Super Quick - Wednesday, August 20 Shows - Fringe Full of Stars!

 I slept in a little this morning because I was pretty tired. I realized yesterday why I usually take Wednesday off as my recharge day (I didn't this year...). 

Bomb

Still thinking about this one. Very well done, a little bit surreal, and I am still thinking about what it was trying to say. Definitely a strong comment on maintaining Ukrainian Identity in the face of Russian oppression and incursion. An Excellent cast (Anna Kuman, Geoffrey Simon Brown, Mariya Khomutova, & James MacDonald) and very cool choices for production design and blocking. Loved the gliding hospital screens and shadow play using overhead projectors! Still thinking. Would love to chat with someone else who saw it - it's that kind of play. 

SHIPSHOW!

A very silly and fun show at the Spotlight! Top-notch performers, Dave Clarke & John Ullyatt, come to the stage as the Captain and a Seaman from cursed The Flying Dutchman. Their goal? Find a woman to pledge her love to the Captain to end the curse. Along the way there a many a sea shanty and sailing or boat related songs sung, as well as dances and clever wordplay. I particularly liked all the Fish Puns! Silly fishy fun! 

Giorgi of the Jungle

Set in the 1980s, this show explores the repercussions of bullying based on body hair. There are some strong performances from the cast (Kirsten Throndson, Jason Hardwick, Miracle Mopera, Natalie Czar) and they all commit to their perspective on the issue, but it's sometimes hard to discuss an issue in a play set in another time when modern times have different perspectives. I wasn't sure what point of view the play was, if any, championing. As a junior high teacher I see so many young folk obsessed with how they look and I don't think it's a good thing. I also have my own complicated personal feelings about my appearance, so I think this triggered a few things for me. I don't think the bullies should win and I also think 10 years old is way too young to have to be thinking about how you look. But maybe that's what the show was trying to say?