Dan Ruth

Karen Macarah has plenty of stories to tell, not all of them bright and cheery, but if anyone knows the secret sauce of cabaret, its roots are always much darker than one first expects. "The Dysmorphic Diva" is Ms. Macarah's tell-all about our excruciatingly thin modern world, her own bout with body dysmorphia and the tragic loss of her very young mother. Sporting one hell of a belt, Karen Macarah shares her personal story through her "angel" and "devil" and through some terrific song choices, in... full review

If creative, funny and irreverent are on your list of things to do at the Fringe, you're not going to want to miss "Diane Diane!" a true unicorn of a show, starring Elissa Luma. Just when you think it's not going to make any sense at all, this wild ride of a one-person show lands in the best way possible with tommy guns, bubbles and sight-gags galore, this "very Fringy" show is a blast.... full review

This very intimate and, dare I say, charming new play by Spencer Waldner deals with very personal issues, but never approaches, even in the slightest, on TMI. It does, however, reveal and poignant and beautifully written story, with Mr. Waldner giving a mesmerizing, elegant and simple performance. ... full review

Jerilyn Paige is a powerful performance artist. We are all hardwired to be consistently fed structure, meaning and purpose - that is indeed the world we live in. That's also going against everything that this show has to offer. ***Please note that because of this show's structure, or lack thereof, "Mama Does Dada" will most likely be different every night of its run.... full review

Transforming a litany of health issues into a celebration of the human spirit, Vivia Armstrong's Bellyful details this strong woman's resilience in a world that's not always fair, and often not accepting. Detailing her journey in losing weight and the foibles of our health systems, this charming show is the medicine our society needs to move forward.... full review

"Barbie Smith" is a highly-crafted rollercoaster ride of sin, fornication and sexualized redemption. With loads of masterful throw-away jokes, tech fun and her bouncing blonde pageboy bob, "Barbie Smith" is on a mission to save your soul. This meticulously thought out one-woman comedy shows that chastity isn't always on the menu. Brava!... full review

Olivia Raine Atwood is a queen of physical comedy, bar none. To experience one of her shows is to experience a human being who not only knows how to tap into her own emotional well, but how to identify and connect with her audience in a hair-trigger second. "Animal Instincts" is not only physical, but a masterclass in throw-backs and story crafting. As my friend said after the show, "she is one-of-a-kind." ... full review

Baby Eyeballs is a fearless look into one man's struggle with personal and generational cancer. Powerful creativity is on display, looking to see where this show goes from here. ... full review

If one could only capture an iota of the energy, insanity, creativity, and brilliance of a Cherry Poppins show, I believe they could rule the world. It's been a wet, hot second since this silly series was around, so reacquaint yourself, y'all. So how does one spoof a spoof? You need to see the show to find out. Hilariously irreverent, brilliantly staged, and wildly sung by a cast, where each has their chance to shine, or otherwise get blown across the stage. ... full review

I applaud this show and its message of complacency amid Geo-political manipulation. ... full review