Tag Archives: Cincinnati Fringe Festival

June 1, 2017 · 4:27 pm

CFF17: LARRY 13:2 Review

LARRY 13:2 presented by Muwahahaha Productions as part of the 2017 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here. 

CFF_Larry 132“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers…”

As much as I enjoy a performance in the moment, it’s when I sit down in front of the computer to put my experience into words that I come to realize how much I enjoyed a production. Color me impressed with LARRY 13:2.

The script by Tracy Hoida is very smart, funny, engaging and succinct. Even though religion is a central conceit to the story, I did not find it to be preachy or condescending. I also appreciated that no attempt was made to pad the story in order to push the length closer to 60 minutes. Brevity is the soul of wit, after all.

Katie Mitchell is a joy to watch as Larry. High energy, fast-talking and yet always in control of herself and the situation. I look forward to seeing her on stage again.

As Keagan, Rory Sheridan is committed and believable as his character deals with the world-altering information being thrown at him.

Director Rebecca Bromels shows a deft hand in staging and pacing. At times the show barrels ahead at almost break neck speed, but Bromels also allows important moments to have the weight and impact.

LARRY 13:2 is an extremely well-written story, with compelling performances by two talented actors, and expertly directed. The synergy of the three elevates the production. Best to buy your tickets sooner rather than later. Four performances remain through June 9.

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June 1, 2017 · 4:27 pm

CFF17: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF NICOLE JACOBS: PART 1: THE SISTER Review

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF NICOLE JACOBS: PART 1: THE SISTER presented by Queen City Flash as part of the 2017 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here. 

CFF_The Disappearance logo“They also serve who only stand and wait.”

We’ve all seen those press conferences where tearful family members plead for information and the safe return of their missing loved ones. Using this as a jumping off point, playwright Trey Tatum explores how one sister deals with the loss and scrutiny as the search for her sister drags into months.

Miranda McGee is dutiful, older sister Crystal who is struggling to find purpose in her new reality. McGee handles the conflicting emotions very well in an on-point and engaging performance.

As Daniel, Nicole’s boyfriend, Henry Eden is believably earnest and awkward. The relationship between his character and Crystal, born out of mutual loss and need, matures naturally over the course of the show.

Rounding out the cast is Cassie Delicath as the missing Nicole. Even having little interaction with the other two actors, she is still equal parts engaging and ethereal on stage.

Director Bridget Leak elicits strong performances from all three actors. The pacing is solid, yet she allows some quieter moments to appropriately linger. I never found the blocking to be confined or repetitive; very nicely done considering the limitations of the playing area.

For such a heavy topic, Tatum brings a nice balance of humor to the script that never seems forced. The dialogue is natural and appropriate for the characters. However, at times, the discourse does become a bit verbose, particularly during a couple of Nicole’s soliloquies.

Perhaps the best compliment I can pay to the show is that I’m looking forward to see what comes next in Part 2. Four performances remain through June 10.

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June 1, 2017 · 4:25 pm

CFF17: MY DARLING DILOPHOSAURUS Review

MY DARLING DILOPHOSAURUS presented by Autumn Kaleidoscope as part of the 2017 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here. 

CFF_My Darling DilophosaurusLove, loss and what a dinosaur?!?!?

Autumn Kaleidoscope takes a tongue-in-cheek look at love and obsession with this year’s entry, MY DARLING DILOPHOSAURUS.

Laura Berkemeier is appropriately perky and distracted as dinosaur-obsessed Artie. As Claudia, the put-upon girlfriend, Sara Kenny finds a good balance between love and exasperation. Always fun on stage is Andrew Ian Adams as Edward who serves as semi-clueless friend, confidant, and enabler to Artie.

In their multiple supporting characters’ roles, Kenny, Adams, and Cassidy Steele are appropriately quirky and over-the-top and generate some great laugh-out-loud moments.

The scene stealer of the show is Deanna the Dilophosaurus, well-managed by her handlers: Michael Galusick and Mandy Goodwin.

The script by Sean P. Mette is cute and clever, but could be a bit more focused. For me, a brief, final scene between Artie and Claudia could have been more satisfying.

Fun, funny and family friendly, four performances remain through June 10.

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June 1, 2017 · 9:09 am

CFF17: My Fringe Schedule: Day 2

CFF17 logoI can’t I have rehearsal.

But don’t let that stop you from heading down to Over-the-Rhine to catch one or three of the 16 productions opening tonight.

You can check out Thursday’s full line-up here.

I’ll see you all out and about tomorrow.

-Rob

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May 31, 2017 · 9:22 am

CFF17: My Fringe Schedule: Day 1

Day One of performances of the 2016 Cincinnati Fringe Festival kicks off tonight.

I taking the three show track for my first evening.

CFF_My Darling DilophosaurusUp first is MY DARLING DILOPHOSAURUS from Autumn Kaleidoscope, who last year brought “Furlesque” to the Cincy Fringe stage:

 

Amateur paleontologist, Artemis “Artie” Lattimer, is obsessed with dinosaurs. Her fiancée would like her to pay more attention to something that hasn’t been extinct for 115 million years. After some progress, Artie’s life gets unexpectedly turned upside down when she becomes the parent of a baby dilophosaurus. To win back her fiancée and show that she can be responsible, Artie comes up with the only plan to save the relationship: Win the State Pet Competition!

 

CFF_The Disappearance logoThe second performance of the evening is THE DISAPPEARANCE OF NICOLE JACOBS, PART 1: THE SISTER by Queen City Flash’s husband and wife team of Bridget Leak & Trey Tatum. The cast includes Miranda McGee, Henry Eden & Cassie Delicath.

Everything in Crystal’s life has stalled since her sister, Nicole, disappeared in the woods behind their house. Since then, her family’s focus has been on running the Volunteer Center in charge of the search for Nicole. Now, months later, on the day the Volunteer Center closes, Crystal’s life is changing again as she searches for meaning in a life post-Nicole.

Previous original fringe productions include: THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (2016), SHELTER with Pones, Inc. (2015) and SLUT SHAMING (2014).

CFF_Larry 132Rounding out my first night is LARRY 13:2 from the newly formed Muwhahaha Productions.

On a stormy night, a man who isn’t a doctor, waits in a hotel room that isn’t very nice, for a girl who isn’t what she seems. Her request may threaten his understanding of choice and alter his world for better or worse. By turns playful and blasphemous, the conversation builds to a decision that hinges on belief in oneself and humanity’s ability to change. Larry, chapter 13, verse 2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers…”

LARRY 13:2 is written by Tracy Hoida and directed by Rebecca Bromels. The two-person cast is comprised of Katie Mitchell & Rory Sheridan. Fans of Know Theatre’s SERIALS may remember Hoida’s entry of “Archie and the Ashes.”

I hope you have a chance to make it down to Over-the-Rhine and catch a show or ten. Feel free to say hello. Happy Fringing.

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