blackboxing

This is just beautiful work on so many levels. It's hilarious and cutting and will send any theatre student all the way back to their first day in college where we were all, essentially, Travis. It both honors and 'sees' the stage manager [can I get a 'hell yes!'], takes solid aim at the very festival it is featured in and surprises you with its capacity to plumb emotional depths. If you are feeling rundown, on the edge or alone in this theatrical landscape, you should see this show. I promise you, it will make it all better.... full review

This show was fun from start to finish. jokes landed well. I loved the banter between the SM and the actor. It was a slick well put together show.... full review

A hilarious sendup of an all too common occurrence, the solo show as a showcase or validation. Matt Ritchey takes that and literally runs all over the theater with it, turning it into a silly, sweet existential cry for help. With the aid of the immensely able Jim Niedzialowski, they show the heart at the center of this crazy community. Just don't eat the Turkey. ... full review

Hilarious show that never takes it's foot off the gas. You will laugh non-stop in this theatrical meta thrill ride!... full review

Long-time Fringe veteran Matt Richey has mounted his best show ever, a show that would sweep the Tonys if it was on Broadway. It told the story that every stage manager has probably experienced at one time or another, and allowed said Stage Manager to say and do things they’ve always dreamed of doing.... full review

A send-up of Hollywood solo shows, Blackboxing is a hilarious hour of metatheater that keeps the audience in stitches and surprises with a healthy dose of emotional reality.... full review

A PERFECTLY CLEVER ADVENTURE INTO “BAD” THEATRE BY THE UBER TALENTED "MATTS" RITCHEY & MARTIN ... full review

A “one-man show with a two-person cast,” the play hysterically goes to the mattresses with a solo show that uses the stage as a reason to regurgitate their life story; as a form of personal therapy; and as a vehicle for their own masturbatory amusement. “Blackboxing” also takes multiple nods and pot-shots at theatre community superstitions, overused dramatic standards, and novice Hollywood Fringe show producers' unreasonable expectations, over-estimations, and underestimations–all to great comic effect.... full review

I really enjoyed this. I personally have never been a big fan of one-man shows, so I love that Blackboxing expertly parodies it. Matt Ritchey has always been a terrific Director and Writer, but I was so surprised to see how talented a performer he was. The debates with the Stage Manager were deliciously clever. I don't want to spoil the end section of the show, but it was very powerful. I love the entire message of the show, "Why are you doing this show", it's a beautiful question that every single theatre artist can ask themselves. ... full review