What I liked
Well-organized telling of an TWO interesting stories—-HER period of deep depression and HIS struggle to survive a punitive prison sentence even as he pulls a publishable book out of his experiences.
What I didn't like
Although HER story was well told, I wanted to know more about HIS story, as told in the book. Maybe making time for a brief in-house q-&-a session with HER audience before the end of the hour would be a good idea!
Meanwhile, this needs a pithier, more evocative (and shorter) title that ties the two stories into one indelible image. But what is it?
My overall impression
Everyone has a story to tell and Fringe is where the ambitious come to capture an audience. Stacy Dymalski captured Producer Michael Blaha, who also brought us two Edinburgh Fest successes this season, and she uses her hour to showcase the musical talents of her son Derrick, too. HER story is about how at the lowest ebb of her own life she put her professional skills to use mentoring a Federal prisoner into improving and publishing (as JACUMBA CONNECTION) the story HE had to tell about human trafficking on the Mexican border. Maybe after he finishes his punitive sentence we’ll be seeing HIM here at Fringe was well! I’ll bet THAT story will still be Trendy then!
(Like Michael Blaha’s ECHOES, which ought to be called CAPTURED!, this show needs a tighter title too!)
