Michael Shaw Fisher

Fringe stepped it up last night. With the Montauban theater, Ben, Stacy and their team elites gave us a venue with glamour worthy to celebrate all the participants' tireless efforts to do what they love. Holy crap was it cool. In a time where 99 seat theater is under attack by those who are refusing to see it as professional or worthy of respect, the fringe's Decision to move the ceremony from its previous sweaty, casual yet charming bar room setting, was the statement in and of itself. Many atte... full review

Jeremy Aluma already deserves a lifetime achievement award for all he and his band of clowns have accomplished at the Hollywood Fringe (and beyond.) For the last five years, he has successfully used the fringe laboratory to birth brain crushing clown revolutions, dashing expectations and wooing believers - Halfwits Last Hurrah is no less of a worthy offering from his mind-blowing troupe. There is so much to love in this show...every character, and even have my pinnacle character, my stand out clo... full review

Fucking NAILED it. As I told Jim Hanna, "your genius pulsates through that bitch of a play like strychnine." This show is a rattlesnake that I suspect will snap out the telling clichés in my mind as I watch one man shows at this and future fringes. The tightly written stream of words comes pouring out of these absurd-yet-recognizable characters in the most unpredictable ways. You've already heard about it. See it. I want a tee shirt with Jim Hanna on it.... full review

I don't think there is another show in this entire festival where, while watching it, you will ask yourself if the person performing in front of you might be certifiably insane. Yea, I know all actors are crazy, but there is a special penthouse suite reserved in the nuthouse for Ms Carline Sweet , where the walls are padded with Ben Affleck pillows that she fearlessly bounces off for the shows all-too-brief 35 minute running time. This show is seriously what the Hollywood Fringe is about: a one w... full review

You will NOT find a project more ambitious than this in the festival this year. The actors obliterate the singing competition of this festival with their Broadway-level chops. Some of the material is still in devopment (as most shows are) but that is NO reason not to see it and be inspired by it. Even as I see more shows this one has stayed with me as being a singularly mature and professional effort. Congrats Kelly and the Cristos!... full review

If your'e looking for a non-pretentious solo show with truth and heart, Wade Skalsky is your man. He is no actor (as other reviewers as himself freely admits) he's a lawyer, and in his first time on the stage, he makes his case: Alcoholism, life choices, women (or lack of the three.) Being a defense attorney he's obviously comfortable with being in front of people, and his jokes are spot on. The most lovable thing about all of this though is Wade himself, and this show's real strength is how much... full review

Sit in the front row for this one. It's an intimate experience and easily the most philosophical "one man" puppet show you will ever see in your life. As a master artist/puppeteer, Robin Walsh brings her talents to the surface with this patient exploration of the very gentile Prince of Darkness. As she indulges Lucifer, giving him time to pontificate and postulate, the audience falls into a dreamlike trance where Satan becomes a sort of Zen life coach of the Dark Side, and like most devils do in ... full review

Jamie Andrews has a dark side. And ironically, sharing that with tenderness, wit and humility is where her brilliance lies. As a performer she gives Cookie a lost-yet-searching quality that pulls on your guts. As a writer she creates an internal discussion that will linger with you long after the curtain call. As her Monster, the raw and rough-edged Scott Leggett could easily steal the show with his one liners, were it not for the immaculate ensemble work that shines equally bringht without ... full review

This really is a flawless production brought to life on the most professional scale – all the while being a TOTAL fun Fringe show. Dir., Janet Miller, demonstrates her incomparably high standard of excellence by offering the Fringe a special piece that she fell in love with long ago and by bringing it to the Fringe, has endeavored to convert newbies like myself as well as harking back to those many others whom THE FANTASTICKS has taken permanent residence in their heart. There really are so many ... full review

Anzu = Yoko. Nuff said. She was totally mesmorizing in her role. I could not take my eyes off her - everything from her speaking voice to her expressions, I thought Anzu WAS Yoko. Now, let's talk about her singing voice...on fact the whole cast, dear LORD can they SING! Everyone I was with agreed Anzu was a total rockstar (the gentleman playing John Lennon was also a total powerhouse) but more importantly the whole team delivered on a level of conviction that sold the story they came to tell. As ... full review