American Gypsy

By Oumar Berte

Put a little bit of comedy, a large dose of magic, and lots of storytelling in a pot, mix them all together, and you have American Gypsy.

American Gypsy shows the transmission of a passion for magic from a famous magician to his apprentice. All of the characters in the play are played by one actor, Ben Whiting. The play is influenced by his own experiences of learning magic.

Ben’s goal is to share with us his love of magic, as he says in the play, “Magic is to make difficult things seem easy, and make simple thing beautiful.” I’m not personally a fan of magic, but Ben Whiting made me respect his art.

American Gypsy is a captivating play built on strong relationships surrounded by magic.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

Masks

By Desmond Sam

Masks is a powerful piece that tells the story of two juvenile dilquents and their pasts. This play is thought-provoking and hard-hitting. It shows the importance of friends and how pain can be destructive.

TG and Jason live in “the system”. TG has a lot of hatred towards his father and he uses drugs as his escape. Jason has anger management issues and is in and out of prison. They are shunned by society because of their criminal history, but never give up on their hopes and dreams – Jason wants to be a poet and TG wants to be a DJ. Throughout the play, TG and Jason transition from boyhood to manhood, and reach the crossroads of choosing between letting their anger go or allowing it to destroy them.

My favorite part of the play is how they incorporate music, playing popular songs from each year they represent. They also use comedy to lighten up moments of the play.

Masks is a brilliant show with a lot of potential and an amazing future ahead.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

BUNKED! A New Musical

By Monikha Reyes

To top off my FringeNYC experience this year, I went to see BUNKED! A New Musical. Allow me to review this show in two words: PURE FUN.

For five camp counselors at Lake Timberlake, this summer will be the last hoorah before having to face their first steps towards adulthood. Oliver, openly gay and with a fierce wit and big dreams to match, and Anabel, the “hot-mess” sister who is just aching to break out of her prim and proper shell, are the first to arrive. The two then meet Stewart, who is tired of following his parents’ wishes, Carmen, who, underneath her touch exterior and resistant behavior is struggling with herself and an all too recent misfortunate event. Last to be introduced is Max, who has nothing but warm thoughts when it comes to camp. Each character has a unique back-story, allowing the audience to truly care.

This musical has the whole package – the songs are creative and catchy, the storyline is entertaining, and the actors are outstanding. BUNKED! is a worthwhile show – you’ll be sorry if you miss it.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

Hamlettes

by Delaney Gibson

If the title Hamlettes evokes thoughts of, “Oh, wow, that sounds really cute,” you’re in for a major surprise. It is an insightful and creative modern adaptation of Hamlet, set in an all girls school. Playwright Patrick Shaw makes audience members feel a surprising closeness to Shakespeare’s Hamlet when three pre-teen girls -Alex, Chloe, and Ophelia - decide to start a drama club, and, of course, perform Hamlet! Being committed actors, the trio refuses to break character – ever – which leads them to a pre-pubescent tragedy or their own, full of the betrayal, angst and lies that is Hamlet.

The casting is perfect; the actors embody their characters completely, bringing the entire audience back to when we were twelve. Working with a simple, but brilliantly composed set, the play ignites questions of betrayal, love, loss, and blame, and will leave you thinking of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet – and your own life choices – in a brand new light!

Anyone interested in literature will enjoy this production. With the production’s outstanding direction, strong, and capturing script, and remarkably flexible actors, Hamlettes is a great show bordering on amazing.

[Photo Credit: Brian Hashimoto]

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

The Nightmare Story

By Oumar Berte

The Nightmare Story is a play performed by college students who come from Pittsburgh to New York for the New York Fringe Festival.

The play uses magic realism to tell the story of a son who goes in search of a flower to save his mother who is suffering from nightmares. He has to find the flower because one day his mother doesn’t wake up.

The play is a mix of jokes, shadows and music. I think that the goals of the play are to show a different side of nightmares and to make people have fun – and these goals are reached.

I’ve seen a lot of plays (both high and low budget), but I’ve never had so much fun in a theatre in my entire life. The Nightmare Story is the should-see-play of this year’s Fringe Festival.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

Mobius

By Michele Tram

The play Mobius takes place the week of spring break in 1984. It tells the story of 15-year-old Montgomery, his less than perfect family, and his struggle to gather up the courage to tell his controlling mom and absentee dad that he is gay. Mobius is a dramedy (drama-comedy) that will leave you with a truly lasting impression.

What is a mobius? A mobius is a surface with only one side and one boundary component. Described by Mackenzie, the mobius strip is similar to his brother’s mind with all the twists and turns of its appearance.

RJ Barnett gives a brilliant performance as Montgomery; making me root for him to achieve the happiness and independence that he is searching for. Montgomery’s intellect separates him from almost everyone, making him an outcast. His brother is his only source of comfort, but as the play unravels further, it is important to remember everything is not what it appears to be.

Every second left me wanting more and anticipating what would happen next. When the play ended and the lights came on, the cast filed out one by one to the center of the stage in a straight line to take a bow. I was silent. I couldn’t believe that it was already over.

Although Mobius contains nudity, it is the raw emotions of the characters that is sure to resonate in your mind long after it is over.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

Playing by Air

By Desmond Sam

Playing By Air is a thrilling performance that makes you question the impossible. The four jugglers astound with their unique tricks.

Each juggler tells a story, combining juggling with music, lights, colors, magic, comedy, and even a little bit of puppetry. By fusing these elements together, they create a mystical aura in the theater. It is a small, intimate space, and the bright colors of the props and set illuminate the theatre as the music blends with the mood.

My favorite part of the show is the partnership between the music and juggling. The genres range from electronic to folk, and the performers are still able to juggle with the rhythm. The performers play the violin and oboe in very odd ways. They balance music stands and instruments on their faces. They use a Chinese yo-yo called the Diablo. This gives the show an extra flare by using something new that really impresses the crowd.

Playing by Air is a hidden jewel in the 2010 FringeNYC Festival.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

When Last We Flew

By Serra Akyuz

When Last We Flew revolves around the lives of two teenagers: Paul, who has to hide from his mother that he’s gay; and Natalie, who has to hide the confident, strong woman inside of her. These two teenagers from a small town in Kansas experience for the first time what it feels like to clip on wings and fly. Fly out through the roof and become the bird that was suppressed inside.

The play is funny, the dialogue is smart, and the story is inspiring. The actors are entertaining and their presentation of their characters’ journeys is spot-on. Although the scenery lacks props (except for a bathroom toilet and a few chairs), the cast fills the stage with something that isn’t tangible, but more valuable: the ability to engage the audience. Harrison David Roberts’ story is a small town Kansas version of Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America.

When Last We Flew challenges us to break the cage of the birds within us and evolve into something unstoppable.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

A Separate Peace

By Zoe Wolfe

A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, is considered to be one of those “great American novels.” It was written sometime in the first third of the 20^th century and usually incites a chorus of groans after the title is even mentioned. Ok, maybe it’s just me who groans at the very title, but I was surprised to see that anyone had decided to turn it into a play. And not just any play, but a solo show. As I sat down to watch, I had thoughts of boring English classes and readings swirling in my head, but as soon as the show started, they all disappeared. The star of the show, Brian Foyster, captivates the audience immediately.

With a slight southern accent, he tells the story of the summer of 1942 at an all-boys boarding school. As in the novel, Foyster takes on the role of Gene, the narrator, but he often interjects himself, becoming Phineas, Gene’s best friend or other, less important characters. Even though he is just one person and does not change clothes, it is always clear which character he is. There are times when the difference between Phineas and Gene is just a leg being extended. Foyster captures the feelings of both young men very well. He has a reckless but nervous energy about him and he isn’t afraid to dive into the characters.

As the play progresses and the close friendship between Phineas and Gene is compromised, having one actor play both characters shows the audience just how similar both of the friends are. Their friendship falls apart over petty jealousy and some misunderstandings. Phineas and Gene seem to be very different people, but their similarities are revealed. These similarities are not a flaw in Foyster’s acting or an inability to separate the two characters, but rather a deep understanding of the two friends.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

Hip Hop High - The Musical

By Kerline Batista

Drew Moore is the new kid in town who attracts chaos everywhere he goes in Hip Hop High - The Musical. Soon after moving to a new town from Philly, Drew finds himself facing trouble after he witnesses the robbery and the murder of his local bodega man. He quickly recognizes the murderers as Trench and his crew from school. Throughout the show, we see Drew face a battle within himself over whether or not he should keep his mouth shut or tell the detectives who did it. At the same time, he sets his eyes on Kassie - better known as "the next Christina Aguilera." Meanwhile, we see Drew's friend, Pyro, trying to persuade Drew into joining his dance crew.

The storyline has been done million of times and leaves plenty to be desired. The first rap battle seems a bit familiar to that one of Eminem's in 8 Mile and the whole feel of the musical is almost the same as the Step Up movies. Nevertheless, this show is able to stand on its own with a surprise twist at the end.

The great amount of talent that the actors have is completely astonishing.The young actors stand out, but so do the adults, who do a bit rapping of their own.

If you're looking to see a show that requires you to connect emotionally, then this probably isn't the right choice. However, If you're looking to have a careless fun time while watching a show, then this is most definitely the right show to see. Hip Hop High - The Musical is an hour and ten minutes of pure excitement.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

Monetizing Emma

By Michele Tram

Thump. Thump. Thump. Loud music fills the theater. Moments later, the lights are slowly dimmed and faintly in the background you can hear several voices echo throughout the theater. Monetizing Emma has begun.

Monetizing Emma is a play that takes place three years from now. It tells the story of an independent, witty, sarcastic 15 year old teenager named Emma. Emma is at that age when indecisiveness and uncertainty begins to settle in, making her question every decision that she makes. Emma, like a majority of teenagers, is worried about the costly tuition of Ivy League colleges. Her concerns are put to rest when she is recruited by Genius Trust (GT) as a result of her ability to be a “good asset.” However, things are never quite what they appear to be.

Monetizing Emma is a play teenagers can relate to because at one point or another in our lives we seek independence to make our own decisions and choices. Nitya Vidyasagar, who plays Emma, brilliantly captures the conflicting emotions that teenagers feel.

I have a confession. Before seeing this play, I researched Monetizing Emma and stumbled upon the many awards this play has received. This meant that I already had high hopes for the play before it began. Often times, with high hopes, comes great disappointment. Monetizing Emma lives up to its praises and every second of the play kept me engaged with its witty humor and sharp one-liners. This modern comedic play of Monetizing Emma is definitely not to be missed!

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

In Loco Parentis

By Monikha Reyes

Fringe NYC is like a basket of apples: Some may be sour and bitter, while others may be sweet and ripe. You never know what you’re truly going to get. Luckily, In Loco Parentis is a sweet pick.

When a teacher is forced to help a student after-school due to an uncomfortable subject brought up during class, they become closer, inciting rumors that may or may not be true. Even before the play was over, I knew it was excellent.

The lines are quirky and funny at some points, and meaningful the next. The conversation between characters are true to the play and the time - so much so that I can picture people I know saying the same thing. For example, one of my favorite characters, the teacher, Mr. Browning, is definitely a cross between the TV character House and my own English teacher. The characters have their own personality - they aren't two-dimension - and the acting is a treat to watch.

The plot is refreshing. How many plays do you know show the taboo of a teacher-student relationship circled around college, death and Hamlet? Whether you like the play or not, by the end, you will step out of the theatre with a better knowledge of Hamlet.

In Loco Parentis is a must-see, two-thumbs-up show. Every second is worth watching.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

Made in Taiwan

by Christa Tandana

The room is pitch black. You hear a strange noise, something like a rudder. It sputters, louder and louder, increasing to a climax. Gradually, the lights turn on, revealing the perpetrator - a young woman eating a bowl of noodles.

Made in Taiwan is the story of Michelle Krusiec and it’s about more than how she eats her noodles. With a hysterical Chinese mother and a tall, blonde-haired blue-eyed father, Michelle had her share of identity struggles. Her mother tried to raise her to be a good Chinese girl, but like many Asian parents, she can never be pleased. Michelle takes you through her awkward lunch moments, freedom in college, dancing in an all African-American dance company, and just being her mother’s daughter!

This character is easy to relate to, even if you’re not Chinese. Her story is filled with hilarious antics and difficult struggles with being both Chinese and American. Michelle’s relationship with her mother may seem somewhat insane to most people, but, at the heart of their relationship lies a common fear in all relationships – the fear to be alone.

Michelle Krusiec wrote and acted in this autobiographical one-person show. If you’ve never been to a one-person show before, it means that the cast has only one actor. That one actor plays a number of different characters. As you can imagine, that is really difficult to do. Michelle brilliantly executed the flow between herself to her mother to her quirky aunties and other characters without pause, guiding the audience smoothly along her life story.

You might not realize it, but it is very difficult for Asian Americans to work in theatre. It’s already enough that most Asian parents pressure their children to find a “real” job like a doctor or a lawyer. Add to that there are not many characters for Asian Americans to play and there aren’t many plays that address Asian American issues. There have been a few films that address these concerns like The Joy Luck Club and Saving Face, but certainly not enough. Some, like Michelle and David Henry Hwang, have decided to write something on their own.

The Fringe Festival is known to have some oddities, and when you pick a show, you don’t really know what is going to happen next. Made in Taiwan is sharp, witty, relevant and meaningful. It is a wonderful marriage of comedy and heartfelt struggle that I would recommend it to anyone!

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest

by Audrey Alunan

GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest is a collection of original monologues, scenes, and songs written and performed by members of the Project Girl Collective, a group of girls between the ages of 12 to 21.

GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest speaks for itself. The beginning of the play is like a simile put to life onstage - two military commanders thoroughly criticize their cadets under pressure, representing mean teenage girls. The cadets struggle under each commander's cruel words such as "fat" "weak" and "ugly." Sound familiar? We live in a world filled with obstacles such as body image, insecurity, being bullied, school, relationships, and simply feeling the urge to make change.

No, this isn’t just some unrealistic, cheesy, feminist show. Each girl in the cast shares a different story based on their personal realities, showcasing their diversity and strength. During each scene, I recognized the circumstances that these girls were undergoing. After all, I am a teenage girl, too. Their messages really sank in during one of the scenes when a girl asked: "Who are you to tell me what I'm supposed to look like?"

I left the theatre feeling inspired and uplifted. Every girl will leave with a sense of empowerment and everyone else will leave with a renewed amount of feminine respect.

*Plog Pick

Schedule and ticket information here.

My Dad's Crazier Than Your Dad: A Scientific Inquiry

By Kerline Batista

My Dad's Crazier Than Your Dad is a solo act brought to you in a unique form - it's carried out as a lecture in a college class. Katharine Heller tries to convince you of just how crazy her father is by conducting a science experiment. She recalls countless stories of her and her dad beginning from her childhood and continuing all the way through her adulthood, as she goes through the steps of the scientific method.

At the beginning of the show, I wondered why she was so driven to prove that her dad is crazy. However, after Heller began telling us how Mr.Heller and his wife wore matching Disney sweatshirts, how he faked his own death, and how at a graduation he sat in a handicapped seat just so he could get the best seat, I started to believe her. Though the show will make you laugh hysterically, it will also cause you connect with your emotional side, as Katharine presents the audience with letters and email exchanges between her and her dad.

By the end of the show, I think the audience reached a consensus that Katharine's father is actually nuts. As she says in the show, her dad really seems to be "an equation that won't add up."

If you have a chance to see this show, do it. You won't regret it. Katherine shines with her wittiness and her comedic timing. The show is only fifty minutes long - and you'll be laughing for about forty nine minutes and fifty nine seconds.

*PLOG PICK

Schedule and ticket information here.