Fringe: Day Four

Two strange and compelling pieces
Great Hymn of Thanksgiving/Conversation Storm Do you have the tv on as background while eating? Do you think John Cage talked too much? Is your favorite Beatles song "Revolution 9"? If so, you will appreciate the ambient sounds of Great Hymn of Thanksgiving, stunningly choreographed into visual theater as well as an aural melange. Conversation Storm is one conversation split into a series of ethical and moral dilemmas revolving around asking for water and the conditions under which torture is acceptable. An introspective, recursive, highly charged short play. The two add up to a compelling hour. Four and a half stars ( I had these three on Shockwave; two of them are The Prince Myshkins.)

An experiment that needs more work
Body Bazaar. The melding of body into dance isn't new, though they try some unorthodox body convulsions. Mostly, it doesn't work, at least for me. The ensemble dancing didn't gel until the second to last piece. Coin-Operated Boy was good. Two Stars.

Butterfield 8 From Outer Space
The Secret Life of Kitty Wells Campy 50s drunken actress pic collides with campy 50s sci-fi flick in this fun romp that doesn't take itself seriously. Several good laughs are generated by the cast, especially the alien. Not spectacular, but I enjoyed it. Three Stars