What I liked
First off, the comedic chemistry between Megan Louise Berndt and Rory Flynn was delicious. From Flynn’s entrance in the first scene, it was on! Seriously: I instantly was drawing comparisons to (yes, I mean this) Lucille Ball & Vivian Vance and, in contemporary terms, Jamie Denbo and Jessica Chaffin.
Both of them excel at the physical comedy moments, but both also bring depth to their characters with their reactions to the other’s antics.
Flynn’s work as someone who may have just overimbibed in one scene was spot on, neither over-the-top unrealistic or floating in and out as often happens.
Zedrick Restauro’s work in the first two pieces as the comic foil was very good. His timing was excellent, never allowing the action to slow down, and his frenetic frustration with the other two in the second piece was wildly funny.
Oh, and music during the mercifully short transitions rocked, keeping the energy up. And THANK YOU to Berndt for telling the audience at the top of the show that the stories were unrelated. Took some of the viewing pressure off, allowing everyone to just enjoy the great performances.
What I didn't like
The third act, which is a relatively slow-developing piece (compared to the first two) about best friends and feelings unexplored, needed something.
Perhaps if sandwiched between the two comedy pieces if might have fared slightly better. In addition to the pacing, the actors aren’t given anything to do in these scenes other than talk, really.
Yes, these were all separate scenes, but placed at the end of the show, the slight lack of chemistry between Berndt and Restauro was just overwhelmed by the comedic chemistry between all the actors in the first two scenes.
Still, though, not a show to miss. And as I said: The perfect Fringe show.
My overall impression
When people ask what my ideal of a Fringe show is, I can now forever tell them about this one. Essentially two parts funny, one part romance, this series of three unrelated pieces held attention solid for the 40 minute run time. The staging was simple but perfectly effective, the direction laser focused on giving the actors the moments they needed to bring these tight stories to life.
