Dead Man

Great Noir Fantasy Comedy with a twist! Wonderful cast, novel premise!... full review

DEAD MAN is not only one of the best shows of the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival—it may be my favorite show of the entire festival so far. This brilliant clown noir combines the visual language of classic film noir with fearless clowning, razor-sharp comedy, and unexpectedly moving storytelling. Imagine Dick Van Dyke meets The Naked Gun filtered through a theatrical clown lens, and you’ll begin to understand the show’s unique voice. The production constantly surprises, moving effortlessly from laugh-out-loud comedy to genuinely heartbreaking drama before delivering one of the strongest endings I’ve seen at Fringe this year. Smart, inventive, and expertly executed, DEAD MAN is a masterclass in ensemble comedy and theatrical storytelling. I wo... full review

I absolutely loved this play! The writing was fantastic, the performances nailed it and comedic timing was perfectly contrasted with the stillness and slower deeper moments.... full review

What an incredible show! The acting was amazing and the story was hilarious, dramatic and emotionally heart wrenching. Kept me laughing and wanting more every step of the way. So happy to hear that it will live on at the Atwater. If you didn't get to see it at the Fringe, definitely make sure you catch it when it re-surfaces.... full review

Dead man was the perfect Friday evening soiree complete with rain, saxophone and death (in its many forms). Hilarious comedic timing coupled with gut-wrenching vulnerability and excellent clowning has me wishing to see this at least once more. ... full review

The perfect Fringe show. Brilliant script, excellently staged and beautifully performed by a terrific cast. ... full review

Dead Man is a loving, clown-infused homage to noir stories. The cast, script, and direction are all excellent, and it sends you off with an unexpected punch to the heart.... full review

I thought the play was great, of course anything with Anne Noble attached to it, is going to be. Very interesting did not feel like it had any slow moments. The performers were great, very film noirish. Twists and turns throughout. ... full review

What starts as a noir clown show becomes something much different, in a great way. Dead Man stars an assortment of talented clowns who know where to find their laughs before taking an unexpected turn that hits you right in the solar plexus. Funny, charming, heartbreaking, and inspiring, Dead Man is a Fringe must-see.... full review

Very funny, unexpectedly sweet, clever writing, well-directed and beautifully acted... full review