Given the sit-com nature of the script and direction, and given that a few characters (the brother, his roommate) are used for conflict more than story, and given that it's yet another Turkey Day family reunion, it's surprising that "Thanksgiving" works as well as it does, especially for a first time out. This production also has going for it a stage full of distinctive performers, but Gary Poux as the put-upon fiancee mines the most comic gold from character-driven humor. There are even surprise... full review

Look, for a real good time, this is one show you MUST see in context of the Fringe. If you paid 50 bucks and went to a larger theater, not so much. You've got a great, game cast (two in prticular, Lucas Alifano and Tiffany Brain are standouts) and some fairly catchy tunes, but it winds up being sophomoric when sophistication would have been wiser because of the overindulgence in sexual topics. (I'm rather certain the first year of college is a little more than "Let's have sex" -- parody or otherw... full review

This is one of those, "Why didn't I come up with this idea?" moments. A brilliant (yeah, brilliant) addition to some very inspiring cabarets at the Fringe this year. But to have popular songs from Broadway and the hit parade performed by the denizens of an asylum is not only genius, it's executed beautifully in a club where sightlines usually suck. Kristen Boulé not only arranged the imaginative vocals (with Juan Lozano), but inventively staged his Broadway-caliber performers in an immersive 360-... full review

You don't have to be up on either "Waiting for Godot" or U2 to get that this is basically a silly spoof mash-up of both Theatre of the Absurd and our celebrity obsessed culture. Good, clean fun that still could use some more serious writing - ANY silly gets wearying without a story.... full review

Topical, gritty, and loving, this fast 50 minutes is a little bit sketch comedy and a little bit rock 'n' roll (or should I say "house"?). These guys let us in on some very real aspects of their life while commenting on the complicated issues of our age (dating, racism, etc. etc.).... full review

Less a play than an examination of Lincoln's assassination by the man who killed him. Unfortunately, facts and figures fly at us but little sticks, and Stephen Spiegel (as Booth) needs better direction than that from script writer Lloyd Schwartz. Spiegel travels a lot while spewing out over 80 minutes of dialogue; I wish he would just plant himself more often (I think he's working too hard). The play is simply too much info with little emotional connection.... full review

One of the best fucking productions at the Fringe. This crackling, compelling play is given star treatment by director Tony Gatto, who uses the intimate space beautifully.... full review

Too much fun! It's the story of a five-member crew and a space race with some geeky Martians.This playful, creative ensemble is tight, tight, tight. Dancing (expect "Spacercise" to become the next big fad), singing, a band and some truly hi-larious segments make this a joyous occasion. One a cappella song done blew me away. A happy happy unpretentious Fringe experience that can't be beat.... full review

As sturdily written and swiftly moving as it was in 1982, Charles Fuller’s A Soldier’s Play remains an enduring testament to the home front battles that African-American soldiers fought during World War II, within their ranks as well as with white comrades in arms. It’s a kind of upfront, downhome American classic, and director Victor Isaac and his company at the Hollywood Fringe Festival lift it to relevance, even urgency. (See my review)... full review

The Moth Champion regales us with succinct storytelling that palpably evokes his addiction to Tinder while in San Francisco. This well-written memoir can be very funny yet, unlike so many stand-up routines, the show doesn’t feel temporary. Why? Because Rodwin is seeking love and maybe monogamy, even though he’s not beyond fucking every woman in SF without having to slip them three little white pills and ending up in court. What he does slip these women is hardly left to the imagination; there’s a... full review