Gilda: A Tribute to the Beloved Comedienne Gilda Radner

Don't Miss This Gem!

I've seen about 15 Fringe shows so far and this is only the second one I'd give five stars to. The script, acting, and staging were superb. It's getting my vote for the Best of Fringe. What a wonderful trip down memory lane for me, yet I think younger people will also appreciate learning what a comic genius and wonderful person Gilda Radner was.

What a Beautiful Trip!!

From beginning to end I was absolutely taken with this story & performance. This is a masterclass in solo performance; weaving in and out of storyteller and character seamlessly. I watched Gilda on SNL and knew a little about her prior to this experience but I left knowing a lot. What a gem of a person Gilda was and what a gem of a woman Helena is to take on the task of honoring her legacy. I think Gilda Radner would be proud. Well done. Thank you!

An Excellent Tribute Show

A well scripted and performed tribute to a great comedian who left us too soon.

Fantastic show!!

Helena is so talented as a singer dancer actress her renditions of Gilda Radner were spot on hilarious and her creativity and ingenuity, and using the props and changing throughout the different characters was very impressive!! bravo to Helena

A great homage!

Enjoyed the reminiscences and recreations. Starts a little slow, but finishes strong. It is nice to be reminded of an iconic artist. (Many under 40 might not even know her.)

Gilda Stays Golden

This one-woman show educates the audience on the hilarious characters and the too-short life of the legendary Gilda Radner. For someone like me, who has read Gilda's memoir It's Always Something, and has watched every one of her SNL sketches and many of her comedy show appearances online, it wasn't anything new...but come on, it's GILDA. Helena K Cosentino slips in and out of Gilda's classic characters effortlessly, from Judy Miller to Baba Wawa and everywhere in between. It would have been interesting to see Cosentino speculate on how Gilda and her characters might be in our current political climate (e. g. "what's this I hear about Trump getting invited? I thought he only went to parties at Mar-a-Lago, and he doesn't need an invitation to get in there! Or has it become so exclusive that they don't invite people who've had to file for bankruptcy...") but it's Cosentino's show and Gilda's world, so to quote Emily Litella..."Never mind."

Very Entertaining - a truly great tribute

Helena is very talented and did a terrific job bringing Gilda back to life. I had forgotten some of her characters and enjoyed learning more about her life and struggles. Extremely well done!!

Kitties Aside, this is a 5-Wig Review!

Crikey, this show was a full whirlwind of emotions - belly laughs, punny humor, sadness, grief, and mirth - all within one awesome biographical singing & dancing production.

Heartfelt and professional

This is a show that looks like it’s been around awhile. I felt like I was in the hands of a pro who knew what they were doing and just let it fly. All the other reviews have said it all so let’s just say this hour is perfection in that it’s exactly what it says it is no more no less. My companion for this show said the actor was exactly like Gilda. But the performer didn’t really look like Gilda but through talent and mimicry you “saw” the great comic standing in front of you just the same.

Because of this Fringer, I want to befriend Gilda!

This review is from seeing show #3. In one sentence: who knew a stellar bioplay could have tasteful obsession and joyous impression galore? In three sentences: you have to see this show if you have even an inclining of who celebrity Gilda Radner was. If you didn’t but have an appreciation for the show Saturday Night Live, you’re in for a treat of giggles and sorrows found in the chapters and comedy sketches from Radner’s life. Lovers of solo artists, this is required viewing!

dance, songs, silliness, and heart

i had to literally run to get to the venue in time, and i’m so glad i did! there was dance, songs, i learned a lot about gilda. great show!!

I Met Helena at Fringe Central. Loved Gilda!

I met Helena at Fringe Central. Loved Gilda! Seeing this show is one of the best results of going to Fringe Central and mingling with traveling & local artists, audiences, and staff. I immediately connected with Helena, who is from Kansas City and brilliantly making the rounds at fringes throughout North America. This show was not originally on my must-see list, but wow am I glad I went! It was funny, informative, sad, hopeful, and a magnificent tribute to Gilda, well-loved and an inspiration to Helena and many others. I was amazed a traveling artist could have a set with so many props, costumes, wigs and more to set up and strike is such a short time. I enjoyed the videos and slides, which as a person with a neurological disability I must say were high quality and not disruptive to me. Kudos to lighting and sound. Opening night audience had artists and diehard fringe-goers! See this show and support a traveling artist, who is supporting Gilda’s Club Twin Cities!

A beautiful tribute

While I didn't grow up watching Gilda, I saw the most recent documentary about her life a few years ago and have been pretty obsessed ever since. As soon as I saw the title for this show I knew I had to see it, and it did not disappoint. You can tell the creator/performer has so much love and respect for the subject matter and it just shines through her lovely work. The interspersing of some of Gilda's most famous characters and songs throughout the storytelling was so well done. I also loved that the show didn't end on a sad note but kept us laughing, which is exactly what Gilda would have wanted. Regardless of how you feel about Gilda, this is a show to add to your list. PS: My favorite moment may have been the music over the curtain call, which was a clever throwback to a moment in the show. That's the kind of thoughtful storytelling I live for and it left me smiling and singing as we left the theater. Bravo.

A loving (and informative!) tribute

So lovely! Thank you for your energy and the joy you are putting into the world.

WOW! Laughing, Crying, Reminiscing

Powerful and emotional show. Well acted and crafted. You move through Radner's life. You laugh, you cry and remember your own life as Gilda's is re-created with song, dance and words. This show has got to be on your short list.

A True Tribute

I love Gilda Radner. As a woman in comedy, Gilda is undoubtedly a comedy icon you look up to, who also brought a spotlight to the talents women have in this genre during an era when being a “funny woman” was constantly undermined. I can feel the love in this tribute from the creator, Helena, who gave us a wonderful performance with the same light and likableness as the beloved icon. Thank you for sharing this tribute with us, and to continue celebrating Gilda today.

Loved this creative tribute

The energy, humor, costumes, nostalgic photos and sheer joy Helena projects had me engaged from beginning to end. What a wonderful trip through the re-enacted characters Gilda created and the life she lived. It was a wonderful one-woman production. Blown away by Helena's engaging stage presence.

Gilda as Person & Performer

I’m a millennial that didn’t have a chance to see Gilda Radner live on SNL, but when streaming services became a thing I watched all the old seasons of SNL and fell in love with Gilda as a performer. Seeing Gilda’s characters brought to life live was a gift. Hearing more about Gilda’s personal life interwoven into the wonderful character re-enactments by Helena made for an interesting and nuanced lens into Gilda as a person and performer, as well as how those two identities of hers intertwined. If you love Gilda, you’ll love this show. If you don’t know about Gilda, this show will leave you with a greater understanding of humor as truth and coping.

A Uniquely Gorgeous Tribute

Cosentino is a wildly talented impressionist with an enormous heart that oozes genuine love and joy. I have already seen a great deal of shows this year, but I have not yet seen a performer give so much of themself to the audience. I cried an embarrassing amount for about seven reasons.

wonderful tribute

Like Gilda, this actress can dance sing and has great comic timing, The costumes and costume changes were terrific, and she just channels Gilda throughout. Some of the segments went on a little too long for my taste - wanted to know more about the person than her goofy characters. All in all though, a really wonderful show, and I love that the proceeds go to charity!