Tag: Hollywood Fringe Festival

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it Women in Entertainment

HFF18 day 5 – see it or skip it

We got a slow start yesterday after closing down Three Clubs with the Cherries after a raucous performance of Doctor Nympho vs. The Sex Zombies.  It was great spending time with Sarah Haworth, Schoen Hodges, Alli Miller, Michael Shaw Fisher, Brin Hamblin, Kelly Stevenson and Cory Robinson, as well as the amazing Sarah Chaney, who had been in the cast of Doomsday Cabaret.

Before you know it, it was time to head back for another great night of Fringing, and we had planned to see five shows.  While reviewing our schedule, it occurred to us that we had neglected to schedule one of the shows we really wanted to see, so we had to make some last minute changes to the schedule, which made for a much better night.  Our first stop remained the same, and our evening began at The Broadwater Studio.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Balls’On

VENUE:  The Broadwater Studio

REVIEW:   Katt Balsan is half Russian and Iranian on her mother’s side and French on her father’s side, which gave her an interesting look – exotic muscles.  While she looks like a bodybuilder, she explained that it was all genetics.  Her show took us from her humble roots in France to her current home in Los Angeles, as told through 25 very interesting characters, including several of the Fates.  It was a most original and creative way to explain her life, and the audience loved it.  We were honored to be joined at the show by the Queen of the Solo Show, Jessica Lynn Johnson, as well as one of the premier finds of this year’s Fringe, Lanessa Long.  The packed venue gave Balsan all the energy she needed to turn in a wonderful performance, making us very glad we had chosen to attend her show.  Balsan herself is a ball of energy, and that energy washed over the audience like a tidal wave, completing the circle.  She dedicated the show to her director, the late, great Gary Austin, the founder and original director of The Groundlings, and we are sure he was pleased as well.

RECOMMENDATION:  If you need a quick pick-me-up, then we highly recommend you fit this show into your schedule.  You can still catch her final performance on June 22 at 5 p.m.  You can purchase tickets here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Glitch

VENUE:  The Broadwater Studio

REVIEW:   We were unprepared for this intense show about mass shootings in our schools.  The premise and story were timely, in light of the outrage over recent occurrences, but the cast seemed likewise unprepared to turn that outrage into a memorable show that would spark change.  The premise was there – a reporter interviewing a young man convicted of killing kids and teachers at his former high school, but they delivered nothing more than a clichéd attempt at portraying these characters.  We were joined at the show by Michael Shaw Fisher, and had the chance to discuss the show afterward.  We both agreed that it would have been better if the reporter had started out neutral and then slowly emerged as outraged, while the cold, calculating criminal needed to have more “mood swings” as he attempted to explain how everything came to pass.  Like The Dangerous Cures of Dr. B, this show left its audience in a daze, as they ran out of the theater looking for escape from the reality of the show’s material.

RECOMMENDATION:  The show could be a powerful tool, but it seriously needs some attention to detail.  It ran over and was too long.  If they fix those problems, then it would be worthwhile.  In the meantime, you should probably skip it.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Women of Lockerbie

VENUE:  Studio/Stage

REVIEW:   After the previous show, we were in need of some beauty and magic, and we found it in spades in this glorious production.  Wonderfully directed by Jim Blanchette, the story is about closure, and the continued hope that good will overcome evil.  It is set in the hills of Lockerbie, Scotland, where one of the greatest disasters in aviation occurred as 270 souls lost their lives in the terrorist explosion of Pan Am Flight 103.  Leah Verrill, who portrayed the distraught mother, Maddie Livingston, led an amazing cast that included Alan Heitz as her husband Bill, Lisa K. Wyatt as the stalwart Olive Allison, Lize Fenning and Liesl Jackson as her two friends, Ed Ackerman as the American bureaucrat George Jones and Eloise Coopersmith as the well-meaning custodian Hattie.  The show is presented as a Greek tragedy, and very skillfully designed and executed.  It brought us, and we’re sure other audience members, to tears, and is the best thing we have seen at Fringe thus far, truly worthy of the Top of the Fringe award.

RECOMMENDATION:  You simply MUST see this one.  Do whatever it takes to secure tickets to one of the remaining shows on June 17 at 9:30 p.m. or June 20 at 9 p.m.  You can purchase your tickets here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Met Again

VENUE:  Studio/Stage

REVIEW:   Met Again is the latest in a string of hits that Theater Unleashed has mounted at Fringe.  This show had everything a great Fringe show needs – amazing acting, a compelling story, and a stellar audience, which included my friend and fellow critic Tracey Paleo of Gia on the Move. Julia Plostnieks and Michael Lutheran turned in Tony Award worthy performances as the central characters, and were supported by the likewise stellar acting of Megan Duquette and Graydon Schlichter.  This play showed the power of love as it told the story of a couple that went through a lot of ups and downs during their journey through life and death.  It was beautiful, bittersweet, and gave us hope that we could all find a love like these two shared.  Plostnieks is one of the most talented actresses to ever grace the stage at Fringe, and has consistently turned in amazing performances, especially during [title of show].  She surpassed her previous performances with this one, and is worthy of Best Actress, were such an award given at Fringe.  The pairing of this show with Women of Lockerbie was genius, and gave us a beautiful feeling to end the night.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t even think about it – this one is a MUST SEE.  Make your plans NOW to attend one of their remaining performances on June 20 at 7:30 p.m. and June 23 at 5 p.m.  Grab your tickets TODAY by clicking here.

Our evening didn’t end there, as we headed back over to Three Clubs to close out the night with the rollicking fun of Cherryoke.  What a fun time, and the hostess was none other than Taylor Baker of Cherry Poppins.  What a fun time was had by all, with amazing performances by such Fringe luminaries as Michael Shaw Fisher, David Haverty, Victoria Watson, and Reagan Osborne, among others.

We’ll be packing in nine shows on Saturday and another five on Sunday, so we won’t be posting any reviews until Monday.  Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend.  Hope to see you out and about the Fringe.

 

 

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it Women in Entertainment

HFF18 day 4 – see it or skip it (part 2)

Our final show for Thursday was our most anticipated one at this year’s Fringe – the marriage of Orgasmico Theatre Co and Cherry Poppins.  Here’s the low down.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Doctor Nympho vs. The Sex Zombies

VENUE:  Three Clubs

REVIEW:   When we found out that Michael Shaw Fisher was writing a rock musical for this year’s Fringe, we were excited, and when we realized it would be done by the Cherry Poppins crew, we were over the moon.  The five year wait (since 2013’s Exorcistic) was worth it, as this show is a masterpiece from start to finish.

We still remember the way we felt when we first saw Doomsday Cabaret, and the feeling was back on the first note of Doctor Nympho.  Director Sarah Haworth brought out every nuance of Fisher’s amazing music and book, and the over-packed venue responded enthusiastically.

The story line about a virus that turns people into sex zombies was wonderfully laid out and brought to reality by the amazing members of Cherry Poppins, including the central cast of Alli Miller as Dr. Nympho, Fisher as her husband, with Kim Dalton and Kristyn Evelyn as their children.  Haworth led the sex zombies, joined by Amber Braken, Reagan Osborne, Cory Robinson, Meredith Lim and Lauren Avon.  They were ably supported by Jeff Sumner as Jerry, Rebecca Reaney as Dr. Shatz, Shannon Glasgow as Stacy, Schoen Hodges as Adam and Sarah Wines as Eve, with special dance appearances by Taylor Baker as Poet and Brin Hamblin as Virus.

Of course, what would a rock musical be without a killer band, and this one was truly amazing, led by Sandy Chao Wong.  She was joined by Krishnan Swamiathan on bass, Ludvig Brathan and Kenny Echizen on guitar and Tim McIntyre and Dennis Nilsson on drums.

Very special kudos to the choreography team of Hamblin, Reaney, Haworth and Miller, who somehow managed to keep this huge cast dancing and performing on the venue’s postage stamp sized stage, without any major incidents.  It was an incredibly thing of beauty to watch this amazing cast dance, sing and act, and we left the venue feeling just as good as we did the first (and the 12th) time we saw Doomsday Cabaret.

RECOMMENDATION:  If you only see one Fringe show, then this had better be it.  But be forewarned – it will SELL OUT, so make our plans to attend the remaining performances on June 16 at 5 p.m., June 21 at 7 p.m. and June 23 at 11 p.m.  You can purchase tickets here.

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it Women in Entertainment

HFF18 day 4 – see it or skip it (part 1)

Day 3 was our busiest day yet with five shows, and we were out late enjoying the Fringe.  Writing the reviews took two articles, and we were a little tired after the first one so we laid down to rest.  Three hours later we awoke, having missed our first show of 2018.  Nevertheless, we got our second article finished and relaxed until time to head out for the first of four shows on Day 4.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Skin Jobs

VENUE:  The Broadwater Studio

REVIEW:   We didn’t really know what to expect from this show, but we had heard the buzz and needed to check it out.  The subject matter deals with the practice of “whitewashing” – using white actors for what should be ethnic actors and then changing their appearance in post-production.  The show is the debut of famed playwright and journalist Jim Vejvoda and is directed by the equally famous director Lee Costello.  Their casting of Virginia Tran as Kerri and Aussie transplant Claire Fazzolari as Viv was perfect, and brought home the reality of the play.  The venue was packed, the anticipation was palpable, and the actors did not disappoint.  This just might be one of this year’s hidden gems.  They both delivered sparkling performances, and the chemistry between them was very real.  It was also a blast to talk to Claire after the show and hear that beautiful Aussie accent, which she so skillfully hides during the performance.

RECOMMENDATION:  You should definitely see this one.  Unfortunately, there is only one additional show on June 20, and it is sold out.  Hopefully this show will be extended so additional people will have the chance to check it out.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Lorelei:  I’m Coming Out!

VENUE:  Three Clubs

REVIEW:   What is Fringe without a drag queen?  In years past, that queen has been Lyla, and she has delivered a couple of amazing and award-winning shows.  With Lyla nowhere to be found, Lorelei has stepped up and delivered a smashing performance about her coming out, complete with original music, a live band, and all that goes with the perfect drag queen show.  Lorelei has written a great book and lyrics, and the music composed by band leader Raiah Rofsky is to die for.  Her score was perfectly delivered by Mina Bloom (piano), Marlon Meyerson (bass), J.J Ross (percussion), and Justina Jones (violin).  The show was the perfect combination of word and song, with some nice multi-media thrown in for good measure.  All in all it was a rousing good time at the Fringe.

RECOMMENDATION:  If you aren’t afraid of the queer, then you should check this one out.  If you are queer (and even if you aren’t), you will probably love it as much as we did.  Check out one of her remaining shows on June 22 or 23 at 7 p.m.  You can purchase tickets here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Word

VENUE:  Three Clubs

REVIEW:   Who doesn’t love or want a chance for redemption?  Victor Isaac has written a brilliant show about redemption and forgiveness of the hardest kind – forgiving yourself.  He skillfully weaves together the stories of the Rev. Johnson of the First Church of the Holy Homeboy and inmate Lewayne Johnson – two apparently different ends of the spectrum.  Or are they?  Director JJ Mayes proves he is more than just a great Fringe performer with the brilliant direction he gives this show, and he had the fortune of having such amazing material to work with.

RECOMMENDATION:  This show is a must see and sure to become one of this year’s Fringe hits.  To find out what happened, be there for one of the remaining shows on June 20 at 10 p.m. or June 23 at 3:30 p.m.  You can purchase tickets here.

We’ll be right back with part 2.

 

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it Women in Entertainment

HFF18 day 3 – see it or skip it (part 2)

You can catch part 1 here.

We were fortunate again to have the honor of Rasika Mathur joining us for our final two shows of the day.  If you remember, The Craftlesque was #2 on our list of most anticipated shows, so we were extremely excited to get to see it, and have the chance to interact with one of the best companies at the Fringe – Cherry Poppins Productions.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Craftlesque

VENUE:  Three Clubs

REVIEW:   Unlike the last show we reviewed, we knew perfectly well what to expect from this show – complete and utter awesomeness.  The Cherries did not disappoint.  Even though we had long forgotten the backstory of the movie, they use enough of the storyline to help us remember, but the true beauty of a Cherry Poppins show is the triple threats that make up their cast.  Not only are these ladies beautiful, but they can dance, sing and act with the best of them.

The coven was played by Shannon Glasgow (New Girl), Heath Butler (Psycho Girl), Cassandra Nuss (Burnt Girl) and Markesha Chatfield (Ethnic Girl).  The supporting cast was led by the unforgettable Alli Miller (Water Element, Christa, Bitch Girl), as well as Lauren Avon (Earth Element), Madeleine Heil (Fire Element) and Sabrina Moisoyev (Air Element).

it was amazingly directed by Sarah Haworth, choreographed by Brin Hamblin, Sarah Wines, Sarah Haworth and Ali Miller, and costumed by Kelly Stevenson.  Once again the Cherries have outdone themselves and given the Fringe another memorable performance.

RECOMMENDATION:  Duh, go see it!!!  Remaining shows include June 15 at 11 p.m., June 20 at 8 p.m. and June 22 at 11 p.m.  Please be advised the Cherries are known to SELL OUT, so grab your tickets while you still can by clicking here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Nobody’s Really Helped Me

VENUE:  The Broadwater Studio

REVIEW:   We met Lanessa Long at our first HFF18 show on Monday night, and instantly liked this young lady.  When she told us she also had a Fringe show, we knew we had to check it out, and what a treat it was.  Long recently graduated from art school, and is also a singer-songwriter.  She’s also 22, and immersed in all the angst of having to go out into the world and make a living, thus forming the basis for her show.

Long is a natural comedienne.  Her show was essentially a stand up comedy routine which included music, reminding us of the great Judy Tenuta.  She had the audience in stitches throughout her show, and definitely gave them something to think about and to enjoy.  Her stories were heartfelt and so relatable, and her musical accompaniment was a joy to behold.  We think Long has a definite future in both theatre and music, and look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.

RECOMMENDATION.  Definitely see this one, if you love music and love to laugh.  Her remaining shows are June 16 at 7 p.m. and June 23 at 1:30 p.m.  You can purchase your tickets by clicking here.

 

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it Women in Entertainment

HFF18 day 3 – see it or skip it (part 1)

Yesterday was another easy day of reviews, with time left over to catch a movie.  We checked out Ocean’s 8, and it was perfect, and even told a convincing story of the connection between the movies staring George Clooney and the current one with Julia Roberts.  Afterwards it was time to head down to the Fringe, with five shows on our schedule.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Dracula’s Taste Test

VENUE:  The Broadwater Black Box

REVIEW:   We had no idea what to expect from this show, and picked it because it had Dracula in the title.  We were pleasantly surprised to find it a rollicking good time, singing karaoke with Dracula and his monster friends, and listening to Quasimodo deliver the perfect stand-up comedy routine.  The cast was amazing, with knock-out performances by Carrie Keranen as Quasimodo, Jeff Sumner as Creep, Crystal Keith as the Ghost of Mina Harker and Marz Richards as Dracula.   C.J. Merriman did a great job of choreographing and directing this show, with musical direction by Ryan Johnson, who also provided the piano accompaniment as The Phantom of the Opera.  This is the kind of show you can only get at Fringe – no agenda, no propaganda, and no purpose other than to just have fun.

RECOMMENDATION:  If you want a good time, and to forget about the world for an hour, come immerse yourself in this show.  It is just what the doctor ordered.  You can still catch it on June 17 at 6 p.m. and June 21 at 10 p.m.   You can purchase your tickets here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Echoes

VENUE:  The Broadwater Second Stage

REVIEW:   It was a honor to review this play, which has already won awards around the world, including the Adelaide Fringe, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Prague Fringe.  The cast of Catherine Lidstone as Samira and Bree Wernicke as Tillie was sheer perfection, bringing this interesting parallel story to life.  We quickly lost track of time as these ladies told their individual tales.  Despite them being 175 years apart, they were similar in so many ways, living in a time and place where females were not respected and were forced to be whatever their abusive husbands wanted.  To share in their tenacity for justice and freedom and their mission to help others was the core of the show, and the audience was buying every second of this magnificent performance.   The simplistic staging added to the timeliness of the story, which comes at a time when women are once again rising up against their male antagonists.    This one is well worth the investment of time and money, for the knowledge you can glean from it is without price.

RECOMMENDATION:  Definitely see it – it is a treasure that will become a powerful motivator for change.  Catch one of their remaining performances on June 14 at 8 p.m., June 15 at 7:30 p.m., June 17 at 4 p.m., June 21 at 5:30 p.m. and June 22 at 9 p.m.  You can buy tickets here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Other Side of the Razor Ribbon

VENUE:  Asylum Studio C

REVIEW:  This was our first solo play, and we were looking forward to it because of the subject matter – writing.  As writers, we are always looking for helpful hints and ways to improve our blog, and to have the opportunity to hear from the acclaimed “Memoir Midwife” seemed like a good idea.  However, it wasn’t exactly what we had thought it would be.  Stacy Dymalski wrote the show, based on her encounter with a budding writer, David C. Taylor, who was incarcerated for human smuggling.   Dymalski worked with Taylor for several years, mailing his transcripts back and forth while creating what was to become the Jacumba Connection.  We expected the show to be more about that interaction, but the majority of the show was spent on explaining Dymalski’s personal backstory.  While that was interesting, it was not the story that the title reflected.  We think the show would have benefitted greatly by having a director, as the backstory portion was longer than the subject matter portion.  Still, it was a worthy effort, and the inclusion of her musically gifted son Derrick (who played flute, clarinet and sax) helped set the mood for the show with his beautiful compositions.

RECOMMENDATION:  This is a good Fringe show that could be tweaked to be even better.  We still think you should see it, just don’t go expecting to hear a lot about the writing process.  Enjoy the music and listen to the story and you’ll leave fulfilled.  Remaining performances are June 16 at noon, June 21 at 7 p.m. and June 23 at 3 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased here.

Don’t go away – part 2 is coming soon.

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Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it Theatre

HFF18 day 2 – see it or skip it

With only two reviews to write from our first day of Fringe, we had lots of down time yesterday.  That gave us the chance to hit Big Lots and stock up on essentials for the next two weeks, and catch up on sleep.  Staying out of that hot sun was another good reason to lay low.

Finally it was time to head back down to the Fringe, and we had a couple of interesting shows to check out.  We were joined by our dear friend Rasika Mathur, the creator and actress who brought us last year’s My Hustle has ADHD, who met us at the Hobgoblin Playhouse for our first show of the evening.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Story of my Life

VENUE:  The Hobgoblin Playhouse

REVIEW: This was our second show at this amazing venue, and once again that grand piano was the star of the show.  Although not an original show (it had a brief run off Broadway), it was nevertheless extremely well done by members of Chromolume Theatre, who exceeded our expectations in their interpretation of the songs and the material.  This was easily one of the best musicals we have ever seen at Fringe.  Andrew Schulman, who played Thomas and Daniel Koh, who played Alvin, truly embodied their characters, giving the audience an honest look at the lives of these two life-long friends, and the adventures they shared during that life.  The direction of Michael Marchak and the musical direction of Richard Bereni were also quite evident, as they worked the full gamut of our emotions, creating memorable moment after memorable moment.  The actors performance of “The Butterfly Song” had us in tears with the simple beauty of the story and the imagery that the words created in our minds.

RECOMMENDATION:  This one is our third straight no-brainer.  You simply must see this show, especially if you love music and want to be truly moved by a wonderful story about friendship.  This one deserves a long run.  You can still catch it on June 16 at 10 p.m. and June 23 at 7:30 p.m.   You can purchase your tickets here.

We had a little time before our next show, so Rasika suggested we grab a drink.  We headed over to the next venue, found a parking place, and walked around until we found the Next Door Lounge on Highland.  We had the Georgia Julep, and it was mighty tasty.  It was fun catching up with Rasika, comparing notes on the first show, and discussing what to expect from the next one.  After taking the obligatory selfie, and posting it to social media, we headed over to the Los Angeles LGBT Center for our next show.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Dangerous Cures of Dr. B

VENUE:  The Los Angeles LGBT Center

REVIEW:  We didn’t know what to expect from this show, but since they had applied for the Larry Cornwall Award, we had to screen it.  The play is based on the true life antics of John R. Brinkley, a so-called “doctor” and radio pioneer who achieved infamy during the 1920’s and 30’s for his radical use of goat glands to “cure” male impotency and other problems.  This is not a “feel-good” show, which was painfully obviously in the quiet and introspective looks on the faces of the audience as they left the venue.  While Jess Weaver and Garrett Crouch did a great job of providing music within the context of the show, it did not rise to the level of necessity to the overall story that is required for the Larry Cornwall Award.  This was a truly dark story of a man who was in many ways just another Jim Jones or David Karesh, and the insane ways that people can ignore reality when it opposes their rosy picture.  Kudos to the Puckwit Gang, who turned in stellar ensemble performances and brought the sordid story to life.

RECOMMENDATION:      Even though you won’t leave the venue feeling better, this is a show you should definitely see.  Hopefully it will open  your eyes to the dangers of being blinded by any one person and their philosophy.  You can still catch it on June 13, 19 and 22 at 10:30 p.m., June 17 at 6 p.m., and June 23 at 8 p.m.   You can purchase your tickets here.

 

 

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Hollywood Fringe Festival See it or Skip it Theatre Women in Entertainment

HFF18 day 1 – see it or skip it

After 17 hours of driving, and an overnight stay in Las Vegas, we arrived in Los Angeles mid afternoon.  Our first show wasn’t until 7 p.m., so we had time to visit with friends, get situated at the airBNB and clean up before heading into Hollywood for our first night of fringing.

Our first stop was the newly opened Hobgoblin Playhouse (6520 Hollywood Boulevard), managed by the stellar team of Greg Crafts and Jenn Scuderi Crafts, who also manage Studio/Stage.  It was great to catch up with them pre-show, and to hear the back story about our first show of #HFF18, which was written and performed by Laura Jo Trexler.

Once they got the contract to manage the space, they discovered this beautiful grand piano inside.  They called Trexler to come and tune the piano.  During the session, she mentioned that she had written a one-woman show and asked if they knew where she could perform it.  Obviously, the response was “At the Fringe,” and the rest, they say, is history.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Play On!  A Musical Romp with Shakespeare’s Heroines

VENUE:  The Hobgoblin Playhouse

REVIEW: Trexler is incredible, both as an actress and musician.  The songs she has so skillfully created depict the true character of each of these legendary women as written about by William Shakespeare, including Juliet, Rosalind, Ophelia, Olivia, Beatrice, Viola, Adriana, Lady M, Gertrude, and the Dark Lady,   The production was in every way imaginable just perfect, and set the bar extremely high for this year’s Fringe.  Greg Crafts did an admirable job stepping in for the stage manager, who was under the weather, and perfectly executed the lighting plan.  Trexler’s performance had all that you would expect from a Broadway show, with just the right amount of theatricality added to the songs to make them come alive and memorable.  She even had recorded a soundtrack of the songs, and made the CD available for her patrons at a “pay what you can” price.  This was definitely the way to start our 2018 Fringe Experience.  Welcome to the Fringe, Laura Jo!  We’re so glad we found you.

RECOMMENDATION:  This one is a no-brainer.  You simply must see this show, especially if you love music and Shakespeare.  This one deserves a long run.  You can still catch it on June 15 at 10 p.m., June 16 at noon and June 24 at 11:30 a.m., or buy the soundtrack and listen it these great songs over and over again.  You can purchase your tickets here.

Our next show wasn’t for a couple of hours, so we headed over to Fringe Concierge to pick up our credentials and then stopped at Three Clubs for a drink.  It was wonderful to run into several of the Cherry Poppins ladies, including Alli Miller, Sarah Haworth Hodges, and Sarah Wines, along with their amazing cohorts including Michael Shaw Fisher, Cory Robinson and Schoen Hodges.  We even managed to find Laura Wiley there as well.

We headed back to The Complex for our 10:30 show at The Flight Theatre, and ran into Victoria Watson and Better-Lemons‘ own Enci Box.  Watch for our reviews on that website as well.  Before we knew it, it was time for our second show of the night.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Rental

VENUE:  The Flight Theatre at The Complex

REVIEW: This one was a last minute addition to our schedule, and boy are we glad we went.  This show was impeccable, and wonderfully written and directed by Ben Ubiñas.  The show starred Jake Corvino and Ali Astin, the amazing actress daughter of Sean Astin, best known to millions as “Sam” in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  In today’s era of #MeToo, female empowerment and sexual politics, this show was right on point.  Both Astin and Corvino turned in Tony Award-worthy performances as a call girl and her virgin client.  The story takes you in one direction and then shifts into an entirely different one, with mind-blowing results.  Trust us when we say that you will walk away from this one with an entirely new perspective on the world’s oldest profession.

RECOMMENDATION:  This one is likewise a no-brainer.  There is only one performance left on June 14 at 6 p.m., and you owe it to yourself to attend.  You can grab your tickets here.

It was so good catching up with Ali after the performance.  We hadn’t seen her since 2012 when we worked at the Renaissance Faire.  We are sure the world will be seeing a lot more of this amazing actress.

 

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Hollywood Fringe Festival Theatre

Ten most anticipated shows at HFF18

We can hardly believe that it’s time again to head down to Los Angeles for the ninth annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  Out of the 380 available shows, we have chosen 51 to attend, including about 15 we are screening for our annual Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence.  Here are the ten shows we are most excited about.  We are including links to their pages as well as the name of the venue.

10.  Earworm (McCadden Theatre) – We love the premise of this show and think it could be fun.  They are also up for the Larry Cornwall Award.

9.  Sex and the Musical (Three Clubs).  Laura Wiley brought us the incredibly fun Buffy kills Edward last year and we can’t wait to see what she does with this one, a prequel to the beloved Sex and the City show from HBO.

8,  With my Eyes Shut (Studio/Stage).  One of our favorite actresses from last year was Esther Mira.  She’s back with a new show, and it’s also being considered for the Larry Cornwall Award.

7.  Wild at Hart (The Lounge).  Solo shows are always a big hit for us at Fringe, and no one directs them better than Jessica Lynn Johnson.  This one should be great and it’s up for a Larry Cornwall Award as well.

6.  Sam Shaber:  Lie, Death & Duran Duran (The Complex).  Who doesn’t love the music of Duran Duran?  We are definitely intrigued by this one and it’s also being considered for the Larry Cornwall Award.

5.  Met Again (Studio/Stage).  A tender love story, and it’s a Theatre Unleashed show.  What more do we need to say?

4.  Stripped (The Broadwater).  Fringe gives us the chance to check out the taboo, and to see it from different viewpoints.  This one should be interesting to view, and it’s up for a Larry Cornwall Award as well.

3.  A Very Die Hard Christmas (Studio/Stage).  Living in Montana, we have missed this holiday show from Theatre Unleashed for the past three years.  We are true Die Hard fans and can’t wait to see this production.  Besides, who doesn’t want to see Jim Martyka as a villain?  This one is also being considered for the Larry Cornwall Award.

2.  Doctor Nympho vs. The Sex Zombies (Three Clubs).  Three words sum up this one – Michael Shaw Fisher!  This is the first Orgasmico musical since 2013’s Exorcistic, and he’s doing it in conjunction with one of the hottest companies at Fringe – Cherry Poppins.  What can go wrong?

1,  The Craftlesque (Three Clubs).  This is another show that we have missed being in Montana.  Alli Miller and Sarah Haworth Hodges and their Cherry Poppins ladies are sure to make this one great.

We’ll see you in Los Angeles Monday night.  This is gonna be epic!

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

Monday Mashup 2018: vol. 22

It’s another week, and it will be a busy one.  We will be leaving on Sunday to head down to Los Angeles for the Hollywood Fringe Festival.  We have 51 shows on our schedule to review, including about 15 that have submitted for consideration of our Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence.  We will also be  having our second annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase on June 19 at The Mint, where we will have some amazing winners perform in support of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  Tickets are available online for $10, and will be available at the door for $13.  We hope to see you there.

UNSIGNED ONLY COMPETITION ENDS JUNE 6

The final week of the Unsigned Only “Grand Slam” special promotion has kicked off, running until midnight on June 6 (CST).  All entries will also be included into the 2018 Unsigned Only Music Competition.  This is your very last time to enter, so if you want to enter more songs (or enter for the first time this year), you still have a chance to participate in this year’s competition, but you need to hurry.

Winners for the previous three weeks of the promotion, as well as the current week, will be announced along with all of the other category winners in September 2018.   Just for entering, all entrants will receive 100 free spins to Radio Airplay (regardless of whether you are an existing Radio Airplay member or a new member).  Additionally, every entrant will also be entered into the overall 2018 Unsigned Only competition and have the chance for their music to be heard by a high-profile panel of judges, as well as be eligible to share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes.

HOME RUN | May 30 – June 6 | GET PAID FOR THE WIN – Click Here For Info
Click Here To Enter Your Songs
NEW SINGLES
First up today is a long-time favorite of this blog, and one of the amazing artists signed to Blue Élan Records.  Recent winner of the LA Music Critic Award for Rising Star, here is “Honey, Honey” from the unforgettable Chelsea Williams.

Next up is “Sort Myself Out” from Becoming Bristol, fka The Exchange.  We like the sound of this band and look forward to hearing much more from them.

Single number three today is from a voice familiar to lovers of the TV shows Suits, Lucifer, Bones, Nashville and One Tree Hill.  Gareth Dunlop has a new single that we think you’ll love.  Here is “Blind to the Pain” from his forthcoming EP Many Moons Ago.

https://soundcloud.com/gareth-dunlop-official/blind-to-the-pain

Our fourth single today is from The Cravens, who we have previously reviewed and featured on this blog.  They have a “Message” for you, and we think you’ll be glad to get it.

Our final single today is “Don’t Blink” from John Santiago, frontman for Johnny & the Bootlegs, which we recently reviewed in Get it or Forget it.  Let us know what you think.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is from Lauren Balthrop‘s upcoming September album, This Time Around.  Here is the lyric video for “Down.”

Next is the very retro feel of Peter Cat with his new single “Hand Through Hair.”  Groovy, Baby.

Our third video this week is from one of the newest artists on Blue Élan Records, Red Wanting Blue.  Here is the video for their new single, “High and Dry.”

And now, for something completely different, here is a sneak preview of the new video from Runaway Symphony which will be released on June 12.  Check out this live performance of “The Fall of Man.”

Our final video this week is “All the Way” from Cherry Pools.  We think it’s the perfect segue to summer and a wonderful week.  See you soon.

 

 

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

Monday mashup 2018: Vol. 21

We’re back with our final Monday Mashup for the month of May and it’s Memorial Day.  Please take a moment to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and maintain the freedoms that we enjoy.  In the meantime, here’s the latest news in the indie world, as well as five new singles and music videos to get your week started.

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL

The ninth annual Hollywood Fringe Festival kicks off on Thursday with a week of previews before the Opening Night Party on June 6.  Click on the link above for tickets to more than 380 shows.  We are heading down from Montana on June 10 and will be in town through the end of the Festival on June 24.  We will be reviewing around 50 shows, including 13 being considered for our Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence.  Watch for our See it or Skip it reviews starting June 12.

LA MUSIC CRITIC AWARD WINNERS SHOWCASE

Don’t forget about our showcase on June 19 at The Mint, a world famous venue on West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles.  We have 10 winners scheduled to perform, plus a special appearance by the original 90’s band Shiragirl prior to them leaving on the final Vans Warped Tour.  Tickets are available by clicking this link.  Don’t miss the chance to see the legendary Rusty Young of Poco perform.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today comes from Kris Angelis, who has won several of those LA Music Critic Awards, among others.  She is currently working on her follow-up to the award-winning EP Heartbreak is Contagious.  Here is her latest single, “Photobooth.

https://soundcloud.com/krisangelis/photobooth/s-NbTKU

Our second single comes from Sonofa King, the son of the legendary Ben E. King, who has recorded a cover of his father’s biggest hit, “Stand by Me.”  It is part of a tribute album he made, which covers ten songs performed by his dad.  Watch for our album review shortly.

Next up is the new single, “All This Noise,” from the forthcoming EP by Dead Ceremony.  We love the vibe of this future pop hit, and can’t wait to review their EP.

Our fourth single today is so hot you’d be a “Fool” not to love it.  Check out the latest from Canadian R&B singer Sara Diamond.

Our final single is “Just in Case,” courtesy of Christina Custode, an artist we previously featured here on Monday Mashup.  She reminds us of Sara Bareilles, and we love it.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up is the band Pros & Icons, who are trying to upstage Taylor Swift by releasing a video cover of her song “I Did Something Bad” before she has the chance to do so.  It is a bold endeavor, and we think they nailed it.  What do  you think?

Next is Franny and Zooey, an Australian duo with heavenly harmonies.  Check out their video for “My Love.”  We want to hear this one on the radio.

Our third video comes from Swedish singer Alice Boman, with a live performance of her song “Heartbeat.”  This one will take your breath away.

Our next music video is for all the David Bowie fans.  Check out “Perfectly Imperfect,” the first video by The Sick Bags.  Let us know what you think.

Our final video this week comes from Stephen Michael Murphy, and is a lyric video for his song “Never Ever Here.”  We think it’s the perfect song to close out this edition of Monday Mashup.