Carol M. Becker (she/her)

Just to be clear, in Charlie Day's solo show, "Paris + Juliet," the wrong gentleman of Verona ended up with Juliet. And he is here to explain all the reasons why that is the case. I mean, Paris has everything going for him! Whether it's his moves like Jagger and sex appeal like Fabio, what lady wouldn't fall head over heals for him? Especially when he is head over heels for himself? Or is he? One might argue he has lost a bit of himself in pursuit of this young lady he barely knows, and with w... full review

What do you get when you combine ye Old West, a Bear-napping, a Podcast, and a Treasure Hunt? You get Trevor Reece's one-of-a-kind solo show, "1 YEAR LATER…I DO HAVE A FRINGE SHOW"! And what a mixture of mediums this show presents. For example, there are many pre-recorded video montages, several improvised bits with the audience, and even dancing with guns/rhythmic gymnastic ribbons. The laughter was bountiful, the costumes were a hoot, and the soundtrack was kicking - a fun evening was had b... full review

Ann Loud's solo show, Trench, is a story and character-rich deep-sea dive of immense wit and flair. Clad in a bright yellow jumpsuit with just a lone box on-stage, Loud portrays five different crew members trying to salvage their sinking ship, each unique and nuanced. From the fearful and flirtatious, to the maniacal and bold, her vocalizations and facial reactions truly grab the audience and never let go. Bravo!... full review

Nothing about the professional world of modeling is as cut & dry as outsiders perceive. The bonds of friendship and trust are tested when two models, Edina (plus sized) and Khalil (straight-sized) find themselves at multiple crossroads. It's tough trying to make a living in NYC, especially in your twenties. It becomes infinitely more complicated when boyfriends, parents, and agents are thrown into the mix. This serio-comedy is a slice-of-life play that features a diverse cast of eight performe... full review

HANDS DOWN - the most compelling piece of theatre at this year's Fringe! And it all begins with a pack of wolves dining over their latest kill. Sounds simple enough. However, what happens when one member starts asking existential questions about who/what they are? Who defines that? Humans? Nature? Could this pack of wolves make a conscientious choice to be more like other animals who get along and don't frighten each other? Going a bit further, could they give up hunting... killing... meat? ... full review

Happily for the HFF, Couplet (like a tender chicken cutlet) did it... again! They (Micah and Marnina) are back doing what they do best, sharing their married journey together through music and songs. And if you were lucky enough to catch Couplet's "Honey Honey Moon Moon," you'll be grateful to hear that in this humble critic's opinion, "Folk Marry Kill" is even BETTER! Get ready to laugh uncontrollably, listen intently, think a lot about death and love, and... play a riff of a game adults lik... full review

For anyone looking for a way to infuse real-life speeches into a telling deeply moving outing, look no further. This is an ideal dramatic solo show that happens when great black orators from the past share their wisdom and passion about slavery. Coupling a most formidable actor, Adrian A. Babatunde Thomas and director, Arthur Romeo, and all that is needed is a receptive audience wiling to listen and learn.... full review

Walking into The Actor Company's Little Theater, I knew that "All These Pretty Things" would be a very intimate solo show. On-stage were a few black boxes, a Tibetan singing bowl and mallet, and most importantly, a keyboard. Once singer/songwriter, Tracey Yarad entered holding her warm tea, she greeted the audience and launched into her show. Starting with an early marriage to an older man, his substance abuse led to the demise of their marriage. This resulted in her multi-year long "Celibacy.... full review

Enormous Things: The Musical takes innovation, ambition, and creativity and breaks the dial off! For those looking for a definitive "Fringe-y" show, look no further. I am not sure how the worlds of Chris Gale, Danthony Gerbarg, and Ellie Diberardino joined forces, but the result of their efforts, along with the cast and other crew members is sure to leave a smile on your face as it did mine. And OMG, all of the large scale, colorful cardboard work that is on display will simply AMAZE you. How ... full review

In Shahin Sayadi's "Ritual Music to Cure a Lover," storytelling, original music and captivating character work collide in one of this year's most beautiful solo pieces. Throughout the 60-minutes, Sayadi portrays several characters, showcasing his powerful acting chops. Specifically, he embarks on sharing the Persian mythology of Farhad, his beloved Shirin, and their son. While taking some liberties in creating this work, Sayadi stays true to the source material: an ancient love poem. ... full review