Cli-Mate ‘Just’-Us”: Renewable Comedy Meets Gay Love Adventure is a powerpoint presentation filled with puns and wordplay relating to climate change and LGBTQ+ dating. The show is created and performed by Lee Samelson who is on the spectrum and as a father of two sons also on the spectrum, I understood the way in which that impacted the delivery, which is at times hard to follow. I think Samelson also had so much information that the only way to get through it all in the time allotted was to speak very rapidly. He would be better to cut some material and slow down the pace. Working with a Director to find the best verbal punctuation to make the concept easier to follow could also help immensely. The visual presentation accompanying the verbal script does help and it’s through that that we fully appreciate the cleverness of the wordplay Samelson has created. There is the potential for a very good show here, but it needs work, Samelson has a great idea and the wit to carry it off, but it needs fresh theatrical eyes to help him take it to the next level. (Also in the Where’s Waldo game I’m playing with Fringe shows this year, butt stuff was brought up in this show so we are 5 for 5).
https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2024/_cli-mate-just-us-renewable-comedy-meets-gay-love-adventure
When TransMasculine Cabaret, Starring Vulva Va-Voom ended I received a Intersectional Ally Voucher that gives me the privilege to be regarded as a “Good Intersectional Ally” for the next 14 days, so please remember that. According to the voucher, I earned it because I “sat through a depressing hour-long monologue from an LGBT+ experimental theater artist”. Well I don’t know what they are talking about, I didn’t sit through anything, I experienced a very entertaining and enlightening show. There are serious topics presented but for the most part they are done with humor and heart and when bad things happen we acknowledge them and then deflect with humor. Which frankly is what an entertaining Fringe show can do. It can plant the ideas in our head and then give us a laugh, we are entertained, but we were also passed some more serious ideas, that we will think on and digest later. (Bonus butt stuff here as well, remember when there were several musicals each year at Fringe? Is anal the new musical?)
https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2024/transmasculine-cabaret-starring-vulva-va-voom
Transition: A Story of Two Trans People Becoming Themselves is The Stages of MN Fringe of the Day Award winner for Day 5. First off I just want to say Wow! Faithful readers will know that Trans stories and representation are very dear to me. Transition… tells the story of two friends who have decided to come out as Transgender on social media together. The performers Kymani Kahlil a trans woman and Gillian Gauntt who is non-binary have a wonderful chemistry together as they support and encourage each other on this momentous occasion. After deciding to click post, they get up from their laptops and come to the front of the stage as the 11 piece orchestra plays they begin to sing. This is when my jaw hit the floor. Kahlil and Gauntt have amazing voices. I don’t know if this is Opera or musical theater, whatever it is, it’s impressive. And it isn’t just the quality of their voices it’s the songs themselves. The show is by Emily Boyajian who composed both the music and lyrics. Boyajian is herself a trans woman and it’s clear that she has poured her own experiences, fears, and triumphs into her art. The songs are beautifully written, in message as well as musically. When do you ever see an 11 piece orchestra at a Fringe show? Every aspect of this show was beautiful, but none so much as seeing Boyajian tell her story through actors who don’t just perform it but reflect it and bring their own authenticity to it. Based on these songs I suspect that Emily Boyajian is a name we will be hearing more from, this woman has talent and I cannot wait to see what comes next. * In terms of content the Fringe show page recommends it for ages 12-15 and up. I think as long as your kids understand and are aware that some people are unaccepting that 9 or 10 would be appropriate. I know when my son was transitioning at nine he would have gotten a lot out of this show. Representation to a young person is everything and it’s so brilliant to see that happening backstage and onstage is this touching and inspiring show.
https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2024/transition-a-story-of-two-trans-people-becoming-themselves
The Light Bringer is a play by Laila Lee a Palestinian immigrant that tells her story of coming to America as a young girl. Growing up in a large family, Lee finds that the longer her parents lived in the US the more they tried to enforce the traditions and societal roles of their homeland. Lee stories are sometimes funny, sometimes sweet, and at other times downright terrifying. I view her stories through the eyes of someone who has always lived in the US and I empathize with her and her sisters attempts to be “regular” teenagers and young adults. I think by the time they are in college, their wants and needs are very in line with most of their fellow students, the difference is their parents. Lee is a gifted storyteller and performer and apparently she has a sequel written, and believe me once you see the show, you’ll be hoping she wins next years lottery and Minnesota Fringe 2025 features The Light Bringer Part 2. This is a show that was on and off my schedule several times, boy am I glad I ended up with it on the schedule as it’s another must see show.
https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2024/the-light-bringer
That’s the reviews from Day five of the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Be sure to check back daily for new reviews and if you are Fringing and you see me, be sure to stop and say hi! Also for reviews of shows I might not see or for another opinion on ones I have, follow M’ Colleague Jill Schafer at http://www.cherryandspoon.com/ and for other Fringe writings checkout our friend and fellow Twin Cities Theater Blogger Kendra Plant’s blog Artfully Engaging at https://www.kendraplant.com/blog-artfully-engaging.
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