Joseph Scrimshaw once again proves that he can do just about anything, with this fantastic example of how to put up a Fringe kids show.  An Inconvenient Squirrel combines some of the best things about theatre for children; great physical comedy, hilarious repetition, some goofy costumes, and a nice little moral just to put the icing on the cake.  The script does a fine job of keeping the adults entertained as well as the kids.  And Scrimshaw has once again waved his mighty hand over the Twin Cities theatre community to pluck out some of the most polished performers possible.  It was pretty awesome to scan a gigantic audience and see children having a blast who were looking up at their parents having a blast.  Yes, kids…as Scrimshaw consistently shows us, theatre can be fun.  Remember that when you grow up.

After hearing about this show for almost a month, I was finally able to make it to Four Humors Theater’s production of Mortem Capiendum.  It was worth the wait.  The shows creators — Jason Ballweber, Brant Miller, and Matt Spring — do a fantastic job bringing these flawed but mostly empathetic characters to life.  There’s no downtime in this show.  You’re immediately flung into this depression-era world by these three young slick-talkers and are happy to stay for the entire 55 minutes.  This tight, well-crafted production will appeal to Fringe newbies and veterans alike.

In trying to describe Deviants, several words come to mind: creative, intense, imaginative, inventive. Unfortunately, I could also use self-indulgent, elitist, pretentious, and pompous. This show is, at times, beautiful. But more often than not, it’s just plain insulting. A guy bathing himself in milk…a woman stapled to the wall…someone hanging from his feet with a harness; all could possibly be interesting had the show given me a plot or any reason to invest in these characters. Instead, I’m left with what feels like a Live Action Set fuck-around. In addition, the Soap Factory is about as bad as Fringe venues get. I’d say I missed about one-third of the show either because of one of the several huge pillars, an audience member’s head, or some combination of both. If you’re the type of person who loves to be weirded out by theatre — if it makes you feel more intelligent to watch something incomprehensible — then I guess it’s your lucky day.

In this one-woman nugget, Coutney Roche tells the very personal tale of her battle with Bell’s Palsy. Roche is a pleasant personality on stage, is able to hold an audience quite well, and is even very funny at times. However, the play does get a bit too precious, and it’s possible that I checked my watch more than once. If you’re a huge fan of the one-person show, I’d go ahead and give this one a look. Otherwise, there’s just too much out there that’s better.

Two more inductees into the 2008 Hall of Fringe Fame…Go! Now!!

He’s back again, kiddies.  More Gaye = more…well, gay.  Enjoy!

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Hey, fairies! Here’s another set of my reviews for you to pleasure yourselves to…I mean, for your reading pleasure.

First up is Cowboy DragQueen, presented by DragIn Productions. I saw this show for obvious reasons. Care to guess what they were? You’re right…I’m a homo. A title like Cowboy DragQueen is like the mother ship calling me home. I went into the show with a bit of hesitation, though. Let’s face it; there’s not a ton of “gay” theater out there that speaks to me…or is good. This…was no different. Though I applaud Patrick Braucher for his attempt to give the audience a peek into something very personal in his life, he missed the mark…which is surprising, since the show is…about him. I really wanted to like this show. I have to admit, it started out okay. Braucher, began by telling us about his depression, and how he got there, and we were told that this would be the story of how he got through it. The audience, including me, was ready to be inspired. And then the show started. Braucher didn’t seem to know the words to his own script, about his own life. In what should have been raw looks at a man transforming into a drag queen, the scene shifts were five-minute yawn fests of Braucher climbing clumsily into dresses with the help of a “flying fairy,” (a stage hand wearing white angel wings). I did, however enjoy the music, and of course, the dresses and wigs. And we all got to wear tiaras during the show! I loves me some tiaras! I think this show could have been really good, and really inspiring if the Braucher had given us a little more emotion and a little less…drag show. This piece may have worked better if an actual actor had been hired, and a writer, and a set designer, and a director. Sorry, Cowboy DragQueen. I won’t be putting my legs in the air for you…though I really wanted to. I do however give you two Gaye golden stars. One for at least getting some GLBT content into the Fringe, and one for having an ABBA mix in the show.

Next on my gay-genda was Boom, presented by IL Productions. This show is, in a word, FABULOUS! Andrew Conner (writer/performer) is an effing genius. He shifted in and out of about ten different characters with the ease of Kristi Yamaguchi doing a triple loop, triple salchow combination. Please pardon my pun, but Boom is simply explosive. The writing, staging, performing, and synchronicity of actor/lighting/sound was effortless. Also, Andrew Conner is super handsome…even in his ridiculous yet amazingly smart costume. There really isn’t much more to be said about this. You must see this show. If you don’t see this show, then I hate you, and you shouldn’t be alive anymore. You should also go see the Cody Rivers Show Presents: Stick To Glue, which also features Conner, along with Mike Mathieu, who is also super cute. Good job Boom! I give you Two Legs Way up in the Air and Spread Open, along with five Gaye golden stars!

See you at the Fringe! I’ll be the one trying to get in Andrew Conner’s pants so I can see his Boom.