What I liked
Funny, way more interactive than I expected which made the show very tangible, super impressive movement work like how the heck did he do that in those sandals????, lighting and sound, distinct characters and narratives.
What I didn't like
Transitions could be a little quicker but learning that they only had 15 minutes to set up and tear down made me all the more impressed the show ran so smoothly. Energy is pretty dependent on audience participation but that seems to be the case with clowning and Alex handled the awkwardness well if anybody was unsure what to do.
My overall impression
Bizarre, delightful, and highly interactive. Be sure to sit in the first two rows! ;) This was my first ever clown show, so I didn’t really know what to expect, which is the best way to experience Alex’s craft to be honest, so don’t read too many reviews!! Just go see it for yourself! He and the team achieve a lot with minimal props and costumes, so the performance, lighting, and clearly defined characters carry a lot of the show. Incorporating aspects of one’s heritage is always a vulnerable endeavor, but Alex uses our familiarity with Japanese media tropes (emphasis on the Hollywood in Hollywood Fringe) to poke fun at the absurdity of figuring who the heck you are.
