Tag: Come on Down

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 day 14 – see it or skip it

Last night we took some time out from our busy Fringe schedule to celebrate at the Fringe Prom.  It was amazing seeing all the gorgeous costumes and having a chance to mingle and socialize with my fellow participants (feels so weird to say that).  Hats off to the Fringe staff for organizing such a fun event and to the folks at Black for hosting us.  I still managed to see three shows and am now up to 69 on my way to 83 shows at HFF19.  Here are our reviews of yesterday’s shows.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Sins

VENUE:  The Broadwater (Second Stage)

REVIEW:  This show will shock you to your core, but not necessarily in the way you think.  It is a brilliant piece written and directed by, and starring William Thompson.  The cast also included the lovely Willa Adaire, as well as George Parker and Mary Baker.  Thompson’s story hits a nerve and provides a stirring look into a valid social issue.  We don’t want to ruin the surprises in this show, but leave you with two words as a clue to what lies in store for you – Noises Off.

RECOMMENDATION: We highly recommend you check out this show.  There are two remaining performances on June 28 at 8 p.m. and June 29 at 11 a.m.  Tickets are available on their project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Come on Down

VENUE:  The Broadwater (Black Box)

REVIEW:  I have come to the realization that the team of Jeff Scott Carey and Emily Clark is just as formidable as that of Michael Shaw Fisher and Alli Miller.  Their latest effort, Come on Down, is further proof of that fact.  Due to the illness of one of the cast members, Carey had to perform the role of Trevor, joining his brilliant cast that included Lucas Alifano as James, Clark as Lydia, Isaac Deakyne as Clint, Pam Quinn as Zealon, Victor Isaac as Hunter, CJ Merriman as Jeanna/Doug.  Everjohn  Feliciano as Marlon, Meghan Allison as Tina and Eric Curtis Johnson as AJ.  Could Joan Osbourne have been on to something?  This was definitely an ensemble performance, and worthy of recognition as truly one of the best shows of HFF19.

RECOMMENDATION: You MUST see this show.  There is one final performance on June 27 at 11 p.m.  Tickets are available on their project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  An Excuse to Behave Badly

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  This show may well be the launching point for the brilliant comedic team of Drea Garcia, Jenni Halina, Alex Owens-Sarno and Stephanie Sherry.  Not only did they write this hilarious romp (with a little help from their amazing director Kelsea Burke), but they also brought it to life, transporting the audience to those wild and crazy things we did when we were much younger.  It was the perfect dessert after a wonderful Fringe Prom, and the candy was a nice touch.  Thanks to executive producer Matt Morillo for bringing us another gem.

RECOMMENDATION:  If you love to laugh, and take that trip down memory lane, then you MUST see this show.  There are currently no remaining performances, but we strongly recommend you see it if it gets extended.

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Hollywood Fringe Festival Theatre

Most anticipated shows at HFF19

It’s time once again for our annual list of the shows we are most anticipating at the 10th annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  Unlike past years, not only are we reviewing shows and screening shows for our Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence, but I am also doing my first solo show.  Needless to say, this is going to be a very interesting Fringe.  Here is our list, in alphabetical order.

Come on Down (The Broadwater) – This one’s directed and written by Jeff Scot Carey, features Emily Clark, CJ Merriman AND Victor Isaac, and was part of Serial Killers at Sacred Fools – what more reasons do we need?  This one is going to be epic.

Crabbe & Goyle are Dead (Studio/Stage) – The Harry Potter legend continues at Fringe with this latest creation from Kitty Keim.  That’s reason enough to see it.

Hollywoodn’t (The Lounge) – This one tells the story of the Hollywood scene before women were allowed to speak up and say no.  It also features writer, performer and lyricist Lisa Verlo.  It’s also part of the amazing Soaring Solo community and is directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.  Can’t wait for this one.

Klingon Tamburlaine (The Complex) – I am a huge Star Trek fan, and have always love the Klingons.  This one sounds like a sure-fire hit, and the dream show for every nerd at Fringe.

Pockets (The Broadwater) – If ever there was a “sure thing” at Fringe, it would be anything put on by Robot Teammate.  They have brought us the incredible Turbulence and Thug Tunnel and their creativity and musical abilities are among the best we’ve ever seen at Fringe.

Tattered Capes (Studio/Stage) – We think this may well be the best thing Theatre Unleashed has ever attempted.  Written by Greg Crafts and directed by Corey Lynn Howe, this show looks to take TU into uncharted territory, and we have every confidence it will be amazing.

The Duchess & the Stripper (The Lounge) – Every year we look for a historical play, and this one is our selection for HFF19.  It tells the story of the Duchess of Windsor and Blaze Starr, one of the most famous strippers of all time.  It’s also highly recommended by the Cherry Poppins crew.

The Mayor’s Debate of Tranquility, Nebraska (The Complex) – we have always been a huge fan of Jim Hanna, and his latest projects looks to be as close as we will come to an actual intelligent political discussion until next year.  We also love his marketing campaign.

Transference (The Broadwater) – This one features a pair of our favorite actresses in Esther Mira and Lisa K. Wyatt and is written and directed by the incomparable Jim Blanchette.  That adds up to an amazing time at the theater.

Wigfield (The Hudson) – Last year we almost missed out on the stunning Pamela Eberhardt show The Runaway Clone.  This year we’re jumping on the bandwagon and making her latest show required viewing.  Based on the amazing marketing campaign she has run, this one looks to be even better than last year’s Clone.

And there you have it.  We can’t wait for Fringe to begin, and already have 32 shows on our schedule, including all  of the above.  We’ll be publishing daily reviews, so keep it here for our See it or Skip it articles.