Sub-Total
2026 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Corrie Fiedler
Company: Third Space Theater
Show: BE NOT AFRAID
Venue: The Southern Theater
Do we have a Fringe award for lighting and tech?
Creativity 5+; Production Value 5+; Interest (subjective) 5 While lighting & tech were fantastic, there was so much else that blew us away: the dance movements, the deer, the staging, and more. Yes, it was a dark story, but one with a theme and take-away. The description (nor preview) don't really do the environmental and agricultural economics themes justice. Loved it, even at 10pm as Fringe begins to draw to a close.
Company: Octoberdandy Productions
Show: Sound and Noise and Bodies
Venue: Theatre in the Round
There can be too many sunbeams and rainbows!
Creativity 4; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 2 My objective in posting reviews is 100% directed toward audience members: which makes it tough when a show is really well done, but doesn't hit for me. Makes sense for this show, since it wasn't on my original list, but I learned of it on Day 2 from another long-time Fringe goer (whose recommendations are usually very different than mine). Lesson learned for me. While I am an optimist by nature, Jen's show was over-the-top sunbeams, rainbows, and cheerfulness. Though with a great stage presence and ukulele.
Company: Snikt! Bamf! Thwip!
Show: Casa Bde-Maka-Ska
Venue: Theatre in the Round
So much potential!
Creativity 3; Production Value 3; Interest (subjective) 4 This show has been on my 'must see' list from its first posting on the Fringe site. It seemed to have it all: authors (Duck Washington & Tim Wick) and a clever adaptation of Caseblanca. In fact, it seemed so perfect on paper: an occupation by enemy forces while trying to evaculate a couple in danger. But, darn, even though I have been in MPLS long enough (40+ years) to catch the references, and have seen Casablanca multiple times, this just didn't hit for me. My Fringe partner didn't have either of these advantages, and it pretty well went over her head (except for the Prince references). Seemed scattered and almost like it was improv, even though it was scripted. A few more drafts, and this could be dynamite.
Company: SUPERMOON
Show: the statue of liberty is nora in a doll's house by henrik ibsen
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
PR is perfect (statue of liberty as nora)
Creativity 5+; Production Value 5+; Interest (subjective) 5 Even though I knew the Fringe title and am familiar with Ibsen's work, it took me a minute to sort out what was happening. Oh, right, the statue of liberty is playing Nora. Fantastically creative adaptation, great music, and over-the-top in a good way acting (Krogstad's few lines were especially memorable). My only gripe: it could have been in a smaller theater, so we could see the dolls better (even on the projection). Though, it was almost sold out, so that would bring other issues.
Company: be-Creative
Show: Therapist Zero
Venue: The Southern Theater
Not dark, not much about his struggling daughter
Creativity 3; Production Value 4; Interest (subjective) 3 It would be bad practice to give a lower review to a "a darkly funny solo show about a father trying to help his brilliant but struggling daughter." But this isn't really what it is about. Rather, it is about Leonard and his wife's family stories related to Catholic schools and Leonard's large family. In sort, stand-up, with the sort of humor most of us could dig out from our own family histories, though Leonard's stage presence was great. The therapist stuff was mostly ridiculing the broad genre of theraputic professionals (my friend left saying "that just made me plain mad.")
Company: Mosaic Productions
Show: ANNA
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Rational Minds can Differ ....
Creativity 5; Production Value 4; Interest (subjective) 3 We saw it early in the evening, and while it was 'fine,' we just weren't as engaged as many reviewers. Enjoyed the creativity of changing the gender role and setting of the O'Neill original, though we could have used more context about Kris's partner and how he fit into the broader adaptation. The blocking was a bit rough, with Anna's back to us for much of the play.
Company: The World Crime League
Show: M
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Go, even if you aren't familiar with the movie!
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 Never seen the movie, and not even familiar with it (probably a plus, given other reviewers' comments). None-the-less, the action kept our attention and the plot was clear. We are still chuckling that this was the THIRD serial killer play we have seen in THIS FRINGE, ALONE. And the BEST of the three! I'm torn with thinking about creativity: they based the action/script on the original, or so I am told. I prefer adaptations or new work at Fringe, but their use of shadow puppetry creatively set the action in a specific time & place.
Company: Combustible Company
Show: Machinal
Venue: The Southern Theater
Amazing in every dimension!
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 We weren't familiar with the work, so walked in cold, drawn by the great reviews. But we were engaged from the very first minute: the movement, the cohesive team, the music, and the story were all top rate.
Company: Dawn Bentley
Show: The Quiet Piggy
Venue: Strike Theater
A very creative mind envisioned this amalgam
Creativity 5; Production Value 4; Interest (subjective) 5 An amazing amalgam of genres: clowning (yes), political satire (yes & yes), and historic lecture (yes). We admire the creative mind that organized this into an artistic hour. We have seen lots of political thoughts in Fringe works, but no one else had the courage to take it quite this far (meaning this as a compliment). Luke was amazing throughout (even though he lost his nose, he continued forward). Dawn's actorly instincts were right on and engaging. Maybe script could have been tighter, and like others felt that the call to action could have been more audience oriented.
Company: Todd Sullivan
Show: Maniac
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Fringy or chaotically weird?
Creativity 3; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 2 Others have noted that this is hard to describe. We had been taken in a positive way by the show's description: "A solo clown show loosely inspired by history's most intelligent serial killer." Right up our line. But not necessarily what we saw, or maybe we were just missing something? In any event, if chaotic weirdness is your thing, but all means head to the Rarig X. On the other hand, if you prefer a bit of character development and dramatic arc, maybe this one isn't for you.
Company: Ben San Del Presents
Show: Apologies for the Late Reply
Venue: American School of Storytelling
We missed Ben at Fringe for the last 7 (!) years
We have seen Ben quite a few times in the distant Fringe past and enjoyed his mostly stand up shows. This year, while Ben's bio and show description describe him as 'standup comic,' we experienced this show as more storytelling and less standup. And it was great storytelling (with some comedy): warm, humorous, emotional, and current. It was sold out on line, so take your changes, go early, and get in line for the 10 remaining tickets!
Company: American School of Storytelling
Show: More Better Stories
Venue: American School of Storytelling
Find a storyteller to meet your interests!
We chose Jon Carlson's show at the American School of Storytelling for a reason. His bio said "I have also been a de facto citizen of ..."Greater Trumpistan," since Railroaders are among the most vehement of our country's politically enraged MAGA devotees." Our dad was a railroader for his whole life and we never could figure out why he was both his union president AND devote Trump voter. I'm not sure Jon gave us insight into Dad's inconsistencies, but we said several times "that reminds us of dad." The American School of Storytelling has something for nearly everybody amongst its storytellers: read the bios and find one that interests you. Oh, and the review: Jon's performance kept our interest: good stories, stage presence, and even a keyboard.
Company: an alleged Theatre Company
Show: FAST Death of a Salesman
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
A most creative approach to a book/movie parody!
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 Not usually much of a Fringe book/movie parody fan. But the approach here was unbelievably creative and well acted. Even if you don't know the source material, you will be very familiar with the key points after seeing it 5, 6, 7 (?) times. Each time with a different spin on how to attract a Gen Z audience and each time with a more manic approach. Acting was fantastic and we were always on our toes wondering what would come next. alleged Theater Company, we will be back!
Company: Wells Farnham
Show: Stage Presents
Venue: The Southern Theater
My 2.5 kitties isn't erroneous use of rating UI
Creativity 3; Production Value 3; Interest (subjective) 2 OK, I know I am the minority opinion: differering widely from the Pi Press (last 2 years) and SWFG. But part of my motivation for doing my Kitty Ratings every morning is to help future audience members not waste an hour of their lives (and other great Fringe shows). So, in short, if you love stories about shitting your pants, planning sex with a Tinder encounter, driving a young kid when you are high, then this is probably for you. I was sort of frustrated at the end when Wells was really taken with the band that connected personally with him at a concert: but his own "enthusiastic force of will" (Pi Press) which seemed like yelling at me and memorized script kept me from connecting personally with him.
Company: Tiffany Michelle Foster
Show: Ambiguous
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Fringe: Help me w/ introspection in a charming way
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 We didn't understand why Tiffany had no information about herself or her show on her show's website. Oh, After seeing the show, we get it!! A blend of video clips, still pictures, Tiffany acting as different versions of herself (or projections of what others expect of her), and a serious (but charming) view into who she really is. And a challenge to us to learn about our true selves and refrain from making assumptions about others.
Company: New Endeavors
Show: Muskie
Venue: Mixed Blood
A movie parody I actually liked (loved)!
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 I'm not a Fringe movie parody person for a variety of reasons: my general lack of pop culture knowledge and not much interest in comedy that tends toward silly. But this was an exception: great acting (a call out to the excellent 'scout'), even better prop, and funny. For the reviewers who are complaining about the Walz jokes: hey, this was set in Garrison. Look it up, not on the smallest McDonalds in the US, but "the city and surrounding township vote reliably for the Republican Party in state, federal, and presidential elections." And the last one, about the Diet Coke was pretty funny.
Company: Joking Apart Theater
Show: I'm Afraid, I Have To Leave
Venue: Mixed Blood
Fringe goers: Read the genre & description!
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 4 I'll take the hit on this one: like another reviewer I was expecting a palate cleaner of "Minnesota goodbye" comedy. But the Fringe site genre is clear: Comedy and Horror. I also just watched the Fringe site video. Yes, again, the Horror was clear. That all said, the acting was fabulous and I was constantly concerned about what was going to happen next.
Company: TROMPE L'OEIL
Show: Foshay! You Know The Tower - Now Hear The Story
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Kudos to the composer, keyboardist & Hudson
A great story of a life turned around! I especially enjoyed the music and keyboardist (sometimes I found myself watching her instead of the actors). Hudson's voice filled the Thrust theater and every word was clear. Perhaps planned to show Forshay's natural leadership and conviction, but it was difficult to hear and "sort out" the words of other actors. So sit forward and enjoy the show.
Company: Lethan Candlish
Show: Who Am I, Again?
Venue: Mixed Blood
Alert: local Fringe audience and artists
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 Our longest-traveling Fringe producer/artist (from Shanghai), Trifecta Fringe "winner", and masterful performer played to a nearly empty theater on Sunday. It was embarrassing and we have time to remedy that right now (three more performances in this last week). Lethan's one man show is what Fringe can be: educational, emotional, appropriately funny. Oh, and did I mention the masterful acting? He plays four very different TBI survivers and several more of his friends and family. Are you are staying away because you think this might be a downer? Think again. Welcome to Minneapolis, Lethan, we are glad you are here.
Company: The Miller Conspiracy
Show: Bay Creek
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Were we really in bare theater w/a chair & table?
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 4 When the lights went on, I was shocked! Derek had drawn such a clear picture of the creek and surroundings that I was there, not in the nearly bare theater with just him, a chair, and a table. It was an incredible feeling as a result of his acting skills. And Rob Ward as the voice over? Made a great experience even better. Only one (small) gripe: it was tough to keep the characters apart, maybe a family tree of both families in the program, or maybe the cops could have one laying on the table that he looks at (and shows to us).
Company: Hannah Wydeven
Show: Leave Room for Jesus
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Fabulous start, ran out of steam
Creativity 5; Production Value 4; Interest (subjective) 2 This is a tough one, the first 15 minutes were absolutely incredible: engaging, funny, well-acted and well-sung. But then it devolved seriously into a lascivious set of improvised sketches. Not that I am a prude, but honestly, it became sort of boring and lost my interest. Though, as you can tell from other reviews, the 10pm Saturday crowd mostly loved it.
Company: One T Productions
Show: After the End
Venue: Mixed Blood
Incredible and engaging in every dimension
Creativity 5+; Production Value 5+; Interest (subjective) 5+ Wow, and wow. I have seen lots of MN Fringe shows over many years, and this will be one my sister and I will always reflect back on: "remember the guy who survived the global pandemic singing to his imaginary audience at Mixed Blood." The thought behind his lucky survival (via Zillow) was both creative and believable. The other survivors (yikes, nightmares), his addressing the audience (you look so corporal), the songs, and even the postcard. It was truly a master class.
Company: Moral of the Story
Show: A Real Piece of Work
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Playing bad actors is HARD work!
Creativity 5; Production Value 4; Interest (subjective) 5 Saw the first show on Saturday afternoon: a large cast meant lots of enthusiastic friends and family which is always energizing. A very creative concept and the cast did a great job in portraying inexperienced actors. The ideas of leadership in a group project (like a community theater production) was fascinating. None-the-less, we saw a bit too much of our man "Hamlet" and his overacting. Super funny at first, but it wore on me. I wish he would have gotten the message in some way so we could have seen him acting a more traditional Hamlet for at least a few minutes.
Company: John Ervin
Show: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Dead
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Engaging art initiates discussion
Creativity 5; Production Value 3; Interest (subjective) 5 My theater going companions and I were discussing the work as we left the Thrust Theater, all the way to Theater in the Round, and as we waited for the next show (a long wait, since "Turn On" is short). To my cadre, this is the what I expect of any art medium: discussion after the fact. I did appreciate the creativity: the concept caught our attention from the first time we saw it on the Fringe website. And in some aspects it reminded me of previous presidentional debates: using odd positions to win. As far as production value, we would have appreciated writing and acting that seemed more 'real.' The work is based on factual stories, but the actors seemed more intent on the shock value than what might have actully be in the legal documents. (Though now that I think about it, that probably makes sense in the spirit of the debate). And, interest in serial killers: yup, consider the popularity of true crime books/podcasts. Now obviously (see the 0 rating) this isn't for everyone. For myself, though, I want to support Fringe's non-censorship position and in the past have seen Ervin's Fringe work as well as "T or D or S" (Sean and Kyle ...).
Company: Local 574
Show: HELL ON WHEELS: The Winter Strike of 1934
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Historic story telling with accordian!
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 Top rate in every dimension: I was aware we had an organizing history here, but HELL ON WHEELS really makes the story personal, sharing the impact on individual coal worker families. And as a bonus, some of my favorite things: an accordian and well sung organizing music.
Company: Davi Gray
Show: This Body, This Fruit
Venue: Mixed Blood
Add poetry & spoken word to your Fringe experience
Creativity 5; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 5 While an hour of poetry might not sound like your cup of tea on the surface (it really wasn't mine before this experience), take a risk on Davi's show! Her show was a last minute add and we are so glad we went: engaging, educational, emotional. It was truly an hour of art.
Company: Levani
Show: A Magician
Venue: Open Eye Theatre
Disconnect between marketing and product
Creativity 4; Production Value 3; Interest (subjective) 4 Awesome idea: blending his personal story with the magic he learned along the way. Jordan is personable and great stage presence, though some of his magic just didn't land. Maybe this was a new show? Maybe it was the 10pm hour for a traveling artist? Though, beware, it is only about 40 minutes, so you'll easily be able to high-tail it back to the West Bank or Strike if he see Jordan for an earlier show.
Company: Rainsview Creative
Show: Ready Player, Too
Venue: Open Eye Theatre
Standup with top-rate production value
Creativity 4; Production Value 5+; Interest (subjective) 3.5 Oh, boy, these types of reviews are tough to write: a show that didn't quite meet my (very subjective) Fringe expectations. First, Lily is obviously a very skilled, energetic performer. And her storytelling & spoken word (which I appreciate) clearly morphed into sort of self-congratulatory standup. In short, I had hoped for a stronger take-away or emotional hook. Kudos to her very supportive group of friends!
Company: Fat Theatre Project
Show: Too Fat To Run
Venue: Open Eye Theatre
Preview hooked us, and the show was just as good
Creativity 5; Production Value 4; Interest (subjective) 4+ Motivational and entertaining! We appreciated Eileen's creativity in turning her marathon (literal) goal into a Fringe production. Loved the team building stories of "group 5" (the slowest runners) as they prepared for the Chicago marathon. A few stumbles (in words, not running) along the way, and a few points at which we couldn't tell if she were in her childhood, or in her marathon training. Good audience for an out-of-towner at the Open Eye.
Company: Mermaid Productions
Show: The Importance of Living
Venue: Open Eye Theatre
Stumbled onto a gem: as we expect at Fringe
Creativity 5; Production Value 5+; Interest (subjective) 4+ We are familier with Ariel and Tim's work after our many years at MN Fringe, but honestly included this to "fill in" a weekday at Open Eye. And are we ever glad we did! We hadn't noticed that Tim wrote the dark, funny, surprising script. It kept us glued to our seats. And, yes, the "Importance of Living" (the Lin Yutang book) is featured in the script. And the acting? First rate: kudos to both actors and to Duck. Strong recommendation to take the detour to Open Eye.
Company: Dave Dvorak
Show: Just One Life
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Big health insurance with romance: go figure!
Creativity 4; Production Value 5; Interest (subjective) 4 Loved the singing and the band (just looked them up to make sure I hear more of their work). The message was straightforward: big health insurance drives profits over patient welfare. Yes, it was a broad parody, but would have prefered a few nuances that can inform this discussion (maybe Jake could have had some more data to drive his point of view before he converted to the Medicare for all perspective).
Company: Applause Community Theatre
Show: The Precious Scars
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
A great message: outing, responsible or not?
Creativity 4; Production Value 3; Interest (subjective) 3 This was near the top of our 50+ list of "must see" Fringe works. And, as others have noted, the message is timely and the historical event was interesting. We found the acting somewhat wooden and the story straighforward without the nuance it deserved, thus the time drug a bit for us. By-the-way, I just checked out Billy's Wikipedia page and found that his visions of not only Harvey Milk's death, but his own, were true.
Company: Band Practice
Show: DON'T BE SCARED
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
My 5 rating for Zombie Clowns? Go figure!
Creativity 5+; Production Value 5+; Interest (subjective) 4 This was creativity incarnate. And check my 5 rating, I typically don't choose improv, clowning, nor audience participation works, but a pre-fringe review suggested that we locals might want to welcome our German friends to learn about zombies. Well, OK! And I'm so glad I did. The acting, costumes & makeup, and improv were accessible, fun, and meaningful. My only suggestion? Just a bit more of a narrative arc tieing the show description "post war corporate professionals ... workshop." Welcome to Minnesota and we hope to see you again.
Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: Watership Down
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Hit the mark in every dimension
Creativity 5+; Production Value 5+; Interest (subjective) 5 If Fringe had an award for best actor, I would nominate Hawken Paul (Kehaar). A small part, but his accent and broken wing were amazing. As were the physical theater of the rabbits. The creative spirit in paring the 450-page book or 90 minute movie into 1 hour was breathtaking. Plenty of real-life lessons in leadership, diversity, etc. None-the-less, if it has been more than 50 years since you read the book (me), you may want to skim the Wikipedia summary beforehand.