Fancy Footwork

by Ben Ellentuck

Two Irish boxers. (Not dogs.) One (stylized) fight. Blood, sweat and tears. (But mostly sweat. Also, no tears.) A fiancée, Marguerite, rooting for Joe, the young underdog, and a deceitful manager, Larry the Lid, rooting for the champ “Tornado” Tom. In the middle, your host, the referee and trainer. Thus goes the basic setup of Fancy Footwork, by Irish author, playwright and screenwriter Miriam Gallagher, now rounding out its run in the Fringe Festival.

The play is short—40 minutes short—but just long enough for one to get thoroughly fed up with the ridiculous Irish accents, ranging from entertainingly-bad to just-plain-bad. It’s hard, even with an open mind, to imagine why the play (which was first performed in 1983 at the Dublin Theatre Festival), is being done at FringeNYC more than 25 years after its world premiere. And with a non-Irish cast. Putting on accents.

The answer may lie in the ceremonial allure of the piece. The fighters’ chant, “King of the Ring! King of the Ring!” attains a ritual, almost cultish status by the end of the play. The chalk used to mark the boundaries of the boxing ring is an instrument of some sacred rite. We are unfortunately unable to immerse ourselves in the mystery of this rite as we are whisked away by the melodrama of Joe and Marguerite’s relationship, as well as that of “Tornado” Tom and Larry the Lid, but the mystery remains—as does the allure. There are some interesting and potentially very rewarding directions to dive into here. This production, however, does little more than dip its toes in the water.

While I wouldn’t describe the experience of seeing Fancy Footwork as particularly fun or enjoyable, it isn’t particularly terrible, either. After all, some of that allure of mystery does manage to eke its way out into the audience. It certainly isn’t a torturous experience—provided you can stand sweat. A lot of sweat.

http://www.dreamdayfilms.com/fancyfootwork/

Alchemist of Light

by Grace Lisandrelli

Alchemist of Light follows the true story of cinematic special effects pioneer Georges Méliès, and his wife, Jehanne, and their struggles in 1914 France at the onset of World War I. When Méliès faces eviction from his cinema due to low attendance, he makes plans to produce his fantastical moving pictures in America. While departing the theater one day to meet an American movie mogul, Méliès receives two unwelcome guests: Leon, a cynical pickpocket with a tortured soul, and his reluctant accomplice, Otto, a German exchange student forced to hide his identity amidst the anti-German tumult. Fortunately, four additional people, each from a very different walk of life, wander simultaneously into the theater.

What follows is an onstage depiction of the conflict between reality and fantasy. As Méliès attempts to convince his audience of his onscreen magic, he contemplates whether providing an escape from the harsh realities of life benefits society or simply gives people false hope. Ultimately, the play poses a question for its viewers: in times of universal suffering, is it best to remain grounded in reality, or can fantasy serve as a crucial means to transcend suffering?

The use of Méliès’s actual cinematographic works and the vaudevillian background music in this production transport the viewer to the very beginnings of the film industry. The character development is exceptional. Tom Lock in particular gives a spellbinding performance as Leon the pickpocket. His carnal emotionality leaves one on their edge of their seat waiting for his next movement.

Alchemist of Light will appeal to theatergoers of all ages, as it has a little something for everyone: comedy, passion, drama, enchanting technological and musical features, and even a mermaid! I highly recommend it!

http://proseandcontent.com/

Muffin Man

by Melissa Miranda

Muffin Man is an amazing musical about Lyla, a barista at The Perky Coffee Bean, who falls in love with Justin, a muffin man and old family friend. Lyla is scared to tell Justin how she feels, but is helped by Sadie, the owner of The Perky Coffee Bean, to be true to her feelings. Lyla's life is topsy-turvy, but with the help of her true friends, she realizes the importance of speaking from the heart.


Teenagers should see this play because it will make you wonder, “Is this how I would act in the same situation?” The performers' voices were so good that they gave me goosebumps. The audience was laughing the entire time at the non-stop jokes. If you like to laugh and hear great music, then this is the show for you.

Muffin Man was the first Fringe show that I have ever seen, and I have to say, II absolutely loved it. Muffin Man is a must-see Fringe show. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

http://muffinmanthemusical.blogspot.com/

The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism In About An Hour

By Sarah Schlesinger

The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism In About An Hour is an incredibly funny and thought-provoking show. Written and performed by W. Kamau Bell, this one-person show was a dynamic combination of stand-up comedy, technological innovation, brute honesty and audience interaction.


Since Obama's inauguration as President, some people have been saying that we live in a "post-racial" era. Kamau is quick to point out that this means absolutely nothing; post-racial is not a real word (he checked the dictionary), and racism is still rampant in America. Bringing in personal stories, popular culture, and politics (with a lot of laughs) Kamau's point is proven beyond the shadow of a doubt. Not only does Kamau talk about racism towards African Americans, but also towards every other minority group; everyone who's "different". He touches on sexual orientation, religion, and discrimination of every sort and explores how all of this effects us as a people and as a nation. He uses well-timed slides to emphasize his points, which is a great affect.

I most definitely recommend this show. It's something that every person should see, regardless of race, because we are not in a post-racial country by far. There is no better way to see the truth than to see it through humor, and this show has more than ample amounts of both. Your cheeks will be sore from laughing, guaranteed.

http://www.wkamaubell.com/

The Unlikely Adventure of Race McCloud, Private Eye

by Christa Tandana

The McClouds are an infamous family of top notch secret agents in the Perfect Academy…except for Race McCloud. Race lives a very average life in his very average office/apartment as a detective. After a slump in cases, he was recently hired by an anonymous client to capture the Green Suit Jacket Man. When he is left to babysit his above average teenage niece, Cookie McCloud, his life begins to get a little more…interesting. When the McCloud family goes missing, Race and Cookie set forth on an adventure that starts out with Green Suit Jacket Man and winds up digging up a few family secrets.

The second act caught my attention more than the first. Up until this point, the narrator had been used to provide both smooth transitions into the scenes and comic relief. However, here he added much more depth to the meaning of the show by breaking the wall between him and Race McCloud. He left the audience thinking about how we are all the narrator of our own life, and it is up to us to make it as interesting as we want.

The style of the play was like a comedic comic book…on stage. You usually see more of this in film or cartoons, but it was really interesting to see it performed by live actors. Many of the actors portrayed multiple characters very well. I was not too impressed with Fiona Kearns’s acting skills as Cookie McCloud, but she did okay for such a young actress.

This unconventional adventure story is filled with crazy characters, a fun plot, and often cheesy, but funny jokes. If you’re in the mood for something different, comical and enjoyable, The Unlikely Adventure of Race McCloud, Private Eye is sure to please.

http://www.racemccloud.com/

Penumbra

by Monikha Reyes

The lights dims as the audience hears the voice of a little girl announcing the show and smiles echo through the crowd. A telephone rings and is answered by a woman who tells her son to take it, and that it is his father. Anthony Fascious Martinez runs onstage, acting like a child, excited to finally speak to his father. And as he rushes through the details of his day at school, the line is cut. And so begins Penumbra.

A one-man Hip Hop musical, Fascious takes you through his childhood. Raised by his mother alone in the Bronx, he deals with death and pain. Through his music and acting, he translates to the audience the ache and the hurt he feels for his grandfather, for his father, and for everyone and everything else he has lost.

Through rap, though hardly ever rhyming, the beats that resonate from the speakers fill the theatre. The songs blend with his words perfectly and the lighting and sound effects only add to the atmosphere. I felt drawn into the story, sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for the next word.

I recommend this show to anyone who would like to see something new and different. I guarantee that this show is unlike anything that is out there and that you will be able to relate to at least one part. There is swearing and some sexual behavior, but rather than hinder the show, it only strengthens the performance.

Amusing, powerful, and definitely memorable, if you’re looking for something refreshingly original, come see Penumbra.

http://www.fascious.com/

Mars: Population 1

by Sarah Schlesinger

Mars: Population 1 is for the most part a one-person show, not counting an additional actor appearing near the end. James Allerdyce wrote and directed the show, as well as playing Captain Thomas Galloway, the astronaut who is assigned the mission to walk on Mars.

Upon trying to enter Mars's atmosphere, Thomas Galloway hits a storm that forces him to crash-land onto Mars, which disables any source of communication. Miles from the original landing site and unable to fix the ship or call a rescue, Galloway slowly comes to believe that he will not live through his mission.

The show begins comically, with Galloway saying that before his mission, he went into the ladies' bathroom to "boldly go where no man has gone before!" The performance turns serious very quickly. Galloway begins to hallucinate, as he desperately tries to cope with his fear of death and lack of oxygen. Galloway is a very easy character to relate to. He dreams of something more, yet his sheer humanity in the face of death is bittersweet. You do not want to see this character die. You want him to live and his mission to succeed, not just because you grow to like him, but also because of what he represents: our eventual journey to Mars. The sound and lighting systems play a very important part in the play, as Allerdyce's only solid prop is a chair; all other props are pantomimed. Regardless, you get a very firm impression that Galloway really is in a space ship.

However, despite all it has to offer, I do not recommend this play. The ending shifts the entire reality of the play in a rather jolting way. It is disjointed from the plot and breaks the entire mood of the performance. I would say to leave five minutes before the ending, because in this case, the journey is far better than the destination.

www.JamesAllerdyce.com

Baby Wants Candy Improvised Musical with Full Band

by Sabrina Khan

Baby Wants Candy The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical is sure to be on everyone’s list of Fringe favorites. A totally different show every time you see it, the cast performs an entirely improvised 60 minute musical based on any title that the audience shouts out.

Immediately I questioned, "Wherever could they go with something like 'A Scotsman in Thailand'?" But the response was just as immediate. The band played an oriental theme and the actors assumed floral positions and spot-on (what they jokingly called) choreography. From then on, there was non-stop laughter (and tears from too much laughter) at the dramatic comedy that ensued.

The six-person ensemble, made up of three women and three men, often played multiple roles and opposite genders yet never once confused the audience. This just made the show even more hilarious. There was never a dull moment as these talented performers sang ridiculous yet catchy songs right off the top of their heads. The band, directed by acclaimed musician and pianist in this production, Jody Shelton, was just as incredible, composing a perfect yet never before heard or rehearsed soundtrack along with the actors' inventions.

Recommended to theatre lovers and mature audiences, Baby Wants Candy The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical is a crowd pleaser that will not disappoint. Although teens will definitely enjoy it, a fair warning goes out to those not interested in vulgarity. Don't miss it!

http://babywantscandy.com/

Victoria and Frederick for President

by Amalia Queller

Seeing Victoria and Frederick for President was like taking a trip through a history textbook and focusing on Victoria Woodhull, Frederick Douglas and Ulysses S. Grant.

Through a modern talk show with host Damon Stevens V and a series of flashbacks, we learn the story of the Damon Stevens I, the first black reporter for the New York Herald. He follows the campaign of Victoria Woodhull and Frederick Douglas as they ran for President and Vice President in 1872, shortly after the Civil War. We watch as the characters make tough decisions about fighting for what is right and damning the consequences or taking the safer route and compromising.

Victoria Woodhull was a strong fighter in the suffrage movement. Not only was she a successful businesswoman, but she also had the guts to openly publish the Communist Manifesto. She was tired of the slow change that women like Susan B. Anthony advocated and storms on for a revolution by running for president at a time when women could not even vote.

Woodhull chose former slave Frederick Douglas as her Vice-Presidential nominee. Douglas took many risks and made many enemies as he campaigned for civil rights.

It is the courage and strength of Victoria and Frederick that brings to life this historic tale of a time when a woman or black president was nothing but a pipe dream. An interesting comparison to our recent presidential race, this play is one to catch.

https://www.mosonproductions.org/

M: An Adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth with Three Actors

by Grace Lisandrelli

M: An Adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with Three Actors was simple, yet effective. Macbeth tells the story of the valiant Scottish title soldier who encounters three ghoulish women with incredible prophetic abilities. These women share their predictions with Macbeth, the most astounding of which involves Macbeth becoming King of Scotland. When Macbeth writes to his beloved wife about the prophecy, she devises a malevolent plan to murder the reigning King Duncan and presses her husband until he finally concedes to do the deed. The play follows Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s psychological breakdowns as they spiral further out of control to ensure that he remains King.

This particular edited version of Macbeth, clocking in at one hour and 15 minutes, has only three actors, which stems from the concept of the three ghoulish women. I applaud these three actors first and foremost for taking on the daunting task of playing multiple characters, especially since Macbeth has an unusual number of minor characters.

One very outstanding characteristic of the set was the omnipresence of standing puppets to represent the women. They were appealing to the eye as well a clever device to help the audience distinguish the women from the other characters. Another subtle yet notable feature of the play concerned the murder scenes. When a character was slain, the murderer would pull a long piece of red ribbon from the “wound” to symbolize blood. I thought it was an artful, almost poetic touch to such an intense storyline. The sound effects and lighting, simulating nature, gave the play a very earthy vibe, adding to the raw energy surrounding the production.

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, I wholeheartedly recommend this adaptation of Macbeth. I would even call it a “portable play” – a production that could easily travel to different locations, particularly high schools. I would envision this play being well received by other high school students.

http://rjmscenicdesign.googlepages.com/mtheplay

GirlPower: Voices of a Generation

by Sarah Schlesinger

GirlPower is the third in a series of shows consisting of short scenes and monologues, combining the casts and scripts from two previous GirlPower shows, in addition to new material. GirlPower was written and performed by young women in their teens and twenties who love the theater and who want to show society that they are truly empowered. The show revolves around what it means to be female; hardships, pain, troubles, puzzles, loves, and joys are all explored.

Individual monologues are powerful, scenes are comical and the poetry rings with truth. Subjects often considered taboo – sexual assault, alcohol abuse and sexual orientation – are spoken about without shame or fear of judgment. GirlPower explores what it really means to be a woman of this generation, beneath the facade that most wear. In one scene, it is said that if one wants a "perfect woman" they should "go buy a Barbie". Flaws, it is explained, are what makes each of us unique and beautiful as humans. The actors use the entire theater to make their points, going into the audience and speaking to them directly, and even bringing audience members on stage to dance.

GirlPower is a marvelous play that anyone can relate to, regardless of gender. Everyone should see this play. Men will gain a better understanding of the female perspective and women will realize that they are not alone, and that they all have GirlPower.

Fringe Performance Information

The Taming of the Shrew

By Chris Ramirez

To tame or not to tame…that is the question.

The FringeNYC production of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare features two lovely women who live in the town of Padua with their very rich father, Senor Baptista. The older daughter, Katherine, is a mean, angry and violent girl; while the younger one, Bianca, is beautiful, sweet and gentle. When suitors come to request Bianca's hand in marriage, her father declares that before anyone can marry Bianca, Katherine must first be married. Thus…enter Petruchio, a man who tries to tame Katherine while his friend Lucentio woos young Bianca.

The set for this play was brilliant. It was quite simple with four big lawn chairs that doubled for many other things. The sound design was energetic and lively during scene changes with songs that ranged from artists like Pink to Michael Buble, garnering the attention of the audience throughout the play. The lighting was sparse yet effective, although some actors were unlit during scenes.

There were many great performances I truly enjoyed Henry Dwyer, who had great enthusiasm in his role of Petruchio and Violeta Picayo, complete with crazy moments of hitting and screaming in the guise of Katherine. Some of the other actors were hard to understand at times, particularly one who was trying to speed through his lines, creating a difficult time for the audience.

The theatre was quite hot (as always during the Fringe), but I was amazed at how the actors performed with bright lights and exotic costumes…it was a sauna for them to say the least. I am very glad I went to see this performance of The Taming of the Shrew as I am a huge fan of Shakespeare and I highly recommend this play to teenagers and families.

http://www.shrewnyc.com/

A Time to Dance

By Olympia Zipitas

A Time to Dance is a play about Elizabeth Polk, a half-Catholic half-Jewish girl living in Vienna during WWII. She tells her story of how she used dance therapy to get through the tough times in her life.

Growing up as the middle child, Elizabeth is overshadowed by her older sisters’ beauty and talent and her younger sisters’ youth. The play starts off in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, then jumps back in time to when she was first born. We see Elizabeth grow up, get married and survive WWII.

Many times the play became messy with fumbled lines and accents. It dragged on, but was occasionally revived with a corny joke or a slight bounce of excitement.

Despite these issues, the ending was heartwarming. Elizabeth returns to Vienna to visit her old babysitter, Marie. She sees for the first time that it wasn’t the perfect husband that she needed, or lots of money, but the love from someone who cared for her from the start.

http://atimetodance.homestead.com/

VOTE!

by Sabrina KhanVOTE!, a new musical, is about a student council election that makes the candidates question and define ethics in a rather quirky manner, all the while representing and paralleling the American democratic system that shook the nation in 2008. Starring Baily Hanks, of Broadway's Legally Blonde: The Musical, the production has an excellent cast and crew.

Muffin, the captain of the cheerleading squad (played by Hanks), Mark, the smartest kid in school, and Nikki, the timid do-gooder, are all running for student council president in the most intense election yet at Green Valley High School. The campaigns are built upon lies, corruption, mudslinging and allusions to politicians who behaved in a similar nature. Meanwhile, each candidate discovers what he or she really means to achieve – a true identity, not just the face on the fliers.

The actors were truly wonderful and their performances even better. The music sounds a lot like the best of Broadway, but unlike them, the plot of VOTE! lacks real substance – not much to think about. Though there are no profound statement, there are moments of political commentary that inspire a little laughter.

Just like High School Musical and Legally Blonde, VOTE! is sure to entertain teens interested in a good time.

Crossings

By Brenda Grande

Crossings is a performance based on real interviews from immigrants. The stories are about the experiences that each immigrant faced when he or she came to the United States. Every actor plays their part extremely well and makes their stories come to life. Some actors even play multiple parts.

The play begins with so much energy. The nine actors are spread out on the stage and sitting down with the audience when the lights go off. All of a sudden you hear screaming, laughing, singing and music all at the same time. The lights come up to reveal a game show where the winner gets a green card. This part of the play is hysterical and fun to watch.

After the game show, we hear the stories of the characters. You start to feel the pain, happiness, fear and ambition of the characters as they struggle to come to the United States. Each person had a different reason for coming here. Almost all of the characters did not speak English when they first came to the United States and had to face a lot of difficulties.

One of the actors who stood out to me was Mi Sun Choi. She cried, screamed and was not afraid to look weird. Her character, a Korean woman, gave up everything so that she could come to the United States.

These stories are true and are important to be heard because this country is made up of immigrants. As someone with immigrant parents, I think it is important for everyone to understand why so many people try to come to the United States.

I was very impressed with Crossings and I recommend this show to everyone. This is a must-see show!

http://www.stagesonthesound.com/

FringeTastic 2009!

Have you heard of FringeNYC?

Over 200 performance arts companies (big and small) are presenting work around the city for two weeks. Ploggers are spending every waking moment seeing and writing about these shows just so YOU know what to go see.

Keep checking back to see what we've seen - and what we recommend!

And check out these $5 tickets to 20 of the FringeNYC shows through High5!