Category Archives: Reviews

May 31, 2013 · 1:23 pm

DIRK DARROW: NCSSI 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_Dirk DarrowDIRK DARROW: NCSSI presented by Tim Motley as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

First a quick confession. In setting my fringe schedule, I start by compiling a list of must-sees. Using only the guide information in hand I go with my gut. This show had me at the title.

So I just read the actual show description and it pretty much says it all:

Follow the trail of a killer through murky paranormal city streets in the world’s only one-man comedy film noir magical murder mystery! Marvel at impossible deductions from clues supplied by you, the spectator! Think Boardwalk Empire meets X-Files meets Naked Gun. Part stand up, part mental-ism  part theater, all gritty 1940’s nostalgia.

Tim Motley is charming and funny in this polished one-man show. Since I had not read the description I was initially surprised by the first few magic tricks. Fun as those are, it’s the acts of mental-ism that are really impressive. (Most of which elicited a “Wha’??!!??” from Jay Kalagayan seated next to me. :))

The show does rely heavily on audience participation, but don’t hesitate to join in. It’s all in good fun and nothing too embarrassing. DIRK is being performed at 1334 Main Street, which is one of the smaller venues. The opening performance had few open seats. And for those of you that wondered, NCSSI stands for Not Completely Serious Supernatural Investigator.

From his online bio, Tim Motley is “a wisecracking New Yorker by birth, but he is currently based in Melbourne, Australia.” This gives him the distinction of having traveled the most miles to attend the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, ever. I’m glad he made the trip. Following the performance opening night, he broke character to encourage audience members to attend other performances at the festival. There is something about a man with an Australian accent…

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for DIRK DARROW: NCSSI.

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 · 12:14 pm

SHUT UP, EMILY DICKINSON 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.

Tanya O'Debra as Emily Dickinson.

Tanya O’Debra as Emily Dickinson.

SHUT UP, EMILY DICKINSON presented by Tanya O’Debra as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Tanya O’Debra, the playwright and performer in last year’s sold-out hit, RADIO STAR, returns as the title character in her new show, SHUT UP, EMILY DICKINSON.

Before the famous Grey Gardens recluses of Big Edie and Little Edie, there was Emily and Lavinia Dickinson. Little is know about Emily’s life, as her sister burned most of Emily’s letters after the poet’s death (as requested).

Loosely using what is known about Dickinson from her surviving papers, the audience is transported inside Emily’s mind for a “pseudo-historical, quasi-biographical psycho-romance about America’s most annoying poetess.”

What we get is a funny, smartly-written piece that falls squarely into the theater of the absurd. Time has no meaning as Emily wanders around her bedroom, with the ever-present Master conversely wooing and tormenting her.

O’Debra is laugh-out-loud funny in her portrayal of Dickinson. She is supported onstage only by the talented Gregg Bellon. He supplies the voice of  the  offbeat Master and controls the multimedia for the show.

While SHUT UP may not have the broad appeal of last year’s show, it is a fun entry that falls on the fringe-ier side of the festival.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for SHUT UP, EMILY DICKINSON.

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 · 10:53 am

QUESTIONS OF THE HEART: GAY MORMONS AND THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY 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_Questions of the HeartQUESTIONS OF THE HEART: GAY MORMONS AND THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY presented by Ben Abbott as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

The debate over gay rights, particularly gay marriage, continues to headline the news. Many religious organizations condemn homosexuality as a sin, forcing gay and lesbian church members to face the decision of faith versus sexual identity.

In his one-man show, straight Mormon Ben Abbott tries to define for himself where homosexuality fits into his religious beliefs. Originally produced as his honors thesis in 2011, this re-written work shares portions of interviews Abbott had with gay Mormons, and how they faced their crisis of faith.

Opening night, the solo performance was a bit rough around the edges, due in part to the pressure of opening, and the lack of experience in performing the piece. I’m sure much of this will resolve with more performances under his belt.

As you continue to present this play, I would offer a few suggestions to bear in mind when rehearsing. Bring your energy level up and a bit more of your personality to the stage. I felt a much better sense of you in your one-minute preview Monday night. Also you might want to better define differences in both vocal quality and physicality when portraying the interviewees. You obviously have a passion for both your religion and your subject matter, you’ve connected intellectually, now let’s see you connect more to the work emotionally.

Overall, a strong personal story that needs a bit more refinement in its delivery.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for QUESTIONS OF THE HEART: GAY MORMONS AND THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY.

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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November 9, 2012 · 9:19 am

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY Mini-Review

Peter Oyloe is legendary singer-songwriter Hank Williams. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

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.

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through Dec. 23. You can read the show description here.

Playhouse mounts an excellent production of HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY. It’s been quite some time since I’ve heard this much buzz from an audience at intermission.

HANK WILLIAMS features a strong ensemble with direction from Randal Myler, extremely-talented musicians, excellent set (Vicki Smith), beautiful costumes (Gordon DeVinney) and music (directed by Dan Whtteman) , with excellent sound quality (design by Timothy J. Ryan) throughout. Opening night, the performance had many patrons tapping their feet and clapping along to Williams’ hits.

Seventy-four year old Mississippi Charles Bevel is awe-inspiring as ever-present Tee-Tot. His experience and vocal talent brings an authenticity to the production that instantly resonates. Peter Oyloe in the title role brings many layers to his performance and does well in capturing Williams’ unique sound. Other favorites include Sally Mayes as Mama Lily and the hysterical rendition of “Happy Rovin’ Cowboy” by Stephen G. Anthony, Brian Gunter and H. Drew Perkins. The vaudeville-esque number brought back some fond childhood memories of “Hee Haw” with the family on a Saturday night.

If you have enjoyed past productions such as ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, you’ll have a great experience.

The cast. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Click here for a complete list of show times, articles and other reviews for HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the showor 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 7, 2012 · 4:25 pm

STORMS BENEATH HER SKIN Review

Rebecca Kling. Photo by Joe Bourguignon.

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.

STORMS BENEATH HER SKIN presented by Rebecca Kling as part of the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Rebecca Kling greets the audience onstage as they enter, preferring to interact with the patrons before the performance (as she gets lonely backstage 🙂 .  This one-woman show offers a personal, open and frank discussion of what it means to be transgender.

Kling is comfortable on stage and does a great job of keeping the audience engaged. The tone is mostly light, but Kling does touch upon the personal pain, both internal and external, that transgenders have to endure.

Rebecca Kling. Photo by Joe Bourguignon.

To help keep the performance personal and conversational, I wouldn’t mind having Kling commit more of the show to memory. The reading of several pieces, at times, served as a barrier between the performer and the audience.

A Q&A session follows as time allows. At the performance I attended, the audience was very involved in the talkback.

Overall Kling offers a heartfelt and interesting performance. She also provides a comfortable atmosphere to discuss a topic that is outside many people’s experience. Hopefully, the audience walks away with new insight and understanding.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for STORMS BENEATH HER SKIN.

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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