Tag: previews

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 preview day 4 (part 1) – see it or skip it

Saturday was a blast but Sunday was even more so.  Check out part 1 of our reviews of Sunday’s shows.  We’ve now seen 19 shows at HFF19, plus done our own preview last Friday.  Fringe On!

TITLE OF SHOW:  Hollywoodn’t

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  Last year I missed seeing this show in its original form, but so glad I could make it to this reformatted and completely amazing new version.  Lisa Verlo was part of the audience at my preview, and I was glad to return the favor, as she has delivered a stunning performance of her #MeToo experience.  You will be stunned at the revelations in this show, and laugh along with Verlo’s characterizations of her experiences within the Hollywood scene.  You will also be amazed and thrilled by her musical talents, both songwriting and performing.  Needless to say, this is an early favorite for our very own Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence.  It is also another contestant for the best solo show at Fringe this year.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this one – it could easily change your life.  Remaining performances are June 16 at 6 p.m., June 22 at 8 p.m.  and June 26 at 8 p.m.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Fertile

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  So many of us have always taken having children for granted.  Thanks to the comic genius of Heather Dowling, we will never think of that topic in the same way we have before.  Dowling delivered a gem in her last Fringe show back in 2015, the only year we did not attend, so we were determined to catch her latest show, and we’re so glad we did.  She walked us through all the nuances of the assisted fertility industry, keeping this serious subject light-hearted and full of memorable moments.  We won’t tell you the result of her journey – you’ll just have to come see it to find that out.  We will tell you that your time will not be wasted and your life may be permanently enriched by the experience.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this one!  Remaining performances are June 14 at 8 p.m. and June 29 at 6 p.m.  The show is currently sold out, but tickets may be available on her Fringe project page or at the door.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Crabbe and Goyle are Dead

VENUE:  Studio/Stage

REVIEW:  When you decide to create a new chapter in an iconic story like Harry Potter, you had better deliver.  Unfortunately for Crabbe & Goyle, it does not, although not for lack of trying.  The show suffered from a lack of direction that hurt the herculean efforts of the cast to deliver a first-rate show.  The show started off strongly but somewhere around the middle of the show it fell off the tracks and was unable to get back on.  The audience wanted so badly to like this show, but even for those of us who have read all the books and seen all the movies, this one had us lost in the Forbidden Forest.  We applaud the efforts of Graydon Schlicter as Goyle, Michael Lutheran as Crabbe and Kiki Anderson as house elf Tinsy, but they were unable to save this one.  Hopefully they will find their way before the end of their run.

RECOMMENDATION:  Wait until closing weekend for this one – hopefully it will be better by then.  Remaining performances are June 19 at 8:30 p.m., June 29 at 10 p.m. and June 30 at 3:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 preview day 3 (part 2) – see it or skip it

We continue with part 2 of our reviews of the previews we saw on Saturday.  You can find part 1 here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Leaving Prince Charming

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  One of the reasons I have always loved solo shows is the depth of honesty and relatability.  Leaving Prince Charming is further proof of that fact.  Lara Repko delivers a masterpiece of solo theater with another in a long line of unfortunate stories about domestic violence.  Unlike so many others, she is not bitter about it, although her emotions came through loud and clear.  She tells the story in a humorous way that kept the audience at ease while she hit us with one startling revelation after another.  Her courage was evident and I left the show feeling empowered, as I have had a similar experience.  Thank you once again to Jessica Lynn Johnson for helping Repko tell her story.  This is one of the best solo shows at Fringe this year.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this one – it could easily change your life.  Remaining performances are June 16 at 6 p.m. and June 29 at noon.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  To Richard!

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  Death is not normally a funny topic, but the brilliance of the script and the shear power of the performances by writer/ director Jessica Durdock Moreno and Nicky Romaniello turn this somber subject into a hilarious romp.  A chance meeting between a grieving widow and a former candidate for priesthood creates a roller-coaster of emotions, and leads to healing for both of the protagonists.  We don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that this one will have you laughing and crying at the same time.  This is the first self-directed show I have ever truthfully been able to recommend.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this one – it could easily change your life.  Remaining performances are June 13 at 8 p.m., June 15 at noon, June 19 at 6 p.m., June 21 at 8 p.m.  and June 29 at 4 p.m.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Tattered Capes

VENUE:  Studio/Stage

REVIEW:  Theatre Unleashed has earned its reputation for consistently delivering Fringe hits, and this show does not deviate from that pattern.  It was one of our Most Anticipated shows of HFF19.  Written by the uber-talented Greg Crafts and directed by the equally brilliant Corey Lynn Howe, Tattered Capes delivers where only DC and Marvel have delivered before.  The star-studded cast includes Travis Joe Dixon and Joanna Mercedes as Kevin and Stephanie Connelly, a couple with major secrets who are trying to celebrate their fifth anniversary.  Major props to the “5” – Tanner Risner as Maximus, Ann Hurd as Lady Voodoo, Courtney King as The Owl and Chris Clabaugh as Jonathan Strong – the best superheros since the Justice League.  This was a truly different type of Fringe show for TU, and proved that there is nothing they cannot do.  Hats off also to the “Shadows” for their amazing assistance and support to this show.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t drag your feet getting tickets for this one – it’s almost sold out for the entire run.  Remaining performances are June 16 at 7 p.m., June 21 at 10 p.m., June 24 at 7:30 p.m. and June 29 at 1 p.m.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

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Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 preview day 1 – see it or skip it

Last night was the first official day of previews for HFF19, and it started off with a bang.  It was so great seeing all three shows, and running into fringeships that included Michal Shaw Fisher, Alli Miller, Sara Haworth, Schoen Hodges, Rasika Mathur, Eric Blair, Thea Rivera, Tracey Paleo aka Giaonthemove, Monika Spirit Hawk and Amber Bruegel, among others.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Duchess & the Stripper

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  Based solely on this show, we have no doubt that HFF19 is going to be a fabulous festival and the perfect example of ten years of Fringe shows.  The premise of the show is that Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor had a late-night meeting with burlesque queen Blaze Starr at Starr’s club in Baltimore, Maryland in 1961.   The show is brilliantly written by David Bosley and directed by Fringe veteran and mentor (as well as a truly talented actor in his own right) Ezra Buzzington.  The cast was likewise perfectly set with AEA actress Blaire Chandler in the role of Wallis Simpson, Cherry Poppins queen Alli Miller as Blaze Starr and Krista Conti as Starr’s sister and assistant June Fleming.  The entire show was breathtaking, and kept us on the edge of our seat from start to finish.  It was the first time we have seen Miller in a straight drama, and she killed it, with nothing less than stellar performances by Chandler and Conti as well.  This one is definitely one of the best Fringe shows we have ever seen.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  Remaining performances are June 9 at 1 p.m., June 15 at 5:30 p.m., June 21 at 10 p.m. and June 22 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Guilt

VENUE:  Second Stage (Cyanide Theatre)

REVIEW:  This show was composed of two short plays with a common theme.  First up was The Holy Name of Apostasy, written by Ryan Lisman and Benjamin Schwartz and directed by Lisman.  It was a two-hander that featured Varda Appleton as Mother Dawn and Brandon Courture as her student Dylan.  The story turned the #MeToo discussion on its ear with a bold interpretation of church abuse.  The second show was Man vs. Armadillo, written and directed by Schwartz.  It was likewise a two hander about the relationship between an adult son and his aging father.  But what set this one apart from so many other Fringe shows was the intriguing percussion that provided the soundtrack during the show and transitions.  It truly set the mood for the show, and added to the story in many ways.  Both halves were equally compelling, although we did think the second half was a little wordy.  Nevertheless, it was definitely worth the time.

RECOMMENDATION:  This show is worthy of your attention, just leave your religious prejudices at the door.  Remaining shows are June 14 at 8 p.m., June 16 at 2 p.m. and June 23 at 6 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Blackboxing

VENUE:  The Complex Hollywood (Dorie Theatre)

REVIEW:  Long-time Fringe veteran Matt Richey has mounted his best show ever, a show that would sweep the Tonys if it was on Broadway.  It told the story that every stage manager has probably experienced at one time or another, and allowed said Stage Manager to say and do things they’ve always dreamed of doing.  Jim Niedzialkowski is brilliant as the stage manager, while Richey aptly represented the selfish actor that thinks he’s ready for his one-man show.  I haven’t laughed that hard at a Fringe show in years, and it was the perfect culmination of a great day of Fringe previews.  If ever there was a sure-fire hit at Fringe, then this show is it.  The original music also added depth to the show, and provided some of the best highlights of the evening.

RECOMMENDATION:  This show is a can’t miss, and you simply must make it a priority for your Fringe schedule.  Remaining performances are June 14 at 8:30 p.m., June 16 at 2:30 p.m., June 22 at 4 p.m., June 27 at 10:30 p.m. and June 29 at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.