Showing some skin on several stages: Orlando Fringe Festival Reviews
Today’s Orlando Fringe Festival reviews include “Freak Show,” “The Creative Complex,” “Rocky Horror Revue-sical” and “Bodies,” all previews except for “Counseling Clause.”
“Every day, we must face ourselves,” says Matti McLean in opening his show.
As he begins “Bodies,” (Red venue, 60 minutes) there’s a man sitting shirtless on stage with the start of a painting on his chest. Body painting is McLean’s specialty and throughout the show, the audience can see that model transform into a walking work of art.
Meanwhile, McLean paints a picture of his life’s trials and tribulations, from an emotionally abusive ex-husband to the struggles of feeling good enough as an artist. Through his nuanced, vulnerable storytelling, the Canadian actor and visual creator delves deep into the relationship we have with our bodies in a world with unrealistic beauty standards.
In the category of autobiographical one-man shows, “The Creative Complex” (Gold venue, 60 minutes) invites audience members to journey into the mind of Myk Media, a Central Florida filmmaker and visual artist.
The performer doesn’t speak a word during the show but mouths along with his recorded narration and songs while accompanying visuals carry the story on screen. It’s revealed early on that the artist has nonverbal learning disorder and spent a lot of time in his head growing up, which fueled his creative passions but also resulted in a lot of self-doubt.
The moral of the story, which sometimes feels a little disjointed and hard to connect with, is that anyone can find their voice, their creativity and the will to believe in themselves.
“Freak Show,” (Blue venue, 60 minutes) advertises itself as an original burlesque opera with a local cast from HeART Productions. As the performers stage a variety show within their show, witness an aerialist act, an escape artist, a bearded lady and a puppeteer with her marionette.
Each of the character’s singing numbers explores their identity as “freaks” who feel most at home on stage, while the story also explores social norms, sexism and the “chains” that hold us back.
It’s a show that has its highlights and dramatic moments but struggles to find its own voice at times. In the end, it has a lot of heart.
When searching for more fishnets and corsets, look no further than “Rocky Horror Revue-sical” (Orange venue, 60 minutes). The Rocky Horror parody isn’t shadow cast, as is customary, but acted out and sung by the cast with their own twists.
Rather than Brad and Janet, the couple at the core of this spoof is Eileen and Brenda, who stumble into a castle with a female Frank-N-Furter and the usual crazy cast of characters. One song riffs on “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll” and there is no shortage of pot jokes throughout.
This parody show definitely leans into the callbacks and comedy that make Rocky fun, but the timing of some of the jokes and execution could be a little better. Though it’s apparent the cast is having fun, there have been Rocky productions with more gusto and zest.
Speaking of sexual tension, one show takes the audience into a sex therapy session where two characters flesh out their troubles in the bedroom. In an “only at Fringe” sort of spin, the couple in question is Mr. and Mrs. Clause.
“Counseling Clause” (30 minutes, The Abbey) is short and sweet with a hilarious premise. It’s slightly slow to start but the show finds its footing as it goes on with Mrs. Clause questioning monogamy or if her marriage has gone stale.
Like a lot of shows at the Orlando Fringe, it’s the kind of thing you have to see to believe.
Orlando Fringe Festival
Where: Shows at Loch Haven Park are in color-coded venues; off-campus locations are identified by name
When: Through May 29
Cost: $10 button required for ticketed shows, then individual performance tickets are no more than $15
Schedule, tickets and more info: OrlandoFringe.org
More reviews: OrlandoSentinel.com/fringe.
