The Midnight Menagerie

So much fun. Bardic Bastards once again show why they create some of my favorite stories in the dark comedy genre. You will laugh throughout most of this play and find yourself enjoying an entertaining story that keeps you engaged throughout. This blend of writing and acting makes for a great time!... full review

So fun and entertaining! An hour was the perfect length to tell this playful, dark comedy. The characters were all such huge and different personalities, and it was really fun to see them all interact with each other, especially when they're fighting to stay alive! ... full review

The play is just a blast. In a tight 50ish minutes, it packs in mystery, hilarity, twists, and just some brilliant characters and acting. Couldn't recommend it enough for a fun night out!... full review

This is a very entertaining play. A group of evil Hollywood types (e.g. skeevy producers, greedy agents, narcissistic actors) gather at an embittered screenwriter’s house where potentially fatal shenanigans ensue. The play gets awesomely bonkers in ways that only great dark comedies can, yet it also has very grounded moments of drama that make the characters feel honest and real (I’m thinking of Marilyn’s monologue to Rose near the end, and Erol’s monologue to Marilyn at the end that were particularly strong). The playwright writes very thoughtful, fun material, and all of the actors deliver their lines with confidence and listen with empathy. I’m a fan of this play and a fan of the Bardic Bastards, the theater group that’s responsible for p... full review

Even though this kind of humor isn’t usually funny to me, by the time the curtain went down I sat there admiring the cleverness and bleakness of the whole project. But some of the barfing was laugh-out-loud funny. However, all the violence gave me nightmares!... full review

This play is young fun, clever, quick, insightful and existential commentary on art, business, and morality. It's like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf meets Saw IV! Especially the vomiting from Albee and the blood from Lionsgate. This anti-hero tale will definitely make you think some. The characters are all flawed in various ways but still we wonder and root for them as we see them go through the 5 stages of grief right before our very eyes. The bargaining stage which is particularly fun and comedic. I enjoy Brandon Pheltz's writing and direction of this piece. Especially having seen his previous work from last year's The Bakery, he definitely is developing a signature sound and style of story telling that's going to leave an excellent ... full review

The closest thing to a gross-out comedy I have seen at Fringe this year, The Midnight Menagerie features a strong cast tackling some pretty over-the-top characters. Starting with the premise of a “mobster” turned screenwriter feeling slighted by the Hollywood studio system - and specifically everyone he feels ruined a screenplay he had poured his heart and soul into - what is a such a man to do? Take revenge, of course! The revenge plot is where the show starts to embrace a farce vibe and that is where the show works best. ... full review

The Midnight Menagerie takes what most of us hate about Hollywood, or maybe have had to deal with in Hollywood, and enjoy some good old-fashioned schadenfreude as they all finally cross the wrong man: THE SCREENWRITER.......who just also happens to be a mob boss. It's a hilarious, dark, and gory romp, with some pretty amazing performances by the cast. The dialogue is witty, fast, and sarcastic, reveling in every second of the run. Trust me, if you need a good laugh, this is the show to see. ... full review

Delightfully ostentatious The Bardic Bastards deliver on all fronts with THE MIDNIGHT MENAGERIE this campy over the top dark comedy had me laughing the entire time though. Brandon Pfeltz soon to be cult classic, is filled with sharp writing,a fantastical macabre story, and a all star cast and crew. At only five dollars a ticket, and served with a complimentary glass of wine you will not find a better deal at this years Hollywood Fringe Festival. I guarantee you are in for a bloody good time. ... full review

Writer/director Brandon Nicholas Pfeltz’s "Midnight Menagerie" is an outrageous adult romp, hilarious but not for everyone; those with delicate sensibilities should steer clear of purchasing a ticket. However, for audiences that can be in on the joke and enjoy the ludicrous plot and ridiculous characters, definitely give this show a shot!... full review