A diverse cast
of comedies — from beloved beer to an Alzheimer’s mystery to Whovian angst — scatters amusing gems at the 26th Fringe Festival.
Here are reviews from the 26th Orlando Fringe Festival, running through May 29 at Loch Haven Park and nearby locations. To see shows, first buy a $10 button online or at the festival. Each show then sells tickets for no more than $12. See the complete schedule at OrlandoFringe.org. For more reviews, plus video clips, go to OrlandoSentinel.com/Fringe.
‘Molly’s Comedy Cabaret’
Molly Wilson says that her hometown of Chilliwack, Canada, is known for two things: peaches and cream corn and a can-do attitude. I’m going to make it three by adding Molly Wilson to that list.
With a vocal range as wide as Canada itself, Wilson has the chops to pull off the music of Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Queen and Whitney Houston to name a few. Add to that her delightful personality, endearing stories and comedic timing, and you’ve got “Molly’s Comedy Cabaret,” an enjoyable hour with your new bestie, Molly. The Fringe Factor:
Ooh la la, her French flirtation teacher who reminds me of Lucy from “Avenue Q,” adds the Fringe Factor. There are other unexpected puppet moments and silly costume props that bring hearty laughs from the audience. And did I mention that we learned a bit about mastering the art of the kazoo?
Curtain Call: Wilson does a great job of connecting with her audience. There was a nice infusion of local references, and even some audience participation, encouraged by her right-hand girl, stage manager Amy.
Where & When: Blue venue, 60 minutes, $12, 7 and up. 11:30 a.m. May 21; 5:45 p.m. May 23; 8:30 p.m. May 25; 2:15 p.m. May 27; 8:45 p.m. May 28. Lania Berger
‘Beers About Songs’
Pop the top and pour a beer, raise your glass and give a cheer, because Ryan Adam Wells is as intoxicating as a six-pack in his one-manshow, “Beers About Songs.”
Wells has a true love of beer; he regards it as his longest and most stable relationship. Many of his original songs are cleverly written with beer puns and liquor metaphors, and a good portion of his storytelling includes, well, beer.
But the show is so much more than this. Wells explores his relationships and the consequences of the choices he makes by avoiding conflict.
Although this is Wells’ first time at the Orlando Fringe Festival, he is a Fringe circuit veteran, and it shows. His guitar playing was mesmerizing, his voice had the perfect twang and touch of soul for the country music he crooned. The Fringe Factor:
Although the story is rather ordinary, the storytelling is anything but. By finger-picking his guitar throughout the show, even the spoken lines had an entrancing melodic and rhythmic quality to them. I found myself hanging on every word, and feeling as though Wells’ guitar was a second actor on the stage.
Curtain Call: Don’t be fooled into thinking “Beers About Songs” is a common Bud Light; it’s a rich and creamy craft with a velvety finish. Cheers! Where & When:
White venue, 60 minutes, $10, 13 and up. 10:15 p.m. May 22; 8:45 p.m. May 24; 10:30 p.m. May 25; 10:15 p.m. May 26; 8:45 p.m. May 27.
‘Pillow Talk’
Orlando apparently has no shortage of attractive young men willing to explore male intimacy, and I don’t mean the sexual kind. Through the years I’ve seen multiple productions of Peter Tolan’s funny and chipper little play “Pillow Talk,” and each time a new cast charms the pants right off me, if you’ll pardon the expression.
The same is true this year in a production directed by Jamie DeHay, who was also at the head of the 2013 Fringe staging. That year, the show made the Sentinel’s Best of Fringe list, and this new production measures up. Logan Ayala and Jonathan “Gyo” Gamble are best friends on a road trip who discover unexpected differences when forced to share a bed for a night. But are they so different?
Ayala and Gamble are believable as friends, know how to land a funny line and hold just enough back
to keep the audience wondering about their motives — and what will happen next. The Fringe Factor:
The full-frontal nudity still comes as a shock — not because of the human anatomy involved, but because it feels like a step too far, more marketing gimmick than truthful character development.
Curtain Call: Because of the nudity, this sweet little show is often considered a “gay play,” but really it’s for anyone who suffered through body or intimacy issues in the awkward young-adult years (or maybe still does). The best part? Playwright Tolan leaves it to the audience’s imagination to wonder how the rest of that road trip plays out.
Where & When: Yellow venue, 45 minutes, $12, 18 and up. 3 p.m. May 21; 7:30 p.m. May 24; 10:30 p.m. May 25; 7 p.m. May 26; 11:59 p.m. May 28 Matthew J. Palm
‘Forget Me Not’
Rob Gee puts his experience as a psych-ward nurse to very good use in “Forget Me Not — The Alzheimer’s Whodunnit.” A remarkable piece of writing, this solo comedy (and mystery) show grabs your heart by doing something so simple yet rare: It treats those with dementia as people, not merely patients.
That means with a few well-chosen phrases, Gee creates fully formed characters that can be a source of pity, exasperation and humor.
His involving tale is also a tender love story between a retired policeman, whose memory is fading, and his wife, Elsie. Unfortunately, Elsie has been found dead in the dementia ward where she resides. Her widower is suspicious of the circumstances and sets out to find the truth. What follows mixes a lineup of suspects worthy of “Murder, She Wrote” mixed with poetic storytelling of the highest order. The Fringe Factor:
As directed by Tara Gatherer, Gee creates vivid images with the various suspects and investigators in his tale, from the hardhearted ward manager — “Leaving aside the fact she’s dead, I really don’t see a problem,” she says matter-of-factly — to the good-natured nurse who serves as a tour guide of the ward.
Curtain Call: With its unconventional setting and beautiful story, this gem should create festival buzz. It takes a brave man to mine the tragedy of dementia for laughs. With his shrewd mix of humor and heart, Gee strikes storytelling gold.
Where & When: 8:30 p.m. May 21; 5:45 p.m. May 23; 8:30 p.m. May 25; 11:30 a.m. May 27; 6:30 p.m. May 28. Matthew J. Palm
‘Who, Me’
Doctor Who is here! In the quirky one-man show “Who, Me,” obsessed fan Rob Lloyd has put the long-running series on trial. He’s trying to determine whether a fixation on the Time Lord has enriched or ruined his life.
Lloyd knows how to tell the story with flair. Changing accents, voices and posture, he’s the prosecutor, witnesses and defense counsel in a fastpaced trial. His resemblance to the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, makes the show’s shifting characters even more amusing.
Lloyd blithely confesses the awkward social moments, petty crimes and uncomfortable loneliness of his nerdy young life. He celebrates the times when the mantra of “What would the Doctor do?” made a difference. The Fringe Factor: If you are a Dr. Who enthusiast, you will know whether to laugh or groan at the scattering of inside jokes. The mash-up of Doctor postures is brilliant and the background photos are a fan bonus. But Fringegoers who don’t know Dr. Who from Dr. Zhivago can absolutely enjoy this show. They’ll miss some references, but in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t really matter. Anyone who knows the rules for Quidditch, or fusses about missing episodes of “Y&R,” will easily understand Lloyd’s quandary.
Curtain Call: “Who, Me” reminds us about how real our favorite fictional characters seem. With any luck, it may help us feel better about the obsessions, guilty pleasures and time-wasters we secretly and not-so-secretly love.
Where & When: Blue Venue, 60 minutes, $12, 7 and up. 5:45 p.m. May 22; 8:45 p.m. May 24; 7 p.m. May 26; 4 p.m. May 27; 11 a.m. May 28. Susan Mitchell