Tag: Tattered Capes

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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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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.