Category Archives: Cincy Fringe Festival

June 5, 2012 · 11:25 am

THE SCREW YOU REVUE Review

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

THE SCREW YOU REVUE presented by Screw You Entertainment as part of the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Is there a little too much political-correctness in your life? If so, you need to meet Wayburn Sassy. Sassy is an 89 year old equal-opportunity bigot (think an ancient Archie Bunker on a bad day) who headlines THE SCREW YOU REVUE. At his side is his ever-faithful girl Friday and songstress, Miss Didi Panache.

THE SCREW YOU REVUE may be blue, but it’s not mean-spirited. If you are easily offended though, this is not the show for you. I’d say about 25 percent of the show is scripted, with the remainder tied to audience interaction. Saturday night’s sold out audience was in on the joke, and we had a great time.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for THE SCREW YOU REVUE.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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June 5, 2012 · 8:37 am

Post Fringe: Day 6 (Monday)

The second week of the 2012 Fringe Festival kicked off with the opening of BOMBUS AND BERRYLINNE, OR THE BUMBLEBEE AND THE HUMMINGBIRD. Presented by fringe-favorite  Four Humors Theater (THE FINKLE’S THEATER SHOW ’10 and YOU ONLY LIVE FOREVER ONCE ’11).  Although, this year’s show is family-friendly, Monday’s mostly-adult audience had a blast. Only three performances remain:

  • Wed, June 6 at 9:15pm
  • Thu, June 7 at 7pm
  • Sat, June 9 at 2pm

Looking ahead, the final two performances of THE SWEET BURNING YONDER have sold out.

Also sold out in advance is Wednesday’s performance of RADIO STAR. A handful of tickets for tonight’s (Tuesday’s) performance remain. The final performance is Fri, June 8 at 7:15pm.

The cast of Playhouse in the Park’s THE SECOND CITY 2: LESS PRIDE MORE PORK performs Wednesday night at the Fringe bar series.

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June 4, 2012 · 1:49 pm

DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS: THE CEASE AND DESIST MUSICAL Review

Nathan Noerr. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS: THE CEASE AND DESIST MUSICAL presented by The Carnegie as part of the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

To quote Slappy Squirrel from Animaniacs, “Now that’s comedy.”

Mike Hall and Joshua Steele are to be commended for creating a show that is fun, clever, smart and truly funny.

Hall, Steele and Mike Sherman have assembled a strong ensemble with comedy chops. Stand-outs include Tom Highley as “famous” (and clueless) soap actor Hugo West. Also fun was Sean Mette’s character who dreams of being a hoofing Slimer in the show. But it’s Christopher Stewart’s hilarious imitation of Rick Moranis that is worth the price of admission alone.

Did I mention Kabuki? Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

With so much to take in, I feel I wasn’t able to fully appreciate the score (my issue, not the shows). I can tell you that the musical number, “Ghost Bus to My Lord” is a hysterical showstopper. Cameron Jamarr Davis channels his best James Brown with great results.

The show did seem to momentarily lose it’s momentum in a couple places, but I expect this was due to cuts made after the first performance for time constraints. I did get a bit confused near the end of the show, after the scene in the mayor’s office, possibly because it’s been a years since I’ve seen the movie “Ghostbusters.” I would encourage the cast to hold for laughs as lines were lost several times under the audience’s response.

Tom Highley & Sean Mette. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Congratulations to everyone involved for bringing this laugh-out-loud performance to the Fringe. It may not be perfect, but it’s a very promising start. If this is mounted in a full-production at some future date, I’m so there.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS: THE CEASE AND DESIST MUSICAL.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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June 4, 2012 · 12:34 pm

NOTHING By Nic Balthazar Review

Jon Kovach as Ben.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

NOTHING BY NIC BALTHAZAR presented by Unity Productions as part of the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Jon Kovach gives one of the best solo performances in this year’s fringe festival as autistic teen Ben in NOTHING.

This production is a modified version of the show that is performed to high school students as an anti-bullying presentation. The video clips are of professional quality and well-acted. The multi-media execution is extremely well-done. Kovach offers a detailed and nuanced performance. I was also impressed by how Jon, as a lone actor, recounted the physical confrontations Ben had to endure.

I did feel that the play spun its wheels for a bit right before the resolution and I was slightly confused about the action at one point. Both are minor issues, and this being the Fringe, I was able to discuss those with Kovach after the performance.

If you stay for the Q&A after the performance, (which I recommend), one thing that definitely comes through is Kovach’s excitement and commitment to the work.

For parents of teens, this is a great opportunity to share an experience and open a dialogue with you kids. For educators, a chance to preview a program you may want to bring to your school. For Fringe audience members, a chance to see a strong performance in an interesting and thought-provoking show.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for NOTHING BY NIC BALTHAZAR. 

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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June 2, 2012 · 11:48 pm

Post Fringe: Day 4 (Saturday)

The beast that is the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival shows no signs of slowing down. Although final numbers aren’t in yet, it looks like Saturday set another sales record.

First a quick look ahead to Sunday, the 4:15pm performance of THE SWEET, BURNING YONDER has sold out. Only two performances remain:

  • Wed, June 6 at 8:30pm
  • Fri, June 8 at 7pm

Back to Saturday, when six performances sold out. Two were the final performances of GRIM & FISCHER and METHTACULAR! As for the other four sell outs, I’m listing them below with their remaining performances. If you are interested in attending these, I’d recommend you purchase your tickets in advance:

  1. DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS
    • Tue, June 5 at 7pm
    • Thu, June 7 at 8:30pm
    • Sat, June 9 at 7:30pm
  2. RADIO STAR
    • Tue, June 5 at 9:15pm
    • Wed, June 6 at 7:15pm
    • Fri, June 8 at 7:15pm
  3. THE SCREW YOU REVUE
    • Tue, June 5 at 9pm
    • Fri, June 8 at 7pm
    • Sat, June 9 at 3:30pm
  4. STRUNG OUT PUPPET CABARET 
    • Sun, June 3 at 7:30pm (2nd and final performance)

Even with the sell-out, you can still have 15 productions to choose from on Sunday.

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