Jim Hanna

In an ocean of Fringe shows straining for spectacle, one of the best of the year is a simple story, very well told with genuine characters just trying to find a little...happiness. With two extremely endearing and talented leads, this stage rom-com (something quite difficult to pull of onstage!) presents two yearning, maybe slightly damaged people who thoroughly drill themselves into our hearts. Jenni and Newton have wild chemistry as actors! Really great!... full review

Dark. Hilarious. Moving. A little scary. This is one of my favorites at Fringe so far this year. Veronica Rosas will knock you on your butt with this vulnerable, deranged, compelling performance. Always a fan of a solo show with a single character of such potency. It's a little breathtaking watching her spiral, recover a little, spiral some more and make cookies the entire time. One of the best individual performances at Fringe this year.... full review

What a high wire act Sidney Edwards pulls off here! Practically bouncing off the walls with energy and yet remaining in full, impeccable control of the various "Ms. Edwards" in her life. Funny, poignant and extremely moving, she flips skillfully between characters (and big credit to the brisk, unobtrusive scene changes). This is mostly a testament to Sidney's talent as a writer and gifted performer, but Director Byron Coolie deserves accolades for his tight management of this hilarious and touchi... full review

Welp, we just finished previews and I'm calling it: I won't laugh harder at any other Fringe show this year. No exaggeration, there was wild audience laughter nearly the entire time. There is an excellent blend of smart and just plain stupid (in the best way!) comedy. So brisk, so funny, so madly over the top. Strongest recommendation!... full review

Dina is an effortlessly hilarious and touching performer. A lot of whiplash as we jump between one of her hilarious characters or a hysterical aside and a deeply poignant memory of her family or her life in the former U.S.S.R. This is a rich, deeply compelling and wildly funny show. Add it to your list immediately!... full review

The high water mark of using the limits of the festival to hilarious, poignant effect. Simple set, simple premise, two actors, and yet, it's a fully realized production stuffed full with laughs, head spinning moments and tremendous depth. Easily one of my favorites at Fringe so far!... full review

This will be one of the darker shows you'll see at this year's Fringe, but it is compelling all the same. Some excellent performances and grim writing illuminate some truly disturbing content. I left feeling unsettled in a very good way.... full review

Neo is an endlessly charming performer, and his warmth with the audience made the interactions needed to do a mentalism show very low-stress and amiable. In fact, since I don't usually enjoy audience interaction, I asked Neo before I went if I could simply be an observer and not participate. Neo graciously said, "of course!" But then, I found myself caught up in his joy and kindness, I eventually took part. It was great! And the mentalism itself was very effective. Loved it!... full review

I've been lucky enough to work with Steve several times over the years and this show is a perfect crystallization of his many talents. He's effortlessly charming, funny and engaging. His mind bubbles over with countless impulses and ideas and they spill out delightfully over the course of this brisk, entertaining hour. And damn, if this guy can't write the most amazing hooks. His songs are all over the style spectrum but always ceaselessly engaging, endearing and hummable. Expect an ear worm or t... full review

Full disclosure: I am working with this show as a mentor via the Fringe Scholarship program. That said, I had no hand in the rehearsal process and did not see the script in advance, so all of this was a delightful surprise when I finally saw the show. It is hilarious, biting and performed by two absolute pros with amazing comic chemistry. The writing is deep, with some sharp social commentary, but is also just terrific technical comedy; great sketch concepts with well crafted jokes every few seco... full review