THE MERMAID WARS

Review by Pauline Adamek. * This review first appeared on www.StageRaw.com * Follow the link (“original article”) to read it. In Adam Hahn’s new play "The Mermaid Wars," making its world premier at this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, the world is in crisis. Mermaids have risen from the sea and plunged humankind into a seemingly interminable war. As the scientists and military spend decades searching for an effective defense to their mysterious powers, each U.S. President slowly goes insane. Regrettably, SkyPilot’s production squanders a decent premise and the commitment of a large cast with a muddled storyline, weak and unfunny dialogue and poor direction. Nicholas Leland has evidently instructed his cast to play their roles ... full review

Fringe Warning: Show goes 20 minutes beyond its advertised runtime. In The Mermaid Wars, tritons (the gender neutral word for mermaids/mermen) have surfaced throughout the world. Some are captured and studied, while others are worshiped and admired. Everyone seems to be waiting for something to happen. Even ten years after the first triton appearance, it's unclear the level of threat - if any - they pose. This sets the stage for the show as we follow no fewer than 5 storylines revolving to varying degrees around the mesmerizing creatures. One ends up admiring Mermaid Wars more for its ambition than for its execution. The storylines are mildly compelling, but the stakes remain muddled throughout. Mythology gets mixed up with meta... full review