Reviews of the Orlando Fringe Festival today include “Chameleon,” “Done to Death, by Jove,” “The Greatest Betrayal,” and “Naked at My Age.”
Gavin Robertson and Nicholas Collett literally wear a bunch of hats on “Done to Death, Jove!” (Pink venue, 55 minutes). This is a show and show of two featuring almost 12 dizzy characters in a murder mystery.
The Stupid Setup: Sir Gavin and Nicholas arrive at the theater, but not the other six cast members and many of their outfits. (They are said to be bound by I-4.)
The old “Show must continue” mode begins, with two actors running through the play and taking on all the roles. This involves comical quick changes (hats, coats, lost makeup), adjustments on the spot, actors lose their place and interrupt each other to criticize their choice of accent.
The duo spins characters such as Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple – their hats help track down members of the audience – consider obvious suicide. It’s increasingly a mad cap and I think the mystery is being solved.
You rarely see a show of fringe that is more sophisticated than this messed up – in a good way. hat!
Down the hall, “Chameleon” (Brown, 60 Minutes) also features a hat as a storytelling device for a one-man show written by Gulfport performer Peter Suarez, so I kicked myself for not trying to become the official Milliner of Orlando Fringe.
The hat is just one of the tricks Suarez uses to cleverly shift between characters, which are part of yet another stage production. Meet Colin, an Irish singer. Theo, aged stage hand. Twangie Country Music Star Trevalyn West. and the chatty costumed brother Soiree, an early candidate for Best Fringe character names.
“Chameleon” is primarily for laughs, but to be moved by High Point, there is Colin’s “Danny Boy” ballad and unexpectedly emotional moments of dancing.
Suarez is clearly at home with his character. He commented in an Irish brogue when the guitar passages were surprised by our preview.
There is no hat, but there is no nude in “Naked My Age” (green, 60 minutes).
Her thorough monologues are sometimes biological and sometimes a bit bawled. It is a life story from her childhood to hippie stage, marriage, and then a middle-aged awakening that has since reached its peak in her current position as a “passionate fairy godmother.” Let’s say that the sex worker is positive.
She shares her mom and her grown son also thinks about it.
Hathaway’s performance includes several songs, and while in fact some of her material could be considered comical, the audience felt like they thought it was rude to laugh. Her approach is inspired by May West, but there is Dr. Ruth who is mixed in there too.
For some people, a little talk about panties, penis and poetry can go a long way. Others may say, “Come and come and see me one day.”
Another life story is portrayed in “The Greatest Betrayal” (Blue, 30 minutes), presented by Morgan Frey, reminiscing on his childhood impulses.
She starts off with things that are light and heavy in pop culture, such as a “Tearing My Heart” reference and an explanation of why she and Zac Efron aren’t on a date.
It poses multiple challenges, including age and when it causes disability, as it gets darker with online dating. (Frey was born without legs and right hand.) One date in particular had an upsetting behavior, and while the man is a pig theory, Frey also suffered from the reaction and non-reaction of his friends. It was a vulnerable place, and Frey’s memories not only knew the nod, but also got him breathless from the audience.
She didn’t end with Downer, but with an ear wall victory from “Dawson Creek.”
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
Orlando Fringe Festival
Location: The show at Rock Haven Park is located in a color-coded venue. Off-campus locations are identified by their name. When: Costs until May 26th: $10 buttons required for ticket shows, then individual performance tickets are under $15. Schedule, tickets, details: orlandofringe.orgOther reviews: orlandosentinel.com/fringe
