Today’s reviews of the Orlando Fringe Festival include “Earth from the Escape”, How to Dodge a Bullet”, Mama (Sketch) Comedy Show, “Story” and “True Colour.”
My oh mom, what are you doing with your pancakes? You certainly have a fun family! Each actor is called “cousin” in “Mama’s Sketch Comedy Show” (10ten Brewing Company B-side, 60 minutes), and as is usually the case with a comfortable sense of camaraderie and bantellation between the group’s members.
“Mummy Comedy” has been a staple in the Orlando improvisation comedy scene for 16 years, but this is the first time a group has written collectively and released a script show directed by Todd C. Feren. The sketches are lively and beautiful, and my cousin has created some very interesting video sketches to play during the transition of the scene. The night I attended had technical challenges, but the performers were seasoned enough to handle the unexpected with grace and humor.
Nicole Persley is not a veteran actress. She tells us she is at the top of her one woman’s multimedia show, “True Colors” (Scarlet, 35 minutes). Persley uses a megaphone to perform a montage of home video clips next to the screen, providing commentary and explanations while watching the video.
The show explores her ancestors and her surprise at her learning as a young adult. Time is also dedicated to calling out the dead ancestors of the audience. This ends with anti-climax when Persley realizes that he doesn’t have a specific app for comics. So our ancestors returned from where they came without cartoon evidence of their existence.
Persley is also an accomplished painter, with the projector’s screen adjacent to two works. While both the quality of the video and the presence of the stage are what is desired, Persley shows his heart and pride when it comes to discussing her ancestors, especially her uncle, as Georgia’s first registered African-American architect in 1920.
“Story” (10ten Brewing Company B-side, 60 minutes) is another multimedia show, but in “Story”, the art is created in front of you. Christian Keltie, who may recognize Orlando locals as the creator of “Joe’s NYC Bar,” has brought another artistically immersive experience for the audience to enjoy.
A well-versed storyteller, Keltie is joined by dancers (Michelina Moen), painter (Banki Fano) and musician (Craig Cobb), all of whom are skilled artists. As Kelty speaks, what he says leads and guides his fellow artists into their respective crafts. His inflections, volume and delivery are fascinating, and he cleverly sets his pace and gives his fellow artists the opportunity to blend into his work.
Keltie finally reminds us that his words were inspired by this unique moment that he shared with us.
Ashley Vogt’s “How to Dodge a Bullet” (Pink, 60 Minutes) presents a step-by-step guide to finding “The One” using Sabrina Carpenter’s music heard by the cast. However, the script raises a challenge. Rather than celebrating the joy of finding a partner in life, this musical chuckles the idea of true love, and a first-class lady boyfriend (Danny Navarro) quickly moves from sexy salsa dancers to brutal clowns.
Vee (Kristen Lee Vire) and her friends, often glittering and scarcely covered, go to bars and sorority parties, dancing to brave choreography by Caitlin Seney. The five girls look like the type who wears pink on Wednesdays. This makes it difficult to take root, especially when their actions are very two years old.
Finally, in today’s political climate, it is common to find shows lamenting the fluctuations in life in America, but like Melanie Bailey’s “Escape from Planet Earth” (brown, 60 minutes), there is nothing that rationalizes that sentiment at all. Here, Bailey holds fascinating comics and well-built lectures on the human desire to explore other planets as a way to escape their mourning lives.
As she gradually narrows the range from the whole planet to Brevard County, we are introduced to the performers who perform each lesson she presents. We see the stupid “Swan Lake” and get insights from God, a bisexual woman who happens to be 27 years old. My personal favourite: We meet a courteous neighbor from “2nd floor”.
Some sketches are more aggressive, with poor women’s freedom being used as a phlegm symbol and the constitution being torn apart by Senator Gatorhead. Side note: Finally, we will be featured in Fringe Church. Fringe Church is a “destroying fundraiser” that accepts new members for donations. If you’re a fringe fanatic, Amen!
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
