What I liked
There have been two shows from which I left to then drive home crying in happiness because of the piece I saw. One of them was Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at Celebration Theater, the other was this.
They are wildly different shows, but the heart with which Bob brings to his arrival at Fringe and the people he cares so much about reminded me why this is my favorite time of year. In no small part, this is due to his hard work and generous support.
What I didn't like
I think the best improvement that can be made is another few shows from this newly minted Fringe Participant. There are so many stories yet for us to hear.
My overall impression
In the sea of familiar faces flowing through the Hollywood Fringe Festival, you may occasionally find a whitecap break the surface of the ocean in the form of Robert Leggett’s legendary beard. This man has seen hundreds of Fringe shows over his time visiting the festival, and he reviews each one with the fondness of a man who has lived many lives and enjoyed an impossibly multitude of performances. Speaking with Bob in passing for whatever tickled his fancy today is an absolute gift; reading a warm review of your work from him is a treasure. Driven by love of art and what seems to be an unquenchable thirst to see as much of it as humanly possible, Robert Leggett is one of the Fringe’s most ardent and vocal supporters.
How fitting he should celebrate this tenth festival with a show of his own. I’ve never known him much to take more of an interest in telling his own story than telling others what pieces they absolutely shouldn’t miss, so I was surprised to hear just a few stories from his adventures.
He is far more widely-traveled than you may expect. His time spent in the music industry provides a wealth of stories he only hints at, while matter-of-factly articulating his biography. He has worn many hats in his life, so he utilizes this metaphor in his show as well, recounting his service in the Navy, a few observations from the Renaissance Fair community, and experiences from the road. As he coyly mentions several times, some are stories for another time.
It is inspiring to see a man who has given so much of his time to other people’s stories to tell his own. If you are at all unsure of the reasons one may be compelled to drink deep from the Fringe Kool-Aid, as it were, you may find these reasons collected in the subtext of Bob’s piece. Our community is the most valuable thing we have, and we draw our greatest value from each other. The connections we make in art drive us forward to further connections. If you follow his example, leading with an open heart and a love of art and artists alike, you will truly be living the dream.
