With the Hollywood Fringe Festival (FB), you see a lot of shows. On top of the four shows (#10, #11, #12, #13) we saw on Saturday, we saw two more on Sunday. These shows continued the trend of Saturday, demonstrating the breadth of the types of shows you see at Fringe, as well as the varied reasons shows are put on. This time, what we had was a wonderful piece of performance art, and a real typical Fringe music, where the authors ask “What if?”, and then run with it.
Chrysalis was an interesting piece. I was invited to the show by one of the producers, and I had no idea what to expect. The description was intriguing, and a bit inscrutable:
A deep exploration of the transitory state of life from a femme-identifying perspective. Self-written, self-thought, self-taught… Chrysalis showcases a collection of personal journeys through the different phases of self growth, and discovery. “She emerged from the chrysalis of self-conscious adolescence”
What Chrysalis turned out to be was what I could best characterize as a performance art piece: it was a collection of women sharing their personal stories of how they moved through the cocoon of adolescence and young adulthood to come out the other end with their own sense of self. The stories varied widely, from a woman who dealt with Plan B at Oral Roberts, to someone who traveled the world to find themselves, to families remembering recipes, to … well, I can’t remember them all. There was humor; there was sadness; there were stories; there was poetry. There was even a little song.
I also don’t feel qualified to assess the content of the piece, other than to say that I found it enlightening and entertaining. I was transfixed listening to the stories, and watching the faces and the bodies as the stories were expressed not only through words but through motion. But I am a guy, and a white guy at that. There were simply experiences in these stories that I could only empathize with from the outside; I could not assess the experience. So I’ll do what any smart guy does: turns to his wife. The following is her assessment:
It’s hard to sum up this piece, because many of the stories left me shell-shocked, and close to tears…In some ways, I was sad that not much has changed over the last 30 to 40 years in the treatment of young women by those around them. The stories they were telling were way too similar to my stories (and my friends’ stories) of surviving the 1970’s. The difference is that these women found their way through to the other side, and found the freedom that comes with getting through to the other side.
The stories and the performers were: Kym Allen (FB) — “A Love Story“; Clare Almand (FB) — “Feelings“; Chasten Harmon (⭐FB) — “Chrysalis“; Khyelle Anthony (FB) — “A Message from Your Higher Self“; Cat Davidson (FB) — “You“; Diane Gaeta (FB) — “Fever Dream or Divorce“; Megan Hendricks (FB) — “Living the Dre(NIGHTMARE)am” and “Hallmark Magic“; Jana Krumholtz (FB) — “Eclipse“; Amanda Mercedes (FB) — “Plan B“; Marley Ralph (FB) — “Intuition“; Dolores Reynals (FB) — “Landing“; and Kelsey Scott (FB) — “Recipe“.
The production was directed by Sara Tomko (⭐FB), with tech by Sara Tomko (⭐FB) and Kevin Keppy (FB). It was produced by Kym Allen (FB), Clare Almand (FB), and Chasten Harmon (⭐FB).
Overall, I found this a very moving and touching performance — and I’m sure it would have been even more meaningful were I, shall I say, in closer alignment :-). My wife found it extremely meaningful. I think we both highly recommend it. There are two more performances: Thu 6/27 @ 700pm and Sat 6/29 @ 230pm. Tickets are available through the Fringe website.
Our last show on Sunday, Public Domain: The Musical, was — in a sense — a perfect Fringe show. It was clear that someone was sitting around going: what could we do at Fringe for fun. I have an idea. Let’s do a musical, but to avoid copyright and having to license a property, let’s do what D***** does: find a public domain property and milk the hell out of it. Hey, why not have public domain characters audition for a space in our musical! Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Out of less was a show born.
And so Sam Pasternack (FB) got busy. He wrote words. He wrote music. He wrote lyrics. He held auditions. The result was a a really cute Fringe show.
The basic conceit of the show: Two industry professionals (played by puppets) are holding auditions for a new public domain character to star in a story. A wide variety of characters audition: Rosie the Riveter, The Pea from Princess and the Pea, Potato Mussolini, the Monkey’s Paw, Oedipus. But in the end, they find their star at home.
The songs are all cute, but at times tastelessly cute. The performances are mixed, but your mileage may vary as the show is double cast. But you will be entertained, and in and out quick.
The cast of the show was as follows (the performers we saw are indicated with ⁂): ⁂ Codi Coates (FB) / Erika Cruz (FB) Rosie; Ember Everett (FB) / ⁂ Nathalia Coppa (FB) Pea; Kayley Stallings (FB) / ⁂ Erika Cruz (FB) Princess; Alyssa Sabo (⭐FB) / ⁂ Ben Cassil (FB) Potato Mussolini; Spencer Frankenberger (FB) / ⁂ Max Ash The Monkey’s Paw; Oliver Rotunno (⭐FB; FB) / ⁂ Max Mahle (FB) Oedipus; Sam Pasternack (FB) / ⁂ Michael Kraus and Max Mahle (FB) / ⁂ Sam Pasternack (FB)The Two Producers; Ember Everett (FB) / ⁂ Evelyn-Rose Whitlock (FB) Margaret.
Turning to the production side: Ember Everett (FB) designed the clever costumes. There is no credit for the puppets. Isaac Alter provided music direction and orchestrations. The production was produced by Sam Pasternack (FB), Jason Merrin (FB), and Rachel Liu (FB).
There are two more performances of Public Domain: The Musical: Sat 6/28 at 230pm and 330pm. It’s a really cute show and a clever Fringe musical.
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Ob. Disclaimer: I am not a trained theatre (or music) critic; I am, however, a regular theatre and music audience member. I’ve been attending live theatre and concerts in Los Angeles since 1972; I’ve been writing up my thoughts on theatre (and the shows I see) since 2004. I do not have theatre training (I’m a computer security specialist), but have learned a lot about theatre over my many years of attending theatre and talking to talented professionals. I pay for all my tickets unless otherwise noted (or I’ll make a donation to the theatre, in lieu of payment). I am not compensated by anyone for doing these writeups in any way, shape, or form. I currently subscribe at 5 Star Theatricals (FB), the Hollywood Pantages (FB), Actors Co-op (FB), the Ahmanson Theatre (FB) [2018-2019 season], and the Musical Theatre Guild (FB). Through my theatre attendance I have made friends with cast, crew, and producers, but I do strive to not let those relationships color my writing (with one exception: when writing up children’s production, I focus on the positive — one gains nothing except bad karma by raking a child over the coals). I believe in telling you about the shows I see to help you form your opinion; it is up to you to determine the weight you give my writeups.
Upcoming Shows:
The the Hollywood Fringe Festival (FB) has started. If you are unfamilar with Fringe, there are around 380 shows taking place over the month of June, mostly in the stretch of Santa Monica Blvd between 1 bl W of La Brea to 1 bl E of Vine, but all generally in Hollywood. On a first pass, there were lots I was interested in, 30 I could fit on a calendar, but even less that I could afford. Here is my current Fringe schedule as of the date of this writeup. [Here’s my post with all shows of interest — which also shows my most current HFF19 schedule. Note: unlike my normal policy, offers of comps or discounts are entertained, but I have to be able to work them into the schedule with the limitations noted in my HFF19 post]:
- ✔ Sat, June 8: 10a-3p ✔ ⊕Gluten Free Expo (Pasadena Convention Center) 🍪 ✔ 8p She Kills Monsters (Hobgoblin) 🎭 ✔ 10pm The 2nd Annual Trump Family Special (Hobgoblin)
- ✔ Sun, June 9: ✔ 4p Hamilkong (Complex/OMR) 🎭 ✔ 530p Supportive White Parents (Broadwater/2nd) 🎭 ✔630p °2 for 1(Complex/OMR) 🎭 ✔ 830p °Moral Fixation (Studio C)
- ✔ Sat, Jun 15: ✔ 330p °Gunfight at the Not-So-OK Saloon (McCadden) 🎭 ✔ 830p ⊕Bronco Billy – The Musical (Skylight Theatre (FB))
- ✔ Sun, June 16: ✔ 345p °Johnny ’81 (Complex/Ruby) 🎭 ✔ 6p Town Brawl (Thymele Arts)
- ✔ Sat, June 22: ✔ 200p °Silver Bullet (Underground Annex) 🎭 ✔ 330p Shirley Valentine (Underground Annex) 🎭 ✔ 630p A Night Out by Harold Pinter (Complex/Flight) 🎭 ✔ 830p °Neighborhood Watch (Underground Annex)
- ✔ Sun, June 23: ✔ 430p °Chrysalis (Thymele Arts) 🎭 ✔ 8p Public Domain: The Musical (Actors Company/LLT)
- Fri, June 28: 8p ⊕Indecent (Ahmanson Theatre (FB))
- Sat, June 29: 130p Four Clowns Present: Shakedown at the Dusty Spur (Broadwater/BB) 🎭 3p A Time Travelers Guide to the Present (Broadwater/BB) 🎭 630p Wigfield (Hudson/Backstage)
🛑 Note: The LA Cultural Festival is today. Do not attempt to cross Hollywood Blvd, in either direction, until the early evening. - Sun, June 30: 1p [Title of Show] (Actors Company/LLT) 🎭 3p Earth to Karen (Broadwater/BB)
Key: ⊕: Non-Fringe Show/Event; °: Producer/Publicist Arranged Comp or Discount
As for July, it is already filling up. The first weekend of the month is still open. The second weekend brings An Intimate Evening with Kristen Chenowith at,The Hollywood Bowl (FB). The third weekend of July brings Miss Saigon at the Hollywood Pantages (FB), followed by A Comedy of Errors from Shakespeare by the Sea (FB)/Little Fish Theatre(FB). The last weekend of July brings West Side Story at 5 Star Theatricals (FB). August starts with an alumni Shabbat at camp, and The Play That Goes Wrong at the Ahmanson Theatre (FB). August ends with Mother Road and As You Like It at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (FB). In between those points, August is mostly open.
As always, I’m keeping my eyes open for interesting productions mentioned on sites such as Better-Lemons, Musicals in LA, @ This Stage, Footlights, as well as productions I see on Goldstar, LA Stage Tix, Plays411 or that are sent to me by publicists or the venues themselves. Want to know how to attend lots of live stuff affordably? Take a look at my post on How to attend Live Theatre on a Budget. Want to learn about all the great theatre in Southern California? Read my post on how Los Angeles (and its environs) is the best area for theatre in the Country!
