What I liked
The adaptation and the characterizations were top-notch. Direction, wise, I loved the moment where they struck these vignettes – hilarious..
What I didn't like
Personally, I think we could have used a little Groucho at the very end to bookend the piece and round out the theatrical experience – but adding that small addition is a great problem to have when everything else works.
(personally, I’ll also add that there was this couple sitting in front of me where the guy kept kissing his girlfriend‘s cheek over and over… like these big obnoxious smooches on her cheek and there was literally one every 10 seconds which threatened to take me out of this play and ruin the whole experience. Public displays of affection are fine but it’s like, “come on guys. You’re not the only ones in this 50 seat theater!”
This of course, was NO fault of the production, in fact, the show had to be pretty good to keep me distracted from that blood-boiling annoyance! Lol. Kudos to the cast!!)
My overall impression
I gotta hand it to Brian, accomplishing this adaptation for Fringe with no easy feat. I was able to commiserate with him in the weeks leading up to the festival, and there was a lot he was balancing with Woody Allen and his reps to try to get every aspect of this show approved. But what would all of that matter if there wasn’t anything worthwhile to show for it? The GREAT news is, that there is much in MR. BIG to enjoy that both demonstrates the brilliant mind of Woody Allen and the theatrical voice of Brian Knudson who seized upon the innate theatricality in the short story to turn it into a breezy half hour romp of atheistic shenanigans. The performers are really excellent with Brian nailing his role as textbook gumshoe, with all the subtleties in his face and tone as he nails lines of brash mock-misogyny with a familiar noir cadence and color. Knowing him personally, I honestly couldn’t imagine him in that role, but he transforms up there in the most beautiful way. Speaking of transformations, ample respect and applause needs to go to Cathrine Alison for her depiction of literally everyone else in this philosophical murder mystery. She is plain looney, fearless, and everything the doctor ordered. Congratulations to all! Hopefully they will extend and others will get a chance to enjoy this sweetly comedic teaspoon of intellectual medicine.
