comedy

Fringe review: Laughing Sober

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By John Lyle Belden and Wendy Carson

Rick Garrett tells us the story of the traumas of his child- and adulthood that drove him to the numbing effects of alcohol for solace in his stand-up/monologue, “Laughing Sober,” at ComedySportz.

Garrett relates his restrictive religious upbringing – “We were Amish with lightbulbs” – and how for him love was predicated on rules he couldn’t master and expectations that didn’t fulfill him.

While his tales are honest and raw, the delicate humor surrounding them prevents the subject matter from getting too somber. Garrett is an excellent storyteller as well as comic, so even when he’s not zinging the punchlines – which he often does – he still holds our attention and earns our sympathy.

This show reminds us that we are all damaged people in some way, and that the only true healing powers in the world are laughter and love, both of which you will feel before the final applause break.

Fringe review: The Mall Musical

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By Wendy Carson

For anyone who has ever worked retail or in any service industry, here is something to help you continue your dreary existence: Casey Ross Productions’ “Hell’s Fourth Ring: The Mall Musical,” playing at the Firefighter’s Union Hall. With spot-on stereotypical characters portraying the soul-sucking life of a petty wage-earner, playwright Ross (penning her first musical), with help from rock musician Davey Pelsue, has created a hilarious tribute to this woeful existence.

Hell’s Gate Mall is a dreary place, where the only thing worse than working there is getting “terminated.” Can even love survive?

The story is silly but very, very funny and the songs are quite well crafted. The actors are up for all of the zaniness encompassed in their roles. They include Pelsue, Logan Moore, Heather Ownes, Adam Tran, Kait Burch (who also did the choreography), Taylor Cox, David Molloy, and the voice of Zoe Molloy. The show was directed by Ross’s partner, “Fedora Dave” Matthews.

While I must admit that Casey is a personal friend of mine, setting my expectations high, I was still blown away by the overall quality of the show. While some of the costumes and dialogue are painfully cheesy, it adds to the charm of the entire package.

I did wish that one or two of the performers possessed stronger singing voices, but I’m hoping that Ross will flesh this out into a full-length show and can better fill the roles.

In all, this show is a riotously good time and one of those unexpected gems that the Fringe can provide.

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John Lyle Belden contributed to this review.

Fringe review: Working Titles

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By Wendy Carson

“Working Titles,” by Jeremy Schaefer at ComedySportz, is a look at one man’s trail of strange, menial day jobs necessary to keep his dream of being a comic storyteller afloat. Bursting with humor, the show does bring up several important life issues and will make you think as well as laugh.

This is another show that works as an excellent “palate cleanser” to keep you going after seeing one of the more heavy, dramatic offerings.

For those of you who now me, you now I have a large and mighty laugh. It was solidly on display all through this show and I feel that you might do the same.

Fringe review: Up Yours

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By Wendy Carson

In “Up Yours, Indianapolis,” by The Fleece Academy at the Marrott Center, Muppet-style puppetry and improv comedy are blended together in an uneven mix.

The group’s members are all talented puppeteers, and the various interactions with the crowd before the show were entertaining. However, their long-form improv skills are not as well-honed.

Various parts of the show were downright hilarious, but overall it felt a bit weak. I think if they had just presented us with crowd interaction and a few skits, it would have been a more enjoyable show. Also, the sound quality of the space made it difficult for the back portion of the audience to hear much of the performance.

While I was disappointed in this show, I do feel that with a bit more polish this could be one of the hits of a future Fringe festival.

Fringe review: Top Shelf

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By Wendy Carson

If you like the Comedy Central show, “Broad City,” or popular female comedians like Amy Schumer, then “Top Shelf: Our Last American Tour Again” (by Indy-based Betty Rage employing British accents) at ComedySportz is the show for you. It can best be described as resembling a punk rock tribute to the hard-drinking, zany characters of “Absolutely Fabulous.”

The band is playing a rocking concert and constantly berating their poor roadie, Cooter. Their characters are fun and typical of what you’d expect. However, their songs are not only hilariously funny, but rather catchy. You will likely find yourself humming bits of them later on in the day.

In fact, my biggest criticism is that they had not recorded a CD of the songs as I would really have liked to have purchased it not only enjoy again and again, but also to introduce others to the fun they missed.

Fringe review: ODDyssey

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By Wendy Carson

Blair Godshall wants to be an actress/dancer but in the meantime, she’s got to earn money to pay her bills. The show “ODDyssey,” playing at Musicians Union Hall, catalogs her journey through every crappy part-time job she has had to endure in her pursuit of that dream.

Since we have all had lousy jobs in our past as well, we can easily commiserate with her. Still, I felt that her personal growth displayed as the time passes is the more important point of the show.

While not flashy or thought-provoking, the show does remind me of the stories that women tell each other while bonding over a glass of wine. So, visit the bar and relax while making a new friend.

Fringe review: Men’s Room

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By Wendy Carson

“Men’s Room,” by Mayday Productions, playing at the IndyFringe Indy Eleven Theatre, is the story of one day at a local commercial jingle factory and the struggles to not only keep the firm afloat but also to succeed in fulfilling each character’s respective dream.

The cast is outstanding and will keep your rolling with the requisite “bathroom humor” you would expect in a show with this title. While you will plainly see the final punchline to the story coming a mile away, the actor’s embodiment of the various characters keeps you enthralled throughout.

This is a perfect accompaniment to some of the Fringe’s more surreal and dour offerings in order to balance strong drama with much-needed laughter. One note though: This show has been playing to packed houses, so you should purchase your tickets in advance to make sure you get in.

Fringe review: Ghost Story

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By Wendy Carson

Stand-up comic Peter-John Byrnes presents a “Ghost Story” at ComedySportz.

But don’t expect to hear your typical scary yarns such as are told around campfires. This reminiscence of a journey to visit the grave of an ex-girlfriend who committed suicide is tender, funny and will make you reconsider the ghosts of your own past.

It is a delightful storytelling offering, that will leave you thinking as well as entertained.

Fringe review: The Eulogy

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By Wendy Carson

Warning: Do not drink anything during this show, as you will likely spit it out on your fellow patrons from laughing hysterically. Also, make sure you visit the restroom before the performance as you may need to avail yourself of it during the show, and the “no re-admittance” policy will break your heart.

In “The Eulogy,” at the Musicians Union, IndyFringe newcomer Michael Burgos deftly spins from one character to the next as they all give their personal eulogies at the less-than-somber occasion of the funeral of “Thomas.”

It would appear that the deceased was not only a glutton (he ate 14 friend eggs every morning) but a thoroughly despicable human being that no one is sorry to see go.

The audience becomes the various mourners at the funeral, including his lovely wife whom at least one of the eulogizers has apparently been in love with from afar. This leads to a turn of events that are straight out of a cartoon (I was honestly surprised that I was not actually watching Bugs Bunny carrying out this revenge on Elmer Fudd).

Funny is too weak a word to describe this show. In fact, there are no words to tell you how wonderful it is. I do warn you that it is entirely possible you could hurt yourself laughing at this, but your pain would be worth every second of delight you experience. This show is one that you do not want to later regret that you missed out on.

Fringe review: Drosselmeyer’s Magical Bedtime Story

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By Wendy Carson

One never knows what to expect when No Exit brings a show to the Fringe, except that it will be entertaining, to say the least. And this offering, “Drosselmeyer’s Magical Bedtime Story,” playing at the Marrott Center, does not fail to follow through on that promise.

Anyone who has seen the company’s amazing production of “The Nutcracker” will be familiar with the titular character, based on the magical toymaker in the holiday story. However, for those of you who have sadly missed the experience, suffice it to say that the word “character” cannot even begin to describe him.

His gypsy troupe enters the stage area and begins their bizarre performance in a manner reminiscent of the animal parade from “The Lion King.” Once he introduces himself and his somewhat simple-minded assistant, Sparkle, we all discover that she is now with child. Drosselmeyer has concerns about her parenting abilities, and enlists the help of various audience members to instruct her on parenting basics with the help of his new dancing troupe, The Mosquito Ladies. Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

This show is delightfully irreverent and managed to surpass my already high expectations of its content. A definite must-see for those looking for the lighter side of edgy and unique theatre.