Category Archives: Reviews

June 4, 2013 · 12:41 pm

PETUNIA & CHICKEN Review

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Carrie Brown & Karim Muasher. Photo by Matt Steffen.

PETUNIA AND CHICKEN presented by Animal Engine as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

“PETUNIA & CHICKEN is SOOO cute! You have to see it.” I told many of my co-fringers after seeing it on Sunday. And when I say “cute,” I mean it in the best sense of the word.

P&C is charming, clever, imaginative and mesmerizing. Armed only with a bowler hat and a shawl, Carrie Brown & Karim Muasher are the set, the sound effects and every character in this love story. Not only are both actors extremely talented, but their performances are extremely well-rehearsed. Great work by director Melinda Jean Ferraraccio.

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Karim Muasher & Carrie Brown. Photo by Matt Steffen.

I did not realize, until, near the end of the show, how emotionally invested I had become. A vocal reaction from the audience actually startled me because I had forgotten they were there. At the same time, I thought, “how awesome that they all are just as caught up in the story as I am.” That’s a bit of theater magic right there.

PETUNIA & CHICKEN is one of my favorites of all fringe shows I’ve ever seen.

P&C is being performed in (what I think) is the smallest venue. Tickets will go fast.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for PETUNIA & CHICKEN.

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 3, 2013 · 4:05 pm

THE WAVE 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.

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

THE WAVE presented by Unity Productions as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Jon Kovach has a knack for finding some truly interesting one-man shows. Following up last year’s entry of Nothing, this year, Jon brings us THE WAVE by Ron Jones.

Based on a true story, the show recounts a social experiment that quickly created a fascist state on campus. The play deftly illustrates how individual freedoms can be abandoned for collective goals.

Addressing the audience as his class (the fact that the audience is actually sitting in a classroom doesn’t hurt), Kovach serves as both narrator and participant, and is easily convincing as a young, enthusiastic, history teacher in 1960s California. Jon transitions well from naivety of what his character has started, to excitement, worry and fear as the experiment comes close to “hopping the rails.”

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Overall a strong performance of a strong script. Definitely worth checking out.

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

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 3, 2013 · 3:10 pm

MATER FACIT Review

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Anna Carroll Horton, Jodie Linver & Willemien Patterson. 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.

MATER FACIT presented by Performance Gallery as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

The Performance Gallery is a group I can count on, every Fringe, to challenge my perceptions of theater. This year’s entry, MATER FACIT succeeds as well.

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Willemien Patterson, Jodie Linver, Kevin Macku & Anna Carroll Horton. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The strong four-member cast, supported by an on-stage band, examines the role of motherhood as supplier of soldiers for war. TPG members began the rehearsal process with a two-day workshop with award-winning Minneapolis-based physical theatre artist, Jon Ferguson (theatreforever.com).

At times the performance style and cartoon-y violence was reminiscent of a Kukla, Fran and Ollie puppet show. Solo male ensemble-member Kevin Macku runs the gamut of son, soldier, rabbit and more. Each of the three ladies get to shine in their role as “Mother.” Jodie Linver’s impassioned monologue was one of my favorite moments.

A few times I felt the show lost a bit of momentum during the scene transitions. Also a few times, some of the visual elements pulled my focus from the speaking actors.

As always, a truly unique experience that keeps you thinking after the performance ends.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for MATER FACIT.

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 1, 2013 · 12:52 pm

AIN’T TRUE AND UNCLE FALSE 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.

CFF_Aint TrueAIN’T TRUE AND UNCLE FALSE presented by Paul Strickland Presents as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

The Troubadour of the Trailer Park

In the show description, Paul Strickland is described as a nationally acclaimed comedian, storyteller and musician. Sitting in the Know’s bar Friday night, I heard a fellow-fringer describe him as a wordsmith. I thought that was a great compliment and I couldn’t agree more.

It’s Paul’s attention to words that elevates the stories in AT&UF, and in some ways, reminds me of the homespun humor of Will Rogers or Mark Twain. Paul is a charismatic and entertaining performer, easily pulling the audience in for each outrageous story, always with a twinkle of mischief in his eye.

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

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for AIN’T TRUE AND UNCLE FALSE.

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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May 31, 2013 · 1:59 pm

A KILLING GAME 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.

CFF_A Killing GameA KILLING GAME presented by Dog & Pony DC as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

It’s all sunshine and lollipops until someone coughs…

Where some shows require volunteers from the audience, consider yourself volunteered the moment you purchase your ticket to A KILLING GAME.

As you arrive, each audience member is given a unique pack of six game cards. These will be used to guide you through the audience participation sections. (You may want to arrive early enough to look over the cards before the show starts.) Smart phones are welcome and encouraged, as during one round, you’ll be able to call-in, text and tweet news to the cast.

The show is zany fun with tongues firmly planted in cheek, led by a talented color-coded ensemble. The more the audience embraces the participation, the more momentum the show gains. Opening night, they took an audience of strangers and turned them into four packs (BLUE MOON ‘OOOWWWLLL!!!) competing to survive in a world gone mad.

Grab a couple of friends, a couple of cocktails, let your hair down, and die like no one is watching. It makes for a fun and truly memorable experience.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for A KILLING GAME.

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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