Crunch

What I liked

I loved each character, but Creature Beth’s (Danielle Power’s) physicality is spectacular. She is 100% committed to her character, who enjoys eating crickets, ladybugs, and deer and is being taken over by a force that’s hard to comprehend. Jax Ball (Evie) and Jessie Bias (Justine) put in excellent and nuanced performances: Evie is trying to come to terms with the fact that her girlfriend has been completely taken over by a force that will impact them all; and Justine struggles with feelings about disaster and first love. All the performances are excellent. Marian Gonzalez is wonderful in her supporting roles which include a gay bar scene where she plays a woman who want’s Wendy’s number.

What I didn't like

I thought it was great! I’ve seen it in the long form and the short form for Fringe. I liked it slightly better when it was in two acts, but that’s a judgement call.

My overall impression

Set solidly in Southern California, complete with references that only a native can get, this is a story about three young women falling in love, figuring out who they are, and managing a very big and stressful secret about their best friend. The script is tight and funny, and playwrite Katie Eiler’s wit and creativity is in evidence everywhere. The cast makes you laugh and tear up, and keeps you on your toes trying to figure out what is coming next.