Categories
Fringe Shows

HFF16 – Day Eight (part 1)

Friday night had been my favorite night of fringing and I looked forward to my seven shows on Saturday to further what has become my favorite fringe experience yet.

My day started off with 30JJ or Bust in Studio C of the Complex Theatre.  The show was written and performed by Joan Afton and was developed and directed by Deana Barone.  In a word, it was magnificent.

30jj

Kudos to Afton for having the courage to tell this very personal story, and to Barone for helping develop both the story and the performer and bring them both to the Fringe Experience.  Our shared Renaissance Faire experience also contributed to my ability to connect to this show, and to Afton.

Go see the final performance on June 25 at 11:30 p.m.  It’s well worth your time.

Up next was Sticky Fingers.  Compiled from stories told by female shoplifters after they were caught, the show was wonderfully written by Terry Anne Holzman and directed by her husband, Ernie Holzman.  Its wonderful cast included Maya Ferrara, Sidney Aptaker, Hallie Mayer, Francine Daniels, Breon Gorman, Dionne Jones and one of the show’s producers, Fiona Lakeland.

Sticky

Hearing these stories from this fine cast of actresses was a true highlight of my HFF16 experience.  It was enlightening to hear their rationale for stealing, and especially to hear the story about the most famous shoplifter of all, Winona Ryder.  Lakeland’s portrayal of her was spot on, and one of the best performances of the show.

We highly recommend this play.  Catch its final performance on June 25 at 10 p.m. in the Dorie Theatre at the Complex.

My third show of the day, MetaFam, was coincidently also at the Complex in the Flight Theatre, and featured Barone (the director of 30JJ or Bust).

Metafam

Barone tells her story of growing up in a family that included a mentally ill sister, a sick brother, an adorable mother and a guru-like father.  These personalities all played a role in her development as an artist, and I believe shaped her to become a guru herself in allowing solo artists to bring their stories to the stage.  I just might have to work with her to bring my own story out.  But that’s a story for another day.

Barone did a great job of melding those stories into a true Fringe experience.  I was especially amazed at her ability to improv real-world issues like late arrivals into the fabric of the show without breaking character as she repeatedly shattered the illusionary fourth wall.

Metafam has one remaining performance on June 25 at 1:45.  We recommend you check it out and see for yourself the awesomeness that is Deana Barone.

More Fringe reviews to come in part 2.