Play: Politics on the Edge
Reviewer: Shelley
4 Stars
I recommend this play strongly if only for the middle of the 3 short pieces.
Set in a taxi cab with 4 actors, the piece is fluid, fascinating and utterly
gripping with some compelling performances. It makes a refreshing change
from one person shows and highlights a wonderful writer.
Go see this.
Play: Chinese Clown Cabaret
Reviewer: Lisa
5 Stars
What a great show! Very entertaining, while also exploring mother/daughter
issues. This show has something for everyone. I dare anyone to leave without
a smile on your face.
Play: antartica
Reviewer: Brian LeBourdais
5 Stars
This was a great show. Very funny. I have had a lot of friends (that are
girls) and have seen this situation played out many times. This was by far
very true to life (and a fairy tale at the same time).
Play: Show Me Where It Hurts
Reviewer: Helen Duffy
5 Stars
This is a very original, funny, satirical play about the parallels between
the Great Depression of the 1930s and the world as we are coming to know
it. The actors (Karen Ripley and Annie Larson) are devastatingly funny (especially
as Twentifirst century post-boom employees) and they can really sing. The
imaginative original songs and parodies have clear, topical lyrics; they
help drive the action forward. My entire party enjoyed it--including my
seventeen-year-old son who wouldn't know the Depression if it bit him on
the butt ...Hmm...
Play: Here to There
Reviewer: HappyToBeHere
3 Stars
This is a very nice , very genuine actor doing a very nice job of the travials
of insomnia. The show moves along nicely. The show was pleasantly enjoyable
and rather nice. And that's also the problem , too. Somehow the traumas
of buying one's first mattress and having to call mom to get support, and
getting your car booted in the big city, and not being able to parallel
park because you lived all your life in the suburbs aren't exactly the conflicts
that usually drive one to insomia or provide the kind of struggles and drama
that make shows captivating. I am sincere though in saying that this was
an enjoyable show , it just doesn't stay with you for very long after you've
left.
Play: Antarctica
Reviewer: K.S.
5 Stars
Wonderful story with two very engaging actors that seem to be genuinely
dedicated to their roles. The opening scene, in the dark, with Magda screaming,
totally grabs your attention and peaks curiousity. Winnie (R.Reed) exceptionally
captures the essence of a, like, modern day high school teenager.
Play: You May Now Kiss... My Sass?
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 vissisitudes 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) that 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: El Camino Loco
Reviewer: don boardman
5 Stars
Great show!! Seen it twice - any words I'd try to use to describe it wouldn't
do it justice. If anyone is old enough to remember Mary Waranov, et al,
(The other freaky Andy Warhol people) who traveled with Velvet Underground
on their Exploding Plastic Inevitable tour - these folks conjure up images
of those people from outer space.
Play: Sperm warfare
Reviewer: Tony David
5 Stars
any man or woman who has been through the process of attempting through
science to spawn will recognize the play's truth in what can be a monumentally
stressful time in one's life. Sperm Warfare lighens the load, and is hysterical!
Play: Fear of A Brown Planet
Reviewer: Shaun Landry
5 Stars
When Tabetha Wells of Slap Happy Toronto asked me to put this brother up
for Fringe in my home I was cool about it...but I did not know him. "What
if this cat sucks?" I thought. Will I be wiping down my house from
the funk of unfunny for months afterwards? Well, I was wrong. Fear of A
Brown Planet is one hell of a smart, witty talented show. I'm not saying
this because he is sitting inches away watching The Running Man on Television
with my husband. The man is very talented and this show is a must see. I'm
glad he is here in San Francisco with his show. As he would say "He
earned his stripes"
Play: Politics on the Edge
Reviewer: Chris
3 Stars
The middle piece of the three, November 2001, really stood out as the piece
to see. Excellent acting and writing. The other two, Chop and Geography
Lesson, were pretty tedious.
Play: El Camino Loco
Reviewer: HappyToBeHere
2 Stars
In fairness there were people at this show who did seem to genuinely ejoy
it and found a lot of it hilarious. I wasn't one of them. Perhaps if one
were younger or drunker , maybe just drunker or maybe had easy access to
meds , a lot of the show is about meds and the failure to take same , this
might have gone down easier. Imagine Charo's younger less fortunate sister
who even the Nuns wouldn't take in and who's living on the streets and dealing
with her demons as she won't stay on her meds and yet is still inspired
to take her own show on the road. Four piece back up band , lots of energy
; loud energy. It's not unusual at the Fringe to get feedback that differs
as to whether a show is to be enjoyed or endured.....This was enduring for
me. Your tastes may vary.
Play: Loungezilla
Reviewer: Shaun Landry
5 Stars
So check it...I have not seen them at Fringe...but Oui Be Negroes performed
with them in Orland...then Black and Tan Improv at the Miami Improv Festival.
I have not had the chance to see them here in San Francisco this year...but
goddamn they are two of the funniest men around. See, see SEE Them! Thier
show is hilarious. It is slick. It is fun. It is everything a caberet show
*should be*.
Play: go!
Reviewer: Chris
3 Stars
Some cleaver and funny moments from two appealing actors. However, the content
is from couple young actors -- and if you're over 35, these observations
may strike you as a bit shallow. Still, stronger than most Fringe shows.
Play: Fear of a Brown Planet
Reviewer: udanium235
5 Stars
Brilliant, hilarious, smart but really a stand up comedy routine, rather
than a play. But still a great performance that does make you think, too!
Loved it...
Play: Thersites
Reviewer: Agnes
4 Stars
This show is ambitious but the cast is extremely talented and the play itself
is perfect for the updated references to the "boasters" among
our present day war mongers. Lucas McClure is compelling and has a great
command of the material. Great to hear this language spoken with such understanding.
Loved the projections too. Go see it. Very entertaining.
Play: 21/1
Reviewer: Chuck
5 Stars
Great concept. Great history lesson told with comic genius at times. Loved
the variety of comedy, drama and movement. Good work with a tough concept.
Loved the curtains - a history lesson in itself.
Play: Paper Dolls
Reviewer: Chuck
5 Stars
Loved it mostly. Brought back an intense time and place in our great city
and world. The writing, as usual for Besecker, is excellent, full of wit
and an incredible sense of time and place. The acting is by far better than
most plays at the Fringe and the subject is important less we forget and
become complacent.
Play: Fear of a Brown Planet
Reviewer: Muzz
5 Stars
It's not just stand-up, but even if it were it would still deserve 5 stars.
The writing is intelligent and clever. The performance is tight and at a
frenetic, almost Robin Williams-esque, pace.
Play: Cervix with a Smile
Reviewer: Muzz
3 Stars
Campy? Yes. Bawdy? Yes. Original? Well, the story ideas may be but the punchlines
mostly aren't. This show has lots of potential, but it ends up falling short
and being neither hilarious nor disturbing as the description suggests.
While topics like bondage and bestiality have a lot of shock potential,
the skits somehow give you the feeling that you've seen/heard this before.
Play: Being Something
Reviewer: Margaret Arighi
5 Stars
Well done. The beginning dialog sets the tone about "through the
eyes of the people who live there" and "we're all in the same
boat of
stereotypes and real life." Good pacing. I miss the detail of the older
woman and her brother who needs to move her out of the house but I appreciated
her presence
at the yard sale. These tastes of what Oakland is like for those who live
there leave
me wanting more - books, drama, etc. Thank you.
Margaret
Play: Being Something
Reviewer: Margaret Arighi
5 Stars
Well done. The beginning dialog sets the tone about "through the
eyes of the people who live there" and "we're all in the same
boat of
stereotypes and real life."
Good pacing. I miss the detail of the older woman and her brother
who needs to move her out of the house but I appreciated her presence
at the yard sale.
These tastes of what Oakland is like for those who live there leave
me wanting more - books, drama, etc.
Thank you.
Margaret
Play: Bound and Gagged
Reviewer: polynesian_metal
4 Stars
It was surprising to see how this series of 6 one act plays were connected
by the strangest things--shellfish and nevada. The stand out piece was tom
miller's SNAP. This was about all the shoulda woulda coulda pradas that
most all of us have experienced when enduring a relationship that has outlived
its worthiness. Also Jeff Brendt, who was not in snap is a most intriguing
actor, versatile with the greatest ability.
Play: Show Me Where It Hurts
Reviewer: Douglas
5 Stars
Another gratifying performance by Annie Larson left me wanting to experience
more from this talented actor/creator. The combination with Karen Ripley
showed great comedic timing and musical harmony; they were clearly having
a good time, and so was I. Linda Kesler displayed a great knack for the
extra characters. I liked the music performed by the musicians, but would
have been even better if more rehearsed. The songs were wonderful, hilarious
and well-performed - I usually cringe when a song breaks out, but found
myself tapping my foot and waiting for the next phrase. Thanks for a truly
enjoyable experience!
Play: The Werewolf
Reviewer: John(there's more than one of us?)
2 Stars
I was terribly disappointed with this show. Maybe this is a case where the
expectations were too high and so it felt worse that it actually was. I
was really excited about the idea for the show and it had glowing reviews(?)
but there's nothing going on. It just crawls along and I couldn't wait to
get out. The guy who plays the wolf is very good but they need to go back
to the drawing board and write an actual play that does justice to the idea.
Play: fear of a brown planet
Reviewer: kirk linn
5 Stars
LOL theater can be stand up he proves it
Play: Love scenes
Reviewer: kirk linn
5 Stars
when it says CAUTION NUDITY THEY MEAN IT but hes so good looking its worth
it
Play: Green Bamboo Hermitage
Reviewer: Ilex
5 Stars
The casting, staging, costuming and story were all great! The historic overlay
provided by the narrator side of the male lead's character(s) provided great
insight into Chinese political history that many of us know very little
of but was very interesting and did not come across at all preachy or overly
political. The "Auntie" character was very sweet and it's worth
going to see the play just for her solo, a beautiful traditional Chinese
melody sung in English, the lyrics of which really helped tie the theme
of loss, or potential loss of a loved one, to the storyline. The female
lead was beautiful in her role and perfectly cast. A really simple, beautiful
production.
Play: A Name You Can Trust
Reviewer: RedTapeJunkie
4 Stars
I'd give it 5 stars but I'm wary of superlatives. If you attend, then attend;
the writing in this piece is incredibly sharp. I don't mean heady or inaccessible;
it's clever and crafted finely. I admit to wishing for a keener ending.
I missed the delivery of some lines, but the actors are committed and energetic,
the premise is quirky and interesting, and the paperwork is very nicely
done.
Play: You may now kiss...my sass!
Reviewer: Carly Tanaka-Lubensky
5 Stars
This one man show with a multitude of characters deals with human emotions
on every level. Darren brings each character to life with his energy and
enthusiasm. Way to go Darren!
Play: politics on the edge
Reviewer: xtian
4 Stars
These 4 Stars go to Jon Brooks' segment, an intriguing NYC cab ride involving
three passengers and their cabbie, mere weeks after 9/11. Fears, doubts,
and the coping mechanisms all involved are exposed. An unexpected ending
offers hope for the future.
Play: Bound + Gagged
Reviewer: Rob D.
3 Stars
I found the entire evening of 9/13's B+G performance entertaining. The show
of six short scenes, based with the same themes of being "bound and
gagged," ranged from the outlandish bizzare to the eerily familiar.
Perfect for the Fringe, I must say. The acting and the plays' content improved
and grew stronger as the shows progressed. I particularly appreciated the
surprisingly sympathetic character at rock bottom played by Jeff Bredt,
and the Salmon Woman Arrestee. A solid show with some funny and quirky moments.
*** Go see it.
Play: Fear of a Brown Planet
Reviewer: Kim
A stronger beginning and had me laughing the first 15 minutes or so, typical in the stand-up comic wanderings between subjects but he keeps it together and on more of a path than a typical stand-up set. However it loses momentum, especially toward the end, and gets into racism info that's more basic (good for some.) A little longer than it needed to be, but impressive that a stand-up comic put together this long of a set. Note: it's not just a stand-up routine.
Play: Chinese Clown Cabaret
Reviewer: Meredith Yayanos
5 Stars
1. Meredith Yayanos said,
September 13, 2005 at 2:37 pm
We need more living, breathing, joyful theater like this! I was utterly
disarmed by the dynamic mother/daughter duo of Jane and Tair Chen. Their
work has reminded me that theater can be playful, silly, spontaneous, vulnerable
and deeply personal without feeling conflicted or precious. They are both
skillful improvisers and born storytellers, and I was utterly disarmed by
their gentle strength. Highly recommended. (Just get there early! The place
was packed to the rafters on Saturday.)
Play: Divided We Fall
Reviewer: adam
1 Star
When shows like this get 5-star reviews, it makes me suspect the credibility
of this forum.
Could all these reviewers be right, and I and my boyfriend be wrong? Maybe
they were having an off night, but it was excruciatingly tedious for us
and for the (non-responsive) audience. That the Buffoons do have talent
and do work so hard (too hard) at being "purposely offensively stupid"
makes it even more painful. Stupid, yes. Offensive, only in that it was
so boring.
Play: Go
Reviewer: Kalamine Loshin
5 Stars
This play made me tear up my t.v. dinners and treat myself to dinner. Fundamentally necessary for all those in a rut. Bravo!!!
Play: You may now kiss my...sass
Reviewer: Julie Willhite
5 Stars
Darren Blaney is an outspoken risk-taking tour de force performer who hits on the poignant grey issues of gays in the military, gay marriage and family, friendship and love. He effortlessly transitions with succinct honest, and often hilarious dialogue from character to character and gives us a chance to really look at ourselves in the current socio-political context and be alive to all its sadness and joy. Riveting show!
Play: A Name You Can Trust
Reviewer: HappyToBeHere
4 Stars
A very intriging premise of an angel and a demon going into partnership
and becoming independent buyers of souls. Not exactly offshoring the operation
, but more just independent contractors. Very strong performances from both
actors and the show moved right along. My only complaint is that this was
done so well throughout I was expecting something more profound at the conclusion.
Definitely worth seeing.
Play: Bound and Gagged
Reviewer: Lynn Yang
5 Stars
The show on Saturday 9/10 was excellent. Actors were energetic and engaging.
Plots were original and contained refreshing twists. The collection of plays
was rich, and some themes threaded through several plays (perhaps inadvertently).
I highly recommend this show.
Play: got lucky
Reviewer: terror dactyl
4 Stars
got lucky===========
the dialogue was clever.
the set design was tasteful.
the music was touching.
the singing was great.
Got lucky is a really sweet peice of musical theater. check it out alley cats!
Play: Thersites
Reviewer: Oncemoreintothebreach
3 Stars
It was an interesting idea that didn't really come off. This is an update
of one of the earliest plays in English, but it needs more work to tighten
it up. Leaving in the rhymed verse wasn't a good idea either -- we're all
too used to blank verse by now for it to sound anything but jingly. The
contemporary references come off as a little heavy-handed as well. Still,
it's more ambitious than most of the fringe offerings and certainly promising.
Play: Paper Dolls
Reviewer: Tim
5 Stars
I saw Besecker's Best of Fringe show back in 2002, and lines and images
from that show still pop into my mind from time to time. I think the same
thing's going to happen with this show -- the writing is just that good.
In a festival full of clowns, stand-up, sketch comedy and improv, it's nice
to also get a chance to see a well-written, brilliantly performed, moving
and touching play. Some laughs, some tears, an important time worth remembering:
I highly recommend it.