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2026 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Gary Fincher
Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: Watership Down
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Less Watership Down, more Peter Rabbit
Firstly, I want to say everyone involved with this production is obviously quite talented. Nothing I have to say reflects the effort or talent of anyone involved. However, I found myself asking over and over again, "Why?" Why did they decide to adapt Watership Down and turn it into poppy children's theatre? The original is scary, dark, bloody, and suffused with a sense of dread that makes the rabbits' eventual happy ending all the sweeter. But they sanitized all of those aspects such that the audience was laughing at pivotal events that shouldn't be funny!! The snare scene should make your stomach drop with fear, the General should haunt your nightmares. But here both were played for laughs. Even the fight choreography was turned slapstick. The miserable cherry on top is the dog puppet which, while made well, was a sweet looking puppy dog instead of a predator that could kill the rabbits at any time, which once again rips any drama, dread, or satisfaction at their accomplishment from the scene. I'm just left confused on why they picked this piece in particular to adapt. If they wanted to make poppy, cheery children's theatre, Peter Rabbit is literally right there. And it's even in the public domain, so it's free!
Company: Rituparna Rana
Show: The Shape of Home
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Beautiful Dance, Beautiful Sentiment
This was really lovely. I'm surprised I'm not seeing Shape of Home flooded with reviews, it's one of my favorite things I've seen this Fringe. Beyond the obvious technical skill, you can see Rituparna's love for dancing in her eyes and it infuses the whole experience with joy and movement, both physically and emotionally. Hurry up and see this beautiful piece, you won't regret it.
Company: Samuel Karie
Show: Pistachio's Playhouse
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Smart, Funny, Snappy
Something happens toward the start of the show and it forces you to sit with that "something" for the rest of the run. I loved this and wish more things would be as brave as the Pistashio's Playhouse team. I admire a playwright who makes their show as long as it needs to be, with this one coming in right at 30 minutes. They didn't succumb to the pressure of dragging it out for run time's sake. I just wish I could have seen more! A little bit more meat on the story's bones could go a long way. One slight nitpick - I wish the duo puppets (flowers and rats) had been voiced by the cast/crew rather than forcing their puppeteers to lipsync blind. There was a large enough crew that I think this would be possible. I had a great time though and think you should definitely check this one out.
Company: True Men Productions
Show: Castrati: A Tale of Two
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Go to Castrati and be Testickled
I'm generally skeptical about Fringe musicals, specifically regarding the quality of the music, but Castrati brought both an incredible original concept and a great original score. As others have said, the lyrics are clever and the whole experience is a delightful romp. I do think some of the staging and costuming needed a bit more time to bake, as well as some sound leveling between the pit orchestra (which I loved) and the singers. I ended up missing lyrics, which is a shame as I'm sure they were just as funny and clever as the rest of the show. This was the show the kicked off my Fringe this year and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A bit of polishing will make this production unstoppable, but I strongly believe it is still worth your time as is.
Company: Band Practice
Show: DON'T BE SCARED
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
This Duo Shares One Brain Cell
Y'all, this is a weird one. No, listen to me, this one is WEIRD. This is why I come to Fringe. Rarely have I ever seen two performers so in sync.As my title suggests, these braindead zombies are sharing their one braincell to enthrall and delight you. It takes a minute to really settle in, but becomes electric. A must-see for all you freaks out there.