Getting to Know You

"Getting to Know You" was made for the Fringe. Its intimate setting- the house caps at eight audience members per show- and circular seating cultivate the feeling of community that the Fringe is all about. As an audience member, you have minute long conversations with each of the different characters, all of who come in emotionally charged, and watch different stories unfold, all at different times. Annie Lesser presents these mysteries and encourages audience members to talk amongst themselves after the show to put together all of the characters story lines. It's fun, it's short, it's about getting to know strangers. Go, it's worth it. Brigid Marshall describes the rehearsal process as well as the skills required to be involved ... full review

I was really impressed with this show. I've been fascinated about how you were going to pull off eight one-on-one stories in kind of a speed dating format ever since you mentioned it at one of the early Fringe workshops. Well worth the wait! Not that it's limited to actors, but I really felt like I got to exercise my acting and improv skills during the course of this show. Not only are you interacting with the actors one at a time, they're talking to you as specific characters in your life. The more you play along, the more you get immersed in their worlds. A very surreal and rewarding experience. I was particularly affected by Dasha Kittredge's performance. I don't want to give anything away, but her particular exchange with me had... full review

Up front, I gotta say I'm not the ideal audience for the crazily inventive show. I'm not usually fond of audience interaction, much less a heavily immersive piece like this; let me sit in the back row and please don't even so much as look me in the eye. Still, this is so firmly in the wheelhouse of Fringe and certain audience members are going to adore it. Even with my misgivings, I was so impressed with the writing, acting and creativity on display. There is some seriously thoughtful stuff going on here. The musical chairs approach means you will not get a complete narrative, which is certainly one of it's aims as audience members excitedly question one another after the show to see if they can piece the mystery together. Even a grump like ... full review

"Getting To Know You" is such a great experience. Unlike anything else I have ever been to in the LA Theater realm. It is performance art, interactive theater, and truly different. The cast is so good and creative, and they really give a personalized, intimate performance for each audience member, since if you are in the audience, you are such an integral part of the overall experience. I was amazed at the range of emotions that were stirred up in me thru the course of this show. I have been touched and moved by shows and actors, and words before, but I have to say that it has never, ever been so direct and with such realism. After discussing with some of my fellow audience members, I found out that, of course, I was not alone in that sense.... full review

Go. And I recommend not reading any other reviews - any worthwhile review will say things like "amazing experience" et cetera (and they'll be correct), but the less you know, the more fun it will be. Just buy tickets now.... full review

This is a show to go to if you want to experience theatre, as opposed to just see theatre. I loved the complexities and mysteries of some of the characters, kudos to Annie for creating some compelling story arcs. I wish some of the actors would have been more interactive, as opposed to just sticking to the script...but some actors had a great sense of play, and were actually tuned into the way you felt and responded! Don't see this alone, because you're going to want to chat with your group afterwards to hear all of the different experiences, and try to connect the story lines! This is a very enjoyable experience, especially if you interact and don't just sit in your seat and watch.... full review

I am absolutely heartbroken that the rest of the run of this show is sold out. I'd buy another ticket to it in a heartbeat. I *loved* this experience. Loved, loved, LOVED it. And do not get me wrong, it is an experience, not a show. Do not go if you do not like your art interacting with you. But absolutely go if you want to experience eight different stories in a unique, deep and profound way. ... full review

If you let it, this piece will get right in there under your skin -- and I encourage you to let it. This is interactive theater at its very best -- it exists on shifting and unpredictable sands, and is a different play not only for each audience member, but for each actor, with each performance. The chance to compare notes with fellow audience members and the cast after the show was also an important and functional part of the performance -- I went home with lots of legitimately big questions tumbling around in my head... Questions of identity, and how we construct it, and how it, too, exists in flux... Questions of character, and how much of what we 'perform' in life is learned from what we see around us. I could easily (and would very much... full review

“Getting To Know You” is a World Premiere Hollywood Fringe Festival event that takes you off the beaten path to get up-close and personal with strangers. All it takes is saying yes to an empty white chair. Recommended. Read the full review by Marc Wheeler at Gia On The Move (official press): http://giaonthemove.com/2015/06/21/gia-hff15-reviews-getting-to-know-you-an-experiment-in-intimacy/... full review

This is am incredibly creative and innovative theater experience in which the actors interact directly with audience members one at a time. As an audience member, you don't know how much to interact and whether to act like an audience member or an improviser. One thing is for sure though, these actors shatter the fourth wall and evoke real feelings in you of guilt, attraction, compassion, and even anger. In a world of same-old theater format, this show is really special!... full review