Playback

A unique and modern setting grappling with big ideas. ... full review

A tight script that doesn't flinch away from complex issues, executed brilliantly by a talented cast. One of the most polished fringe shows I've seen. ... full review

Simply put: this was the best Fringe Show I’ve ever seen. The story is wildly entertaining and deeply nuanced. This brilliant script by Jessica Fisher masterfully unpacks heavy topics of sexual assault with twists, turns, and just the right amount of humor. The whole cast is locked in with performances that are somehow both natural and larger than life. The direction is bold and precise as the mounting conflicts build to a jaw dropping finale. I have never seen a play that left me with more questions and conflicting emotions. The play serves as a biting critique of modern culture’s obsession with controlling the narrative at all costs. You won’t want to be left saying you missed this premiere in Hollywood Fringe before this play makes it big... full review

Thoroughly enjoyed the production — especially the way in which the characters all simultaneously invoked humor, cruelty, selfishness and vulnerability. The cast was incredible. The way their reactions escalated from each other felt true to their characters and the moments. ... full review

A scandalous and thought-provoking drama with sprinkles of dark humor (my fave!) that will keep you at the edge of your seat with reveal after reveal that continues to escalate the tension to a crescendo of epic proportions. In 90 minutes, Playback skewers romantic relationships, consent, toxic masculinity, public and private personas and the world of podcasting using that same medium as the vehicle for its critique. Brilliant! Sharp! Scandalous! A definitely must-watch! Too bad they only have one date left. ... full review

Essentially every story has been told before, the challenge is to raise the stakes and have it be a reflection up to life. Now take the themes of Care, Relationships and "Truth"... expose and manipulate them at their core with 2 climax's and places it in our most up to date medium of media, a podcast. You get playback comfortably uncomfortable reality of the world we no longer live in but are in constant service to. ... full review

This show was such a cool modern concept and it truly did feel like sitting and listening to a Podcast, not necessarily "EXperation Date" but a Podcast about the complications of inexperience, young love, accountability and the connections we build across our young adulthood. Such crazy twists, multi-dimensional characters, and super sick production design that the Pod mics were actually hot. ... full review

Engaging and thought provoking. Playback has a fantastic cast and set. ... full review

Legitimately provocative. Raised real questions about romantic/sexual power dynamics, the commodification of the personal in public content for the online attention economy, who “owns” the story of an event that involves multiple parties, and modern gender politics. All while also being very funny!... full review

Easily the most thought provoking show I've seen at Fringe. Experiencing the subject matter was uncomfortable, but I can't stop thinking about how good this play was. ... full review