What a Cincinnati Fringe Festival this has been! Ends on Saturday – if you’re going, get moving! Still 3 days worth of great/off the wall/edgy theater to see!
The theme this year is clearly death – not that anyone picked productions that way. It’s just obviously what’s filling artists’ psyches right now. I’ll do a separate blog on that. Not Morbid – really terrific theater exploring what death feels like from all sides. Much of it is very funny, and all the takes are unique.
My list and mini-reviews so far – in order of seeing:
The Edge – almost my Pick of The Fringe. Mother / daughter, great set, innovative techniques, powerful story. Sad and great.
It Might Be Okay – terrific ensemble, putting out what’s on their minds in innovative attention-getting ways, death is part of the hour – but the final point of view is that we’re gonna make it. This one is my Pick.
Empire of Feathers – wonderful, quirky, creative, great mix of actors, over-the-top props and staging, great story, until the last few minutes. I want them to win through (I always do) – and that doesn’t happen. The ending is confusing. But I’m sure they’re rearranging and clicking every day – maybe it’ll be back next year.
Four Wishes – great puppetry, great actor/creator, wonderful Native American story well told, staging is good. Technical glitches, well-handled. I loved this one.
Brother Bailey’s etc, etc, etc – still not sure how I feel about this one. A great try at saying some very important things. Acting. staging, props – all of it great most of the time. To me, it presents the world we are / I am trying to move away from. But it’s still here – and colliding with itself.
Tonite – Gravesongs. Sounds fabulous. And Saturday, I’m seeing Guns and Chickens. Who can resist that title?
Go Fringe!