Tag: Night of the Rootbeer

Categories
Awards Hollywood Fringe Festival Theatre Women in Entertainment

Top ten shows at HFF 18 and Indie Voice Awards for Theatre

The 9th Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival has been put to bed (with the exception of those shows selected for encores) and we are safely back in Montana, so it is time to reveal our favorite shows of HFF18, as well as our winners for the Indie Voice Awards for Theatre.  You can find the “official” list of winners that were handed out on June 24 here.

We saw a total of 46 shows during the 13 days we were at Fringe.  So many of them were great, and we wish we could give credit to more, but here are our favorites.

TOP TEN SHOWS

10.  Met Again.  Once again, Theatre Unleashed delivered a breathtaking drama of infinite worth.  The duo of Julia Plostnieks and Michael Lutheran were stunning in their portrayal of a loving couple who had ups and downs during their lives.  This one left us with tears in our eyes.

9.  Blind Spots.  This was the only show we saw at the beautiful Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, and it was definitely worth the trip.  The show was female written with an entire cast of females, and they demonstrated by their amazing performances that they are definitely forces to be reckoned with.

8.  The Parisian Dream.  Cabaret Versatile is the master at creating interesting shows, and this amazing French Cabaret was definitely one of their best.  It was told through mime, skits, song and dance, and it represented the historic Assistance League Playhouse well.

7.  With my Eyes Shut.  Esther Mira led a strong cast and told the story of two people with Asperger’s Syndrome who were learning how to function in life.  Through incredible dancing, music and physical theatre, they told the story as lovingly as they could, and made us proud to be part of HFF18.

6.  SQUIRREL!!  Jessica Lynn Johnson directed and Sarah Rose Reynolds delivered a stunning and revealing story of dealing with ADHD.  Reynolds even wowed us with her singing abilities, on top of her hilarious telling of her life story.

5.  Stripped.  Another great Johnson directed show featuring Julia Cavanaugh as the exotic dancer with a heart of gold.  Like Reynolds, she has an excellent singing voice, and totally tugged at our heart strings as she told the story of her life.

4.  The Word.  Victor Isaac is a comic genius and he puts it all on display in this comedic romp through the discovery of how to forgive yourself.  This one truly deserved its Fringe recognition.

3.  Doctor Nympho vs. The Sex Zombies.  The triumphant return of the Michael Shaw Fisher rock musical claimed three Fringe Awards, and was truly one of the highlights of HFF18.  Just seeing the entire cast safely navigate the small stage at Three Clubs was an event worthy of recognition.

2.  Play On!  A one-woman musical event, Laura Jo Trexler stole our hearts and our ears with these amazing original songs about the heroines of Shakespeare.  She also showed her stage presence and skills as she brought the songs to life, with nothing but herself and a grand piano.

1. The Women of Lockerbie.  We think it is a travesty that this show was not even nominated for a single award at Fringe.  This amazing cast brought the story of Pan Am Flight 103 to life by showing its effect not just on the passengers but those in the town of Lockerbie, Scotland as well.

INDIE VOICE AWARDS FOR THEATER

We agreed with some of the awards given out by the community, but not all of them, so here are the shows we would have given awards to:

In addition, we would also award these shows:

What were your favorites?  We would love to know.

Categories
Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival LA Music Critic Awards Reviews See it or Skip it Theatre Women in Entertainment

HFF18 day 8 – see it or skip it

Monday was a busy day, with 13 reviews to write, as well as three more shows to take in.  The reviews took a while, but I still had time to make a stop at Tom’s for a world famous pastrami sandwich before heading down to Three Clubs for our first show.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Night of the Rootbeer

VENUE:  Three Clubs

REVIEW:  Believe the hype – this is complete and utter nonsense.  If you love shows that are a complete waste of time, then this one is for you.  JJ Mayes gathers his best 20 best friends for a night of rootbeer, debauchery, posing and . . . who cares!  It was massive fun to watch these gifted actors act like complete and utter fools, and consume massive amounts of rootbeer.  At least one thing was accomplished . . . we finally know the source of Michael Shaw Fisher’s depravity – it’s the rootbeer!

RECOMMENDATION:  If you have nothing better to do, then see this show, but you have to get down on your knees with Scott Golden to get an invitation.  Two more shows on June 20 at 11:30 p.m. and June 23 at 2:30 p.m.  Don’t forget to make a donation at the door so they will let you leave.

TITLE OF SHOW:  From Toilet to Tinseltown

VENUE:  The Hobgoblin Playhouse

REVIEW:  If you are a hard-core Harry Potter fan, then this is definitely NOT the show for you.  Moaning Myrtle takes us from the bathroom at Hogwarts and embarks on a journey culminating in the comedy clubs of Hollywood.  FYI, Myrtle is a potty mouth, but she’s so damn funny.  This was the perfect follow-up to the nuttiness that is Night of the Rootbeer.  We laughed ourselves silly, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.  The Hobgoblin may be out of the way, but in this case it was definitely worth the trip (and the parking charge).

RECOMMENDATION:  This one should definitely be on your list.  For a good time, call Myrtle.  Don’t miss her final show on June 23 at 5:30 p.m.  Get your tickets here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Blind Spots

VENUE:  Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre

REVIEW:  Finally, a true play that is s well-crafted drama.  We were beginning to suspect that there was no true culture, and then we saw Blind Spots.  Thank you Colette Freedman for creating such a moving and stirring play, and for daring to do it without a single male!  Constance Dalton-Pawie has directed a masterpiece of theater, which is one of the best shows at HFF18.  Her delightful cast (Tamara Burgess, Koni McCurdy, Lindsay McGee, Michelle Pedersen and Veronica Wylie) work well as an ensemble.  The chemistry between these players is very evident, and makes the show seem like a documentary on free speech.  It was the perfect way to end a day of Fringe craziness.  We definitely see whatever this amazing team puts together next.

RECOMMENDATION:  You don’t want to miss their final show on Friday, June 22 at 7 p.m.  This one is the one that you will remember and treasure long after Fringe is over.  Get your tickets here.

If you need a break from the Fringe, come join Indie Voice Blog as we celebrate the LA Music Critic Awards with a winner’s showcase at The Mint on Pico Boulevard.  Doors open at 6 and there will be live music and awards all night, featuring the music of Lexie Rose, Pam Taylor, Alexis Keegan, Pi Jacobs, Great Willow, The Khourys, Rusty Young of Poco, Cindy Alexander, Ted Russell Kamp of CALICO the Band, Shiragirl and ROCKET.  Tickets are only $13 at the door.  Please join us.