrote someone off without giving them a chance. The men followed his leadership and many of them, if the occasion offered, would be willing to die for him.

CFF_HomeBen Dudley, best know for his unique sense of humor, offers a psychological thriller this year with HOME:

Rachel struggles to write her next book after a home invasion leaves her unable to feel safe. Hoping to work in peace, she takes a job watching a vacationing couple’s apartment, but is distracted by a suspicious neighbor, Tasha. Slowly, both women become convinced something nefarious happened to the Coopers. From the artists responsible for BOO-BOO (2016) and OCCUPATIONAL PLEASURES (2015) comes a psychological thriller told through text and live sound effects.

Directed by Buz Davis, the cast includes David Levy, Mark Bowen, Tricia Allen & Leah Strasser.

CFF_Spy in the House of Men_1x1From Rochester, NY is SPY IN THE HOUSE OF MEN, written and performed by Penny Sterling:

Forgo the frill, abandon pretension, and dig in for 50 minutes of humble and humorous insight as Penny Sterling relates the very true story of her fictitious life as a man, and her true life as a transgender woman. Rochester comedienne, parent, TV producer/director, improv artist, storyteller, and now informant, Penny will report the findings from her 54 years as a SPY IN THE HOUSE OF MEN.

CFF_Sumantran RhinoClosing out my night is SUMATRAN RHINO presented in partnership with local Hugo West Theatricals:

At one time, the numbers of the Sumatran Rhinoceros were in the thousands. The count has now dwindled to under a hundred. Our conservation efforts are being met with criticism, as there are ethical concerns, and we would like an opportunity to answer them. Please attend our conference as we explore the aspects of these issues and explain why this species is so vital. 

Written by Michael Douglas Hall and directed by Greg Proccacino, the cast includes Darnell Pierre Benjamin & Burgess Byrd.

There are 23 performances today. Make a trip down to Over-the-Rhine today and join the weirdness.

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June 2, 2017 · 12:37 pm

CFF17: My Fringe Schedule: Day 3

I’m back in Over-the-Rhine tonight for three more shows.

CFF_Is That All There IsFirst scheduled is IS THAT ALL THERE IS? This is Cincinnati LAB Theatre’s first entry in the Cincy Fringe, but you may have caught their original productions that last couple of summers over at Falcon Theater.

Ronald Ryan, known professionally as cabaret star “Rita,” prepares for one final performance. Amidst the wigs and gowns are also regrets, booze, and broken relationships. Will this finale – and an encounter with his sister and former duet partner – provide the closure he’s looking for? Or will Ronald leave the stage wondering “Is That All There Is?”

The cast includes Jared Doren, Danielle Muething & Sean Michael Flowers. Local actress Sara Mackie is the playwright of the piece. You can see Sara on stage as Jennifer Keaton in FAMILY TIES (yes, based on the TV sitcom) at Human Race Theatre Company in Dayton through June 25 AFTER the fringe closes, of course. 🙂 Happy opening Sara!

CFF_God of Obsidian promoShow number two is GOD OF OBSIDIAN from Gideon Productions based out of Queens, NY. This is their second visit to the Cincinnati Fringe having presented LIGATURE MARKS in 2014.

You have to cross a bridge to get to Nathan’s house. Crossing in is tricky. But crossing out – as Alice soon discovers – is almost impossible. From the writer of the global hit podcast THE MESSAGE and the creative team behind CityBeat Critic’s Pick LIGATURE MARKS comes a dark fairytale about a psychologically abusive relationship, as one woman seeks the story that will take her back across the bridge and set her free.

CFF_Gen_and_Mabel promoMy Friday night concludes with GEN AND MABEL, the sophomore effort from Caps Lock Theatre from New York, NY.

From last year’s Producer’s Pick Award winner comes a heartbreaking queer dramedy! GEN and MABEL like each other. A whole lot. So why can’t this relationship seem to get off the ground? As they try to shortcut their way to intimacy by baring their souls, they break each other’s hearts repeatedly in tiny, devastating ways – and then come back together. A story about trust, lust, and the quest for connection.

Please say hello if you see me out and about tonight. I’ll be at the Know after the final show for the Fringe News. Happy Fringing!

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June 1, 2017 · 4:27 pm

CFF17: LARRY 13:2 Review

LARRY 13:2 presented by Muwahahaha Productions as part of the 2017 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here. 

CFF_Larry 132“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers…”

As much as I enjoy a performance in the moment, it’s when I sit down in front of the computer to put my experience into words that I come to realize how much I enjoyed a production. Color me impressed with LARRY 13:2.

The script by Tracy Hoida is very smart, funny, engaging and succinct. Even though religion is a central conceit to the story, I did not find it to be preachy or condescending. I also appreciated that no attempt was made to pad the story in order to push the length closer to 60 minutes. Brevity is the soul of wit, after all.

Katie Mitchell is a joy to watch as Larry. High energy, fast-talking and yet always in control of herself and the situation. I look forward to seeing her on stage again.

As Keagan, Rory Sheridan is committed and believable as his character deals with the world-altering information being thrown at him.

Director Rebecca Bromels shows a deft hand in staging and pacing. At times the show barrels ahead at almost break neck speed, but Bromels also allows important moments to have the weight and impact.

LARRY 13:2 is an extremely well-written story, with compelling performances by two talented actors, and expertly directed. The synergy of the three elevates the production. Best to buy your tickets sooner rather than later. Four performances remain through June 9.

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