What I liked
V’s repeated misgenderment & deadnaming was really hard to listen to as a trans audience member, but I felt like the conversation around identity & gender was had in a really lovely way. I absolutely adored Irene’s love for her big sister. The characters were a lot of fun, and the unraveling of the narrative was exciting to follow. Even when an actor gets COVID, the show must go on — hats off to director Spencer for stepping in on book at the eleventh hour and giving a delightful performance at the 6/25 show!
What I didn't like
The cold open was a bit rough — I would have loved some exposition introducing us to Vanessa & Denise before being dropped into the heart of the conflict with V’s biological family. That being said, it felt like there were probably 15-20 minutes that could have been shaved down for pacing & flow; the repeated choruses at times felt they held up the action without creating new interest, and some of the conversations were more awkwardly long than theatrically needed. Would absolutely see this show again with some script revisions!
My overall impression
A different kind of musical with a different kind of story — The Transpiring merges compelling trans narratives with comedic rap verses and awkward, dorky familial love. Made with heart by some of your fave Fringe regulars, you’re in for a fangtastic surprise.
