What I liked
There’s SO MUCH I loved about this show, to contain it a bit I’m just going to focus on three SPECIFIC moments. These hopefully aren’t spoilers, but they may only make sense once you’ve seen the show. I imagine a nod if you (the reader) see the show and are impressed by the same moments I was.
1. “What would you have me do? Let these bastards run free?” / “You know I’ll always tell you there’s another way” – delivered by Steph Martinez as Ava, this line gives me shivers every time. For a moment, we believe that MAYBE just MAYBE Nyx can be saved. And wow. The timing, the delivery, the poetics. snaps
2. Keep a careful eye on the graffiti backdrop. The flashbacks reveal something that, if you’re not looking — and there’s so much to see occurring with the cast, it’s easy to not look — you might miss, but is a brilliant use of set design and lighting effects that really demonstrates creativity on micro-budget.
3. Right versus Left. This moment delivers incredible tension, a horrible let down, followed by a huge relief. Despite being within the climax of the show as a whole, it felt as though we experienced another entire arc in the two minutes of this moment.
What I didn't like
N/A
My overall impression
A feat of creative storytelling, technical effects, and boundary pushing performances, the world premiere of NYX: The Girl Born to Chaos at Hollywood Fringe is a half hour experience you MUST SEE. The fourth-wall breaking, dark-comedy invites the audience into a newly constructed world from the dregs of a society we recognize; without ever slowing down the sequence of events we’re witness to; and introduces us to a vigilante, some may even call a hero, who battles demons, internal and external, while ALWAYS keeping the audience entertained.
With stellar direction from Frankie Kevich (SUITS L.A., APEX LEGENDS), the cast performs technical feats all while giving the audience engaging, relatable, grounded performances, as much as humanly possible for the “Jester of Justice’s” public “game” show!
Based on her original character, Charlotte Kaseta (WHAT DOESN’T KILL US, Asylum’s GLADIATORS) introduces us to Nyx, a vigilante bent on cleaning the streets of the worst villains among criminals. From the first moment we witness Nyx in costume, a knife on her leg and a teddy bear at her waist, we are engaged with the character. Her dark humor keeps a light shining among the trauma and pain we witness throughout Nyx’s “LIVE” game show. She’s balanced emotionally and physically by her co-star Ava, played by Steph Martinez (GET AWAY, SINS IN THE SUBURBS) who offers a gentler point of view and unconditional love for Nyx.
As if the above wasn’t enough to deliver a gripping 30 minutes, the show features some of the best stage combat, thanks to cast member/screen fighting coach Ross Gosla (MERCY, LIFELINES), lighting and sound effects – shout out to The Other Space theatre’s tech A-Rod, and special effects/blood effects in a Fringe Festival show I’ve seen.
If the SOLD OUT finale performance teaches us anything, it’s that when this show comes to a town near you — get your ticket right away. You won’t want to miss it.
