HFF19 is officially underway – previews are over, Fringe Central is open, and the Hollywood Fringe Festival has taken over Theatre Row.
We took in three shows, visited Fringe Central twice, and managed to collect five of the seven Matt the Gathering cards, leaving just two more to secure. What a fun opening day. Here are our reviews.
TITLE OF SHOW: Shiva for Anne Frank
VENUE: The Complex (Flight Theatre)
REVIEW: Like many of you, I read The Diary of Anne Frank in school, and never knew there was so much more to the story. Comedian Rachel McKay Steele delivers a moving and emotional tribute to the legacy of Anne Frank, and teaches us Goy a thing or two about the Jewish faith. This show will make you laugh (a lot), but it will also break your heart, and (hopefully) leave you with a desire to do a better job at being less judgmental. She also taught us the importance of noshing. Come early and enjoy the treats.
RECOMMENDATION: If history is your thing, or if you like to laugh and snack, then definite check out this show. Remaining performances are June 20 at 8:30 p.m., June 22 at 10:30 p.m. and June 30 at 4 p.m. Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.
TITLE OF SHOW: Straight White Men #trying to woke
VENUE: The Blank (Second Stage)
REVIEW: Chris Valente has been a part of the Fringe for many years but I have never been able to make any of his previous shows. Luckily, I was able to squeeze this one in, and very glad I did. He has written five five hilarious vignettes that are presented by an amazing cast that included Brian Lally, Steve Brewster, and Victoria Ippolito on “Fandom,” William Gabriel Grier and Valenti on “Polite Racism,” Jim Nieb, Ian Gray and Anna Luiza on “Suicide Pact,” Jeff Elam, Ippolito and Christine Ditillio on “Brittle Trombone,” and Gray, Valenti, Nieb, Brewster, Lally, Luiza and Grier on “Fantasy Football.” It was a humorous way to address these serious issues, and was well received. Come on out and laugh at these white man “mistakes.”
RECOMMENDATION: Definitely worth checking out this show. Remaining performances are June 14 at 10 p.m., June 15 at noon, June 16 at 3 p.m., June 19 at 8 p.m. and June 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.
TITLE OF SHOW: Squeeze my Cabaret
VENUE: The Lounge Theatres
REVIEW: Back in 2017, Cathy Schenkelberg created the incredibly popular Fringe show Squeeze my Cans. She’s back with a musical version that is naughty, funny and so much fun, and once again pokes fun at the cult to which she gave 20 years of her life and nearly $1 million. This lady has an incredible voice, and a wicked sense of humor, and it all comes out during this show. If you aren’t worried about retribution, go and enjoy this “take no prisoners” musical cabaret.
RECOMMENDATION: If you enjoy laughter and great musical performances, then don’t miss this show. Remaining performances are June 16 at 10 p.m., June 21 at 11:55 p.m. and June 23 at 10 p.m. Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.