Destination Unknown 1999 SF Fringe Festival Reviews

		`Destination Unknown` `by Adam J. Nordquist, Valley Village, CA`
		1999 SF FRINGE FESTIVAL AUDIENCE REVIEWS
		TO REVIEW A PLAY / HOME PAGE / LIST OF PLAYS / LIST OF REVIEWS
Click on Title for Reviews AAAAH!(a sketchy romp) Alligators from the Sewer Awake and Dreaming Bardo "A" Go Go The Bastard Chronicles Bethelda In My Office Black Light Kabuki or Listen Now ... Brown and Black and White All Over But Stevie Nicks Understands- PartIV A Call From Peter Mahoney Coyote and the Great Albino Bat Cry of Aradia: Ritual Theatre for the Modern Woman Deconstructing Julie Destination Unknown Dirty on the Inside The Divine Box Duke Ellington and Me The Fatty and Pinhead Show Faust/Faustus Flying Home Hanging On Your Every Word Highway to Helen Home Plate Horse Tales Juicy Tidbits Killing My Lobster's Comedy Show Knock On Wood Membership Is Never Free Moog Bandits Gave Me the Clap Mumble In Numbskull My Head Was A Sledge Hammer Naked Foam and Other Objects in Predicaments No Fences, a midwestern tale Nudity Is Contagious Popcorn Anti-Theater on the Mexican Bus! The Purple Sage Right This Way Into the Fire Right-On Insane Asylum Romance: A One Man Show Sarcastic Fables Shakespeare's Mums Start Trekkin' Step Up Straight Ahead Talking With Angels The Tango at the Hotel Santiago Think of a Pencil Tired Cliches The Tragic Mellow Dramatic Death of Doris Dinghy The Ugly Duchess The Unseen Hand Woyzeck		1play = Destination Unknown 2name = Eva Stump 3email = estump@knowmed.com 4rating = 5 Stars 5review = Great work! Very provocative! I went through almost the entire range of emotions watching this play - the characters don't let you not respond emotionally. You'll feel everything from anger to attraction! 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = Jeff Thompson 3email = 4rating = 5 Stars 5review = Of the ten shows I've seen so far this year at the Fringe this is the one that engaged me and entertained me the most.(And I've seen some very good work.) The show really does break down the barrier between the audience and the performer and that does seem to disturb some audience members.But it is rare to experience a performer who is so truly in the moment.The candy, squirt guns,and singalong could have just been gimmicks if the acting and writing were not so strong.All of the scenes were sharply written and Adam's movement work was impressive. Based on the desription in the Fringe program I would not have seen this show. Thanks to the early web site reviewers I gave this show a chance and was richly rewarded.Very highly recommended. 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = David Boisvert 3email = boisvert@neteze.com 4rating = 2 Stars 5review = The only way this play can get rated as 4 stars or above is by knocking out an eyeball with a piece of candy occassionally thrown into the audience. If the squirt guns add anything to the show besides annoyance it is to make the actor all wet. By the time it ended I could not eat a piece of carmel. . . I lost my appetite. On the good side, it had moments of sincerity and good humor. My advice to the writer/actor, quit smoking cigarettes and take some more acting lessons!!! 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = Fred Kohler 3email = fred.kohler@autodesk.com 4rating = 1 Star 5review = The title portrays the play well. I just wish I had an opportunity to exit before the first character arrived. As one other reviewer mentioned, the play stays with you, I'm still trying to shake the images from my mind. Adam tries so hard but the characters are tired and cliche'd. He asks for live interaction from the audience and then ignores any guidance as he jerks from one scene to another. There are rewards though for those that sit through his painful potrayals: he throws out candy to the audience. Save yourself the anguish and go to the corner store. 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = John L 3email = jml31415@pacbell.net 5review = An engaging group of characters from a talented and appealing performer. Added up, the portrayals are a nice review of the current state of mind of the young, male almost-adult, both comic and troubling. The vignettes are deliberately disjointed, so the transitions can be jarring until you get a feel for how things are unfolding. But the performer is good at pulling down the traditional barrier between actor and audience (he will hopefully expand that process by working with the audience even while still in character). Enjoyable, and worth seeing. 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = Vanessa Brown 3email = vbrown@cedco.com 4rating = 5 Stars 5review = Destination Unknown is a hugely entertaining play that evokes laughter (the audience sing-along), horror (the break-up scene), and long-lasting thoughfulness. Adam Nodquist's range as an actor and writer are evident throughout the performance which flows seamlessly across several distinct characters and events. The best thing about this play is how well we can all relate to the personal triumphs and trajedies that Adam's bevy of characters experience: romance, family, drugs, jobs, unemployment, road trips, fantasies, hopes. It's all about dreams but it's not a bit sappy! This is a sharp-witted play that is fun, edgy, and thought-provoking. I had the good fortune of attending opening night. The play lasted with me for days and I am going to see it again this weekend! 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = Chris Swalve 3email = cswalve@us.oracle.com 4rating = 4 Stars 5review = I went to the play not knowing what to expect and it met my expectations. I think Mr. Nordquist did a great job as an actor. The "characters" were vibrant and believable. He was humerous and provoking. But more importantly, I found that I left with more questions than I came with. I walked out thinking about love, religion, sex, ambition, drugs, and family. I don't know if that was the desired outcome or not, but that is what I now expect to have expected. It triggered thought and introspection, which maybe explains the title. 1play = Destination Unkown 2name = Mark Pineau 3email = mark.pineau@mail.sprint.com 4rating = 4 Stars 5review = An inventive play that takes the audience through complex aspects of life such as relationships, sex, drugs and religion. Adam captured the audience with his participateive approach and his talent in using distinct characters to have the play provide a well rounded view of life. Overall, a play and a young man with potential. 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = dementia farquar 3email = 4rating = 5 Stars 5review = Rivetting and charming, made me want to smoke, drink, take drugs and have sex. This and The Barstard Chronicles best shows so far. 1play = Destination Unknown 2name = John L 3email = jml31415@pacbell.net 4rating = None 5review = An engaging mix of personalities, performed by an appealing and talented actor. Added up, the actions and ruminations of the characters give a good survey of the current state of mind of young, male almost-adulthood. The scenes are deliberately disjointed, so the transitions can be a bit jarring till you get a feel for how the performance is unfolding. But the attempt to keep the audience involved by stepping completely out of character is refreshing. Worth seeing.
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