Annabella

Even with bare-bones staging and a bit of costuming and paint for the marionettes, this piece had the potential to be something really interesting, but the lack of incident and a ponderous, repetitive score quickly become tiring.... full review

Talent is a lovely thing. Not the end all be all, but a lovely thing. Talent tempered with ambition is something all together different. Something spectacular. Sam Johnides and Tony Gonzalez have the promise of spectacular about them. “Annabella” harkens back to the golden era of operas. A travelling puppeteer, (Gonzalez) haunted by an unnamed guilt and tormented by the accusing voices of his puppets is driven over the edge of sanity where he is lost within the darkness of his own soul. He is brought before Annabella (Kimberly Hessler) some claim she is “a healer”, others whisper of witchcraft. She is able to revive him, and in doing so senses his troubled soul. She undertakes to free him of his unspoken demons, unaware of... full review

Annabella is an ambitious musical inspired by Italian folk tales of the Strega (Witch). Dark, mysterious and featuring malevolent marionettes, the story is part nightmare and part romance. And, even in a bare bones Fringe production, there is much to admire. Full review at "original article."... full review