Sub-Total
2026 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Nanette Stearns
Company: The Winding Sheet Outfit
Show: A Confluence of Magical Arseholes
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Yes Crowley really was an arsehole
Since I do know something about the Golden Dawn (enough to be dangerous as they say), I was really looking forward to this one. Amber and company don't disappoint in this creative and bizarre look at a magical order from the early 1900s. I can attest to the fact that this is a well-researched and accurate story (more or less). Of course that's not the point. The point is humor, satire, and incredibly talented performers. Great effort and lots of fun!
Company: Band Practice
Show: DON'T BE SCARED
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Best use of the Xperimental
Or maybe it ties with Latin Popi. I've never seen a cast enter a performance space like these two exceptionally talented people did. Zombies/clowns/music/audience participation? All there and appreciated. I was intrigued by the preview and I'm so glad I decided to check out the performance. A show dealing with fear and the darkness around us is perfect in today's reality. I only wish I knew what the two performers looked like so I could congratulate them on a wonderful experience!
Company: David Alan Berger
Show: A Woman's Place is in the House
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Inspiring and hopeful
I appreciated this timely show about the first four female members of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1923. It was also wonderful to include current representative Athena Holland and a representative from the League of Women Voters. Unfortunately I forgot the name of the other current representative. The presence of Ilhan Omar was an added benefit. The script was at times awkward and the action verged on political rally but that was fine with me.
Company: Third Space Theater
Show: BE NOT AFRAID
Venue: The Southern Theater
a painful story
While the story seems straightforward - an oil field destroys a town and the people in it - the production goes way beyond that. Angels, blood, destruction of the land, and economic disaster are presented in this haunting story.. It's horrible to realize that this story has been repeated throughout history as land and people are destroyed in the interests of economic growth. It made me wonder if the cost for that growth is too great.
Company: Combustible Company
Show: Machinal
Venue: The Southern Theater
Moving and Movement
I'm familiar with Combustible Company's work so thought I knew what to expect. This was a surprise. I remember reading about the subject. Somehow I saw a photograph of the execution when I was a pre-teen and it haunted me for years (still does). The combination of movement, dialogue, and music. It's surprising how relevant this 100-year old story is. History truly does repeat itself.
Company: Deanne McDonald / The Traveling Players
Show: Sisters on Stage: An elder millennial’s exploration of Shakespeare’s sisters
Venue: Mixed Blood
A Shakespeare nerd's delight
As an oldest sister, and big Shakespeare fan, I loved this show. Highlighting sisters and sibling relationships within the canon was an inspired idea. Her explanations helped tie the stories together and the quick costume changes were fun to watch. I love Fringe for many reasons, one of which is all the entertaining Shakespeare-adjacent productions. This is one of my favorites! Maybe next time she can do husbands and wives?
Company: Twin Cities Trapeze
Show: Tapeze - a la seconde
Venue: The Southern Theater
For all ages by all ages
I enjoyed Tapeze last year so was excited to see another show from this talent group. A wide variety of dance, acrobatics, trapeze work, and movement exercises made for a great start to my Fringe-Saturday. Part of the joy came from the number of children in the audience and how entranced they were by the production. They made great use of the cavernous Southern Theatre and its magnificent arch. Congratulations on another beautiful, joy-filled show.
Company: The Miller Conspiracy
Show: Bay Creek
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Stay away from the creek
I'd seen this show at the Twin Cities Horror Fest and am happy to say a second viewing is even better than the first. Derek Lee Miller is an excellent story teller. The lighting and sparse scene create a spooky eerie mood. Something really is out there. When the time comes, will you say YES or NO? See this show and then decide.
Company: Hannah Wydeven
Show: Leave Room for Jesus
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Is nothing sacred?
Nope. Not if it means shying away from parodying evangelical meetings/services. This talented group creates a musical improvisation around a preacher of questionable values, her reluctant child, an angelic choir, and a baby Jesus I can't picture in a manger. Great vocal and improv skills and a lot of fun. Some audience participation but nothing scary.
Company: CuerpoxCuerpo
Show: LATIN PAPI
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Welcome back Gabriel!
When I saw Gabriel Mata was returning to the Minnesota Fringe this year, I cheered (and that was before I even saw the show). Gabriel is an incredibly talented dancer, a gentle soul, and a true entertainer. This year's offering is like nothing I've seen before at the Fringe and that's saying something. The movement, use of the Xperimental space, choreographed costume changes, interactions between the two dancers creates the most sensuous performance I've experienced. We'e so glad you're back and welcome to Minnesota, Armani!
Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: Watership Down
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Another winner from Melancholics Anonymous
Congratulations to Timothy and the group on an another entertaining and meaningful production. I can't remember if I ever read the book but that didn't matter. The songs (lyrics and music) were fantastic (cast recording anyone?). The acting was superb and the story was both fun and moving. I always enjoy Melancholics' shows and this is no different. See this if you like old stories, talented performers, and some surprises.
Company: Theatre Engine
Show: Chum!
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Watch out for flying beanie babies!
Who knew we needed a musical version of Jaws? I don't think I saw the original but I suspect this version is a lot more fun. The cast is excellent, the story is entertaining, and the various flying objects are hysterical. You may not want to sit in the front row....a very enjoyable opening night!
Company: Applause Community Theatre
Show: The Precious Scars
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
An important part of history
I love the Fringe for the wide variety of shows and themes it presents. This is serious drama (though not without some humor). All three actors are excellent, strong performers. The story is sensitively told (thanks to Brian Farrey-Latz), and the setting (both time and place) is perfect. This show asks us to explore deep questions both in our collective history and in our lives today. How much of another person's story do we get to tell? Where is the line between the right to privacy and the benefit to a community? No easy answers either then or now, but certainly still questions worth asking.