Author Archives: robbucher

ELEANOR’S STORY: LIFE AFTER WAR presented by Ingrid Garner as part of the 2025 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. 

★★★★★ “A complete, stand-alone epic.” —Fringe Feed. Ingrid Garner, 16X award-winning creator of “Eleanor’s Story: An American Girl In Hitler’s Germany”, delivers a fascinating sequel to her grandmother’s acclaimed memoir. After surviving WWII caught in Berlin, Eleanor struggles to navigate U.S. high school while haunted by war trauma.

I was thoroughly impressed with Garner’s first Cincy Fringe show last year. When I read that she was returning in 2025, I made seeing this one a priority, and again she does not disappoint.

While this sequel is a continuation of Ingrid’s grandmother’s story, it is a complete show that does not require you to see the first.

Garner’s performance is nearly flawless, as she deftly portrays multiple characters, each with their own body language and speaking cadence. Not only is the story compelling, but it is also a timely reminder about being on the right side of history.

Overall, an impressive performer who embodies a young woman’s unique perspective of World War II.

Three performances remain at the Sanctuary at First Lutheran Church:

• Thu, June 5 at 7pm
• Sat, June 7 at 7pm
• Sun, June 8 at 4:15pm

TEA TIME presented by Erika MacDonald as part of the 2025 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. 

We don’t have time for this.  WINNER: BEST SHOW.  I don’t even like tea. WINNER: HEARTSTRING AWARD.  But people keep saying we should see her show.  WINNER: BEST FEMALE PERFORMER.  How long is it?  60 Minutes?  WINNER: CRITICS PICK-OF-THE-FRINGE.  Ok… yeah, let’s see it.

Local performance artist Erika MacDonald is premiering her latest work at the 2025 Cincy Fringe.

Titled TEA TIME, MacDonald uses the brewing and steeping of a cup of tea as a springboard for exploring our relationship with time. Erika is endearing and engaging in her performance, easily breaking the fourth wall, and pulling the audience in as willing participants for sixty minutes.

Directed by Paul Strickland, the at-times intentional slow-pacing worked well, forcing the audience to appreciate the mo-ments. Reminding us that things of quality take time and how important and fleeting shared moments can be as an audience.

And never underestimate the importance of steeping. 🙂

Overall a very enjoyable new work, well-written and performed. Definitely worth the price of admission.

Three performances remain at Gabriel’s Corner:

• Thu, June 5 at 7pm
• Fri, June 6 at 8:45pm
• Wed, June 11 at 7pm

ARSENIC AND OLD SPICE presented by Silver Lining Productions as part of the 2025 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. 

Bakery owners Neville and Barry have taken end-of-life choices to a new level. Tired of life? Tired of caring for someone who should be more tired of life? A compassionate confection will lighten your load if you know what to ask for. It’s a well-kept secret, until it isn’t.

Playwright Liz Coley updates a theater classic with a modern twist.

John Simpson is endearing as big-hearted Neville. Complementing him is Zak Kelley as his snarky, fastidious partner Barry. Eileen Earnest is hilarious as their quirky, cause-driven influencer daughter, June, who does great work straddling the line between character and caricature. Rounding out the ensemble with some nice character work are David Little and Kiley DeGreen in multiple roles.

The direction by Gina Kleesattel makes good use of the place space and brings some honest performances out of her cast.

At the opening performance, I did struggle to hear the dialogue at times from several of the performers. Comic asides don’t land if they can’t be heard. Tighter pickups and carrying the energy through the scene changes would help the pacing. I’m sure much of this will resolve itself with the first performance under their belt.

Overall a smart concept, well-executed. Worth the price of admission. 🙂

Three performances remain at Gabriel’s Corner:

• Sat. June 7 at 8:45pm
• Sun, June 8 at 4:15pm
• Fri, June 13 at 7pm