Tag: Hollywood Fringe Festival

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Theatre

Ten most anticipated shows at 2017 Hollywood Fringe Festival

We have been covering the Hollywood Fringe Festival since its inception in 2010, with the exception of 2015 when work prevented us from being there.  During that time, we have seen a boatload of shows, most of them good, with some great and some not so great ones thrown in.  We look forward to the schedule being announced on May 1, so that we have time to comb through the offerings and formulate our schedule to best view as many of the shows as we can.   We truly love the new Scheduler feature on the Fringe website which has made creating this year’s schedule much easier.

This year are also privileged to be able to present our first award, the Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence, which will honor a non-musical fringe show that best incorporates music into the show.

Based on our experience with certain companies and actors, we seek them out because they have traditionally given some of the best performances, and this year is no different.  Here are our Top Ten most anticipated shows at this year’s festival.  We are including the venue name in our description.

10.  Hot Dates (3 Clubs).  We picked this show because of the title, and because we absolutely love Deana Barone.  We know that Barone always brings out the best in her clients, and this show just sounds like a lot of fun.

9.  Chemo Barbie (Studio C).   Like the previous show, we picked this show in part based on our previous relationship with the director, Jessica Lynn Johnson, who has directed some of the best theater we have seen at the Fringe.  We do love solo shows, and Johnson’s clients have some of the most compelling stories.

8.  Nosferatu (Studio/Stage).   Who doesn’t like a classic horror story?  We are intrigued by the twists in this particular production, such as a female in the lead role, but we have total faith that Michelle Holmes will deliver a stunning performance.  This should be a great show.

7.  Lovesick (Sacred Fools).   This is another Jessica Lynn Johnson show, and it truly has us pumped for the Fringe.  Although we are not familiar with the work of Gabriela Demarco, she has demonstrated in her marketing that she has great potential.  We look forward to another great show here.

6.  Under the Jello Mold (Ruby Theatre).   Director/producer Tom Cavanaugh is another Fringe veteran that has consistently brought great shows to the Fringe, and we have no doubt that this will be another hit.   This is also one of the shows being considered for the Cornwall Award.

5.  The Girl Who Jumped Off the Hollywood Sign (Lounge).  The fact that this show has won awards at other fringes was a compelling reason to add it to our list.  We also love the Golden Age of Hollywood, and look forward to their interpretation of that time.  Last but not least, this show is also up for the Cornwall Award.

4.  Nothing Bad:  A Werewolf Rock Musical (Studio/Stage).   What would Fringe be like without a horror-themed rock musical?  Michael Shaw Fisher and his company are not doing one this year, so we had to find another one to take its place,  This one looked good for a number of reasons, and we are truly looking forward to being “rocked.”

3.  Three Can Keep a Secret (Studio/Stage).   Theatre Unleashed has consistently delivered great shows, so this one was a no-brainer.  We love Greg Crafts and look forward to seeing one of his own plays.  We are also looking forward to the remount of his previous show, The Spidey Project, which will give TU another opportunity to do what they do best – sing.

2.  Turbulence (Sacred Fools).   We fell in love with Robot Teammate last year when they delivered one of the best shows in Thug Tunnel.  We are confident that they will do it again with this show.

  1. Shakeslesque (3 Clubs).   Our most anticipated show this year is another no-brainer.  Cherry Poppins delivered a mega-hit last year with their show, and have consistently offered LA some of its best entertainment value over the past year, with consistent sold-out shows.  Not to mention the fact that the infamous Mr. Fisher is in the cast of this show, and the incredible talents of the Cherry Poppins ladies, especially Alli Miller and Sarah Haworth Hodges, this show is a can’t miss opportunity to see how the stories of Mr. Shakespeare translate into burlesque.

See you at the Fringe!

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Artists Worth Checking Out Hollywood Fringe Festival Monday Mashup Theatre Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 17

Happy May Day!  We’ve got a lot of news and new music videos to share with you today.  Let’s get to it.

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL NEWS

The Eighth Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival will be held in Los Angeles from June 8 to 25, with previews starting on June 1.  Tickets go on sale today and the Festival looks to be bigger and better than previous years.  Fringe Central, the social “watering hole” for participants at the Festival, will be one of the first events at the venue that used to be Dragonfly on Santa Monica Boulevard.  We are looking forward to covering the Fringe again this year and will be attending from June 15-25.  We will publish reviews on every show we see.  Keep checking in with us for the latest in HFF17 news.

ALI HANDAL SIGNS RECORDING DEAL

Los Angeles indie musician and icon Ali Handal recently signed a recording deal with Red Parlor Records.  The label will release her next album “That’s What she Said,” in the near future.  We will let you know as soon as we get additional information.

OLIVIA MILLERSCHIN WINS SONGWRITING CONTEST

Michigan indie artist Olivia Millerschin recently won the Great American Song Contest in the singer-songwriter category with her song “We Know Not.”   Millerschin has always been one of our favorite teen musicians, and we love that she is finally being recognized for her talent.  She is currently on a west coast tour.  Catch her live if you live in or near Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Thousand Oaks, Phoenix or Las Cruces.

NEW MUSiC VIDEOS

We are proud to share several  new music videos – let us know what you think about them.

First up is the latest from LA Music Critic Award winner Alison Iraheta’s band Halo Circus, who are hard at work on a tour to support their latest EP The East Lansing Sessions.  Check out the video for “Band-Aid,” which we think is amazing.

Next up is another LA Music Critic Awards winner, Curtis Peoples, who has released a new video for “Damage Control,” featuring his wife, comedian and actress Tara Perry Peoples.  We think you’ll enjoy the chemistry between them, and the song kicks ass too.

Our final new video this week is from an artist we recently reviewed on Get it or Forget it – Single by Sunday.  We were very impressed with this band and think you will be too.  Check out their video for their first single, “Nevereverever.”

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol 13

Welcome to April.  We had three snow events yesterday to remind us that Mother Nature is still in charge.  Looking forward to warmer weather and our annual trip down to Los Angeles.  Hope to catch some great indie music while we’re in town June 14-27, as well as the eighth annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  In the meantime, let’s check out some of the latest news and releases by and from indie artists.

ALICE WALLACE MAKES SEMI-FINAL ROUND

LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace has achieved the semi-final round in the annual Songwriter Serenade competition in Moravia, Texas.  She is one of 15 who will compete on May 6 for a chance at $7,000 in prize money.  The contestants will each play two songs at the morning showcase.  Seven of those contestants will then play one additional song after lunch before the afternoon awards show.  The winner will then open a concert featuring Susan Gibson, Carrie Rodriguez and Walt Wilkins that night at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, Texas.  We will keep you updated on Wallace as she attempts to win the competition.  Tickets for the competition are available online, and for the Bugle Boy concert here.

SEE DEBUTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Blue Élan Records artist See has released a music video for her song “Green Line Killer,” from her upcoming debut EP Ties.  Check out this multi-talented young artist and pre-order your copy today.

THE SHOW PONIES DEBUT NEW VIDEO ON FEATURING EVERYBODY

Rising Americana band The Show Ponies have released the second video from their critically acclaimed album How it all Goes Down through Featuring Everybody.   Check out the video and see why critics and fans alike are clamoring for more from these future Grammy winners.

KING WASHINGTON RELEASES MUSIC VIDEOS

LA-based band King Washington recently signed with The End Records and will be releasing their album Potential on May 19.  In the meantime, they have released a music video for their song “My Reflection” as well as their new single “Superman.”  Check them out below and let us know what you think about the future of one of LA’s premier bands.

JERAD FINCK RELEASES LYRIC VIDEO FOR ‘TAKE ME WITH YOU’

Jerad Finck continues his torrid climb to the top of the pop charts with the release of his latest lyric video.  We think you’ll agree that this indie artist is definitely on his way and will soon become a household name.

That’s it for this week.  Catch you next week, same bat time, same bat channel.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Mike Jacoby, Rachel Brett, Patrick Joseph

Up early this morning to make sure I had time to write these reviews before my step son and his family arrive for an early Thanksgiving dinner.  Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring some more amazing indie musicians to your attention.  Grab a cup of coffee and check out our reviews of these new projects.

mike-jacoby-2

Artist Name: Mike Jacoby

Album Name:  Northeastsouthwest

Label:  None

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Americana/roots-rock

Track Listing:  1.  Ready When you Are; 2.  Nevermind Me; 3.  Hell if I Know; 4.  Explaining to Do; 5.  Lay of the Land; 6.  Anyone’s Guess; 7.  Talk a Good Game; 8.  What’s That got to do With Me; 9.  Lie in Bed; 10.  Where she Goes; 11.  The end of the Line 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Founder of the Los Angeles based band Haymaker, Mike Jacoby has released his second solo project with Northeastsouthwest.  The album is a true solo project, with Jacoby doing the producing, recording and writing, while Grammy-winning engineer Gavin Lurssen contributed the mastering.  The album contains 11 story songs that are well crafted with the lyrical content being the dominant force.  The album title gives homage to the fact that Jacoby was born in the northeast and current lives in the southwest.  His musical accompaniment is tight, laying the perfect foundation for his well-written words.   Jacoby doesn’t have the smoothest voice, but it totally fits with the Americana vibe coming forth from this incredible collection of songs.  Best tracks include “Nevermind me,” “Hell if I Know,” “Lay of the Land,” “Anyone’s Guess,” “What’s That got to do With Me,” and “Where she Goes.”

Recommendation:  This album is definitely for everyone who loves great songwriting, especially if you are an Americana and/or roots rock lover.  This one is another no-brainer – go and Get It.

rachel-brett

Artist Name:  Rachel Brett

Album Name:  Not Just Another EP

Label:  None

Genre:  Pop/Country

Track Listing:  1.  Don’t Flatter Yourself; 2.  Sensible; 3.  All my Life; 4.  Second Best; 5.  Bad News 

Publicist:  None

Review:  Rachel Brett is a young actress and musician with whom I became acquainted at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.  She has been described as Taylor Swift meets Avril Lavigne, and the description is spot on.  Her music is edgy pop that would work well on Top 40 radio.  From the first notes of “Don’t Flatter Yourself,” it becomes obvious that this girl can sing and create music that needs to be heard.  In fact, she has been a voting member of NARAS since she was 16, and was recently picked as a Featured Artist by ReverbNation.  “All my Life” is her most popular song on iTunes, and she has just posted a new remix of “Second Best” on ReverbNation.  We are impressed with her maturity and her potential for a very long career, both in music and acting.

Recommendation:  We are proud to recommend this EP, as well as all the rest of her catalog.  If you like music that’s fun, witty and sung by an incredible vocalist, then rush out and Get It.  You’ll be glad you did.

hindsight-finalcover-copy

Artist Name:  Patrick Joseph

Album Name:  Hindsight

Label:  Moon King Music

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Indie rock

Track Listing:  1.  Don’t you Know; 2.  Sorry; 3.  Better off Alone; 4.  Don’t Believe It; 5.  Piece of Your Love; 6.  Foot in the Door; 7.  Arsonist Blues; 8.  Untangled; 9.  Such a Long Time Ago; 10.  Setting Sun 

Publicist:   None

Review:  Patrick Joseph has had an amazing career so far for an indie artist.  He looks back on that career in his latest, Hindsight, a collection of old songs, new singles, remixes and remasters that gives the listener a taste of his awesomeness.  His voice is the perfect complement to these very radio friendly tracks, featuring songs that span his career which includes film and television placements, massive radio airplay on such tastemakers as LA’s own KCRW, and the honor of Producer of the Year at the 2015 Independent Music Awards.  Best tracks include “Don’t You Know,” “Better Off Alone,” “Piece of Your Love,” “Foot in the Door” and “Arsonist Blues.”  Check out this original version of “Don’t Believe It” which was released back in 2011.

Recommendation:  Joseph is a special breed of singer-songwriter, with powerful lyrics on top of skillfully mastered musicianship, resulting in one of the brightest “best of” albums we have ever reviewed.  You owe it to yourself to get out and Get It ASAP.

 

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Fringe Shows

HFF16 ends with a bang

HFF16 concluded yesterday with its annual Awards Show and Closing Party.  The Awards show this year was at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, and the venue was packed with excited participants and industry.  The big winner of the night was the incredible solo show, My Big Fat Blonde Musical.  Hats off to the lovely Theresa Stroll and her finance’ Robert McGlynn, who crafted a wonderful show about accepting yourself and never giving up on your dreams, which hit a chord with so many of this year’s Fringe attendees.  So proud to have had the opportunity to see the opening night performance of this amazing show, which was one of my personal Top Ten shows at the Fringe.

Thanks to everyone on the Hollywood Fringe Festival staff, from Executive Director Ben Hill on down, for the incredible event you all put together.  Thanks also to Director of Publicity Stacy Jones Hill for your amazing coverage of the event and the assistance you provided to media members like me, making HFF16 the best one yet.

Here’s the list of awards handed out last night:

Fringe Freaks (Community-Voted Awards)

Top of the Fringe: My Big Fat Blonde Musical

International: MacDeth!

Fringe First (World Premiere): My Big Fat Blonde Musical  

Cabaret & Variety: Angel’s Flight

Comedy: Lamprey: Weekend of Vengeance

Dance & Physical Theatre: Office Beat – A Tap Dance Comedy

Ensemble Theatre: Night Witches

Musicals and Operas: My Big Fat Blonde Musical 

Solo Performance: Still Got It

 Sponsored Awards

A Little New Music Award for Outstanding Songwriting: Thug Tunnel

Beyond Bechdel-Wallace Award: Disrupted

Cherry Poppins’ Cherry Picks: Ripest Show: Tilt & Here There Be Dragons

FPI’s Most Wanted Award:  Actors Company, Fountain Theatre, Lounge Theatre, Macha Theatre/Film, Rogue Machine @ MET Theatre, Sacred Fools TheaterStephanie Fuery Studio Theatre, The Hotel Cafe: Second Stage, The New Collective, Theatre Asylum and Underground Theatre

O Face Awards for Orgasmic Achievement: Keight Leighn from (A)partment 8 (Most orgasmic performance), Will Michaels from Night Witches (Most orgasmic writing), Kitty Serial Killers – Sacred Fools (Most orgasmic production)

The Duende Distinction: Moving Art Collective: Metamorphosis (for overall production)

The Inkwell Playwright’s Promise Award: Vanessa Espino for Odilia

Lumpy-Cramp© Spirit of the Fringe, Never in the Box Award: Wheel of Invention

The Rogue Shakespeare Award for Artistic Excellence: Daniel Llewelyn-Williams for Writing/Acting Excellence in A Regular Little Houdini 

The Unleashed Awards: Porn Rock (Most Unleashed Show), Jessica Moreno in All Aboard the Marriage Hearse (Most Unleashed Performance), Elizabeth Dement in Porn Rock (Tracey Collins Funny Girl Award) 

The Encore! Producers Awards: 

Three Clubs: 30:30:60 – A Competitive Birthday Event, 50 Shades of Shakespeare, A Whole Newd World: Cherry Tales at The Knock Shop, Broadway Noir, Live From The Grave…It’s John Belushi!, MADLIB! The Musical, Nilbog: The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Troll 2, Ruby, Human Test Subjects

Actors Company: Amy Snowden’s Confessions from LA to L.A., Charlotte’s Shorts, F—- My Life, Freakout, Girls Together Always, Makin’ A Movie featuring the Mad Jackrats (LPNSImprov), The Gay Guide to, Tinseltown, Thirteen’s Spring, She Got Off the Couch, YOU

Asylum: A Horse With a View, A Regular Little Houdini, American Man Dream, Awkwardly Fabulous, Bin Laden: The One Man Show, BOUND, CRAFTSMAN, Einstein!, Happy Hour, How to Be A Virgin (in 13 morally ambiguous steps), In The Garage, Kill All Politicians, Las Garcia, Night Witches, Occupation, Voices, Bull, Smoke

Complex Theatres: Time Stands Still, The Art of Falling Down, Suicide LIVE, I am Vertical, Cockroach Dialogues, Julianne: Live from LA!, Lolita, Daisy, Ophelia: A Love Story, MacDeth!, Punch and Judy, Slightly Dramatic, Sticky-Fingers Monologues, Tony Danza’s Letterz 2 2pac: an evening with Tony Danza, Washed in the Blood

Lounge Theatre: All Aboard the Marriage Hearse, Aurora and Larry, Bloody Beautiful, Cold Tangerines, Fairytales Against Humanity, Feast of Snacks, MmHmm, Please Stand Clear the Doors Are Closing, SpiritWheel, Strap-On, The Creeps, Uterine Affairs, Whalefail

Sacred Fools Theatre: Thug Tunnel, Office Beat: A Tap Dance Comedy, Alien Vs. Musical, Still Got It, My Big Fat Blonde Musical, Mark Twain Answers All Your Questions!, Tilt, Lamprey: Weekend of Vengeance, All The Best Killers are Librarians, Paul Dooley: Upright and Personal, Up Down Stick Stuck, Thanks a Lot! My Gratitusical, Penny For Your Thoughts, The Princes Charming, Come Fux With Us, Tell Me On A Sunday, Nine Dresses: Sex, Death, Fashion

If you live in Los Angeles, I strongly urge you to support the shows that have been selected for extensions.  Keep the Fringe spirit alive.  See you all next year.

 

Categories
Fringe Shows

HFF16 – Final wrap-up

HFF16 has been my favorite Fringe experience yet, and I have attended six of the seven years of the Festival.  Hats off to Ben Hill and his amazing staff for all the work they have contributed to make this Festival such a success.  I can hardly wait for HFF17.  But before that time, here are shows I felt were worthy of Honorable Mention:

Fifty Shades of Shakespeare.  With a killer cast of two men and two women and the Bard’s sexiest scenes for material, what could go wrong?  Throw in the twist that the audience decides what roles they play, and you have the makings of a great Fringe show.

Bumpersticker:  The Musical.  A last minute addition to my schedule, this group brought an engaging and funny take on the countless bumper stickers that drivers have been forced to see while stuck in traffic.  A truly fun time.

Thug Tunnel.  Kat Primeau and her Robot Teammate & the Accidental Party company created a visually stunning musical romp through the sewers of apocalyptic Earth.  Getting the chance to see this masterpiece was a gift from the Universe, and one of the privileges of creating fringeships at the Festival.  Thanks Kat for inviting me.

And now, my awards:

Best solo show:  My Big Fat Blonde Musical

Best ensemble:  A Whole Newd World – Cherry Tales at the Knock Shop

Best musical:  A Feast of Snacks

Best comedy:  How to be a Virgin (in 12 Morally Ambiguous Steps)

Best drama:  Chemistry

Best venue (tie):  Sacred Fools and Three Clubs

Most personal (tie):  30JJ or Bust and Sexy Maus

Most ready for Broadway:  Tell me on a Sunday

Most heart:  Gilda: A Tribute to the Beloved Comedienne Gilda Radner

Best Fringe Festival:  HFF16

Thanks again to everyone for making me feel special this year.  I especially love the welcome I got from David Haverty, the friendliness and openness from so many of the participants and staff, and especially my new friends at Cherry Poppins.  You all contributed in making this my favorite Fringe experience ever.

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Fringe Shows

Ten Favorite Shows of HFF16 (wrap-up part 2)

Before I reveal my Top 5, I need to apologize to some shows that I intended to see but was unable to, whether because of scheduling issues or change of plans.  Those shows included The Truth, A Horse With a View, The 7 Guys You Date Before you get Married, Amy Showden’s Casting Confessions for La to LA, Awkwardly Famous, Washed in the Blood, Vintage Box, Beethoven:  Immortal, Up Down Stick Stuck, Angel’s Flight, Voices, Slightly Dramatic, Thirteen’s Spring, The Father, The Son and the Holy Sh!t and Still Got It.  I also apologize to the two shows I had to cut short in order to make another show:  Broadway Noir and Mad Lib the Musical.  I did enjoy what I was able to see.

And now my Top Five favorite shows of HFF 16:

5.  Lamprey:  Weekend of Vengeance.  This show rocked.  It was fast paced and tight, with an amazing cast of characters, led by the unbelievably talented Carrie Keranen.  Great job by all and thanks to Sacred Fools for giving this kind of talent a place to grow.

4.  How to be a Virgin (in 12 Morally Ambiguous Steps).  Carla Neuss has written a dynamic story that was perfectly presented by the amazing powerball known as Katelyn Schiller.  I laughed so much at this show that I almost peed, and it was one of the best hours I spent at the Fringe.  Well done!

3.  A Feast of Snacks.  Theatre Unleashed has never failed to deliver in their annual offerings at Fringe, and this might be their best show to date.  All four mini-musicals rocked, and gave the multi-talented company members the chance to shine.  Hats off to Greg Crafts and company for giving us another reason to love the Fringe.

2.  A Whole Newd World – Cherry Tales at the Knock Shop.  Alli Miller and Sarah Haworth and the ladies of Cherry Poppins Productions have definitely created a winner in this sexy romp through the woods, introducing adult versions of your favorite Disney characters.  The show was both visually stunning and a musical delight.

  1.  Charlotte’s Shorts.  Charlotte Dean is an amazing writer.  The daughter of Tracy Newman (According to Jim) and the niece of Larraine Newman (SNL) provided the perfect material for her pool of actors to interpret, and in so doing created my favorite show of HFF16.  It was an honor and a privilege to witness this incredible talent.

In my final article on HFF16, I will list the shows worthy of Honorable Mention, as well as give out a few awards of my own.

 

 

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Fringe Shows

Ten Favorite Shows of HFF16 (wrap-up part 1)

What a festival HFF 16 proved to be.  I drove 2600 miles round trip to attend 35 shows in eight days, and reviewed every one of them on my blog and on the Fringe website.  I reconnected with past fringeships and built new ones.  I walked miles up and down Theater Row going from show to show.  I drank more than I have in the past two years.  But most importantly, I had fun, thanks to the amazing participants and Festival staff that make up the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

The Freaks will be handed out next Sunday for the best shows at Fringe, as voted on by the participants and those who have reviewed shows.  But I wanted to take this time to hand out some of my own awards.  Here are the bottom five of my top 10 favorite shows:

10.  Gilda:  A tribute to the beloved comedienne Gilda Radner.  Helena K. Cosentino gave us one of the best tribute shows I have ever seen.  She nailed many of Radner’s routines, but it was the way she captured the spirit of Radner that made this show so special.  Thanks Helena.

9.  Tilt.  With a cast like Ben Moroski and Michael Shaw Fisher, both multi-award winning actors, how could you lose?  You can’t.  This show was very different from what they have previously done, but different is good.  They both turned in amazing performances, and it was an honor to be able to witness this next step in their Fringe careers.

8.  The Old Woman.  John Grady has been bringing excellent theater to the Fringe since it started in 2010, and his latest offering continues that tradition.  It is a moving story that gives his audiences a chance to see his ballet skills.  It provided a much needed respite from the heat and refreshed my spirit.  Well done John.

7.  My Big Fat Blonde Musical.  I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about seeing this show.  Theresa Stroll has created a masterpiece of theater that brings attention to one of the remaining biases in Hollywood – being fat.  Stroll proves that she can write, sing, perform and do comedy just as well as a skinny person.  My hat is off to you Theresa.  Thanks for the reminder that we still have a long way to go in erasing stereotypes.

6.  Happy Hour.  Fringe is the time to try new approaches, and this one worked.  Combining elements of theatre with live music and dance movement outside the confines of a musical was brilliant.  I look forward to seeing what Elitia Daniels and Wesley Flowers come up with next.  Hats off to the Venice Symphony Orchestra for making the show powerful and fun, and for bringing music to the masses.

Check out the rest of my Top 10 Favorite Shows in my next post, along with a few awards of my own.

Categories
Fringe Shows

HFF16 – Day Eight (part 2)

The second half of the day began with my most anticipated show, Gilda: A Tribute to the Beloved Comedienne Gilda Radner.  Like many of you, I fondly remember Gilda and the greatness she brought to the founding cast of Saturday Night Live, including those amazing and memorable characters Judy Miller, Emily Litella, Baba Wawa and Roseanne Rosannadana.

Gilda

Helena K. Cosentino embodies the memory of Gilda and truly brings her back to life again in what is the most beautiful and loving tribute I have ever witnessed to a Hollywood icon.  In addition, she embodies the soul and spirit of Gilda by donating the proceeds from the show to the Cancer Support Community and Gilda’s Club of Kansas City in honor of Gilda.  You can also make donations by clicking here.

I was very fortunate to catch her final Fringe show before she heads home for the Kansas City Fringe Festival.  Hopefully she will share her gifts with us at the Zootown Fringe Festival in August.

My next show was Sexy Maus at the Studio portion of Sacred Fools Theatre.  It is wonderfully written and delightfully performed by Andrea Schell with superb directing from Wade Gasque.

SexyMaus

This show takes the audience on a thrilling trip around Europe as Schell tries to escape the real life hell of helping her parents by going on a whirlwind tour of some of Europe’s hot spots, all the while looking for love in all the trendy places.

Schell tells a very compelling story, complete with breathtaking slides documenting her trip.  Her storytelling is first rate, and kept the audience engaged throughout.

We recommend you take a little trip with the Sexy Maus, and live vicariously through her story.  Her final performance is scheduled for June 25 at 10 p.m.

My sixth show of the day was a special appearance by New York premier actor Khalil Mhammad who brought his new solo show Pryor Truth to the Fringe for a two day stint.

Pryor

Muhammad has crafted a finely tuned one-man show that felt just like a performance by the late comedian Richard Pryor.  His performance was spot on, from his vocal delivery to his constant sweat wiping and colorful language.  I felt like I was in the presence of greatness as I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity I never had to hear Pryor live.  It was a fitting tribute to the man proclaimed as one of America’s greatest comedians.  The entire house became engrossed in the show and gave him a rousing ovation at the end.

Unfortunately this was his only appearance at HFF16, but we can only hope that Muhammad will return with another show in the future.

My final show for the night (and, as it turned out, HFF16) was Erica Flor’s provocative tale Bloody Beautiful. 

Beautiful woman with red tissue around her waist

The show centers around the story of one of the world’s most prolific serial killers, Countess Elizabeth Ba’thory, the Blood Countess from Hungary, who allegedly killed more than 650 young women between 1585 and 1610.

In her performance, the evil spirit of the Countess is seeking to take over the mind and body of Flor so that she can once again be free to kill.  While the concept is not new, Flor makes a valiant effort to show the constant struggle as she fights off the Countess’ attempts at possession.

While it was neither my favorite nor least favorite Fringe show, it was definitely memorable and compelled me to look up the story online to find out the rest of the gory details.  For that, I thank Flor for bringing such an interesting character to the Fringe.

Tomorrow I will post my HFF16 wrapup, which includes my top 10 favorite shows.  Until then, happy fringing.

 

 

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.