What I liked
Really energetic show! At times both deeply personal and yet I feel as if we were just scratching the surface. Roxanna clearly wants us to know who she is, and that sense of identity is palpable on stage. There’s something to be said for raw ambition in a space like Fringe, and I’m curious where Roxanna takes it from here.
What I didn't like
At times, the show felt like a fever dream; bold, brash, and saturated with performative color, only occasionally lacking in narrative clarity and depth.
While the minimalist staging was on brand for a solo Fringe piece, I found myself wishing for a little more grounding and introspection, especially in the aftermath of her Project Greenlight experience. The “what happens next?” remains a lingering and unsatisfied question. I’d like to see this show workshopped further as its honesty and earnestness is captivating. The writing may benefit from deeper excavation, less focus on the sheen of fame, and more on the complexity underneath.
My overall impression
Manic is a a fast-paced ride through her autobiographical rise to the edge of Project Greenlight, brimming with pop iconography, ambition, and an undeniable hunger for the spotlight. Roxana portrays a kaleidoscope of characters! Game show hosts, starlets, childhood versions of herself, all orbiting the singular goal of becoming famous. It’s an energetic, sometimes chaotic, glimpse into the complicated chase for validation in Hollywood.
