BillyJoelTookMeToTheProm.com
A funny idea that really didn't go anywhere. Basically two teenage girls want to become famous and decide that the best way to do this is to go to a Billy Joel book signing and convince him to take them to their prom. When Billy arrives they realise he's not that hot (not as hot as JT or as hot as Jay-Z) and so they decide to try and find another way to become famous. So, my immediate thought is how do they not know what Billy Joel looks like? These are girls who are trying to Juno-speak and yet have no idea how to Google image Billy Joel? On top of that after they get in a huge fight they appear on the news and on the David Letterman show. A massively long blackout (at least two minutes) over which two newsreporters report on the situation (in an awfully recorded voice over,) gets us ready for about 10 seconds more of action where the two girls enter in sling and cane for one last "sight gag." I think the performances were decent - particuarly from Lindsey Angell, but I felt that a lot of it was erratic - and a lack of control from both actors (and director) made it harder for me to enjoy.
Gyntish
A take on Peer Gynt this was one scene of a play they are presently workshopping. The acting was stellar, though I know NOTHING about Peer Gynt though I did find it oddly intriguing. The acting was so good from both performers that I really didn't feel that I needed to know about the show - however the scene ran a little long for my liking (knowing nothing about the subject) therefore I got lost, but was particularly impressed by the physicality that Matthew Romantini brought to the roles that he did. Not my cup of tea, but definitely an impressive duet of performances.
Poor Donna
I'm bias because I know two of the actors and the director - but this one was definitely my favourite of the set. A very funny story involving a roommate and her roommate's love interest... I don't want to spoil the plot, but across the board performances by Timothy Johnston, Susan Coodin and Erin Garcia were strong, it moved, paused and breathed at all the right times. I felt this was one of the few shows that seemed polished and "performance ready" on the opening night of the festival. Definitely worth the money, funny, unexpected and well-acted.
And This is the One
A scene for two women - I really wish that this would've been a longer play as I don't think that the short amount of time we got to spend with these characters helped us full on understand them - and that's not the performers or the directors fault, it's a fault in the writing. If you are writing a short one act, we need to know what's going on before the last three minutes of the show - unless of course you are a genius - and the writer of this show was not a genius - though the premise is great. A rehabbed actress is holed up in a dingy basment when an old friend comes to talk. The two start to uncover what happened with them and where their friendship died, but before you know it the show delves into this odd Sunset Boulevard style genre where I literally gasped and asked "what the fuck is going on?" The two actors work well together though - I just wish more attention had been paid to the script.
SPUNK'D
I am biased again - but this was exceptionally strong. Well-acted, well crafted and ultimately well-directed by Des Hussey - it made me want to see everything that he directs for the rest of time. It was incredibly well-done. Christine Quintana plays a young girl who after being prematurely dumped by her boyfriend decides to exact revenge by taking the one thing he holds most dear. I don't want to ruin what that is, but just know that you'll be seeing a performer at her best. I was consistantly amazed with the ideas that Hussey came up with. Definitely definitely worth the price of admission.
Letter from a Solider: My Name is Aslam
Another one person show, this one snuck up on me, a beautiful performance by Evan Frayne, and one that again - made this set incredible. Funny and heart wrenching it's all about a soldier in Iraq who despite his better judgement becomes acquainted with a family there. Well-written I did feel a few lags in places, but it might've just been that I was tired. A brilliant script and a brilliant performance.
The Lost Sole
Everwonder where those extra socks go? This show will tell you - if you stay awake long enough to enjoy it. It started off so promising but then lags into Sesame Street "every sock is unique" territory. True, this came at the end of a 2 1/2 hour long night (speaking of which, can we get those scene changes quicker?) however performances and puppetry were strong, it lost my interest and felt about 10 minutes too long. We're not children (and there were none in the audience) we'd prefer not to be treated as such.
So that's that...
