Category Archives: Reviews

June 1, 2014 · 12:38 pm

SARGE Review (GYTN)

Christine Dye as Jerry Sandusky's wife, Dottie, in Kevin Crowley's SARGE.

Christine Dye as Jerry Sandusky’s wife, Dottie, in Kevin Crowley’s SARGE.

SARGE presented by Clifton Performance Theatre as part of the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

GYTN = Get You Tickets Now. Go ahead, follow the link, the review will still be here after you get back.

Christine Dye is incredible to watch. Her portrayal of Dottie “Sarge” Sandusky is precise, multi-layered and emotionally true in this one-person show.

Kevin Crowley’s script is smartly simply.  This story is not about right or wrong, or guilt or innocence. It’s about Dottie, a devoted wife and mother, struggling to understand and process the whirlwind of emotions as her content life begins to crumble around her. At times, it’s heartbreaking to watch.

Saturday afternoon’s performance was so enthralling you could hear a pin drop. The moment the lights came up for curtain call, the audience stood as one to show their appreciation.

Overall a near-perfect production and a must see.

Three performances remain:

  • Mon, June 2 at 7:15pm
  • Wed, June 4 at 7:15pm
  • Fri, June 6 at 7pm

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May 31, 2014 · 12:47 pm

PAPA SQUAT’S STORE OF SORTS Review

CFF_Papa SquatsPAPA SQUAT’S STORE OF SORTS presented by Paul Strickland as part of the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

Winner of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe All Access Pick for his inaugural show, AIN’T TRUE AND UNCLE FALSE, Paul Strickland takes us back to the Big Fib Trailer Park this year with PAPA SQUAT’S STORE OF SORTS.

As I said last year, Strickland is a charismatic and talented storyteller and singer/songwriter. Over the last year, Paul has matured into a confident performer and it sits well on him. The songs in PAPA SQUAT showcase Strickland powerful singing voice and had  the audience foot-tapping along.

His opening performance was sold out and ended with a standing ovation. Overall a homespun, fun and entertaining followup to last year’s debut. Four performances remain through June 7.

Have you met my friend Paul? He still tells the greatest stories…

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May 30, 2014 · 1:52 pm

HOT DAMN! IT’S THE LOVELAND FROG! Review

CFF_The Loveland FrogHOT DAMN! IT’S THE LOVELAND FROG! presented by Hugo West Theatricals as part of the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

No sophomore slump for Mike Hall and Joshua Steele. Their Hugo West Theatricals (responsible for the 2012 audience favorite, DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS) returns to the Cincy Fringe with HOT DAMN! IT’S THE LOVELAND FROG!, a bluegrass musical comedy based on an amphibious anomaly first sighted in Loveland, Ohio back in 1955.

A part of the success of THE LOVELAND FROG is that it is very obvious that everyone involved with the production is having a blast, and that energy is infectious. The talented ensemble, which includes an all-star local cast, brings the quirky Loveland inhabitants to life, under the direction of Michael Sherman and music direction of Steve Goers.

The sold-out opening night audience laughed out loud through the entire production, at times even causing a slight delay in the performance until we got it out of our system. Each character has a chance to shine and there are some great bits peppered throughout the show.

If I had to pick a favorite moment, it would be “When Bobby Holds Me Tight.” A great ballad with a good balance of humor and sweetness, nicely performed by Erin Ward & Abby Rowold. Also, the trio of Bill Hartnett, Randy Lee Bailey and Miranda McGee, is comedy gold. Remaining cast members include Joe Hornbaker, Brad Myers, Steve Goers, John Jacobs, Jack Bogard, Kelcey Steele and Reggie Willis.

Overall THE LOVELAND FROG will make you hoot and holler with laughter. Great job. Get your tickets early.

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May 30, 2014 · 11:40 am

SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE Review

CFF_Short Attention SpanSHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE presented by Short Attention Span Theatre as part of the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

Eight talented young performers from Tucson Az. tackle 30 original plays in 60 minutes, all written by the SAST Ensemble. Their success earns them bragging rights and candy. If they fail, the prize goes to the audience, who also choose the performance order. After a quick introduction by the host, the timer is set, the audience calls out their first script number, and we are off.

The wide variety of scripts are smart, clever and funny. The random order creates addition laughs as some play endings leave performers ill-prepared to jump into the next one. I was also impressed with the pacing of the show. Even though chaos reigns between the plays as the ensemble scrambles to strike and reset the stage, the actual performances never feel rushed. The opening night audience become strongly invested in the challenge, and were vocal in their disappointment when  the timer dinged during the final play.

Be sure to grab a performance card that includes all 3o play titles to follow along.

Overall an entertaining and unique experience.Well done.

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May 29, 2014 · 2:22 pm

TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY Review

CFF_Tragedy A TragedyTRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY presented by New Edgecliff Theatre as part of the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY, written by Will Eno (Thom Pain (based on nothing)), takes a satirical look at our 24-hour news cycle. Eno’s densely-written script has some smart and funny moments, but it did feel to me that the production lacked forward momentum in places.

Director Jim Stump has a talented cast, but I found the performances lacked character and individuality. Yes, everyone had the “news reporter” cadence to their voices, but with a sameness that would allow, for example, the female reporters to switch roles without really impacting the show.  Where are the strong personalities that deliver the news, such as Bill O’Reilly or Nancy Grace? Even “the witness” seemed a bit too normal for this over-sensationalized event. The pacing of the opening night performance was also hampered by slow line pick-ups among the cast.

Overall an interesting work that could use a bit more oomph.

Four performances remain through Thursday, June 5.

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