Media Reviews:
Play: El Camino Loco
Reviewer: tony randall
5 Stars
Hedwig meets Charo!!!!!!
Play: Go Kibbitz
Reviewer: Colin Hussey
4 Stars
A very strong piece by Claudia Barr, one of her best. The headiness of
the piece provides a nice veneer for the terrifying tension underneath.
The cast pulled it off marvelously. I especially liked Einstein.
Play: Brilliant Disguise
Reviewer: Colin Hussey
3 Stars
The best part of this show is the dialogue, which is crisp and brittle.
The pacing felt a little rushed, though, like a romantic comedy, which
this isn't. There were points when I wanted the words to linger, when I
wanted Whatever, for example, to ease back on the throttle. The ending,
though logical, felt oddly unfair. Clair, actually the most human &
vulnerable of the three, winds up getting the shaft. It's a hollow and lonely
fate for her. Browne, something of a loveless sociopath, now that I think
about it, winds up getting the guy, and Whatever is quite content to not
be burdened with someone loving him. I look forward to when the script is
fleshed out more, and the actors have more time to develop the extremely
fine subtleties needed for a piece like this. It's more Pinter than Coward,
that's for sure.
Play: The Chinese Clown Cabaret
Reviewer: Joseph Estlack
4 Stars
Though I almost had an asthma attack from laughing so hard, I don't blame
The Chinese Clown Caberet. I blame my smoking cigarettes. The Chinese Clown
Caberet is an artful and thrilling red nose experience. I felt like a baby
in their arms. Once Jane Chen had me wide-eyed, drooling and giggling, her
mother sang a song that made my heart feel like a blue-berry (the most beautiful
blue-berry). It cured my asthma attack, and I haven't smoked cigarettes
since that night. Thank you Chinese Clown Caberet!
Play: Loungezilla
Reviewer: Obediah McGuffin
4 Stars
Seldom do you see a headliner with the talent and wit to overcome his deeply
closeted homophobia to such a joyful extent Who knew Disney’s home
in Florida had a world class gay cabaret? Walk into this show after downing
two beers, and the next hour will delight you exactly as the show’s
blurbs promise. Relax, and let them entertain you. This being San Francisco,
I can only surmise that the audience "volunteer" who thwarted
Mr. Matias' attempt to kiss him was either a shill or an alumnus of Bob
Jones University. Note to Tech: Loungezilla’s words often indistinct
in back of room.
Play: Divided We Fall
Reviewer: Obediah McGuffin
5 Stars
Unique and wonderful. The program’s description is totally true.
This is a classic, a presentation that should overtake "Beach Blanket
Babylon" as the Only-in-San-Francisco, must see theater. It imparts
refinement to the word "raw", and you have not seen its like unless
you were born in another country in another century.
Play: Go Kibbitz
Reviewer: Belline
5 Stars
i'd like to read the play and follow all the players.
Play: When You Stand Alone
Reviewer: Belline
5 Stars
Wonderful performance. Amazing transformations.
Play: Cervix With a Smile
Reviewer: Craig Ken
3 Stars
It's hard to reduce a performance like Cervix With a Smile to one number,
given that it's a literally a cabaret of songs. Some were 2's, some were
4's. The dominance number felt like something that would play on an inexpensive
cruise ship for people from a less worldly part of the country. "Look,
Mabel, she jest tied up that there guy in the chair and is teasing him!".
Santa number was much funnier. The woman was struggling a bit (havng had
to cancel the performance the night before due to illness. If you're looking
for a 2nd or 3rd show to fill out an evening, consider Cervix With a Smile
(the title felt stolen from a Joan Rivers monologue from years ago). If
you're planning on seeing just one show in an evening, take a pass this
year.
Play: Got Lucky
Reviewer: Craig Ken
3 Stars
Entertaining. Light. Performances were uneven. A bit of brotherly pathos.
I wasn't sure what to expect. The postcard for the performance doesn't have
much of anything to do with the show itself. Worth the 50 minutes. You won't
walk out whistling the songs, but you'll leave fealing entertained.
Play: El Camino Loco
Reviewer: Craig Ken
2 Stars
I read all the reviews and have to beg to differ with all the 5 stars. High
energy doesn't equate to good. The best parts of the performance was when
the band (and the lead were just singing). There was no great plot and what
the heck did the gorilla have to do with anything? If you do decide to
go, you may want to sit further in the back. The vocals were muddled up
front.
Play: Go Kibbitz
Reviewer: HappyToBeHere
5 Stars
Absolutely in my top tier of all Fringe shows I've seen. A definite must
see and there's still one show Sat night and a 2:30 show Sunday. I would
hope this could be held over after the Fringe ends so more people can see
it. Beautifuly crafted and executed ...just like a well played game of
Go.
Play: A Name You Can Trust
Reviewer: A name you could trust
3 Stars
I loved the idea.
Kept my interest well enough. The two players seemed out of balance though.
Meaning one over acted the other. Was the spread eagle posture wearing tight
leather pants REALLY necessary? And flowers for one actor only, and two
bunches at that. I'd suppose actors have groupies too.
Worth a see? Sure.
Play: CornTato
Reviewer: Dick
5 Stars
Just got out of the Sat. 2:30 show. FUNNY!
Excellent story, played by what appears to be a group whom have worked together
before, Many, Many, Times Before. I loved it. And by no means am I any kind
of professional critic. Actually I don't think I even know how to spell
Thespian. I think. My vote is CornTato, Best of Fringe 2005. See it if you
can! (insert icon of enjoyment HERE)
Play: Lounge-zilla
Reviewer: Sfist.com Rave! -- Sept. 12, 2005
Full-out hysterical, offensive comedy! A Fringe must-see! Featuring gay bitch Fiely A. Matias with composer/lyricist/accompanist Dennis T. Giacino, 'Lounge-zilla!' is billed as the worst cabaret act ever. Like there's such a thing as a good lounge act? Matias appears in kimono, which quickly gives way to a floral woman's bathing suit with a strategically placed fake lily, and sings of fag hags and wanting to be a girl. The songs are nicely offensive . . . Matias' stand-up banter makes this a Fringe must-see. From his microphone at center stage, he'll greet the entering audience members. He'll figure out 'who's fucking who' and who's a top or bottom. He'll encourage you to sit in the front row. "I need someone to spit on." No one's safe. Check your inhibitions and PC tendencies at the door. The thing is, Matias is so cute and disarming that he can get away with his shenanigans.
Like we said in our preview, 'Lounge-zilla!' ends with an X-rated 3-D act (the audience gets 3-D glasses), inspired by 1950s B movies, about a boy scout who's 'disfigured' after camping on a nuclear waste dump. That's all we'll say.
You'll just have to see this for yourself!
Play: You May Now Kiss My...Sass?
Reviewer: aaron levi
4 Stars
While watching Darren Blaney's one man show "You May Now Kiss My ...Sass?",
you may wonder why he attempted such an ambitious project alone. A 60 minute
theatre piece with 12 different characters seems better suited for a cast
of at least three. But with this well-written and often hilarious work,
one can't help but get caught up in his enthusiasim and charm. Well worth
the ride.
Play: CornTato
Reviewer: Eric
2 Stars
The whole thing was just too transparent. I suppose someone who has not
had any exposure to topics of corporate abuse might have found the plotline
less obvious, but for me is was boring. I can see the acting talent there,
but the characters did a bad job bringing this out. Good try, keep working
at it.
Play: Divided We Fall
Reviewer: Cynthia
OMG - I've fallen in love with a Monkey Boy...
Play: Chinese Clown Cabaret
Reviewer: Robert Avila, SF Bay Guardian, September 14, 2005
ON OPENING NIGHT of the San Francisco Fringe Festival last week, the back room of Original Joe's restaurant, on Taylor Street, was abuzz with anticipation and cocktails ahead of the eight o'clock show, Elisa DeCarlo's Cervix with a Smile. Those who had been there for the first show were still high on Chinese Clown Cabaret, which rated "best clown show" at last year's festival and served up another ferociously silly hour of sandbox punk-rock ukulele and deadpan, angst-laced, in-your-face cuteness from the fearlessly talented Jane Chen and her real-life mom, Tair. A show capable of wonderfully unnerving ridiculousness, often rooted in a sly send-up of the kind of familial and cultural dynamics inherent in its mother-daughter team, Chinese Clown Cabaret is also far more sophisticated than it would have you believe.
Play: Sperm Warfare
Reviewer: Chloe Veltman, SF Weekly September 14, 2005
In the Old Testament, Sarah allegedly gave birth to her son Isaac when she
was 90. In more recent times, the likes of Madonna, Annette Bening, and
Cherie Blair have turned pregnancy into a fashionable pursuit for women
over 40. But as writer and co-director David Rouda so palpably illustrates
in his comedy Sperm Warfare, becoming a parent when your ovaries are past
their prime is not child's play: If the hormone drugs don't make you loopy,
the hefty financial burden associated with undergoing in vitro fertilization
will. Topping the pop charts, being nominated for an Oscar, or becoming
first lady might very well be more attainable goals for an ambitious woman.
It'll be quite some time before modern science manages to catch up with
the Bible.
Ignorant of the odds of conceiving so late in the game, or (more likely) in denial about them, Deborah, a successful Sotheby's associate and passionate amateur artist, is pushing 40 and determined to get pregnant -- even if the process involves persuading her husband, Blake, to dispense his sperm into a small plastic cup. The start of Rouda's play sees Blake (Deborah's junior by five years) being shown into a room at a fertility clinic by an attractive young nurse. Gingerly, Blake paces around, unsure of what to do. He is resigned to his fate, a quasi-willing participant in his wife's grand scheme. "I feel like a science project," he laments with his pants down by his ankles amidst the chaos of sticky porno magazines and paper strewn haphazardly about the furniture and floor.
On one level, Sperm Warfare tells the story of a couple's struggle to produce a biological child. On another, the play is about the battle between science and nature, where science, from the very outset, is the loser. This message is most eloquently expressed through the contrast between the brute physicality of the performances versus the flimsy inadequacy of the clinical surroundings. Blake (Jon Gale) and Deborah (Anna Kristina) throw themselves about the set and on each other like a couple of cats in heat. Magazines, belt buckles, and tempers fly. The only thing that doesn't -- unfortunately for the couple -- is that all-important semen.
While the Band-Aids on Blake's knee are testimony to the forces of nature in this production, the set reveals something altogether less awe-inspiring about modern science. The very walls of the sterile, windowless clinic, with its ugly furniture and feeble fixtures, look like they're on the verge of collapse.
Blake and Deborah's timing might be off, but Sperm Warfare's is perfect. The temperature in that small, clinical space rises to the boiling point without once overboiling. The comedy is strictly Benny Hill and the characters larger than life. But Gale, Kristina, and Alexis Boozer (as the nurse) manage to keep things intimate, reaching below the slapstick surface of Rouda's slick dialogue to reveal the heartache and confusion beneath.
Sperm Warfare is so beguiling that it's easy to gloss over the play's one potential anomaly: Rouda doesn't discount the possibility that Blake's weak sperm count might be partially responsible for the couple's childlessness, yet the constant references to Deborah's grand old age of 40 serve to perpetuate the idea that the infertility problem lies almost exclusively with the ripening female. Mother Nature may not nurture the concept of motherhood past 35, but Rouda, if for no other reason than the sake of "scientific" accountability, might hold his male protagonist equally responsible for the couple's problem without deadening the essential message of his play. After all, the Guinness Book of World Records maintains a category for "World's Oldest Mother," but none, as yet, for "World's Oldest Father" -- despite the fact that it would be a widely contested competition. Perhaps it's time to address this inequality.
Play: 3 plays about your mom
Reviewer: HappyToBeHere
5 Stars
Easily my favorite show of the Fringe. Three exceptionally well written
and acted short plays that ranged from delightly humorous to deeply moving.
Fantastic audience response at the conclusion. They still have shows Sat
and Sun. I would expect both to sell out early so buy your tickets on line
if possible. It's worth the extra dollar. This sold out Fri night as did
the 2 7pm shows in the Exit Theatres. Many shows will sell out early Sat
and Sun so buy on line when ever possible or plan to be in line early. Shows
were selling out in the first 10 mins Fri.
Play: Brother #1
Reviewer: Pat
Brother #1 is thought provoking and lends itself to lots of discussion after viewing. The janitor gave an excellent portrayal of the typical American response to atrocities that occur all over the world. When faced with the tragic facts--we are shocked, disgusted but then calmly continue to go about our daily chores with no change in coarse or commitment to prevent genocide in other parts of the world. In some respects I found the play to be hauntingly more realistic than absurd.
Play: Chinese Clown Cabaret
Reviewer: Cynthia
5 Stars
Jane is a charmer - funny, poignant, clever, winsome, smart, a soulful talent
and a beauty. She sings! Tair is the perfect foil. A joyful pairing of mother/daughter.
This one is the Best of Fringe - IMHO!
Play: Chinese Clown Cabaret
Reviewer: Shelley
5 Stars
Really, really funny, a joy to watch. Catch it while you can and you won't
be disappointed.
Play: Brother #1
Reviewer: Brian
3 Stars
This play demonstrates the typical American reaction to foreign holocausts/slaughters.
Like Darfur, Ruanda, Bosnia, Cambodia, etc., it's no big deal.The staging
is great and Ron Evans is superb. The Minh character, so rigid in process,
I assumed to be Pol Pot's daughter. Her interaction with two caucasians
who don't give a shit about her father is done well. The Colin character
is too encyclopedic, fact after fact. Certainly, a different read on the
Killing Fields.
Play: Shiftings
Reviewer: Pamela
4 Stars
Joan's physical expertise was stunning, always the highlight of every aspect
of the performance.
Play: Shiftings
Reviewer: Josh Cohen
1 Star
When a performance like this gets 4 or 5 stars, it makes me wonder about
the credibility of these reviews. Our party of 4 felt this was an excruciatingly
pretensious, well, piece of unbelieveable crap. We simply could not believe
how bad it was. One person in the audience was clearly a plant, but the
rest exchanged looks of exasperation, boredom and rolling eyeballs at regular
intervals. Certainly, any movement can be "metaphoric" of greed,
but how completely unartistic is using a t-shirt logo or a doll with red
dye in its crotch and pointing to it over and over to make a point? What
point? We are avid theater goers, and love mime and improvisational physical
theater, but this was the first time I have ever been tempted to take my
money back in the middle of a performance, since it was being thrown on
the floor in order as another "metaphor." The real metaphor here
was how we were taken for $9 and forced to watch this self-absorbed woman,
who's friends clearly thought this i!
nept idea would translate from a drug induced laugh to an actual performance.
The only redeeming thing about this was the clever use of a custodian character
who provided a transition, and the laughs we shared with the other members
of the audience outside. We all wished the custodian had swept away the
performer. Avoid this "performance." If there was a selection
for 0 stars we would have selected it.
Play: Lounge-Zilla
Reviewer: Papi
3 Stars
The pre-show shenanigans were amusing, but the show itself turned out to
be more of the same. The songs are clever, but the piano is loud and distracting
and adds nothing to the performance. Overrated.
Play: Paper Dolls
Reviewer: Alex
5 Stars
Paper Dolls is a beautifully written and touching play about the Aids Epidemic
in the 80s. Most importantly though it is a play about friendship, the necessity
to love and be loved, and ultimately the pain and suffering that comes with
losing those who you love the most.
Whilst the topic of the 80s Aids Epidemic has produced prolific writing,
this particular play sets itself apart through its witty, well-balanced
and heartfelt writing as well as its stellar cast. The character Weazer
together with his cast mates capture the audience from the first few moments
and keep them engaged and heart wrenched through to the end with their sensitive,
sexy, and heartfelt performances. We can be sure to see these superb actors
a lot more.
Play: Paper Dolls
Reviewer: Terry
5 Stars
I absolutely loved this play! Funny and sad, hopeful and desperate -- highly
recommended. Wonderful.
Play: Loungezilla
Reviewer: Darren
5 Stars
A wild ride. Completely offensive and utterly hysterical. Like Kiki and
Herb with a dash of Pee-Wee Herman and the slightest touch of Miyoshi Umeki.
This show should have an off-off-Broadway run. Dennis has total command
of the room and is probably the most brilliant drag queen I've seen in years.
I especially loved his improv with the audience during the stage setup,
and the finale song with the nuclear-fallout boyscout. Be sure to bring
an umbrella, some extra-large condoms, a sturdy belt, and a paddle just
in case. You might need it. A great show for a first date.
Play: Do the Clam
Reviewer: Kim
3 Stars
First, you should know this is not what's described in the program, which
was a pleasant suprise -how often do we see something without previewing
it? I gave it three stars because I liked the abstractness of what I was
seeing - a different world that I didn't know about and some good characters
- but it could use some more work, the end feels rushed. I still think it's
worth seeing.
Play: Green Bamboo Hermitage
Reviewer: Kim
5 Stars
Excellent. Within the performance you get enough history for a historical
context without enough to bore you. Based on a short story this is not your
ordinary plotline with conflict and resolution - one of the aspects that
I initially saw as a negative aspect but with more thought I liked it -
this is one of the bonuses of the Fringe, variety! The actors are great
- the female lead has a silent expressiveness that's loud and the male lead
is very good all around. I highly recommend it and would like to see it
developed into a full-length performance.
Play: Fear of a brown planet
Reviewer: Papi
5 Stars
Side-splittingly funny. Not exactly a play, seems more like straight stand-up,
but who cares! The material is intelligent, thought-provoking and hilarious.
Demands your attention, and rewards you with laughs that stay with you even
after you leave the theater.
Play: Brilliant Disguise
Reviewer: Papi
3 Stars
Its San Francisco, and we're all so jaded with our own hipness and sexual
ambiguities. This play tries a tad too hard to be clever, and stumbles as
a result. Disappointing.
Play: Are Ya Working?
Reviewer: Kim
5 Stars
See this show. It's a great show and I found myself getting lost in the
performance (in a good way) instead of retaining conciousness of the surroundings
- and all that with no se and just one performer. Plus the venue is great
and perfect for this performance. Get your tickets quick - it may sell out
this weekend!
Play: Chinese Clown Cabaret
Reviewer: Papi
3 Stars
Disappointing! After all the rave reviews, it was a letdown. Has its moments,
but few and far between.
Play: Antarctica
Reviewer: Papi
5 Stars
The best play I've seen this year (so far). Good plot, great acting, equal
parts whimsy, intellect, and humor. Everything a fringe play should be!
Play: Theristes
Reviewer: Larkin
1 Star
I was going to write a review the night I saw the performance but didn't
want to be cruel. After a few days I am still thinking about the show -
and not in a good way. There was a serious disconnect from the performers
and audience. The text was dense and the attempt to lighten it up or convey
it to the audience did not succeed. It appeared as if some of the performers
themselves had difficulties with the text. The night that I attended one
of the characters kept stumbling (and plum forgetting) his lines. The young
boy (played by a woman) was the best part of teh production she had a physical
commitment to the character - nice. All in all, you are tredding into dangerous
territory when you adapt, direct, and star in a play by yourself. It could
have used some outside influences.
Play: Antarctica
Reviewer: Darren
4 Stars
This show is a fun, fairy-tale romantic adventure with lots of spunky "girl-power".
Crisp antarctic imagery and an upbeat rhythm sustained by the actors made
the 50-minute show fly by. The actors are sharp. They have plenty of comedic
personality, a strong command of the stage, and excellent timing. Some rapid,
witty banter between these two young women reminiscent of Lucy and Ethel,
Peppermint Patty and Marcie, or Laverne and Shirley. I laughed quite a bit
and enjoyed the story, which seemed part Judy Blume, part Grimm's fairy
tale, with a dash of John Hughes. The multi-option finale was effective
and invites the viewer into the creative process of imagining an ending.
Not sure about the third-person narrative where the actors talk about their
characters, but it was an interesting story-telling device that highlighted
the fairy-tale aspects of the story. Very cute.
Play: Green Bamboo Hermitage
Reviewer: Janelle
5 Stars
Short and sweet, very moving. I loved the special effects, the costumes,
and the music. Felt like I had stepped back in the time. The actors were
really good, but I do have to say that it was difficult to understand the
lead female in the beginning of the play because her mid-Atlantic was too
thick for the pace she was speaking at. Keep the accent, lose the speed.
Other than that, this play was beautifully done and I look forward to seeing
more from this company.
Play: Paper Dolls
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
4 Stars
Paper Dolls is a serious play on a difficult subject matter - the 80's AIDS
crisis in San Francisco - yet somehow alleviates the tension with well timed
humor, humor that keeps the play from veering off the edge into melodrama.
I did find the program description didn't quite capture the show - it implies
a certain politicism that isn't there - this is a personal story. It adds
up to a powerful and touching piece featuring a stellar cast. The actors
in Paper Dolls are all clearly skilled and experienced - it shows in their
timing, feel for the material, and ability to play off each other. This
is a highly recommended show, if you are ready for it.
Play: Brother#1
Reviewer: Bet Gioso
4 Stars
You laugh and you think. It's like Godot. The more you think about it, the
more you like it, And Jerry the custodian is a crack-up. "Adios Motherf...er"
Play: Dived We Fall
Reviewer: Bob Hayden
5 Stars
This is THEATRE. Its the best show I've seen at the Fringe, the type of
work most audiences could never hope to see anymore. Energy, humor, derision,
and the music's good too. I would also give the program and the postcard
my nod as outstanding. You don't get a kick out of this . . . get a life,
or quit your job in the White House.
Play: Brother #1
Reviewer: Lisa
5 Stars
These people get Theatre of the Absurd! History and tragedy! Genocide and
absurdity! A must see for the serious theatre people!
Play: thersites
Reviewer: Jason R.
1 Star
The best thing I can say is that it was only 35 minutes long. I was ready
to leave right from the video projection segment, which grated on my ears
and nerves, making me wonder what was wrong with the sound system, only
to realize that the theatre was not to blame for the aural assault. What
seemed to be the shows only joke, was beaten over our heads as if to say,
"We made something funny, now laugh already!" It would be difficult
to fault the players, since the original script is 500 years old, however
so much damage has been done to it that only they can take the blame. Friends
don't let friends see this show.
Play: Divided We Fall, a buffoon show
Reviewer: Mark Mardon, Bay Area Reporter
Meet the Buffoons
The SF Buffoons are boffo. Go see them to revel and squirm in the fetid, trashed world of a gang of latter-day hobos commenting on the state of modern "society" with its Abu Ghraibs, Katrinas, Homeland Security bozos, and the seeming senselessness of it all.
The place to catch these swells is at The San Francisco Fringe Festival,
now well underway mostly at the quaint EXIT Theatre spaces in the lovely
Tenderloin, but also South of Market at Jon Sims Center for the Arts, site
for "Divided We Fall," A Buffoon Show. The SF Buffoons are a group
of local "Internationally Unknown and Locally Scorned Performance Artists"
who will take you to the depths of perdition in their grungy post-apocalyptic
existence. Their characters are filthy, rough-hewn, drunken, stoned, cracked
out, crude, rude, lewd, but most of all hilarious. They are not unlike such
Depression Era comic-strip/Vaudeville characters as Krazy Kat, Barney Google
and Snuffy Smith, and that famed hobo,Weary Willie, but entirely uncensored.
These kats totally revel in their squalor. They accept their slimy fate
as creatures of the gutter. They pantomime pissing on the American flag
and pooping for amusement, pushing their lowness to the limits, in the process
sharply commenting o!
n America's laughable immorality.
The principal persona is The Idiot/Papa, performed with just the right
mix of sober observation cut with deranged babble by the solid Eric Wilcox,
who serves as the brains of the group, though his sanity is entirely questionable.
Wilcox is the axle around which the other characters revolve like broken
spokes. He's the glue in their hair. He's got the demeanor of a Cicero orating,
but he can't help fouling his speaker's nest with expletives and crude lust.
Meanwhile the stereotypical fat, smelly, drunken Mexican, "El Boracho,"
played to comic perfection by Noe Zavala, carouses happily in drunken lasciviousness
with the loose, prank-playing, foul-mouthed Maria, wonderfully rendered
by Zuzka Sabata who flaunts her anus and flops all over the stage, sprawling
out in nymphomaniac abandon. The "dumb" character, who utters
only chirps and squeals, but serves as the group's conscience, is "Chickenwing,"
played by Mars Wind, one hand loosely bound to his side, his huge, burrito-size!
d member concealed within an enormous lumpy diaper. He's everybody's foil.
They screw with him as they please, guffawing all the while. Most compelling
of all the characters is "Monkeyboy," played with astonishing
crass wickedness and gangly body language by Michael Riddle, whose big mouse
ears offset his long, narrow face with its fabulous wicked expressiveness,
with those wild eyes of his, and that big devious, unforgettable grin.
Not for a moment do you doubt these folks are living a base life, slimed and bloodied and abandoned by society. They grovel and amuse themselves as the ugliest of Americans, and in their reflection we can't help but see ourselves. Life ain't all roses. In fact, it smells like shit . . . but then, some people like it that way, and that's the ineffable truth the Buffoons have seized on with zeal.
Play: A Name You Can Trust
Reviewer: LiWen
5 Stars
Congratulations!! Great action on both the writing and the performance.
The script, witty and cleverly-crafted, was brought alive by the superb
performance by the 2 actors. The chemistry between them is apparent, as
is the brilliance of the acting. Energy is robust and maintained throughout
the piece. The comedic element, evident in the writing, was very successfully
delivered by both the actors. Of course, "religion" has always
been a huge conundrum - so why not ponder on it further? I enjoyed every
moment of it. This is certainly a must-see! Well-done!
Play: El Camino Loco
Reviewer: Holly
5 Stars
Trully bizarre, yet entertaining. Very interactive. LOVED the music =) It's
like being at a rock show w/ a narrative performance. Having met Kym outside
the show then watching her perform trully shows what an amazing and talented
actress she is.
Play: Go!
Reviewer: Holly
5 Stars
Very clever and creative show with two awesome actresses who made me realizes
that I am not alone when it comes to trying to get my shit done. Go see
it!
Play: Green Bamboo Hermitage
Reviewer: Gloria
5 Stars
What a wonderfully cast story! Well written, beautifully acted. This adaptation
of Wu Zuxiang's short story is a moving tale of love that informs historically
and reaches across generations and cultures to universally honor the love
and the hardships of not only those from a war-era Shanghai but of all grandparents
everywhere.
Play: Waiting for the Relevance
Reviewer: fringe watcher
4 Stars
I get it! There is no relevance! This guy has figured that out. He's witty,
engaging, and unpredictable. If you need predictable plot and expectant
story lines thrown in your face, go somewhere else. If you're looking for
fresh, honest, sincere, and humorous then see this show.
Play: you may now kiss my sass
Reviewer: mike
3 Stars
A for effort!! lots of energy and some funny moments, very(almost too)topical.
I never really beleived the story, why would a republican gay man agree
to bridemaids in burkhas? Ice sculptures? things were a little too stereotypical
for me, dare I say it? too gay? playing the black soldier at the end didn't
really work for me either, even in the subdued lighting, you are just not
black. the show was enjoyable, and did get a chuckle or two out of me. the
guy is a talented actor. all in all I liked it.
Play: 21/One: Twenty-One Shows in One Hour
Reviewer: Jason Olson
5 Stars
I went to see this show figuring I would be entertained but not expecting
much from this startup company. Boy was I in for it! This is an incredibly
written and brilliantly performed piece (or rather, pieces). It's an incredible
tribute (warts and all) to San Francisco. I really don't know how to describe
it other than that it was fantastic. Go see it while you still can!
Play: Got Lucky?
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
3 Stars
Well, it is a full on, Oscar and Hammerstein style musical clocking in around
40 minutes. Clearly a lot of work has gone into crafting the mostly well
performed songs. I thought a couple of the actors were quite strong - "the
girlfriend" and the "dead jumper" (I'm not giving anyway
any surprises there, he announces he's dead in the opening number), but
some of the other cast members were pretty uneven. I also could not get
past my own prejudice - I just don't like the artifice of traditional musicals
and I couldn't get over that. So, it wasn't a show for me, but it might
appeal to others.
Play: Playing in the Dark
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
4 Stars
Three odd short plays make up Jim Strope's contribution to this years Fringe
Festival. I came in familiar with Jim's entry in 2003 (also 3 short plays)
and while the style was similar, I felt that this was the stronger overall
submission. Jim's penchant for eccentric, antagonistic characters remains,
but here the stories come together more successfully. The best of the three
pieces is the middle one, centered around a disturbed young man in a mental
institution being visited by his also off-balance mother. The clever dialogue
in this piece was augmented by two very strong leads. All in all, an interesting
show, though by the nature of these short plays - not skits - it feels a
little clipped and "partial". I'd be curious to see what a full
length play by Jim Strope might be like.
Play: Thersites
Reviewer: Dawn
1 Star
Okay...I was going to leave this one alone, but it has to be said...please
stay clear of this one. The only saving grace was that is was so short.
Also the present day changes to the play made it even more impossible to
follow.
Play: Do the Clam
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
3 Stars
I really wanted to like this show. The first ten minutes were brilliant
- just the sort of random, absurd comedy that I typically like. Despite
the promising start, the play started to bog down as additional - and less
interesting - characters were introduced, and eventually the story, and
the characters, seemed to go nowhere - slowly. However, even then there
were some brilliantly crafted lines, witty comebacks, and pithy jokes that
I enjoyed. There is potential to craft the skeleton of this play into a
better work. The actors were all strong and commited to what they were doing.
Maybe just one good revision of the plot might be all they need to move
this show up a notch, or a star, as it were.
Play: Are Ya Working?
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
4 Stars
A rambling but highly entertaining autobiographical account of one man's
work trevails and his blue collar family. Stephen is smart, engaging and
funny. While he seems to ramble and bounce from subject to subject without
a clean segue, that merely adds to the charm of the performance. He is very
good at winning an audience over to his side. A worthy show.
Play: Go!
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
5 Stars
The boldest and most challenging play I've seen in this year's Festival.
Go! helps fill the void left by the absence of long-time favorites Banana,
Bag and Bodice; their influence (they are even thanked in the liner notes)
seems apparent. However, Go! more than stands up for itself; it is no homage
to BB&B but rather a sharp work of two performers (Michelle Talgarow
and Gillian Chadsey) who can command a stage and push the audience. Go!
touches on many universal themes; the entrapment of our daily lives, the
difficulty in finding a mate and fulfillment - but it largely does so with
a distinctive voice, rendering these tired subjects a fresh relevance. The
first half of the show is more abstact than the second. There is no story;
it is based on the movements and occasional outburts of the two performers,
who move between the stage and two writing desks on the wings. They do not
directly converse - or even seem to notice each other. But the movements
really captured the m!
addening routine of a workaday life and I thought it was very compelling.
I found that the second half backed down from this bold introduction; the
characters started interacting; the bits became more humorous; they played
to the audience more. While this second half was still very engaging and
entertaining, and worthy of a positive review in its own right, it felt
like a departure from the more experimental first half and I found myself
wishing they had the boldness to stick with that early vision for the entire
show. While that might have turned off some audience looking for a cheap
laugh, it might have really brokethrough as a special work. As it is, Go!
should clearly be a contender for "Best of Fringe" status and
I applaud the performers for bringing their vision to life.
Play: Thersites
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
4 Stars
The only "classical" work in the Festival, Thersites is an early
English play that is almost entirely unknown by modern audiences(or, at
least it was entirely unknown to me). This version (which was rather short,
even by Fringe standards - it clocked in around 35 minutes) peppered with
modern allusions to Cheney, Halliburton etc. The adaptation was done by
Lucas McClure, who also played the title character. He does a great job
holding the stage as the ridiculous braggart Thersites, a vainglorious soldier
with delusions of grandeur. McClure has a strong command of the metered
language. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the actor playing the
Armourer, who struggled both with the memorization and the understanding
of the verse. However, his scene was only five minutes of the performance
and the rest of the cast was strong, particularly Thersites' mistreated
mother. Overall, I enjoyed the show quite a bit and filled a literate void
for the Festival - no other show !
I've seen in Fringe '05 (20 count) had such witty verbiage. The let downs
were the Armourer and the short running time (I don't know if that was because
the source material was short if it was just this adaptation). I could definitely
have watched this for a full hour had there been more to see. I'm also not
sure that McClure's costume needed to be quite...so risque.
Play: El Camino Loco
Reviewer: Ace
5 Stars
Loved it. Why? I'll tell you. First off Priess is an amazing performer.
She has a vibrant and vivacious presence, a great singing voice, and is
charasmatic in both her singing and acting abilities. She on her own was
a pleasure to watch. The show touches on some important and interesting
subjects: homelessness and the idea/meaning of "home", mental
illness and the healthcare system...she toys w/ the idea of "reality"
w/ her "delusions" and possible "imaginary" band the
Sticky Goldstars. The show manages to touch on these issues with a great
and seemingly sincere sense of humor throughout which opens the door to
think about the questions Priess is raising while she is not being pretentious
in thinking she can answer them. All this in a format that combines great
acting and great music/playing/singing. El Camino Loco is entertaining from
start to finish and yeah, that's why I loved it.
Play:
Reviewer: When You Stand Alone
4 Stars
This is one of the stronger solo shows in this year's festival. The performer
is clearly well practiced and in full command of his material. The show
is predicated on three different, unrelated characters, each of whom are
portrayed in turn via extended monologue. The first character is a lively
(and deranged) Beatles fan; this bit is entirely comedic, quite entertaining,
and pulls the audience onto his side. The next two characters deepen the
drama - a frustrated housewife with dreams of Paris and a disallusioned
young punk dealing with family drama. This is a show worth seeing.
Play: Here to There
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
3 Stars
Unlike the similarly named reviewer below, I felt that Susan's experiences
with insomnia closely matched my own. I've struggled with sleep my whole
life and many of her observations rung true. The portions of her show focused
on sleep - or the lack thereof - I therefore found the most appealing. Susan
does not have the professional varnish some of the other performers have;
her performance feels like ramblings from her journal rather than a coherent
storyline. However, she has enough charm to pull it off and keep it engaging.
The "movement" portion of the show did not work so well, however;
she does not seem like a trained dancer and the symbolism was to obvious.
I feel the show would be stronger if she stuck to storytelling. All in all,
an interesting show from a young performer with plenty of charisma and potential.
Play: Shiftings
Reviewer: Craig Ken
3 Stars
I guess you could call it interpretive dance interspersed with such bits
as a yodeling janitor. I was never drawn into the performance or felt connected
to Joan Merwyn (kind of like being danced at through a looking glass). One
person in the audience was laughing loudly at some of the bits (he was the
exception). I didn’t find a lot of messages, The political “bit”
was a tad gratuitous. If your focus is on seeing dance performances, this
is okay. If you’re looking for something light, stay away.
Play: You May Now Kiss
Reviewer: Lisa Hadley
5 Stars
Darren Blaney's one-man show "YOU MAY NOW..." at the Exit Stage
Left -- part of the current SF Fringe Festival -- is a truthful, often comical,
hour-long journey through the vicissitudes of a gay marriage that never
happens. Darren's sharp writing skills are honed just so for this subject
matter. He gleefully takes us on a journey through funny and often hellish
scenarios made enjoyable to watch. Darren's skillful portrayals of characters
include the embittered wedding planner who begins and ends the play with
an AIDS cocktail; a young, hyped out stud who envisions his own Hollywood
fame; an overbearing mother who's own meddling brings down the marriage;
and last but not least, the fabulous, fading, narcissistic wedding cake
designer whose frosting takes on a whole new meaning. Through these characters
and others we can see why this particular union never did become sacrosanct.
Beyond this, there are political statements made, (not overtly, but neatly
tied into the action) tha!
t remind of us why. This show should play an extended run in the City, for
starters. Having said that, see it while it's playing now -- and you'll
see what I'm talking about. Darren is an artist to keep an eye on.
Play: Shiftings
Reviewer: Carl
3 Stars
Very inventive visual work, with a number of very striking images that emerge
in surprising ways. The drawbacks are that the subject matter is rather
trite and she isn't really saying anything new about it; there are moments
where her performance seems to lack physical precision, something I found
surprising from such a seasoned performer; and she isn't very charismatic
- I never felt drawn into the show by the persona of the performer - perhaps
a few moments where I really felt she was enjoying herself or really wanted
the audience to empathize with her would remedy this. The janitor stuff
was fun, especially the pre-show bit.
Play: Here to There
Reviewer: Shelley
5 Stars
Susan Redman wrote this piece because the thought of doing a one woman show
terrified her, this in itself inspired her and it has inspired me.
The piece is honest and original, touching in parts and funny in others.
There is no character here, Susan is telling her own story. It leaves you
wanting to know more and you leave certainly admiring her. The piece shows
I think, that she has great potential as a writer/performer which can only
develop through age and experience. I hope she sticks it out as an actor
and is successful.
Play: Chinese Clown Caberet
Reviewer: Carl
5 Stars
If you saw the Caberet last year, it is even better this year, just as endearing,
but even more hilarious and poignant. Jane Chen has a knack for finding
both substance and hilarity in very simple, truthful interactions. Go see
it and get there early so that you can see her heckle the audience before
the show.
Play: Yellow Tunic
Reviewer: Carl
5 Stars
Adam Venker is a brilliant performer, and this show has some brilliant moments.
It is a collage of writings and events from the life of Mayakovsky, arranged
on an appropriate framework of physical theatre. This show is a grower -
I've seen it twice and it really grew on me, both because Adam's performance
had become even more inspired and because I got more out of the text.