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& billions more

1 Quandary Place
Abundance
ADVENTURES OF A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Barroom Philosophers
Border Crossings

The Children's Museum

Class Notes
Embarrassment & Death
The Falls of Vincent Millay
Found and Lost: Goals for 2002
Frisco Fred's Cabaret!
Fuck You Cancer
Great Hymn of Thanksgiving / Conversation Storm
The Hasheesh Eater
Heavy Metal Playground
HER KIND: The Life & Poetry of Anne Sexton
i hate my friends
Jesus Rant
Kiss My Booth
Korean Badass
Low Hanging Fruit
Monkey Poet Stand-Up!
Organic Boxed Chicken Stock
parts is parts:
Party of One
RM3
The Sewers
Shopping as a Spiritual Path
Spotless
Stetson Manifesto
A Strange Black Passion
Super Glossy!
TeleMongol
Terrible Voice
Tesla's White Pigeon
Turn of the Screw
You Go First

Play: Great Hymn of Thanksgiving / Conversation Storm
Reviewer: H.P. Mendoza
5 Stars
"THE...UHH..."

I was working the cafe when Amanda and Ted, independently of each other, told me that I had to see Great Hymn / Conversation. Both Ted and Amanda told me different reasons for loving it. So, of course I'm pumped up.

The show exceeded what pumped up expectations I already had.

Great Hymn of Thanksgiving is a heady symphony of industrial noise. It will shake you, take your breath away, and send chills up your spine...for better or for worse (two rows in front of me, I watched a woman, who was enjoying the show, but shuddering every time a fork was used to make a certain noise). This was the show that Ted had to tell me about.

Conversation Storm is a rapid fire exploration / demonstration of the way torture can be rationalized. With allusions (not FA-llujians..har har, I kill me...) to WTC (1993) and Abu Ghraib, this linear / non-linear flurry was the perfect thing to see just days before the anniversary of 9/11.

Great Hymn of Thanksgiving / Conversation Storm is the one of the most exhilirating experiences you can treat yourself to. At the end of the show, composer Rick Burkhardt walked out and said "If you like this show...well, I don't know if 'like' is the appropriate word..."

I *loved* it. Agree with Mia. Brilliant.
HP

Play: monkey poet
Reviewer: tom
4 Stars
bold, unapologetic, a spirited offering by this iconoclastic lad from manchester, i loved his rough style, politically incorrect rhymes, scruffy appearance and his smiles in the face of projectiles launched from uptight san francisco audience members. pure fringe, pure delight, you should go but don't take your republican grandma or your children

Play: jesus rant
Reviewer: tom
3 Stars
h. r. britton delivers a casual, thoughtful series of anecdotes about his personal search for jesus. i enjoyed his presentation, appreciated hearing about his search for the actual words jesus might have said, found his images skillfully painted.
the tone was polite and restrained for the titled 'rant' it was more like a classroom lecture or a youth group presentation, suitable for the church basement where it was staged. h. r. can consider taking a point of view or an angle rather than presenting such a balanced, reasonable argument. i wanted some drama, some action, some risk...this is called the fringe

Play: Organic Boxed Chicken Stock
Reviewer: Craig Kensek
2 Stars
You Can’t Have Chicken Stock If The Eggs Haven’t Hatched

I won’t go as far as saying this production laid an egg. However, “Organic Boxed Chick Stock” production still seemed to be in the embryonic stage. The performer has a haunting voice when she’s singing. However, when she wasn’t singing, she was looking at (reading from?) her crib sheets. Humorous riff on Pluto. Nice discussion on dinosaurs. Didn’t need to know about tampons. Perhaps every show differs depending on the degree of audience participation.

If you’re good at zoning in and out and enjoy female vocalists, you’ll enjoy the singing. Zone out and daydream about Pluto and pre-historic times during the spoken parts of the performance. Perhaps by the end of the festival the crib sheets will be gone. I didn’t notice the actors during “Avenue Q” I didn’t notice the actors during “Lion King”. I couldn’t quite make the cheat sheets go away, though, during “Organic Boxed Chicken Stock”

Play: Party of One
Reviewer: Emily Morwen
5 Stars
This show is a must see. Noelle will charm the pants off you with her endearing and totally loveable character. Her creative use of props and her abridged version of gone with the wind are only some of the things that makes this show great. She is a brilliant performer and will have you in hysterics one second and almost crying the next. A rare talent. See it

Play: strange black passion
Reviewer: tom
2 Stars
it was an ambitious effort with a large cast, costumes and light/shadow effects, unfortunately for an audience that numbered fewer than the actors in the show. the ten scenes were short and economical, the writer clearly had an understanding of dramatic construction and a narrative arc emerges clearly.
the english/german accents were awkwardly delivered and muddied the drama, the costumes for mister laurence were ill fitting and badly designed, the few seconds of shadow images were lovely, sensual, imaginative and with all those actors appearing only occasionally i kept wanting them to be back there doing shadows or something. in these depraved times of war and deception, it seems academic and remote to watch a show where the characters are obsessed with marriage and propriety, but i enjoyed the writers descriptions and statements of love and struggle.

Play: Organic Boxed Chicken Stock
Reviewer: Devra Aarons
5 Stars
Amy Tobin's insights are powerful and thought-provoking. Not only that, her dynamic vocals take you to new heights. For those who love "cabaret"-style work, this is not to be missed!

Play: Kiss My Booth
Reviewer: Craig Kensek
5 Stars
If You’ve Worked A Booth, or Attended A Trade Show, A Must See (or just for a great time!)

Victoria Doggett’s show, “Kiss my Booth” was hilarious. She humorously and lightly depicts the stress, the angst, and the competitiveness of working in a booth, hoping that the perfect buyer will come in and place orders for her pasta. She does this with a great deal of energy. Her bit about the booth “babes” (booth hostess), attracting buyers to the booth hit the mark, with the exception being these hostesses can usually recite sound bites, but otherwise know nothing about what they’re pushing).The snotty buyers, the buyers feigning interest, the buyers with no compassion, and the real thing(!) are all touched upon during this performance. She broke character a couple of times, but “what the heck, it’s The Fringe”, and had the audience on her side.

If you’re looking for humorous entertainment, go for it. Or if you’re planning on seeing a dark performance. See “Kiss my Booth”, to cheer yourself up at the end of the evening.

Play: Party of One
Reviewer: Mia Paschal
5 Stars
I wasn't planning to see this show tonight, but I am so glad I did. This woman is funny in every way possible: funny-demented, funny-sweet, and funny-true. Funny-hilarious. I loved her use of the stage, her costumes, and her props. I was sitting in the very last row, and her eyes! - every glance registered, every whimper and whisper. I was crying with laughter during the movie re-enactment. Then I was moved to tears during her most vulnerable moments. And as someone who once found herself crying in a train station, with tons of luggage and not knowing where to go, I could definitely relate. (But even if that never happened to you, specifically, I think you could, too.) Beautiful work.

Update: I saw this show twice (because I woke up still thinking about how incredibly deliriously wonderful it was) , and the second time was as delightful as the first.

Play: Organic Boxed Chicken Stock
Reviewer: Mia Paschal
5 Stars
Tall, svelte, engaging, and possessing an absolutely beautiful voice, Amy Tobin commands the stage, pure and simple. But it's rare to see a Fringe performer with so much relaxed confidence that it feels as if you're in the audience of her weekly show. And this show is so strikingly and fearlessly her own, with an easy, comfortable rhythm of which she was always in control, that I found it refreshing and very enjoyable.

Play: & Billions More
Reviewer: Joan Furst
4 Stars
Well acted, cleverly written, great sound!

Play: shopping as a spiritual path
Reviewer: gillian summers
5 Stars
Terry Tate is a master storyteller and not only is this show very funny, but it is also a moving account of one woman's incredibley courageous journey through a 2% survival of oral cancer. The show is never heavy or self pitying, or for that matter superficial. I came away having roared with laughter at things about her that reminded me of myself and inspired by the audacity of this amazing woman. You must see it!!!

Play: & Billions More
Reviewer: Madge
5 Stars
As always the Ripe Theatre delivers thoughtful content piled high with hilarious antics. This 3 person show left my cheek muscles sore from laughing. Special kudos to Deb Wade who morphed between characters that were both incredibly funny and frighteningly familiar.

Favorite part, as with all Ripe shows, the Dance!

Play: Great Hymn of Thanksgiving / Conversation Storm
Reviewer: H.P. Mendoza
5 Stars
"THE...UHH..."

I was working the cafe when Amanda and Ted, independently of each other, told me that I had to see Great Hymn / Conversation. Both Ted and Amanda told me different reasons for loving it. So, of course I'm pumped up.

The show exceeded what pumped up expectations I already had.

Great Hymn of Thanksgiving is a heady symphony of industrial noise. It will shake you, take your breath away, and send chills up your spine...for better or for worse (two rows in front of me, I watched a woman, who was enjoying the show, but shuddering every time a fork was used to make a certain noise). This was the show that Ted had to tell me about.

Conversation Storm is a rapid fire exploration / demonstration of the way torture can be rationalized. With allusions (not FA-llujians..har har, I kill me...) to WTC (1993) and Abu Ghraib, this linear / non-linear flurry was the perfect thing to see just days before the anniversary of 9/11.

Great Hymn of Thanksgiving / Conversation Storm is the one of the most exhilirating experiences you can treat yourself to. At the end of the show, composer Rick Burkhardt walked out and said "If you like this show...well, I don't know if 'like' is the appropriate word..."

I *loved* it. Agree with Mia. Brilliant.
HP

Play: Monkey Poet Stand Up
Reviewer: yawza
5 Stars

The most fun I've had at the Fringe , even without any bottle throwing incidents.I felt more energized after his performance than any thing else I've seen and this show has moved to the top of my list. Definite Best of the Fringe and definite must see show.

Play: parts is parts:
Reviewer: yawza
4 Stars

You keep expecting something terrible to happen and there's that delicious sense of the hair standing up on the back of your neck cause you know there's something dangerous just lurking just out of sight and you just wait......There's something happening and you don't know what it is , do you Mr Jones? Intriguing show with neat live music coming from all around you. Good thing you don't have to walk home alone in the dark woods on a moonless night after seeing this. Well worth seeing and it is a short , but well spent , 30 minutes.

Play: Spotless
Reviewer: The Stingy Fringies
5 Stars
We've seen 14 shows so far this year and this is one of our top 2 favorites. We aren't called stingy for nothing! We're more addicted to Emily than the smack being sold 25 feet away. And we love our smack. But seriously, something about this lovely actress makes us want to clean up our acts, befriend the elderly, and move to Canada. Spotless is simply infectious.

Play: Turn of the Screw
Reviewer: The Stingy Fringies
4 Stars
Have you ever had one of those bumps on your arm that, when you gave it a tiny squeeze, you were rewarded with not only a squiggly worm of white stuff, but also a really long hair that had never seen the light of day? That's how tiny, terrific, visceral and jam-packed with wonderful surprises this show is. Although we weren't genuinely terrified, we were genuinely entertained.

Play: The Sewers
Reviewer: The Stingy Fringies
4 Stars
A strange, spooky, sad and surprising spectacle that is more complicated than the previous version two years ago. We were wowed by the technical enhancements (so many mini lights! such much set dinginess! a ready-to-wear sonogram!) sometimes to the point of distraction, but more often delight. Fortunately, the sound is mostly the same, which is absolutely beautiful. The Sewers is a nightmare one-room otherworld and the thought of anyone wanting to write themselves into it is just absurd.

Play: i hate my friends
Reviewer: The Stingy Fringies
3 Stars
We love the concept of using a hotel room and conference room for a play. We love squeezing into tiny elevators with the entire audience and watching the actors work up close. We even love changing our identity from invisible observers to active participants in the play.

But we don't love performances when the leading actors are clearly exhausted and/or share zero chemistry. While we admire your work ethic, your rigorous schedule (10 shows in 2 days!) may be detracting from your craft. We don't love being lectured by a zombie, or watching someone half asleep go through the motions of being kinky. We get that every day at the office. Don't you drink coffee? Or take speed? You are actors, right? We think it comes down to this: either cancel your 4:00 shows and take a quick nap, or cancel your 4:00 shows and have a quickie.

You do get points for the dog.

Play: Barroom Philosophers
Reviewer: Karene
5 Stars
This has to be one of the most poignant, thought provoking, laugh out loud shows I have ever read and seen. This is definantly the show to see. Take the time to see it. I gaurantee you won't regret it.

Play: jesus rant
Reviewer: tigressa
5 Stars
Show is BRILLIANT! really disagree with the previous review...it's edgy but also has heart and H, the actor, is quite charismatic and compelling...it's well-staged and paced. Three of us went and we were all riveted. Absolutely get a ticket, it's totally worth your time. We three encompassed really diverse spiritual backgrounds and we all were mesmerized.

Play: & billions more
Reviewer: Julia
5 Stars
Top notch stuff as usual from the Ripe team, many new characters and a revisiting of that scary new age couple. Many laugh out loud moments about the end of life as we know it, peppered with hysterical piped in 'advertising.

Play: Jesus Rant
Reviewer: fringer
3 Stars
It was OK. Would suggest not a top selection.

Play: Heavy Metal Playground
Reviewer: Carolyn
4 Stars
One of the best plays I've seen at the Fringe in the past 4 years. Funny, well acted and great songs. It was a breath of fresh air when compared to some other serious shows. Not that those aren't good but it was nice to laugh so much for one whole hour. As for the homophobic and sexist jokes, I didn't take them seriously at all. The whole story is from a 13 year old's point of view. A 13 year old who's a looser and a nerd. That's why the show is so endearing really, because Martini reveals himself and we can all see a little something of the kids we once were in his performance and story.

Play: Her Kind
Reviewer: Rick Burkhardt
5 Stars
One of the best I've seen at the Fringe. These outstanding performers are utterly committed to their material: the intense, haunting, idiosyncratic poetry of Anne Sexton. The hour unfolds like a poem, with odd twists and turns spiraling back onto images and themes that grow and change with each revisitation, sometimes lulling, sometimes shocking, always moving but rarely in an expected way. It's both thrilling and heartening to see poetry take center stage like this. (And I don't know what these other reviewers are complaining about -- I loved the video.)

Play: The Sewers
Reviewer: Ark
5 Stars
This is the real thing, folks. Rearrange your life so you can see this show. Someday these people are going to have PhD theses written about them. (In a good way!!)

Play: & billions more
Reviewer: Kerry
4 Stars
Ripe Theater is a truly gifted group - ensemble members have lots of energy and bring such a wide range of honestly-portrayed characters. "& billions" brings something for everyone - enjoy!

Play: Fuck You Cancer
Reviewer: Damien Thomas
5 Stars
The best of 10 shows seen thus far. From concept/story to delivery - brilliantly executed with more one-liners than than a sleazy pick up bar.

Play: Shopping as a Spritual Path
Reviewer: Damien Thomas
5 Stars
Absolutely fantastic. Terri has such an incredible story to tell and she does it flawlessly. Whether your own struggle or that of someone you love, you walk away inspired through laughter to trust your instincts and you will overcome!

Play: Border Crossing
Reviewer: Damien Thomas
4 Stars
We've all been there at one time or another. Rick weaves a wonderful story of self-awareness and discovery that he brilliantly ties together in the end. A solid performance that leaves you thoroughly entertained while thinking about your own experiences.

Play: Found and Lost: Goals for 2002
Reviewer: Penny
4 Stars
It's more like 4 1/2. I really enjoyed watching it. And even the pieces without an obvious plot to pick out were enjoyable. The only reason I didn't give it a full five was that the girls look like they've been doing this show for a while, and sometime were just "going through the motions" I'd watch it again given the chance.

Play: a strange black passion
Reviewer: Mr.R
3 Stars
I liked it. It's a real play, with characters and a a plot. I didn't know anything about Lawrence, or Frieda, and now I do. The acting was good, and the womens costumes were nice too. I would have like to see more done with the shadows, but the sex scenes were well done.

Play: Party of One
Reviewer: Lois
5 Stars
When Captain Mel first blundered onto the stage with all her baggage, I thought, uh-oh, a clown! But I immediatley realized, this was no ordinary clown. The show was a brilliant journey with a very talented performer. I was mesmerized throughout the whole show. Very entertaining and offbeat-just what you hope to see with a fringe show. My favorite show so far.

Play: Embarrassment and Death
Reviewer: Lois
4 Stars
Brilliant and fascinating monologue about the actor's childhood in the 50's (?). He really captured the spirit and mannerisms of 10 year-old boys. At first I was concerned it was going to be an hour of some old dude reminiscing about his childhood, which might turn off a 20 or 30-something year- old crowd, but his delivery was so entertaining, it was timeless. If you enjoy seeing extremely talented monologists, check out this show.

Play: & billions more
Reviewer: Lois
3 Stars
It was hard to get past the venue-the seating at Original Joe's made it difficult to see the actors (warning to short people-get there early, save a front seat, and have some linguine or a drink at the bar.) The premise was interesting, but the execution was predictable, several different scenarios of people's reaction to the impending end of the world. The people up front seemed to be enjoying it immensely, while the back room people sulked in silence for not getting there earlier and getting better seats. The actors, however did a great job with the material they had, so I would say it was an entertaining sketch comedy show, but not particularly unique or offbeat.

Play: Turn of the Screw
Reviewer: Shaun Simms
3 Stars
I'll be honest, I am a film student and do not see much theatre so I went to this play because it had a lot of good reviews. I thought this play had some interesting staging and use of lighting, but as far as the narrative and structure I was very confused. Actors were switching characters and gender haphazardly, there was a guy with a horse's head that I still have no earthly idea what he was doing with it. I really couldn't follow the story except for what was written in the program. Maybe it's a theatre thing and I just don't get it. Also, there was this clock ticking throughout the entire play and it's slow beat caused me to get really sleepy. I'm guessing that's not the desired effect. The couple next to me was pretty confused also, they only perked up when the brother and sister characters started going at it.

Play: Her Kind
Reviewer: Shaun Simms
3 Stars
I had to see this play for school. I was familiar going in with the poet Anne Sexton. I thought overall this play was above average. There were a couple of poems that were well done. But I am a film guy and the clips were atrocious. They need to be dropped, the sound was not good and I felt the clips were completely unnecessary and really dragged the presentation. I would have given this play four stars, but the clips brought everything down. If you're going to use multimedia, you better make sure it is very well done and it has a purpose. There was a clip of the professor running late for her class and then later getting all upset. Very cheesy. Makes me wonder if Anne Sexton would have still had all this hoopla if she was ugly.

Play: Organic Boxed Chicken Stock
Reviewer: yawza
3 Stars
I'm giving this show the benefit of the doubt in that it might indeed be far better if she had an audience more to her liking. We seemed to ongoingly disappoint her , a shitck that grows wearisome fairly quickly. This is an obviously talented lady , at least as far as her singing and presence go, but the show seemed to be based on some vague shitck where we would interact with her or something. It was never really clear to me what it was she wanted to do. When you have a performer ask at the beginning ,"Why did you come here this evening?" , you'd hope that she'd know that most of us wanted to be entertained. But , who knows? Given the right audience , and the right mood and the right interaction all around , this could possibly be very entertaining. But , I'm afraid she only gave us 2 stars as an audience. Our bad , I suppose.

Play: Korean Badass
Reviewer: Shaun Simms
5 Stars
I don't see many solo shows, I have seen Eric Bogosion perform and I thought this show was up there. I like Steve McQueen as well. I liked all the characters, I remember them and thought the writing was top notch and very honest. Especially the chimp monologue and Hollywood director. I also thought the acting had a lot of stage presence. Good show.