Carol M. Becker (she/her)

Question: What do you get when you combine history (around the time of the French Revolution), family dynamics (an older, Emperor of a brother), and female desires? Answer: Napoleon's Who*re Sister, the serio-comedic portrait of Pauline Bonaparte. This show is much more than just a flashy, risqué title. The power is all in the messaging which highlights a woman proclaiming her sexuality and not being afraid to share it with the world. Rest assured, the show is a jovial romp; however, serious... full review

Otherwise, Engaged is an outstanding, non-stop laugh-out-loud fest! Encompassing so much reverence to the comedy genre, the show says and does everything it needs to perfectly within an hour. And, so as not to give away any spoilers, I must applaud the surprise(s) at the end of the play! They were incredibly well done! Much admiration goes to writer, Jessica Kinsella. Her humor reminds me of both Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron (both comedic geniuses in their own right). Her future with farce is ... full review

This is my first time seeing a Benjamin Schwartz play. It will NOT be my last! The play title alone piqued my interest given my heavy admiration for Yasmina Reza's award-winning play, God of Carnage. I predict greatness for this two-handed, serio-comedy as well. The display of talent is apparent from the start and continues on throughout the duration of this hour-long play. With questions about commitment, mortality, and the human experience at the forefront, the audience serves as members of... full review

For those searching for a show that celebrates the nostalgia about the silent era in American film, SMILE is a "Gold Rush" of a solo performance! Australian performer Marcel Cole is in a class all by himself. Of course, his chosen tribute, Charlie Chaplin, was also a five-star multi-hyphenate who made cinematic history. Perhaps Cole is Chaplin reincarnated, who knows? What I do know is that Cole's mastery of pantomime, clowning, ballet and audience interaction, make SMILE a unique blend of fu... full review

What a powerful solo entry at the Hollywood Fringe by triple-threat performer, Kayla Boye! Having previously participated in 2022's HFF as Elizabeth Taylor, this time around, she tackles Hollywood's Golden Era dancer-extraordinaire: Ann Miller. This particular show encompasses bits of Miller's biography with a fair amount of tap dancing and musical theatre numbers. So for those that enjoy her work, this will be a crowd pleaser. With a simple black director's chair on-stage, vibrant lighting d... full review

What happens when you take a genderqueer, newly married duo and contemplate the major events their entire relationship? Naturally, they write a comedy cabaret act complete with original songs sung in harmony! Even the stringed instruments used, they with a guitar and they with a violin, combine beautifully. Yet, how does this Jewish couple opt to celebrate their wedding? They opt to test the waters out by sharing their show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, of course. With the ultimate h... full review

This intensely personal, character-driven solo show captures the complexities of on-app dating. There are so many moments of pure hilarity that I lost track of the number of times I laughed out loud. Co-joining these instances are moments that celebrate Kirsten Vangsness's poignancy, vulnerability, and open-mindedness. While she might feel "Outdated," I guarantee that her subject matter and its relevancy are not. For those unfamiliar with terms relating to the "B" in LGBTQIA+ or demisexuality... full review

I came into this show not knowing anything about Shelley Cooper or her compelling work. What I did know was that choosing Lotte Lenya as the person to pay homage to was a most unusual and bold choice. Anytime a performer tackles a real person and aims to tell their story, I tip my proverbial hat to them. And Cooper does not disappoint. As a musical theatre junky, I knew of this award-winning character actress from Threepenny Opera, but James Bond fans will know her as Spectre agent Rosa Klebb... full review

In Michael Perlmutter's Polite Conversations and Wine, prodding, biting banter and non-stop wining serve up the drama family-style. In this case, it's all about a couple, their mothers and the uncomfortable dynamic the four create. Speaking about dynamic, though, that is the most appropriate label for this play. Bringing a child into the world is a reason to celebrate, right? What happens when the couple is lesbian and one of the partners is getting ready to serve in the Coast Guard? How muc... full review

It's not every day that merch captures my feelings towards a show, but in the words of A Funeral at the Peanut Patch, I am definitely Nutz 4 Nutz! This show is a clever, original serio-comedy about siblings and their peanut farm. Add in the poignant issue about how humans are taking over animals' homes/lands and there you have it: a two-hander with a real message. As for the messenger, well, hands up (er, hats off) to Gus(th). ... full review