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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: Ulysses Grant

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By Wendy Carson

In “Ulysses Grant: A Fluxkit Opera,” by Stephen Rush at Theatre on the Square, fact and fiction regarding the titular character are thrown into a blender along with a rewriting of lyrics set to authentic Civil war songs to provide this interestingly comical version of history.

Members of the audience are recruited to fight for both armies and, while only sparingly called upon to participate, have a great time doing so. I strongly suggest you accept your place in the battle as it will increase your enjoyment of this show.

Not as stuffy as either an opera or a history lesson can be, this is a fun show for all ages and a good opportunity to expose younger ones to a new musical form.

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: The Shout

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By Wendy Carson

In “The Shout,” presented by In the Mix at the Marrott Center, two female activists are all who remain of a major protest. They have committed to stay, and shout every 15 minutes at the house of a cop who shot an unarmed young man, but are beginning to wonder if their efforts are still worth anything.

Meanwhile, a rookie officer has been watching them for them past few weeks to ensure they are operating within the law. Since he is considered by his law enforcement to be “too nice,” he has been told that if he can’t get rid of them and stop their protesting that he will be fired.

Both sides here are trying to do what they believe in and it seems that one of the women has developed feelings for him, while he is more interested in the other one.

However, when one protester finds out that he might just be acting nice to prevent them from following through, she pulls out all of the stops. What happens next shows everyone for who they truly are within themselves.

The show is a movingly insightful glance into the base nature of each person, and what they are willing to do for their beliefs.

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 Invisible Man

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By Wendy Carson

The Homeless. We see them on the streets, but we disregard them as “bums” and ignore them as if they are invisible.

But do we ever stop to think how they came to this place? Are they disgusted by where they have ended up? Have we all forgotten compassion and can’t realize that these are people the same as you and me?

These questions are highlighted in “The Invisible Man” by What’s in a Name? Company from the island nation of Mauritius, playing at the Firefighters Union Hall.

This is the dramatic story of one man’s journey from a successful businessman to living on the street, begging for a few coins and eating out of a dumpster. The deft telling of his proud, sad, haunted, but hopeful plight is artfully crafted and beautifully conveyed without ever being heavy-handed or judgmental – which makes it all the more tender and bittersweet. Remember: No one chooses this as a career goal, and we all have the potential of being there, too.

This is a great show that, like many other shows in the Firefighters Hall, deserves a bigger audience. Please seek out this venue and support the shows performing here. They are truly worth your time.