		*Recent Audience Reviews*
		2006 SAN FRANCISCO FRINGE FESTIVAL AUDIENCE REVIEWS
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CLICK HERE FOR RECENT REVIEWS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER CLICK ON PLAY FOR AUDIENCE REVIEWS FOR THAT PLAY @six 21/One Another Ugly Duckling Tale BabyLove Before the End A Boy Called Noise cruel & unusual Curriculum Vitae Eating Skeletons Exiles Fall and Rise of the Rising Fallen Flamenco con Fusion Fuse Get It? Got it. Good! Get Laughs or Die Tryin' Irma at the Movies & Frozen Just For Laughs Kingdom of Not Neon Man and Me nEO sURREALIST sYSTEMS Pomp & Circumstance Readiness is All Revolving Madness sally: MIA / Sheepish Secret Ruths of Island House Sisyphus on Vacation Stone Trilogy, Three Tales Thanatics - A Rock Opera This Lily Was (Fontana) Thrilling Adventures of Elvis in Space Tilting at Transformations Visiting Bertha Waiting for Bordeaux Where the Sun Don't Shine Woof, Daddy Yellow Fever Express Yorick & Co.		Play: Cruel and Unusual Reviewer: Jan Robinson 4 Stars To this observer, the four plays depicting various aspects of cruel and unusual punishment used in American culture, were a mixed source of horror and fascination. Simply by the title on the program, you know that you are about to be subjected to the worst that human nature has to offer. Added to that, is the rage that comes boiling up within, upon reading the program cover which contains words of the current Commander-in-Chief (not mine!) that attempt to justify actions that our forefathers forbade in the Constitution. So I bitterly prepared once again to feel the shame brought on to us by our current political leaders, and I braced myself for the revulsion that comes with whole idea of torture. The plays themselves, however, were brilliantly written as anti-torture pieces, providing glimpses into the dark world of government-sanctioned abuse and cover-up. As an ensemble, they worked well together, and ranged in settings from Gitmo to Baghdad, and from prison “death row” to the Pentagon. The last play, “Corpse”, supplied camera phone images used in the first play, “Photos”, giving a cyclical element to the group. Tying them even closer together was a bizarre series of skillful vocalizations by Marcelle Dronkers, which were every bit as grotesque as the situations being portrayed. Ranging from diabolical laughter to agonized tears, the sounds seemed insanely appropriate for the material. The stories were well executed by the actors. Sondra Putnam, in particular, slid effortlessly into three very diverse roles, and commanded the room with her presence. Rob Dario’s strongest moments came during his forceful portrayal of Zuwicki, a mentally unstable Abu Ghraib prison guard. While Alan Quismorio’s performance seemed generally solid enough, some of his words were unfortunately lost during his “pacing” scene in “Photos”. Although some of the dialogue included gallows humor to lighten the harshness of the subject matter, the audience seemed to find laughter difficult. Perhaps it was the sobering realization that not one of the plots was far-fetched or fanciful, but seemed like frighteningly plausible back-stories to the evening news. Play: cruel and unusual Reviewer: Jan Robinson 4 Stars To this observer, the four plays depicting various aspects of cruel and unusual punishment used in American culture, were a mixed source of horror and fascination. Simply by the title on the program, you know that you are about to be subjected to the worst that human nature has to offer. Added to that, is the rage that comes boiling up within, upon reading the program cover which contains words of the current Commander-in-Chief (not mine!) that attempt to justify actions that our forefathers forbade in the Constitution. So I bitterly prepared once again to feel the shame brought on to us by our current political leaders, and I braced myself for the revulsion that comes with whole idea of torture. The plays themselves, however, were brilliantly written as anti-torture pieces, providing glimpses into the dark world of government-sanctioned abuse and cover-up. As an ensemble, they worked well together, and ranged in settings from Gitmo to Baghdad, and from prison “death row” to the Pentagon. The last play, “Corpse”, supplied camera phone images used in the first play, “Photos”, giving a cyclical element to the group. Tying them even closer together was a bizarre series of skillful vocalizations by Marcelle Dronkers, which were every bit as grotesque as the situations being portrayed. Ranging from diabolical laughter to agonized tears, the sounds seemed insanely appropriate for the material. The stories were well executed by the actors. Sondra Putnam, in particular, slid effortlessly into three very diverse roles, and commanded the room with her presence. Rob Dario’s strongest moments came during his forceful portrayal of Zuwicki, a mentally unstable Abu Ghraib prison guard. While Alan Quismorio’s performance seemed generally solid enough, some of his words were unfortunately lost during his “pacing” scene in “Photos”. Although some of the dialogue included gallows humor to lighten the harshness of the subject matter, the audience seemed to find laughter difficult. Perhaps it was the sobering realization that not one of the plots was far-fetched or fanciful, but seemed like frighteningly plausible back-stories to the evening news. Play: Thanatics Reviewer: Eric 5 Stars Saw this sunday and i really enjoyed the play. Good story and a cast that really seemed to work together well I hope to see more. Play: Kingdom of Not Reviewer: Gina Bardi 5 Stars Mr. Carbone is not of this world. I refuse to believe someone with his intellegence, humor and depth could have been born of a human woman egg and human man sperm. More likely he was hatched on some planet not in this solar system and fell to earth David Bowie style. I hope he never goes home. He creates a world that is so realistic, that when I thought about it later, I was surprised to remember that he only had two props and no costumes. He descriptions were so rich and vivid that I actually thought I saw them. I might be crazy, but he's a crazy genuis. This performance pulled me in like a spider to zoom (It's ant talk). Play: Kingdom of Not Reviewer: Nancy D. Neilson 5 Stars All I can say is a Dan Carbone production is always highly entertaining and well worth the time to see. Can't wait for a longer production or anything Mr. Carbone is in Play: nEO sURREALIST sYSTEMS Reviewer: Katrina 5 Stars White greasepaint was lovingly wiped on my face by a naked clown, my sunglasses were knocked off my head by flying cheese, and I witnessed a man shoving a glazed donut down his pants -- and that was all while sitting in the BACK row! Play: Yorick and Co. Reviewer: Daniel Lynch 5 Stars Line for line the funniest and most enjoyable show in the Fringe Fest. this year. I saw Yorick all over San Francisco and just had to come see the show. This brought me over to the Fringe Fest. and I was able to see a variety of shows. Hit and miss most but Yorick was a hit. The ensemble was superb. Stand outs for me were Jason, a sweet natured stage manager. Bart a lovable drunk. Phineas, that @$$hole actor we have all seen or worked with before. And Yorick, the man, the skull, the legend. I hope to hear more about this show in the future. Play: Circulum Vitae Reviewer: Nancy Neilson 5 Stars What a treat for my last show on the last day, and last show at Exit on Taylor to see. It was Monty Python on speed and with a twist. Excedinly engaging and the fact that he was more than capable of interacting with the audience while continuing the show was just phenominal. 3 cheers and congrats on 2 well deserved awards of Best Male Comedy show and Sold Out. Play: Babylove Reviewer: Nancy Neilson 5 Stars Whether you've had a baby or not, many women can relate to the serious comedy in Babylove. There is no wonder in my mind why it won a sold out award and the best pick for female comedy. Fun, fun, fun, and don't worry guys, you'll love it too. Play: "Babylove" by Christen Clifford Reviewer: veronique jeanmarie 5 Stars I love this show! It's insightful, entertaining, and occasionally disturbing. I recommend it highly. Play: This Lily Was Reviewer: John Rackham Intense, fascinating and poetic. I've had to take a couple of days to think about Mia's epic story of sexual and physical abuse and its lifelong consequences. It demanded full attention for the hour and with a lesser actor it might have been difficult to watch at times, but Mia's charisma carried me through. I think I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come. A truly excellent and courageous piece of theatre. Play: Visiting Bertha Reviewer: Williams Fan 5 Stars Wow. Great play. Sad, funny, well-written. I didn't know the Fringe put on plays like this. There was nothing wacky or weird about it. It was just a great play from top to bottom. Acting, writing were both perfect. I'd see it again if I could. Play: cruel and unusual Reviewer: Melanie Curry 4 Stars four ten minute plays about torture?! No thanks. But wait a minute....intense, scary, short, well acted. Okay then. I can take it. Play: Visiting Bertha Reviewer: Chris Belsky 5 Stars Wow. What an incredible experience. The play is based on Tennessee Williams' minor characters, and the production is certainly worthy of its association with the great Southern playwright. The language is poetic, yet natural and the direction gives the peice a beautifully subtle grace. The entire cast great, but Maggie Grant stands out, gives a riveting and haunting performance as the title character, Bertha. It is a treat to see her reveal different facets of her character as her various suitors enter her room. I truly hope that this play finds a way to continue to run beyond the fringe, as it deserves to be seen by a wider audience. Play: Another Ugly Duckling Tale Reviewer: Richard Sah 4 Stars A charming and touching story of a woman who has managed to overcome internal and external obstacles to start a new, fulfilling career late in life. This is a funny and very honest one-woman play. Play: Where the Sun Don't Shine Reviewer: Lil 5 Stars I was wonderfully surprised by how funny I thought this play was, it was such a delight to watch and all of the actors in it were right on the mark. The script was funny and current and I was amazed with the creativity of the sets as well, I was thinking it would be hard to do whith such a small space but it worked. I am very glad I went and everyone should go! Play: Visiting Bertha Reviewer: Deepak Patankar 5 Stars Excellent! absolutely loved the script and the acting! wish it could have been longer Play: Baby Love Reviewer: Danielle Harel 5 Stars As a mother, a woman and a sexologist whose one of her expertise is sexuality after childbirth, I was so excited to watch Christen Clifford performing in Baby Love. She openly gave voice to feelings and concerns that many women experience but do not allow themselves to express. Very engaging show; I laughed, cried, and felt exited that finally someone had the courage to speak up. Play: Baby Love Reviewer: Lenny Park 5 Stars I wanted to see it again, it was so incredible. Such an emotional subject presented in a way that the audience both laughed and related to it at the same time. Excellent writing and phenomenal one-(wo)man show. Can't wait for it to make it to Broadway. Way to go, Christen. Play: BabyLove Reviewer: Linda Mancini 5 Stars Great show!! Great performance! Discusses issues that should be heard, thank god someone is finally doing it!!! Play: Pomp and Circumstance Reviewer: Alan Scofield -- Former Marin Independent Journal Reviewer 5 Stars Sitting in the ultra small Exit Theater on Eddy Street, watching David Rouda's tour de force Fringe Festival production of Pomp and Circumstance was like seeing Elvis in a local Starbucks. The play swiveled its sexy hips and smiled its crooked ironical smile and tore the lid off of any small expectations one might have of fringe sized offerings. The volatile entertainments of the production are legal battles and law office politics---a meek son crawling out of father's Goliath shadow, tragic blurring of stage reality and real life, sacred love vs. baser sex, legal marriage vs. religious contract---But this is only the map, not the territory. Television writers can take the wheel and drive you round the bends of an hour long legal drama---any Boston Legal or Ally McBeal will do. That's entertainment. But here is something else much deeper and simpler--the agony and redemption of understanding who we really are underneath the pomp and circumstance of illusions. Rouda's vehicle is just a play, but he writes and directs like his life depends on it. We are lucky for this, for the future of theater depends on the white heat of the truth addicts among us. Yes, there is heat and flame in Rouda's lines that are needed in the cool grey of our times, and gut humor too. Perhaps there is a talent the size of Elvis, on its way to being discovered, writhing sublimely in a little cellar theater off Eddy Street. Play: Yorick & Co. Reviewer: Brian Vanderpol 5 Stars The whole gang never fails to please. Having been an actor in a few of the shows with this crowd of players, I alwasy enjoy it when I'm in the audience. The play was edited very expertly and played just as brilliantly from the full length show it was penned as. The small space was perfect for this show with a talking skull and many small crevices to hide liquor bottles which are revealed as the show progresses, and the bottles are emptied! I love this show. I especially love the devoted Method lunacy that Carmen Herrero-Butelo puts into her role as Lauren; and the drunken wisdom of Jayson Voque in his role of Bart. Jason Feilzer and Cyndie Menard are excellent as the stage manager and the actress who REALLY has feelings for "Hamlet"! David Nelson is stellar as the actor who wants to do it better than Olivier, Welles, and Brannaugh and struggles with the power of Hamlet. If there ever was a villain there to stop the show, or cause it trouble, none other does it better than Joe ! Toon. And who can forget the man of every Hamlet, Yorick. Mike Kiley in his comic genius give life in no other way to the skull of a man who once bore power and pain on his back, and who plays Yorick with never a falter in his merry merth! After all what does a skull have to lose! This show is a must for anyone who loves Hamlet, or has been in Hamlet. Bravo to Rob Chase for taking something a hodge podge group of students, children, adults, teachers, and parents alike shared one magic summer back in Stockton, CA, and creating a piece of comic brilliance which can take us back to that place and time where for some, myself especially, the love for theater and acting was born, and nurtured in an environment of incredible artistic talent. Long live Hamlet, Yorick, and Company! Play: Baby Love Reviewer: Elyse Singer 5 Stars Provocative and funny - a very brave show! Play: This Lily was Reviewer: Jacqui Barnes 5 Stars Mia Paschal transcends her pain and reigns triumphant. This spectacle is pure poetry in motion.Whatever you do , if she's performing within a 100mile radius of where you are, you have to see it. Play: Before the End Reviewer: Bryn Thomas 2 Stars This show had about 5 minutes of interesting spoken material/prose/poetry in it. Otherwise, if you'd like to come over to my house any night, watch me wander around my house pouring water from one container into another, and pay me $9, you're welcome to do it. Play: The Kingdom of Not Reviewer: twofer 5 Stars I hope that Dan Carbone gets the Best of Fringe award for 2006. His performance was mesmerizing; with a sideways glance or a flick of an eyelash we were transported to another dimension by song and gesture. Play: babylove Reviewer: ann kieffer 4 Stars Babylove is a delightful show. It is funny, charming, and insightful. It is a rare theatre piece that is entertaining, at times riveting, and, at the same time, informative and thought provoking. I have been a new mother twice, and finally Christen Clifford has given me words for feelings I had. This is a subject that should be discussed, and here, as it is honestly and frankly being considered, it is also very entertaining. Clifford is not only an excellent performer, she is also an excellent writer. Amazing! Play: Yorick & CO. Reviewer: Ashara 5 Stars I would give this more than five stars if I was able. This show is funny, well written, and will make you fall in love with each and every character. It was great to see first time "Fringers" perform so well. I loved that they brought a set and took the audience beyond the basic black box. All I heard all weekend was "You have to see this show" and "I got my picture taken with Yorick" who could be seen everywhere from The Y to Origional Joe's. This play was by far my favorite of this year and deserves best of fringe.....if only the man under the desk wasn't taken, because I am certianly taken by his voice. Kudos to all the people who helped bring this show from Lodi to the fringe. Play: The Stone Trilogy Reviewer: Vonn Scott Bair 5 Stars Ian Walker is a terrific playwright and director (full disclosure: I know him and half the cast), and the trilogy shows his work and the work of an excellent group of actors at their best. Play: Pomp & Circumstance Reviewer: Karen Johnson 3 Stars This show has a great cast, and was well presented. However, yes, here it comes, I don't know what this show aspires to be. It's not quite the father/son play it professes to be. The play began as a sex farce and then dropped that genre pretty quickly. And the legal aspects don't even add up to shudder a good hour of television. It's a play, and it fails to sustain itself. While the plots fail, the writing is interesting, sometimes funny, and sometimes thought provoking. The playwright crams too much into an hour, and promises of the "personal trial" between the son and father never is realized. Another reviewer suggested cutting the play to 45 minutes. I wondered why Mr. Rouda didn't write a more in depth full length piece, and give us a real play. Either cut the legal trials way back and give us short trial bits all over the map, or cut one of them, and give the son/father story more room to come to life. I'd suggest cutting the Othe! llo plotline. The "orthodox" marriage had more potential, and was far more interesting. Frankly I am SHOCKED that "reviewers" under the guise of the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and Connema from Talking Broadway gave this show high stars. I guess in the scheme of bad plays, this one stood out or something. Play: Get Laughs or Die Tryin' Reviewer: Muzz 4 Stars Although not as funny as "Me Laugh You Long Time" this year's OPM show was definitely an improvement over the recent years. Most of the skits were funny haha, and only a few were funny weird (the subway skit). The cast is noticeably smaller than before and contains many new faces. But they seemed to work around those issues, changing quickly between skits and having the veterans heavily involved, although the newcomers did well also especially Shenika(sp?). Play: curriculum vitae Reviewer: jimmy hogg this is in response to mr robert hayden who hated my show so much that he gave it one star. okay, i'll take it on the chin. my show's not for everyone. but i don't know what he means by saying that my show is, "full of clever name-calling." could you explain? and as for the fact that my play ran over and he had to wait fot the muni for 40 minutes in the cold. i apologise, my show ran 4 minutes over, partly because it started a little late (out of my hands) and partly because a large part of my show relies upon improvisation and reacting to the audience and sometimes it may go a few minutes over. i suggest that you don't cut things so fine next time so you don't get caught in volatile weather conditions. however, i do commend you for having the courage to use your own name, a lot of others reviewing shows seem to take the cowardly approach of just leaving an initial- like the individual who labelled me a sexist because i reffered to a woman as 'the village bike-' the only phras! e in my entire play that is derogatory to women and it's about a fictional character and balanced by the fact that i spend a great deal of time in my play pulling apart, 'the fully-grown masculine man, with his dry, sardonic wit and vehement outbursts at the slightest annoyance or injustice...' phew. got that one of my chest. Play: Flamenco con Fusion Reviewer: Muzz 4 Stars Phenomenal guitar work and the dancing was amazing as well. Play: Curriculum Vitae Reviewer: Muzz 5 Stars Energetic, articulate and witty! I laughed most the way through C.V. Yeah some of the references were a little crass, and yeah some of the movie references drew the show off-track (especially when he had to explain it to the audience), but overall it was still a jolly good time. Play: FUSE Reviewer: Muzz 5 Stars Excellent! Although a full hour (and then some) of exploring multiracial issues might be a little too much as parts of it felt repetitive. Maybe use less video footage? The acting was superb. The third-to-last skit was the best of them all. Play: Just For Laughs Reviewer: Bruce Kuban 5 Stars Who says the Esoterics left the stage in the 60's?? I laughed, I cried and then I laughed some more. The Esoterics brand of humor is every bit as relevant, witty, funny and charming as it was in the 60's. I loved this show! Brought to us by several of the original Esoterics, this show engages the audience from the Chaplin warm up act through Charmen the Wonder Duck's amazing leap to the Whoopee Cushion finale. While I laughed at Nellie, (aka Richard Farshler) ringing that bell I was touched at the emotional connection I felt while Laurie Burke sang of love lost. Dennis Freeh (an original member of the "The Plumbers") reminded me of that master of ceremonies I use to welcome into my home every Sunday evening while watching those family variety shows. He makes you feel welcome and entertains us with his wit. Elaine Burke demonstrates to the audience how a muscian can be as much a part of the show as the writing and performances on the stage itself. I particularly enjoyed! Jeffrey Weissman and his pre-show antics as well as his larger than life characters that filled up the performance area and made us laugh almost till we wet. If there had never been a Chaplin or a Groucho, this is the guy who would have been them. This show is a wonderfuly, funny and moving stroll down the memory lane that everyone has no matter what their age. I see it as the standout show of the Fringe Festival and my five stars are posted here in urging you all to find your way to 965 Mission Street before September 17 is here and gone, along with this gem. If your experience is anything like mine, be prepared to laugh till you cry and then laugh some more. And don't worry about bringing your own cushion; the show comes with a Whoopee for everyone. See the show and you'll know what I mean. Play: Baby Love Reviewer: Rob Dario 4 Stars Christen Clifford is a fearless performer with grace, eloquence, and genuine charm; an actor who clearly understands how to engage an audience, and master the theatrical one-person show. Baby Love (9-15-06, Exit on Taylor, S.F) was an entertaining and thoughtful experience which had a nearly packed audience laughing all through her recollections of her recent childbirth. This is definitely a show for the fringe scene, exploring the rarely touched subject of the psychological and sensual/sexual mother-infant experience: she literally dances from the real to surreal, innocuous to bizarre, and the gross-out to the heartwarmingly cute. The sound and lighting were effective, as was the general stage direction. My only reservations were the about the limitations of stage dressing: props, set pieces, etc which given the limitations of the SF Fringe format are understandable, and the lack of a theatrical ending. It is given that this is a tremendously personal performance, but as muc! h as the reading of her notes on immediate thoughts on her family, show, and her two weeks in S.F is an extension of the one-act’s personal endearment, it detracts from its overall theatrical impact. Baby Love deserves serious consideration, delivers insight and humor, and spotlights Clifford as a versatile actor who is enjoyable to watch. Play: Secret Ruths of Island House Reviewer: John Rackham Beautiful and moving. Outstanding performances. Excellent. Play: Get it? Got it. Good! Reviewer: John Rackham Entertaining, thoughtful, well-written and well-acted. Great cast. I enjoyed every minute. Hmm. Why do I feel like a cucumber sandwich? Play: Sheepish/Sally MIA Reviewer: John Rackham Jessica Fudim's Bo Peep made me want to find her sheep for her. Engaging, cute and fun. Great dance sequences with the back projection of the meadow. Cool songs with the accordion. Terrific audience interaction, and the crank phonecall sequence was fun too. Sally MIA is a work in progress. Entertaining and thought-provoking with excellent dance sequences - but I can't be around in February to go to Counterpulse to see what happens to Sally. If you can be there, do. It's a real pity that these two great shows were on only on two consecutive nights - not long enough to get the word out. Play: A Boy Called Noise Reviewer: John Rackham 4 Stars Julia Steele Allen is a delight to watch and listen to as she tells and sings us the story of a boy called Noise, murdered at 15 for no reason but bigotry. She moves effortlessly from character to character. The physical distinction between is characters clear and the language poetic and beautiful. Play: Pomp and Circumstance Reviewer: Albert Goodwyn - SF BAY TIMES 5 Stars Rouda's direction keeps the plot moving along briskly...In the best Perry Mason style, several scenes lead up to the courtroom pyrotechnics finale. The humor is liberally deposed. His abridged, one-hour version of Pomp and Circumstance works very well, especially with a cast of fifteen Play: The Mexican Bus Reviewer: Nancy D. Neilson 5 Stars Don't Miss the Bus. I have so enjoyed the bus in the past, it was especially exciting wondering whether the brakes would hold out, but this show is the best bring your own venue I have ever been to. The ride was smooth, the interactive performance was not only funny, but very fun to be a part of, and once again the view of the city while traveling on the bus was fantastic. You won't be disappointed to take the ride. Play: Pomp and Circumstance Reviewer: Michelle 5 Stars Saw the play, loved it, the reviews are glowing. Congratulations to you and the cast and good luck with the rest of the festival. Play: Pomp and Circumstance Reviewer: Lee Hartgrave -- BEYOND CHRON 5 Stars See full Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave Review at: http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Fringe_Pomp_and_Circumstance_Smartly_Plotted_Smoothly_Directed__3670.html "A thoroughly entertaining and delightful comedy. (Rouda's) genius lies in capturing the imperfect moments in life with humor . The playwright can be both reverent and irreverent. To be sure &SHY; it’s a giddy juggernaut. Moves fast and keeps you interested. It would make a wonderful segment on Boston Legal. The most amazing ensemble cast I’ve seen in a long, long time. A sure-fire crowd pleaser. RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!!" Play: A Boy Called Noise Reviewer: John Rackham 4 Stars Julia Steele Allen is a delight to watch and listen to as she tells and sings us the story of a boy called Noise, murdered at 15 for no reason but bigotry. She moves effortlessly from character to character. The physical distinction between is characters clear and the language poetic and beautiful. Play: This Lily Was (Fontana) Reviewer: Chip 5 Stars Intensely personal, moving, poetic, lyrical, and mesmerizing. An intelligent, beautiful and extraordinary performance. Play: nEO sURREALIST sYSTEMS pRESENTS! Yeastboy and PigKnuckle: Reviewer: Robert Hayden 4 Stars Fringe madness. Clever skits. You will leave this show with a new appreciation of manatees and the skills needed to chew gum. Uniformly good, outrageous, and set off with brilliant touches. Play: The Secret Ruths of Island House Reviewer: Bob Hayden 5 Stars Imagination. Acting. Story. And Society. All combine here for an hour of entertainment with a message. Even those of us who think this is not the play for us, find out that it really is. It is hard to single out the best feature, but the transformations of the actors is fascinating. Must be near the top of the Fringe list. Play: Curriculum Vitae Reviewer: Robert Hayden 1 Star This show got some laughs, but mine were not included. I found the narrative filled with clever name-calling, but not with the Bill Cosby humor that brings a personal story to a high level. Show is at the top of the self-promotion list, but uninteresting. These feelings were not mitigated by the show running overtime, so that those of us who had to take the Muni Metro were treated to an extra forty minutes waiting for transit at a windy car stop. 'Play: This Lily Was (Fontana) Reviewer: Mary Walls 5 Stars Lyrical, poetic, and simply beautiful- This Lily Was provides a riveting dramatized view of the life of a "cutter." The bits of humor thrown in help lighten the mood of the subject matter, as well as remind us of the mind's ability to find humor even in the darkest moments. Mia Paschal's performance is simply quite stellar! Play: Neo surrealists Reviewer: kirk 5 Stars busted out laughing so hard I saw it twice Play: this lily was (fontana) Reviewer: todd branscum 5 Stars What can i say Mia has an exceptional talent and stage presence. She glided back and forth like a gazelle across the tiny little stage with poise and dignity telling a story of pain and shame. A story too many of us know or has known someone who has fallen victem to circumstance like this Lily.The lighting was excellent and lent a more realistic tone when Mia would transition from one character or voice to another. The performance not only touched a dark place within but also had lighter sides that let the audience laugh and decompress from the seriousness and depressing plight of the Lily. This struck a unique balance that let the material gel so the audience could take in the reality of the situation. All in all I love Mia in her performance and i urge everyone to see it. So come out tonight or Saturday to see her before this event takes its place in history. Play: A Boy Called Noise Reviewer: Kim 4 Stars A very enjoyable show and a great deal at only $7! The performer is a great singer & great at playing all genders, I'm impressed at what they pulled of in an hour. I definitely recommend it. Play: Kingdom of Not Reviewer: Kim 4 Stars Holy moly. I'd never seen one of his performances before - he is amazing and absurd. I'm still not even sure what to think about the play, I definately didn't get all of it (and I usually 'get' it) and I still really enjoyed myself. Parts I drifted off on were other peoples favorite parts, and even without perfection I would tell anyone to go see this show!! Play: Stone Trilogies: History Reviewer: Kim 5 Stars Actual acting, a great script, I loved it. It's my favorite show so far! Go on, walk the 4 blocks! Play: Before the End Reviewer: Teresa DePineres 5 Stars Karen Fox brilliantly portrays the heartache and the humor of being the last woman on earth. It had music, it had movement, it had voice. It was awesome! Play: Curriculum Vitae Reviewer: MJ 3 Stars Hogg has comic talent, manic, sometimes brilliant energy,and a wonderfully mobile face. Unfortunately, he chooses to bellow nearly all of his lines, thereby trading away some of his comic impact for the more physical kind (and leaving my ears literally ringing). After seeing the play, one can understand why such a likeable, amusing fellow ends up losing so many jobs: Hogg just can't resist showing how damn winsome and cute he can be, and while sometimes that's entertaining, it's just as often annoying, and his self-indulgence meant that he ran out of time to finish the play onstage. If he could cut the few bits of repellent sexism (one woman is "the village bike," snork, snork) and focus more on his deftly delineated character studies (his Sandra-Not-the-Supervisor bit was note-perfect and alone was worth the entire ticket), CV would find an even wider audience. Play: Pomp and Circumstance Reviewer: Antonia Ramos 2 Stars I am sad to say I must agree with Waldorf. I was very excited to see this show after reading many glowing reviews, but the show i saw felt like a big mess. It was as if someone had taken a hacksaw to what might have once been a clever play. Very dissapointing. Play: The Readiness is all Reviewer: Jacqui Barnes 4 Stars Excellent script performed with honesty and a wonderful wry sense of humour ,one definitely not to be missed! Play: 21/One Reviewer: 1 Star Unless you get off on the idea of riding around SF on a bus where you have the honor of buying jell-o shots and beer , and there seemed to be those who did enjoy doing that , THIS IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME !!!!!!!!!! and may cause you to miss shows where performers have spent the time and energy to actually put a show together , as this "show" (gag) ran close to 90 minutes. These people should be ashamed of themselves. Play: Kingdom of Not Reviewer: Scott 5 Stars Mr. Carbone transforms with tremendous success. He loses himself and his audience happily takes the journey. His surrealism is most frighteningly real. Play: Curriculum Vitae Reviewer: c&j 3 Stars We read all the 5-star reviews of Curriculum Vitae, and have to say we were disappointed. Jimmy has great energy and has clearly worked very hard preparing his piece. Unfortunately, it seemed a bit too over-worked for our liking, and the humour was mostly physical... and he felt he had to explain to the audience when we didn't laugh at his jokes. We just want to put a different review up here, so people reading can have a more balanced view before going. :-) Play: Curriculum Vitae Reviewer: Scott 5 Stars A wild romp! Great comic timing. This may be the next Eric Idle. Miss this show at your own peril. Play: @Six Reviewer: Ann Speyer 5 Stars Clever, kooky, collaborative. This ensemble delivers a polished piece that deconstructs itself at the end. Original Joe's is a fun venue too. I've never seen a RIPE theater piece that doesn't end with a dance party! Play: Curriculum Vitae Reviewer: SF Party 5 Stars An AMAZING performance by Jimmy Hogg made me fall in love with his unbridled energy, slacker charm, and dreamy blue eyes. The storyline on his early work history and current job aspirations is something that most everyone can relate to. One of the funniest shows i have seen in my (not so young anymore) life. Play: 21/One Reviewer: SF Party 1 Star This was a hostage situation: a captive audience rather than a captivated one. What was a good concept in theory turned out to be a complete waste of time. I am embarrassed for Boxcar Theater for their poor execution. The script and dialogue need an overhaul, the actors need a remedial course on improv/humor. (And as a side note: we resented the bait-and-switch when we expected a ride on SF's infamous Mexican Bus and got some lousy charter instead.) One star is generous. The only way i know it was art was that it definitely provoked a reaction from the audience: unheeded cries of "Let me off this friggin bus!!!" Save your energy for the other gems in the Fringe lineup. Play: Pomp and Circumstances Reviewer: eryka fraczek 5 Stars A whole lot of stuff going on in just an hour. Very well developed and engaging theatre, very well acted. Worth seeing anywhere. Play: Kingdom of Not Reviewer: eryka fraczek 5 Stars This is a phenomenal piece of work. Beautifully written, lapsing into all manner of literary forms it moves, and exquisitely performed. Hysterically funny and stonily sober as it moves from place to place in a biblical story gone awry. A multi-level and not so remote experience. Play: @Six Reviewer: eryka fraczek 5 Stars Beautifully crafted, well acted comedy with characters we all know in our daily lives. So totally genuine, it's hysterical. Play: Where The Sun Don't Shine Reviewer: Jacque Banks 5 Stars I saw this play yesterday evening and enjoyed it tremendously. I've been to several Fring plays and I believe this is my most favorite. Not only could I relate to the Twilight Zone and was enthralled with each of the plots, I was also very impressed with the versatility of each of the actors, since they played various characters. I even enjoyed the dancing.
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