Matt Ritchey

I remembered enjoying the first production of Ingersoll several years ago, and I was not disappointed with this version! I was reminded of “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” if that animatronic performance was more lively, fun, tongue-in-cheek, and have far less use of the word God. But both firmly have the American flag waving behind them. I’m so glad Ernest introduced me to Robert Ingersoll. I’m sure it helps that I share his views, but the way they are expressed in this production are clear eno... full review

Gordon Matheson‘s second musical far exceeds his first in every way. The story structure, characters, casting, the production, the choreography and singing, all of it really works, and the direction by Soda flows incredibly well. Gordon always comes from a place of caring and love and this musical encompasses those themes quite well. ... full review

I was lip-syncing and head banging in the audience. If you know these peeps, you already know that anything they touch is gonna be gold, and MOST LIKELY is no exception. A whirlwind trip back to when I listened to the radio and to when I had hope, MOST LIKELY TO is a nostalgic love letter to our past, our dreams, and it would be a reminder to Hold On, except that Wilson Phillips was out of rotation by this point in musical history.... full review

Super-fun show with a huge talent and some great music. And, as has been said before, some deep and important themes - all while being funny! Steve has created (or is showing us) some great characters, taking time to tackle big issues without being preachy, and the songs (particularly a flute "duet" and the opening Colors number) seem like they're pulled directly from a Sondheim revue. See it!... full review

Genius. That's an over-used word, especially when doing reviews for art, but truly, DOG is brilliant. A raw, emotional, heart-breaking story with writing so beautiful and poetic I was in tears at the descriptions of football. I went in knowing Ben Morowski was genius. I left realizing he's going to simply get better every year.... full review

If you don't know a lot of David Lynch's work, you can let the insanity wash over you in a brilliant, colorful wave of discordant horns, nefarious characters, femme fatales who are actually different femme fatales but are really the same, well-choreographed-and-sung musical numbers, and a truly inspired burlesque section. If you KNOW a lot of David Lynch's work..... HOOBOY! Prepare to scream with laughter at Michael Shaw Fisher's deconstruction of what makes Lynch Lynch. I don't think he missed a... full review

I feel like "delightful" is one of those words one should use sparingly, but it perfectly describes Darbianna Dinsmore. She does wonderful work as multiple well-rounded characters in Chamber Stevens's fun genre-mashup (a bit of DOWNTON ABBEY meets the LIMELIGHT circa late 90's). Great storytelling, a nice twist (she's Luke's father.... no, no, it's better than that), and some cute dance moves! Check it out!... full review

Upbeat and funny, LYME DISEASE (and NOT "Lyme's" - which, ironically, I heard someone say on TV a few hours after I watched this show) THE MUSICAL had great performances, terrific music, and a heartbreaking topic (don't worry, it IS a comedy). How can you not like a show narrated by a six-foot tick? GREAT EXPECTATIONS should have been narrated this way!... full review

Listen up. Mitchell puts on the consistently best and unique one-person shows at Fringe: always quality, always engaging, always entertaining. But he does more in TOUGHEST. In embodying and telling the fascinating story of Mike Royko, he not only gives a great history lesson, but he is grounded and connected in a new way. Instead of a Mark Twain style characterization, Mitchell IS Royko. Because Royko was us. The best of us. And so is Mitchell. See this. It’ll be one of the best things at Fringe.... full review

If there were to be a King of Hollywood Fringe musicals, it would have to be Michael Shapiro. 2019’s THE BULLY PROBLEM was a phenomenal Broadway-class project and his new Call to Adventure, GIDEON ANDTHE BLUNDERSNORP, follows perfectly. Shapiro’s shows always nail all the vitals – perfect casting, great directing and choreography, and (most importantly) laser-precision crafted story. With likable characters, funny dialogue, beautiful character- and story-driven songs, and a vulnerable and sweet h... full review