Last night was the first official day of previews for HFF19, and it started off with a bang. It was so great seeing all three shows, and running into fringeships that included Michal Shaw Fisher, Alli Miller, Sara Haworth, Schoen Hodges, Rasika Mathur, Eric Blair, Thea Rivera, Tracey Paleo aka Giaonthemove, Monika Spirit Hawk and Amber Bruegel, among others.
TITLE OF SHOW: The Duchess & the Stripper
VENUE: The Lounge Theatres
REVIEW: Based solely on this show, we have no doubt that HFF19 is going to be a fabulous festival and the perfect example of ten years of Fringe shows. The premise of the show is that Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor had a late-night meeting with burlesque queen Blaze Starr at Starr’s club in Baltimore, Maryland in 1961. The show is brilliantly written by David Bosley and directed by Fringe veteran and mentor (as well as a truly talented actor in his own right) Ezra Buzzington. The cast was likewise perfectly set with AEA actress Blaire Chandler in the role of Wallis Simpson, Cherry Poppins queen Alli Miller as Blaze Starr and Krista Conti as Starr’s sister and assistant June Fleming. The entire show was breathtaking, and kept us on the edge of our seat from start to finish. It was the first time we have seen Miller in a straight drama, and she killed it, with nothing less than stellar performances by Chandler and Conti as well. This one is definitely one of the best Fringe shows we have ever seen.
RECOMMENDATION: Don’t miss this show. Remaining performances are June 9 at 1 p.m., June 15 at 5:30 p.m., June 21 at 10 p.m. and June 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.
TITLE OF SHOW: Guilt
VENUE: Second Stage (Cyanide Theatre)
REVIEW: This show was composed of two short plays with a common theme. First up was The Holy Name of Apostasy, written by Ryan Lisman and Benjamin Schwartz and directed by Lisman. It was a two-hander that featured Varda Appleton as Mother Dawn and Brandon Courture as her student Dylan. The story turned the #MeToo discussion on its ear with a bold interpretation of church abuse. The second show was Man vs. Armadillo, written and directed by Schwartz. It was likewise a two hander about the relationship between an adult son and his aging father. But what set this one apart from so many other Fringe shows was the intriguing percussion that provided the soundtrack during the show and transitions. It truly set the mood for the show, and added to the story in many ways. Both halves were equally compelling, although we did think the second half was a little wordy. Nevertheless, it was definitely worth the time.
RECOMMENDATION: This show is worthy of your attention, just leave your religious prejudices at the door. Remaining shows are June 14 at 8 p.m., June 16 at 2 p.m. and June 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.
TITLE OF SHOW: Blackboxing
VENUE: The Complex Hollywood (Dorie Theatre)
REVIEW: Long-time Fringe veteran Matt Richey has mounted his best show ever, a show that would sweep the Tonys if it was on Broadway. It told the story that every stage manager has probably experienced at one time or another, and allowed said Stage Manager to say and do things they’ve always dreamed of doing. Jim Niedzialkowski is brilliant as the stage manager, while Richey aptly represented the selfish actor that thinks he’s ready for his one-man show. I haven’t laughed that hard at a Fringe show in years, and it was the perfect culmination of a great day of Fringe previews. If ever there was a sure-fire hit at Fringe, then this show is it. The original music also added depth to the show, and provided some of the best highlights of the evening.
RECOMMENDATION: This show is a can’t miss, and you simply must make it a priority for your Fringe schedule. Remaining performances are June 14 at 8:30 p.m., June 16 at 2:30 p.m., June 22 at 4 p.m., June 27 at 10:30 p.m. and June 29 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.