What I liked
The spare set design served the play well, giving us the bones of the Marvel “bullpen” while leaving the actors room to fill it with life, which they did.
Leif Gantroort and Bryan McKinley spar beautifully as Lee and Kirby.
The supporting cast – Cliff Weissman, Kristina Miller-Weston, Elle Shaheen, Alex Vaughn and Reid Emmons – round out the well-tuned ensemble with sharp, emotional performances.
What I didn't like
Somewhat confused by the costumes. Some characters seem to be in period clothing, others not.
I believe Fringe Fest has some rules about costuming but I’m not clear on that.
Nonetheless, it did not detract from the strong performances.
My overall impression
Masterfully written, directed and staged, the play is a fascinating look behind the scenes at the birth of the Marvel world we are all so familiar with. We meet the creators, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and explore their creative partnership — and its unravelling. Along the way, we learn the meaning and cost of success for each of them.
