What I liked
What I loved most about Second Rodeo was the incredible chemistry between Carolina Rodriguez and Michael Perlmutter. Together, they created a father-daughter relationship that felt authentic, layered, and deeply human. Carolina Rodriguez continues to impress as a performer, bringing vulnerability, strength, and emotional honesty to every moment she was onstage. Michael Perlmutter matched her beautifully, delivering a nuanced and heartfelt performance filled with compassion and complexity. Their scenes together were electric, making it impossible not to become invested in these two people trying to navigate the complicated realities of family and connection. I was equally impressed by Ann Noble’s direction, which balanced intimacy with bold theatrical choices. The staging was inventive and purposeful, making excellent use of the space while never losing sight of the emotional core of the story. Brian Harris and Joyce Ha were brilliant as the father and daughter clowns, adding a poetic and surreal layer to the production. Their work mirrored and amplified the emotional journeys of the central characters in ways that felt both imaginative and deeply moving. Combined with Michael Perlmutter’s thoughtful writing, the result was a beautifully crafted piece of theater.
What I didn't like
n/a
My overall impression
Second Rodeo was one of my favorite productions of this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival and is absolutely one of the shows to beat. Every element of the production worked together seamlessly: the writing was smart and emotionally resonant, the performances were exceptional, the direction was confident and inventive, and the staging elevated the storytelling in exciting ways. More than anything, the show reminded me how powerful theater can be when talented artists trust one another and commit fully to telling a deeply human story. Heartfelt, imaginative, and wonderfully performed, Second Rodeo left a lasting impression on me and stands out as one of the strongest pieces of theater I’ve seen at Fringe this year.
