The first Friday of Fringe finished with five full houses. Sold out performances included:
SQUARES from dog & pony dc
The rules of the playground were simple: play nice, play fair, and have fun. But the rules of life? More complicated. Play nice, and you’re not assertive enough; play fair, and fall behind. And only winners have fun. Sometimes it seems like the bullies are still king. That hardly seems fair, or right, or… American. Can you retake the blacktop and square game, for all of us?
Only two shows remain:
- Sat, May 30 at 2:10pm
- Sun, May 31 at 1:00pm
Returning favorite Animal Engine filled the Know Theater for their first performance of DOG SHOW
What do dogs do when their masters leave? Put on a French farce! Quick entrances, mistaken identities, and love triangles collide with panting, sniffing, and lots of leg humping in this unusual and saucy comedy! Inspired by the plays of Georges Feydeau and the behaviors of Man’s best friend, Dog Show is a knee slapping love letter to the joys of unleashing your inner animal.
You have another chance to catch it this weekend and three more performances next week:
- Sun, May 31 at 2:15pm
- Wed, June 3 at 8:00pm
- Thur, June 4 at 6:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 9:10pm
Also selling out their opening performance was DUNGEON from Hit the Lights, Dad Theater Co. from New York City.
A young man falls into the unknown to rescue something he holds dear. Inspired by kabuki, video games, horror movies, and pixar shorts, Hit the Lights, Dad Theater Co. build a world where the darkness speaks louder than the light.
It continues with two more performances this weekend and two next week.
- Sat, May 30 at 9:00pm
- Sun, May 31 at 8:20pm
- Thur, June 4 at 6:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 4:00pm
Clifton Performance Theatre sold out their second performance of HITCHHIKERS MAY BE INMATES.
Dave is new to AA and struggling mightily. JD, his sponsor, own tenuous grasp on sobriety is exactly what Dave doesn’t need. Their evening spent flirting with disaster is funny and cautionary.
My personal favorite of the Fringe so far, you have three more chances to catch Michael Bath and Kevin Crowley.
- Mon, June 1 at 6:30pm
- Wed, June 3 at 9:10pm
- Sat, June 6 at 2:55pm
Finally, also selling out their first performance was THE FAMOUS HAYDELL SISTERS COMEBACK TOUR.
f you love country music you’ll love this hilarious comeback concert. If you hate country music you’ll ESPECIALLY love this hilarious comeback concert. With original comedic songs and a true sad story by early ‘90s superstars Mattie and Maybelle Haydell—onstage together for the first time since 1993! With classic tunes like “Wrangler Butt,” “Seven Seconds (Too Short a Ride),” and a heartwarming dose of ’90s nostalgia, it’s the good old days all over again!
You can join me for their second performance this afternoon or catch one of the three more next week:
- Sat, May 30 at 3:30pm
- Wed, June 3 at 6:30pm
- Fri, June 5 at 9:10pm
- Sat, June 6 at 7:15pm
Attendance Friday night seemed really strong and Over-the-Rhine is hopping.
Tonight at the Know bar series is the Fringe Prom. Kevin Thornton’s new band, Indiana Queen, will be performing. Come down for a drink or two beginning 11pm-ish.
Below I am ranking the shows I’ve attended to date. Links to reviews added as they become available.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 