Jim Hanna

Scarcely a surprise but The School of Night folks have killed it again. I always marvel at their ability to cram so much (fights, music, elaborate costuming, raves, first-rate performances) into so little (short run time, small space). It's a wildly entertaining spectacle that deserves all the eyes it can get. Go see it!... full review

One of my favorites of the Fringe so far. I'm not too well steeped in the intricacies of "Waiting for Godot" (nor U2 for that matter) but when the writing is so silly/smart and the performances are so outstanding, it really doesn't matter. This is a brisk, hilarious, thoughtful production you should definitely add to your "must-see" list.... full review

A striking and beautiful blend of language, physicality and acting; just when I thought one aspect was the most dominating, I was thrown for a loop. All three elements are given their due in this thought-provoking and gorgeous production. Connection and communication are perpetually maddening, necessary and often transcendent. Each quality is brought into stark relief when boiled down from the crush of humanity to the struggles of two individuals aching to crack this eternal human puzzle. The pow... full review

This is thoroughly outstanding and well-executed show; charming and lovable actors, crisp, inventive writing and a few little tech and staging miracles. Really touching and funny! One of the gems of this year's Fringe!... full review

I'll be brief. This is by far the funniest thing I've seen at Fringe this year. Not. Even. Close. So smart, so stupid, so inventive, so everything. If you miss this, may God have mercy on your soul. Well done Ed, et al!... full review

Ever see a show and snort quietly, smugly to yourself, "I could do that"? I have never once said that watching Michael Shaw Fisher. My head was about to fly off my neck trying to figure out which element had me reeling the most. "It's the near-demented commitment to character. No, No, it's the shockingly inventive lyrics. Nope, the most jaw dropping thing is the music itself. Fuck it...I give up." At root, the best thing about this show is the certainty you'll have that Fisher is KILLING himself ... full review

This is a truly lovely production. Leigh writes beautifully and tells her story so sweetly and simply. Plenty of laughs and a couple of emotional gut-punches will you keep you totally engaged. Well done, Leigh!... full review

The impossibly engaging Heather Dowling starts off on a traditional solo show track: A charming and hysterical storyteller spins out a winning tale stuffed full of funny and touching characters. But something else is going on here. And when she finally takes you to some of the darker, more touching moments, she kicks you right in the teeth. I think my favorite part is that there's a spoiler right in the title! You know where she's going, especially since you see her right in front of your very ey... full review

Go ahead and try to find more subtle, understated yet powerful acting anywhere at Fringe this year. I'll wait. A deceptively simple, beautiful night of theater. Jenny Ashe especially impresses as she pulls double duty in two different but well crafted one-acts.... full review

In a Fringe stuffed with aliens, video games, clowns, acrobats and all sorts of experimental shenanigans (much of it awesome, btw) it was such welcome treat to see two people simply talking to one another in an intimate space, trying desperately to connect. And that is done so well on top of that...outstanding. Well acted, well directed and just plain beautiful. Still, it is Fringe, so you just know something F'd up is going on beneath the surface. Have fun getting your face smacked off when you ... full review