Sub-Total
2026 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: George Spelvin
Company: Davi Gray
Show: This Body, This Fruit
Venue: Mixed Blood
Overripe
Actually, the second time I have seen this show. (Was also at Phoenix.) More spoken word than a show, however. Some good writing, but not super dynamic. Noticeable dead spots. Costume changes seemed unnecessary. Maybe just change wigs and accessories? Some nice imagery.
Company: The World Crime League
Show: M
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Stage Noir
I wanted to like this one. Too few dramas at Fringe, and I liked the idea of it. Fell short in the execution. This may be an example of what happens when you think the audience won't notice. Yeah, we noticed. All of it. Were there some good performances? Yes. Were there a number of anachronisms? Also yes. This one needed more rehearsal, and a stronger hand at the helm. Still, mostly entertaining.
Company: Budding Heads
Show: Scab for Hire
Venue: The Southern Theater
Falls Short
Kind of hard to tell what this was trying to be. It is it a silent film? No, here comes some dialogue. Extended podcast scene went nowhere. More time could have been spent developing the relationship between the Scab and the Opossum. And it was not at all clear that it was an opossum. Highlight was the old-timey film segment. Actor skills were not equal to the tasks at hand. 'A' for effort.
Company: The Miller Conspiracy
Show: Bay Creek
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Master Class
If you want to become a master storyteller, watch this guy. Solid writing, great commitment, excellent physical work, nice vocal variety, and great building of suspense. This one gets my vote for Best of the Fringe. See it if you can.
Company: Combustible Company
Show: Machinal
Venue: The Southern Theater
The Viewpoints
This show owes much to Wooster Group, SITI Company, and other performance art groups. Use of Suzuki, Viewpoints, and other acting exercises. If you are a fan of Physical Theatre, you will probably like this. Good skills and precision. An excellent example of why you must evaluate a work on its own terms. Was it successful in accomplishing what it set out to do? Yes. Did I love it? No. As a devotee of literary-based, dialogue-driven theater, it was not my cup of tea. But they were faithful to the source, and you should go see it.
Company: Moral of the Story
Show: A Real Piece of Work
Venue: Theatre in the Round
The Art of Coarse Acting?
This is truly the (serious) Actor's Nightmare. I'm sorry, but Matt is right: If you're not in it for the art, there is absolutely no point. We have all experienced this, and it never gets easier. You don't have to be a professional to practice professionalism. An amateur should still do it for the love of the art, not as a hobby, or instead of volleyball, or for the social aspects. Show up on time, be prepared, stay focused. You owe it to yourself, and to all of the company members. A cautionary tale that comes to the wrong conclusion. See it and weep.
Company: Jason Schommer
Show: 1985: Relative Chaos!
Venue: Strike Theater
Meet the Schommers
Seriously, folks, this is one of the best shows at the Fringe. Maybe the best. Way beyond simple stand-up comedy. Jason is a storyteller and comic who is not afraid to dwell a bit in the pathos of his own family history. He is really very good at connecting with his audience, and he bravely exposes his own foibles for our enjoyment and edification. Okay, I'm going to go out on a limb here. The student may have surpassed the master, I think this is better than Louie Anderson. (Also, kudos to Michelle Schwantes for shape and direction.)
Company: Dawn Bentley
Show: The Quiet Piggy
Venue: Strike Theater
Welcome to my TED Talk
This one was less of a show, and more of a lecture or seminar. While I was in compete agreement with the points she was making, I was mostly bored. At some point, she must have realized this, because she had decided to add a Commedia clown to the presentation. Also, all the self-aggrandizement was very off-putting. Is her resume impressive? Yes. Did I need to be constantly reminded of this? No. This one is for fans of Dawn.
Company: SUPERMOON
Show: the statue of liberty is nora in a doll's house by henrik ibsen
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Class Project
This one left me feeling like I would much rather have seen an updated version of A Doll House, instead of what seemed like an acting class scene. Very self-indulgent and frequently dull. Skill level was fine, but actual scenes might have been more impactful. There were many missed chances to take actual risks on stage.
Company: DallaDanna Productions
Show: Improvised Love Is Blind--Minnesota Fringe Edition
Venue: Strike Theater
Sure Thing! (Ding!)
If you love improv, you will probably like this show. The performance I attended was nearly a sellout. Most of the audience laughed uproariously, but I may have missed the joke. Or jokes. Maybe it would have helped if I liked Reality TV. Which I don't. Nonetheless, the performers had some skill, and they sure seemed to be having fun.
Company: TROMPE L'OEIL
Show: Foshay! You Know The Tower - Now Hear The Story
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
A Towering Achievement
Nice to have a new musical with a local angle. Although the portrait of Wilber Foshay may have been a bit rosy, it was nonetheless informative. The cast was a bit uneven, but the staging was entertaining. Some catchy tunes, could have used a bit more dialogue. Not all actors received the best effort from the costumer. Still, well worth seeing.
Company: New Endeavors
Show: Muskie
Venue: Mixed Blood
Blood in the Water
If you liked "An Exorcism, Don'tcha Know?" you'll love "Muskie!" Very silly, lots of fun, and local humor. The fish puppet looks great, but the designer didn't do the puppeteers any favors. That thing was hard to handle, but they did very well with it anyway. Some very nice performances, but Chip should be careful not to mug too much, and upstage the other actors. Some of the jokes are lost to low volume and the rushing of lines. The audience, however, was clearly LOVING it! Well worth seeing.
Company: New Product Company
Show: Brakkesyke
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Waiting for Godot meets No Exit
If you are a fan of existential theater, this may be the show for you. Nicely done and very engaging, this piece satisfies those who are looking for a drama with a bit more depth. Go support our producer friends from Pittsburgh, and our local actor friends as well. Ten-hut!
Company: Twin Cities Trapeze
Show: Tapeze - a la seconde
Venue: The Southern Theater
Dance Recital
Some very nice sequences, but not really a cohesive show. Highlights were some of the acrobatics, some aerials, and some of the tap dancing. Jancyn was consistent, skilled and watchable. For dance fans.
Company: Beta Fish Productions
Show: The Lousiest Werewolves: Mania in the Moonlight
Venue: Phoenix Theater
Manic Depression is Touching my Soul
A show about bipolar disorder. Informative, but needed a tighter script, some revisions, and better direction. Had noticeable lapses. Actors shouted too much. Worth a look, but you will need to see it this weekend.
Company: Band Practice
Show: DON'T BE SCARED
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Fun opening sequence, with a clever resolution. Relied, perhaps a bit too much, on homages to popular music and audience participation. But a nice dynamic between the performers, and they kept the ball in the air. Recommended. (Likely to sell out).
Company: Tyler West
Show: Small Minded
Venue: The Southern Theater
Will Likely Be the Hit of the Fringe
Clowning, juggling, acrobatics, dramatic monologues, storytelling, stand-up comedy, singing, history, dance, magic... and he's a charming fellow. A few hiccups on opening night, but highly entertaining. Likely to sell out. Enjoy!