We got a slow start yesterday after closing down Three Clubs with the Cherries after a raucous performance of Doctor Nympho vs. The Sex Zombies. It was great spending time with Sarah Haworth, Schoen Hodges, Alli Miller, Michael Shaw Fisher, Brin Hamblin, Kelly Stevenson and Cory Robinson, as well as the amazing Sarah Chaney, who had been in the cast of Doomsday Cabaret.
Before you know it, it was time to head back for another great night of Fringing, and we had planned to see five shows. While reviewing our schedule, it occurred to us that we had neglected to schedule one of the shows we really wanted to see, so we had to make some last minute changes to the schedule, which made for a much better night. Our first stop remained the same, and our evening began at The Broadwater Studio.
TITLE OF SHOW: Balls’On
VENUE: The Broadwater Studio
REVIEW: Katt Balsan is half Russian and Iranian on her mother’s side and French on her father’s side, which gave her an interesting look – exotic muscles. While she looks like a bodybuilder, she explained that it was all genetics. Her show took us from her humble roots in France to her current home in Los Angeles, as told through 25 very interesting characters, including several of the Fates. It was a most original and creative way to explain her life, and the audience loved it. We were honored to be joined at the show by the Queen of the Solo Show, Jessica Lynn Johnson, as well as one of the premier finds of this year’s Fringe, Lanessa Long. The packed venue gave Balsan all the energy she needed to turn in a wonderful performance, making us very glad we had chosen to attend her show. Balsan herself is a ball of energy, and that energy washed over the audience like a tidal wave, completing the circle. She dedicated the show to her director, the late, great Gary Austin, the founder and original director of The Groundlings, and we are sure he was pleased as well.
RECOMMENDATION: If you need a quick pick-me-up, then we highly recommend you fit this show into your schedule. You can still catch her final performance on June 22 at 5 p.m. You can purchase tickets here.
TITLE OF SHOW: Glitch
VENUE: The Broadwater Studio
REVIEW: We were unprepared for this intense show about mass shootings in our schools. The premise and story were timely, in light of the outrage over recent occurrences, but the cast seemed likewise unprepared to turn that outrage into a memorable show that would spark change. The premise was there – a reporter interviewing a young man convicted of killing kids and teachers at his former high school, but they delivered nothing more than a clichéd attempt at portraying these characters. We were joined at the show by Michael Shaw Fisher, and had the chance to discuss the show afterward. We both agreed that it would have been better if the reporter had started out neutral and then slowly emerged as outraged, while the cold, calculating criminal needed to have more “mood swings” as he attempted to explain how everything came to pass. Like The Dangerous Cures of Dr. B, this show left its audience in a daze, as they ran out of the theater looking for escape from the reality of the show’s material.
RECOMMENDATION: The show could be a powerful tool, but it seriously needs some attention to detail. It ran over and was too long. If they fix those problems, then it would be worthwhile. In the meantime, you should probably skip it.
TITLE OF SHOW: The Women of Lockerbie
VENUE: Studio/Stage
REVIEW: After the previous show, we were in need of some beauty and magic, and we found it in spades in this glorious production. Wonderfully directed by Jim Blanchette, the story is about closure, and the continued hope that good will overcome evil. It is set in the hills of Lockerbie, Scotland, where one of the greatest disasters in aviation occurred as 270 souls lost their lives in the terrorist explosion of Pan Am Flight 103. Leah Verrill, who portrayed the distraught mother, Maddie Livingston, led an amazing cast that included Alan Heitz as her husband Bill, Lisa K. Wyatt as the stalwart Olive Allison, Lize Fenning and Liesl Jackson as her two friends, Ed Ackerman as the American bureaucrat George Jones and Eloise Coopersmith as the well-meaning custodian Hattie. The show is presented as a Greek tragedy, and very skillfully designed and executed. It brought us, and we’re sure other audience members, to tears, and is the best thing we have seen at Fringe thus far, truly worthy of the Top of the Fringe award.
RECOMMENDATION: You simply MUST see this one. Do whatever it takes to secure tickets to one of the remaining shows on June 17 at 9:30 p.m. or June 20 at 9 p.m. You can purchase your tickets here.
TITLE OF SHOW: Met Again
VENUE: Studio/Stage
REVIEW: Met Again is the latest in a string of hits that Theater Unleashed has mounted at Fringe. This show had everything a great Fringe show needs – amazing acting, a compelling story, and a stellar audience, which included my friend and fellow critic Tracey Paleo of Gia on the Move. Julia Plostnieks and Michael Lutheran turned in Tony Award worthy performances as the central characters, and were supported by the likewise stellar acting of Megan Duquette and Graydon Schlichter. This play showed the power of love as it told the story of a couple that went through a lot of ups and downs during their journey through life and death. It was beautiful, bittersweet, and gave us hope that we could all find a love like these two shared. Plostnieks is one of the most talented actresses to ever grace the stage at Fringe, and has consistently turned in amazing performances, especially during [title of show]. She surpassed her previous performances with this one, and is worthy of Best Actress, were such an award given at Fringe. The pairing of this show with Women of Lockerbie was genius, and gave us a beautiful feeling to end the night.
RECOMMENDATION: Don’t even think about it – this one is a MUST SEE. Make your plans NOW to attend one of their remaining performances on June 20 at 7:30 p.m. and June 23 at 5 p.m. Grab your tickets TODAY by clicking here.
Our evening didn’t end there, as we headed back over to Three Clubs to close out the night with the rollicking fun of Cherryoke. What a fun time, and the hostess was none other than Taylor Baker of Cherry Poppins. What a fun time was had by all, with amazing performances by such Fringe luminaries as Michael Shaw Fisher, David Haverty, Victoria Watson, and Reagan Osborne, among others.
We’ll be packing in nine shows on Saturday and another five on Sunday, so we won’t be posting any reviews until Monday. Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend. Hope to see you out and about the Fringe.