Merely Players

The premise of 'Merely Players" is similar to the film "Waiting for Guffman": these are people who have no business putting on a musical, in this case "Bus Stop: the Musical". To add to the amateur feeling of the piece, three audience members are incorporated into the proceedings, and two of them are a large part of the play, and in fact one is the star of the show! Since incorporating unknown quantities is risky business, and I applaud the company for having the courage to try it (although this is becoming more commonplace in theater everywhere), the play could be great, amusing or painful, depending on who they end up with through an audition process that occurs early in the story. (Audience members choose to participate when invited ... full review

I went to Merely Players as a audience member and left as a sudo cast member. The show starts with auditions and two audience member are cast in Bus Stop. I got the part! I was pulled up on stage and given a score and script; it felt like a normal rehearsal except there was an audience. I had so much fun being in the show! The actors were extremely helpful and kind in directing me on and off stage, giving cues, and ensuring I was a little lost so as to encourage my creative expression (I don't want to give away too much). I'm looking forward to coming to the show again so I can watch the whole thing!... full review

So, I came to the show under the impression that the show within the show "Bus Stop- The Musical" was a musical version of the play and movie by William Inge, but it's actually based on a painting. Not unlike Sunday...hahaha The show includes a portion in which the audience is given the chance to audition and you may even end up cast in it. I found myself in this position and the cast was great about helping myself and fellow audience member Damien through it. It was intimidating, fun, and unexpected. What a wonderful glimpse into the behind the scenes world of the Boyle Community Players- you may even recognize situations and people you've come across. It was a breath of fresh air and great time! I'm hoping to see it again as an audience me... full review

Great show, highly recommend it, as it's super funny and interactive!... full review

A community theater tries to mount an original musical, "Bus Stop", based off of a famous painting of the same name. Some actors are a perfect fit and others are a stretch-amusing complications arise. The play starts with an audition for "Bus Stop", with about every third audition pulled from the audience. Then rehearsals begin and tension mounts as opening day approaches and the production is falling apart. I thought one of the strongest aspects of the play were the musical numbers-I was impressed by the songs themselves as well as the ensemble performances! It made me wish "Bus Stop" actually existed so I could see it! As far as all of the rehearsal "mishaps", it was a little repetitive, but redeemed by the strong characters of The ... full review

[See full writeup, with links, at http://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=10375 ] It is often said that laws are like sausages: you don’t want to see how they are made — you just want to enjoy the end product. In many ways, theatre is equally like sausage — the end product is enjoyable, but the manufacturing… that’s another story. Last night we saw a World Premiere production at the 2015 Hollywood Fringe Festival (FB) that explored the manufacturing process: it took you behind the scenes to see how the theatrical magic is made. OK, well maybe not magic, perhaps just the illusion. OK, well maybe not the illusion, just a crumbling façade. Last night’s show at the Lounge Theatre (FB) was Merely Players (FB), a new musical play by James Penca (... full review

Merely Players expertly executed all the things it sets out to make fun of, with tight direction, a stellar cast, laugh lines that hit the mark, and the best audience interaction I've seen at this year's Fringe. This show achieves its intent and take you along on the ascent. From the hilarious stereotypes, tongue-in-cheek look at putting on a play, and inclusion of actual audience members into the show to giving the audience clappers to shake during the performance, Merely Players has something for everyone, and everyone becomes a part of the show. Highly recommended. ... full review

Meta-meta-meta! For anyone who has ever been in a musical or put on a musical, this is a fun, interactive show, with surprising improvised elements (if you willingly sign-up at the beginning to participate, get ready for a ride!) A great way to spend a carefree afternoon!... full review

Fun show. Clever way of incorporating some audience members into the action. Some genuine laugh out loud moments from the committed and skilled ensemble. ... full review

Color and Light delivers again! Coming off of back-to-back Hollywood Fringe successful and hilarious shows, C&L's Merely Players is LAUGH OUT LOUD funny! From audition sign-ups to the opening night curtain, we join the cast and creatives of the new musical “Bus Stop” as they work through script changes, divas, horrible acting choices, showmances and worst of all, identity crises. From the very beginning, this show is creative and interactive. It's the type of show that you'd want to go back a couple of times and try to make a name for yourself onstage. Not only is the show itself a great time, but the clever writing of Alex Syiek and James Penca and brilliant direction by Joanna Syiek is coupled with some seriously talented cast members! Sta... full review