Continuing on with our reviews of a most intriguing day of Fringing.
TITLE OF SHOW: Orange Mango Cabaret
VENUE: Sacred Fools Black Box
REVIEW: This show was by far the most political one we have seen this year. It reminded us of an evening of Jon Stewart, combined with a taste of Saturday Night Live. The glue that kept it all together was the riveting performance of Sierra Taylor as the hostess, Friv O’ Less, and the guitar strumming of Dylan Peruti. Sprinkled between her songs and monologues were six short plays about our events and attitudes that have shaped this current political climate. The rest of the cast, which included Cole Wagner, Jax Ball, Daniel Ramirez, Celina Surniak, Celia Mandela, Kelly Goodman and Bart Tangredi, ably brought us those plays, which provided much food for thought.
RECOMMENDATION: An interesting show with enough political gunpowder to ignite many a night of discussion.
TITLE OF SHOW: Martha Washington Killed a Redcoat
VENUE: The Other Stage at Actor’s Company
REVIEW: A sterling comedy about the night of the Boston Tea Party, and the first Redcoat killed in the revolution. Martha Jefferson, played by Corrine Mestemacher, who previously played Bella in Buffy Kills Edward, joins with Dolley Madison (Laura Lee Walsh) and Deborah Reed (Megan Barker) to cover up the murder of a Redcoat by Martha Washington (Katie Stevens) in this hilarious spoof of American history. Wonderfully directed by Matt Richey, the show was well done with great pacing and laughs. There were great performances by the supporting cast as well, but no programs were supplied so we can’t credit them by name. We enjoyed laughing at this zany cast and the storyline of the first cover-up in American politics.
RECOMMENDATION: Definitely worth seeing. Check it out if it receives an extension.
TITLE OF SHOW: The Rise and Fall of Dracula
VENUE: Asylum @ Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre
REVIEW: We have not had much experience with immersive theater so we were totally unprepared for this awesome experience. Starting the show lined up against a wall at the huge Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, the show unfolded before our eyes as we moved from room to room and back again while the show happened right in front of us, enveloping us in its splendor. We got to participate in this show in a way we thoroughly enjoyed, becoming part of the performance. It made the story more real. Melissa Ortiz, the writer and director, and Cassandra Ambe, who played Dracula and choreographed the show, have created a masterpiece of immersive theater that simply must be experienced. The rest of the cast, which included Tamara Burgess, Sam Flemming, Matt Jennings, Corissa Pacillas Smith, Gerard Alvarez, Mary Emfinger, Sarah Rodriguez and Guilia Blandino were amazing in their support of the story.
RECOMMENDATION: This show was the perfect ending to one of our busiest Fringe days and must be experienced to be understood. We understand that the show has been extended, and we highly recommend you See it on July 14 at 9:30 p.m. or July 15 at 10 p.m.