The rainy weather seemed to keep at least a few people from
Friday evening’s performance of the clever “Grimms’
Mad Tales,” but hopefully they’ll catch the show’s second performance,
since it’s well worth the time. Staged similarly to 2014’s
“Spoon River Rochester” (and also directed by David Henderson), the show is
immersive public theater, or as the Fringe guide calls it, “part flash mob,
part performance art.” A cast of 120 people — including, once again, Mayor Lovely
Warren — are arranged down Gibbs Street and throughout the Spiegelgarden,
transforming the space into a fairy tale wonderland as the performers, decked
out in purple, red, black, and white costuming, deliver monologues inspired by
the stories of the Brothers Grimm.
A few of the stories are performed in duos (although there’s
at least one quartet of young actors for “The Elves and the Shoemaker”), which
contributes to the livelier tone the show strikes compared to the more somber
“Spoon River.” Utilizing a mix of both professional and nonprofessional
performers, it’s fun to see how each one has interpreted their part, both in
delivery and costume. There’s so many actors that it’s impossible to see every
story all in one go, so I’m looking forward to heading down to Gibbs Street on
Saturday and doing my best to catch the rest.
“Grimms’ Mad Tales” will be
performed again on Saturday, September 24, on Gibbs Street. 6 p.m. Free. All
ages.
[SLIDESHOW-1]
Based on the educational computer game that inspired a
generation, the nostalgic “Ruts! The Oregon Trail Experience” is a
delightfully silly original play by Deborah DeGeorge
Harbin with music, lyrics, and sound by Paul Obarowski.
A family of four pioneers suddenly find themselves within the game, making the
perilous journey west (seemingly whether they like it or not). Periodically an
omniscient voice pipes up, alternately stating the obvious — noting the weather
conditions and cataloging their dwindling supplies — or spontaneously
announcing the various diseases and ailments that have suddenly afflicted
various family members (much to their surprise).
While some familiarity with the “Oregon Trail” certainly
helps, it’s not required, and the youngest members of the audience seemed to
get just as much enjoyment as those who had clearly spent their childhoods with
the game. With its ear-wormy midi tunes and 8-bit inspired set design, the show
is a joy to watch. While the pace could use a bit of tightening, and the
performers occasionally stepped on each other’s lines, these minor quibbles do
nothing to detract from the show’s handcrafted charm. Make sure to get there
early if you want to grab the hotly demanded hay bale seats up front.
“Ruts! The Oregon Trail Experience” will be performed
again on Saturday, September 24, at The Strong National Museum of Play. 6 p.m.
$12. All ages.
Unfortunately, I concluded my evening with one of my more
disappointing experiences at the Fringe this year at “Pandora Boxx in The Worst Show Ever.” Making her return to
Rochester after moving to Los Angeles following her success on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the queen delivers an evening of
“light singing, supposed comedy, crazy antics, and dick and fart jokes.”
“Low-key” is the best way to describe the experience, as
Pandora tells meandering stories about life after RuPaul
and speak-sings songs about poop. Obviously there’s nothing wrong with that,
and the material could have worked, but Pandora’s delivery felt unpolished, and
she repeatedly stumbled over her own lyrics despite having notes in front of
her. Pandora has an appealing stage presence, but for a queen working at her
level, I expected more.
“Pandora Boxx in The Worst Show
Ever” will be performed again on Saturday, September 24, in the Spiegeltent. 9:30 p.m. $25. Mature audiences.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to include the official number of actors that appeared in ‘Grimms’ Mad Tales.’
This article appears in Sep 21-27, 2016.
