Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Cody Rivers Show: Stick to Glue (Rarig- Thrust: August 7, 2008 @ 10:00pm)

This sketch comedy takes the fluid definition of theater expands it even more than can physically be expanded and explodes onto the stage. These two men are geniuses of the craft. Aristotle, would be proud for the song, Brecht, would be proud of the action, Shakespeare, would be proud of their word play. These men dance, paint their faces, make the audience think and add to the living theater. The sketches aren't too long and if they started to get old, there was always some surprise waiting for the audience. The chemistry of Andrew Connor and Mike Mathieu was so tight that the tube top melds to this fat lady! And when she sang I was thoroughly satisfied. Of all the fringe shows, this was by far the best. Also if I was a big time producer, I wouldn't hesitate to put out for these guys. They even utilize the audience, but these gentlemen are so tactful and witty, it's not one of those "oh shit, here comes these actors to play with us". They are natural in acting, and amazing at character portrayal. The show is fast paced and even has a few sad moments. I felt a lump in my throat when the TV had to be returned. If you are a fan of drawing room plays you might get turned off by this. I give it a 5.5 out of 5.

Reviewed by: Cody

Phi Alpha Gamma (Rarig- Xperimental, August 7, 2008 @ 8:30 pm)

Dan Bernitt's solo piece on the fraternity who deals with a gay brother and has had a brother imprisoned for five years for assaulting a gay man is realistic. He portrays four straight brothers: Jacob; the big bro to Lewis (the gay bro); David, the spiritual brother; Patrick, the fraternity president; and Aaron, the imprisoned brother. The piece is very moving. I was very ready to destroy the piece for it's tragic tone if he hadn't given the final voice to Jacob, the only man who was sympathetic to the gay brother who is "outted" (figuratively and literally) from the fraternity. The work lingers a bit too long on bible thumping, but does contain some gems of writing mostly in the voice of Aaron. Bernitt's story-telling style leaves something to be desired as each character's movements weren't very defined and he spent most of his time reading from the page instead of engaging an audience as the character. But the story held my attention and I give this piece 3 stars out of 5!

Reviewed by: Cody

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Mortem Capiendum (Rarig- Thrust: August 7, 2008 @ 7:00 pm)

This vaudevillian style romp has a tight premise, but I believe that the premise does not squeeze the show through the keyhole for a full hour's worth of entertainment. The characters, however, are tightly crafted and the actors have much chemistry. Spring crafts his huckster Professor Saint Miracle with bright choreography reminiscent of today's TV evangelism. All the characters have a transformation of fortune and a nice story arc, but the one liners got old after awhile and the story (and some of Miracle's later bits of longer -extended dialogue) dragged three quarters of the way through. I give this piece 3.5 out of 5.

Reviewed by: Cody

The Bronze Bitch Flies At Noon & Dog Tag (Rarig-Arena: August 7, 2008 @ 5:30pm)

These two short plays (while they have interesting premises) by Matthew Everett and Anne Bertram both were incredibly predictable. The actors did what they could with the script and Leaf's staging, but neither of these works produced very interesting stage pictures.

Bronze Bitch- (Everett) The stakes of this piece felt like watching a highly sexualized high school debate which had not much subtext. I felt that the arc of this piece went no where. At times the show peaked during the intense sexual chemistry of the two actors, but the script left them no room to breathe. The metaphors were blatant -the chem lab easily translates into a metaphor about the experimentation of the two young men, yet one of the characters has to tell us this. Don't underestimate the intelligence of your audience.

Dog Tag- (Bertram & Everett) The piece was a scene that also goes no where. The dog bit was interesting to watch, but all we saw was a brief glimpse into the lives of these young men. The conflict was barely there. I would call this piece more of a tableau except for the movement of the dog. Together I give the pieces a 2 out of 5.

Review by: Cody

Trying Guilt (Rarig- Xperimental: August 6, 2008 @ 10:00pm)

Frank is a joy to watch in her piece "Trying Guilt". She has the demeanor akin to comic greats like Catherine O'hara of Second City fame. Her mime and character work is also superb. This one woman show is funny and quite beautifully frightening. Jones' script about the inmate on death row shows that even killers are a fold in our cultural fabric. I found that part of the piece most fascinating. Produced by CultureMesh collective, this show seems to be a true collaborative work and a real product of it's organization. The music also worked well and the piece was very stylized. At times, the script seemed to overdo the racial blunders bit as this seemed to be almost a third of the show. Only towards the end of the piece did I catch on that all the characters were in one play and that this was not a series of vignettes; however, the shoes did help me keep things in line. I enjoyed this piece very much and give it a four out of five.
I like that the title is called "Trying Guilt". I found the multiplicity of meaning in "trying" as in testing something out for the first time and also "trying" as difficult and also "trying" as in a jury trial.

Reviewed by: Cody

American Sexy (Rarig- Arena: August 6, 2008 @ 8:30pm)

This play deals with four college aged characters on their trip to Vegas. The one act takes place in the midst of the Grand Canyon where some shocking revelations take place. Baldwin's dialogue felt forced in some places, but I was not sure if it was the actor's or the playwright's fault. The play was racy, hyper-sexualized, yet did build nicely into the climax. I felt that the character of Andy being an "unknown" could have fit in more naturally somehow. Some of the textual images were great and some were lost on me, but over all they were still thought provoking. I give these actors mad props for being part of the New Theater Group and "baring their souls" in helping to create this work. I was engaged the whole time. Balcom's staging worked well in the arena. Four out of Five.

Review by: Cody

Shakespeare's Land of the Dead (Rarig- Thrust: August 6, 2008@ 7:00 pm)

Heimbuch's script and portrayal of the bard are quite good. The play follows -for the most part- a pretty historically accurate account of Shakespeare's life at the Globe. The writing wittily is a mixture of older English, Shakespearean text, and Heimbuch's words. At first those words spoken on the thrust stage were a bit hard for me to comprehend. I am not sure if it was the size of the space, my unaccostumed ear, or poor diction, but regardless, I acclimated my ears eventually and enjoyed this zombie romp. At first I was disappointed in the ending, but realized that this is after all a zombie story and welcomed all the surprizes. Anderson's Kemp also was a treat. Rummenie's staging was never distracting and I felt worked quite well on the thrust stage. Four out of Five.

Review by: Cody

Boom! (Rarig- Arena: August 6, 2008 @ 5:30pm)

Andrew Connor's BOOM! is an excellent one man show. I never knew it was physically possible to create an entire play using one man. Connor proves this without a doubt. He plays children, the elderly, a radio DJ, and women. The play is political, topical, and about the quest for truth and ultimately staying true to oneself. His simplistic costuming (a hodge podge of costume pieces to symbolize everyone he plays) and broad, yet detailed characterization focuses one's imagination onto this incredibly detailed, yet easy to understand story. Although slightly confused in the beginning I was riveted on Louis', the bombmaker's trials, and the pacing was perfect. The comedy is not overdone and this is a must stop on anybody's fringe travels!
I'm seeing The Cody Rivers Show tonight and I can only wait in anticipation of Connor's other antics! Five out of Five.

Review by: Cody

Boys Don't Make Passes At Girls Who Wear Glasses (Rarig- Arena: Aug. 5, 2008 - 10:00 pm)

As far as spoken word goes, this piece was superb. The personal stories of Laura Bidgood and Curt Lund were original in the way they were told and definetely connected to much of the audience. Curt and Laura are great storytellers in the way they meld their words to achieve certain -mostly comedic with a touch of "awwww"- reactions. If you are looking for a play, do not see this piece. This is story-telling at it's finest, and along with listening, an audience member must have patience since movement is very minimal. I give it a 4 out of 5 as I feel the piece maybe could have been tightened up a bit although was nearly there.

Reviewed by: Cody

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Boys Dont Make Passes at Girls with Glasses

Boys Dont Make Passes at Girls with Glasses
Seen at the Rarig Center for Youth Pasors in the Arena at 10pm on August 5th. This show was a rather let down. I guess i had higher hopes for what i thought that the fringe would crank out. I dont mean to demean but i think that reading from scrips is something that we all leave behind in 4th grade. I was disapointed at the lack of anything within this show and wondered how it was that they were in the fringe show. Memorize the show for god sakes. I mean how old are we now? The story's were interesting and some were captivating but it really hung me that there wasnt any effort within this show. i found myslef checking my watch till the end. i gave it a .5 for lack of effort.

BOOM

BOOM:
Seen at the Rarig Center for X Convicts Arena at 830pm on August 5th. This show is a MUST SEE show! Andrew Cooper is an amazing actor. From his first show that i saw, the Cody Rivers Show i knew that he was tallented but this show was a one man wonder. The show was about bombs, everyones favorite thing! it combined some 10 characters into one person who was interchanging as we journeyed through the story. It was interesting and witty. This show is a must see for talent alone, it is a great feat to have a one man show and to pull the audience through the whole hour without loosing them. I give it an 10! MUST SEE SHOW

Monday, August 4, 2008

Systems

Systems:
Seen at the Rarig Cancer Center X at 530pm on August 4th. This show is about breaking the fourth wall. Make that something that is your destination and you shall succeed. Two women trapped in a silver box. Trying to break out of the norm and understand what purpose really is. it was a slight long and confusing but worth seeing within all of that. The performance was joyous and exciting to watch. i give it a 7.5.

Mortem Capiendum

Mortem Capiendum:
Seen at the Rarig Center for retards Thrust on August 3rd at 10pm. Another show that doesnt tell exactly what the show is about, leaves you to just trust your gut that the click of nick ryan wantabees is going to make something great. And these boys did pull off something great. The show is a running side show from old times. the kind that trys to sell you all sorts of elixers and junk that will help your ills. But something goes wrong. something always goes wrong. it is wonderfully hillarious and a MUST SEE show! I also gave it a 10 for putting me into a good mood and making me laugh, these boys worked hard. Must see this show!

The Cody Rivers Show

The Cody Rivers Show:
Seen at the Rarig Center Thrust on August 3rd. This show was also seen on accident or rather just a filler; it turned out to be a MUST SEE show! The Cody Rivers Show cant really be described, but it is one of the funniest shows that i think one could ever see. The house was packed. These two men are from washington state (which is the best state in the world) and the two of them do this act which is a long running show of just one liners and funny things that they do. Again it isnt really something that someone can describle but something that is a must see. The show is funny and innovative. i loved it. i give it a 10. wonderful show!

Trying Guilt

Trying Guilt:
Seen at the Rarig Center for morons in the X on August 3rd. This show was not the one that i wanted to see. However i think there are some shows that got flip-flopped within the madness and never mentioned. Alas my planner for fringe feast can be changed. So i saw this show without really knowing what it was going to be. The show was a myrid of shoes and the people that inhabit them and their link to eachother in a way. It was creatively done but too much in your face for me. It went on a little long without much explanation of understanding some concepts. i give it a 5.

Shakespears Land of the Dead

Shakespears Land of the Dead:
Seen at the Rarig Center Thurst stage on August 3rd at 530pm. Though the line was out the door to both buy tickets and to get into the show, showgoeers didnt let that stop them from seeing the show. This show honestly was not what i thought it was going to be about, which i guess gives me a play to create from this. The show about zombies...no wonder everyone was lined up at the door waiting to come to see this...another zombie movie. great; all that we need. And another writter who insists on playing the lead role in the show. The show wasnt terrible though there was a gaint lag to it in the center of all the madness. I thought that it tended to be too drawn out at the time. Not due to the lack of excitement but the drone of well shakespear. i gave the show a 7 entertaining yes but not enough.

Adjective

Adjective:
Seen at the Playwrights Center at 10pm on August the 2nd. This show was creative, intriguing and boardering some line of uncomfortable memories for me. Though it was hard to stumble though bad acting. Learn the lines, let them be natural and flow. It was a good try, i think that the show is worth another go. The lead "girl" was creative and very interesting to watch within her journey of high school. I do think that a different snippet for the catch would be better to draw this within. The show was interesting and i liked it. I give it a 7.5.

You're No Fun

You're No Fun:
Seen at Rarig Center/Thrust at 830pm on Saturday August 2nd. This show is about a girl who fell out of love and wrote about her pain. Threw her pain into a creative work which in the end crumbles upon its sweet little lips. Though the show was a success in itself with its creative banter and its play within a play theme. I still have a problem with writters staring in the shows that they write. Of course it is easy to see yourself in the role especially if it was a non-fiction of your own pity, however isnt a bit presumptous to star in a show that you wrote? Though there was much laughter and a creative theme throughout, i wonder if the play might be a little more humbled within someone elses tounge. I gave it a 6.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Snip Snap Snute

Snip Snap Snute:
Seen at The Rarig Center Precenuim at 4pm on August 2nd. We are all kids at heart so isnt it good to see a kids show? This show is a heartwarming show about trolls and humans learnging to get along. The show was mostly sung with intervals of different characters on stage. The show was a funny sparce on the old story we all know about billy goats gruff. There were many children at the show with a lot of good singing to boot. This show is good to take little ones too! I gave it a 6.

Cowboy Dragqueen

Cowboy Dragqueen
Was seen at 230pm on August 2nd at the Rarig Center Arena. This show was opened with the solo character speaking directly to the audience about how this show was wrote. I thought this was good because it might have been confusing if not. Though i found out that there were parts of the performance that were rather confusing. The solo character seems to be caught in a rodeo land. Though at the end it is something that he likes we learn. it is hard to understand that when he is fighting to get out of that place and go home. The end the solo character learns that he/she needs to follow his/her heart and that is what life and love is all about. I thought it had a good message and really meant well. it needed a little pickup to understanding though. i gave the show a 6.

The Chasm:

The Chasm
Was seen at the Ritz Theater at 10pm on August 1st. This show was a cut above the other shows. This show was rather serious and struck a chord higher than the other sillyness we have seen. The show was covered with movement, white and scarves. The show was nice though with subtitles that were unreadable from where we were sitting it was hard to judge a show that was unable to understand due to lack of knowing. There were underlining themes that one could guess what the show was about but it was hard to decipher what exactly was going on. There was much tallent and the show was sombering. i give it a 5 for a lack of a better word.

Whatten Wherenow a tribute to Pinkerton

Whatten Wherenow
Was seen on August 1st at The Lab Theater. This show was funny and silly at the same time. The show is about a college guy who stumbles upon almost an alice in wonderland bar. The characters were memerable; some more than others. The show was linked with songs from Weezers Pinkerton album. Funny and sometimes not rather fitting to the show, the songs wonven thoughout. The acting sometimes seemed rather too rehersed than incidental. All in all the show was a laugh, a great show, a must see. Mullets and tight jeans this show made me laugh and was interesting to be at. I give it an 8.5 for its effort and its humor.

Friday, August 1, 2008

SHIFT

SHIFT
Seen July 31st at 10pm at the Bryant Lake Bowl. The show was written by Nick Ryan. My first thought is KILL YOURSELF NOW. NUKE THE PLANET. Although i am going into the Masters Program the show was still a let down. More political vomit. Another show about the "MAN". The show was a solo. The actor did a great job with the roles that he was given. I did like the tri aspect of the show, however it was a little over the top at times. Yes, theater in your face and yes, everyone loves you because they know your name, but i dont think it was a show that people were expecting to come from this writer. I give it a 2.5. Although i love dark. I thought it was a rather dark piece which left one feeling like there is no hope in this world. OR that the "system" is after you. Really it isnt the system you should be mad about it is the people. the people who sit at home and drink beer and watch nascar who dont care about your education. it is your parents and it will one day be you. there really isnt any cure for that kind of disease, its called redneck-ism, and there is no getting beyond the "wolves" if you will. this is the society that weve made. and if you dont like it. KILL YOURSELF NOW BECAUSE IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER!
(but you dont have to take my word for it)

Audish

Audish
I saw Audish at the June De Lune on July 31st at 7pm. First officical fringe show that graced my eyes. The show was terrible. Yes it did have some funny parts but as a whole the show was not that great. Though it was all "teen bopper sort of shit" it was a new show to hit the stage. You must see the good with the bad. It was a show about a couple of people who were in an audition. Being in the audition and interacting with the people before the audition. In the end it is a specticle of menace. Though it doesnt make sense why they all became chaotic in the end that is how the show ended. With a bang of water. There were too many loose connections and bordering a musical which non made sense. It was a terrible show, but funny if you are 14 years old. I give the show a 1. The acting was terrible but some of the lines were really hard to act with.