Michael Shaw Fisher

Levatino is a beast. He might even be insane...but there is no arguing he is one genius bastard. I mean COME ON. A piece like this isn’t just scribbled willy nilly, it’s the product of both vision and methodical dicipline to both historical research and the craft of playwrighting. I would suggest that anyone who fancies themselves the next Mamet or Pinter, take their heads out of their asses and treat themselves to Meantime At Hojo’s and be humbled by the exciting work is being done by American p... full review

If there was an award for the most ambitious production at this year’s fringe, Unreal City would steal the trophy. I think everyone should check it out because I mean damn...they got a cast of like 30 folks out there in the streets of Hollywood busting their asses to create an entire landscape of story! Of course there are different tracks you can take on your hour+ adventure and I regret that so many of those performers I missed... but hey, that’s the nature of the beast. I will say most of the ... full review

It isn’t often when you are treated to the experience of seeing someone speak directly and passionately about something that matters to them. Well let me tell you something, the writer/actor/director Ernest Kearney is ALWAYS passionate, in passing barroom banter, in is previous work, and INGERSOLL SPEAKS - AGAIN is no different. Kearney is walking vehemence, instilling every idea, nay every sentence with significance. He is on a mission. And this is not about politics - as this is NOT a political... full review

Laura Wiley is raising her game with her latest show, and this group of talented badass performers, tackling with insight the characters we know (or at least know of - which is enough for this SITC lamen) and finding her own touching way into the origins of their necessity for each other. With direction and choreography provided by Corey Robison, the show moves fast, was built firmly and always stays on the light side of parody without losing its respect for the source material. Bravo all!... full review

What if the Legendary Dracula came to reside in Hollywood? You’d get this light-hearted-yet “biting” Monster cabaret with some pretty hilarious snipes/homages to Hollywood and pop culture-at-large. If you attend this show you better be prepared to jump into the fun and sing along - I’m willing to bet you’ll know the songs;)... full review

It's a show that you absolutely have to see in order to say that you have seen it.... full review

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