Fringe: Day Six

[barondave]

Yet another choreographed day, with all three Fringe shows in the same building. This works spectacularly well, and saves on parking fees. I'm now at 18 Fringe shows (with many more in preview and on as Shockwave guests) and these are the Dog Days. I'm trying not to get burnt out. I sat next to a guy who had seen 30 shows and was aiming for 50. I wished him well.

She, So Beloved, Three Stars
I get the message: It's not enough to be loved A one woman show, with gauze to wrap her in and a slide projector for exposition. The show is short (30 min) with lots of repetition and many, many pauses. Presumably, the pauses were for dramatic effect but I kept filling the silences with other Fringe shows. She makes her point early and often, then repeatedly. Emily Gunyou is the essence of Greek Tragedy even as she dissects the Orpheus legend, but there is a reason why some plays last three thousand years and she shrugs off the power of the original. I give her props for a good effort, but it didn't work for me.

Google: The Musical, Four and a half stars
Wear a pocket protector Never buy version 1.0 of anything, and this show needs some tweaks to make the plot coherent and the voices come across better. Some very good lines got swallowed up in the Thrust auditorium, which is otherwise well-suited for the show. Having said that, Google: The Musical is almost a killer app. Loads of fun, computer jokes galore, and even a plot that has something to do with Real Life (tm). Being a geek (such as myself) helps, but isn't necessary. Some user-friendly songs and some high-end singing matches a bright ensemble cast that needs to be individually mic'd. You should sample this show.

Tape, Three Stars
Not My Cup of Tea Well scripted (if you like incessant bickering) and well acted (all the actors successfully came off as complete dicks), Tape hits several of my buttons: Unpleasant people doing unpleasant things, ostensible friends ripping each other to shreds, emotional blackmail, predictable plot. There were some good lines and the subject matter deserves a sounding board, so I'm happy to have this kind of play in the Fringe. But I'm pleased that I got this particular Fringe experience out of my system.

Scheduled for tomorrow:
Foreign Exchange Vampire at 5:30 and Criteria at 7:00 in the same venue, and Phyro-Giants at 8:30 fairly close by.

Comments

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I'd been considering "She, So Beloved," but will allow myself to be steered away from it by your review. I wasn't really interested in "Tape," but am now even less interested. I don't care for "I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU" dramas. Possibly one reason I laughed so hard at the 10 minute version of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" in the "American Drama Pocket Edition" (which I heartily recommend).

Watch for us at Phyro Giants tonight; it's on the maybe list.

Absolutely do not miss: "The Wonders of the World: Recite"

[hunnythistle.livejournal.com]

I liked She, So Beloved, but thought it was a little too long. It was also a nice break (albeit full of angst) from the mostly comedy routines I had seen the rest of the day. For what it's worth (which may be very little) the women seem to like it better than the men. I think I'm a harsher critic than Dave, but I gave it 3 1/2 stars, which for me is a show worth considering. If I were you, I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but if I was at the Rarig anyway, I'd keep it on the list.

I second not missing The Wonders of the World: Recite.

I'm also planning to see Criteria tonight (Wed) and then off to Wonderland and possibly the Children of Lir.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

A little too long... at 30 min. Perhaps she could have pared down the Orpheus commentary and melded another commentary after, though that would have taken away a bit of the ending.

I've been starting with the early show (5:30) and sticking with three for the evening. It's a matter of burn out. I'm already well ahead of last year, and I don't think I went to a show on Sunday. If I'm more awake tonight than last night I'll probably see either the show following Phyro-Giants at the Acadia or zip over to the Mpls Garage and see the show before Recite. Fabulous Beginnings. Neither is very high on my list, and going to four makes sticking around for a fifth even less likely. We'll see.

Thurs is an all Mpls Garage Day, starting with Disney and ending with the Kevin Kling. Whee!

If I hit 30 this year, I will be pleasantly stunned.

[hunnythistle.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that the show I saw was longer than 30 mins, but not the whole hour (I'm thinking 40 some mins). I think she should cut out some of the singing in the swing, and rolling around on the floor, and add more of the story with Orpheus (perhaps being in love and feelings about the wedding) Maybe even experiences while in the Underworld.

Basically, there were things I really liked, but overall there was too much dwelling on a few themes. It's best recommendation, really, is as a palate cleanser for the fringe. I'm just saying that if you're at the Rarig already, and in between other shows that you want to see, that this might be a good candidate.

It's always interesting to see what criteria people have for shows. For instance, I've noticed you giving extra points for length -- from my perspective, I'd rather a shorter show that says what it has to say in a meaningful way, even if it's shorter than the allotted time, then having added filling that doesn't contribute. Also, since one of my goals is to see as many shows as I can manage -- longer doesn't help. (I'm actually grateful for like 10 extra mins to get between venues).

I give extra points for weird and different. I haven't figured out yet what dreamshark gives extra points for!

[barondave.livejournal.com]

I've noticed you giving extra points for length

If I like the show, then I'll round up in a "bang for the buck" way. I do think it's useful for reviewers to note things like length and potential best places to sit.

You're right about the "palate cleanser" and a good spot in the Rarig. Indeed, if I'd been able to, I would have made the short show the one in the middle, not first of three. This is why it's useful to know the time... I liked her overhead projector comedy explaining the Orpheus legend. She could have done more with that, maybe adding another legend to harp on her point.

[hunnythistle.livejournal.com]

Actually you're right, I haven't mentioned length in my reviews, and some shows are only 45 mins, and one was 75! (BYOV) I'll try to note that in the future. I've been mentioning parking for those that drive, tho.

[hunnythistle.livejournal.com]

Were you (or anyone else) planning on seeing Cannibal: The Musical?