What I liked
TURBULENCE is another fantastic example of how well this group of performers plays off one another: It’s collaboration both on and offstage at its very finest! If you enjoyed TIMEHEART and THUG TUNNEL from the two previous Hollywood Fringe Fests, you will love this show. The music is so unbelievably catchy – you’ll be singing that “10 SECONDS TO BLASTOFF!” song for the rest of the day (as well as the title track “Turbulence” and the hilarious “Spacercise” – honestly, all the songs). Each of the cast members has created a unique, memorable character that plays to their strengths. Chris Bramante as Mick Cribbins, in particular, delights with a personality reminiscent of Matthew McConaughey on space steroids. The typically behind-the-scenes Robot Teammate band also makes a hysterical appearance as the villainous, booty-short-clad, unibrowed pilots from Mars. Don’t miss this show! It’s like a comet making a once-in-a-lifetime flyby!
What I didn't like
The opening night performance still had a couple technical speed bumps to smooth over, mostly having to do with the sound mix (but what Fringe show doesn’t deal with this at one point or another?). The team is still getting into the groove of the show with all its (notably really fantastic) stagecraft elements, and they’ll no doubt have it down to rocket science soon.
My overall impression
Crazy catchy songwriting, hilarious performances that perfectly highlight the talents of each actor, and a wonderful, creative use of the minimal Fringe tech allowances. This is everything a Fringe musical ought to be!
