I have mentioned many times before on this blog how the festivals are a great place to scout new talent for any aspiring producer as well as to see shows that are in stages of development that you may want to pick up. Each year, a number of shows ask me to come and check them out and each year I choose a few to feature on this blog, so my readers can hear about some of the hidden gems in the festival. This weekend was my first dive into the Fringe pool and here's what I found:
The Zebra shirt of lonely children- The title along is intriguing for this one, but when you sit down to watch this touching piece by the talented Matthew Trumbull, there is so much more to it than that. Trumbull uses little more than a chair, a coffee cup (very important), and a single lamp on a table to weave his tale and that's all he needs. Having seen his work in a number of other indie theatre productions I was always aware of his acting talent, but his facility with language is also extraordinary. The story is about the life and death of his father and while many would worry that this could turn into something maudlin, what instead comes out of the hour we spend with Trumbull is a great deal of comedy mixed with some very emotional moments. Many one person shows tend to drag on and on, but Trumbull's piece chooses only the most important details and keeps you laughing, thinking, and at times crying all in one sitting. It's not surprising that Trumbull's director is Matthew Freeman (also a playwright) as the attention to story and detail is evident in the direction. There is no elaborate staging or labored multiple character creation, just one man sitting there telling us a beautiful story. You can still catch it if you grab the remaining tickets HERE.
The Abduction of Becky Morris- Fans of Craig Lucas will really enjoy this wacky piece by Alison Crane who has similar writing style and imagination. The play tells the tale of a woman in Oklahoma who believes she's psychic due to her strange dreams coming true and as we go through the world of her dreams and her reality, we start to wonder the same thing. In the story, Becky dreams that a guy she barely talked to in high school is going to die and somehow turn into her unborn child and that's not even the craziest moment. The dream sequences are a mash-up of X-Files moments, and instances of Becky roaming around Target enjoying the Target fair. The show is very inventive with some really excellent performances. Crane's Morris has some delightful twists and turns and Thom Christensen's portrayal of Mark Stuart, the guy that Becky dreams of who now is in a state penitentiary, is also very entertaining and at times downright frightening. Crane is definitely a playwright to keep an eye on as she has a great ear for dialogue and a very extensive imagination. To catch Becky before the aliens get her, you can go HERE.
And there you have it. As more Fringe shows come my way, I'll be sure to let you all know what I think. Happy Fringe-in!
P.S.- The next Finding Center is coming up! Grab your tickets HERE!
Comments