Tag Archives: Hollywood Fringe

Fringe Review: JESUS LIVE!

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Last Sunday was a special day. It was the second coming of Jesus. In Hollywood, right on Melrose Ave. Did you miss it? Don’t worry, you still have two more chances. But how was it? Was it indeed a religious experience? Well…

Jesus (JD Mata) came down to Earth to deconstruct the image people have built around his persona over the years. God (Evan McNamara) joined him for an honest and revealing conversation. There was music, too. The party got some traction and soon enough, Mary Magdalene (Alexandra Fragoso) showed up. According to Pope Gregory, she was a prostitute. But on Sunday night, she dressed up rather conservatively; no fishnets, no six-inch fluorescent heels. Was she really a woman of dubious reputation back in Magdala? What kind of relationship did she have with Jesus? Dirty minds have come up with different versions over the years. But don’t pay attention to fake news. Hear it directly from her; she’s eager to explain.

One of the Three Wise Men (Jack Little) also joined the conversation. How did they find infant Jesus? Was it a star? Polaris, a comet? The Wise Man will tell you, with music, of course. but the explanations wouldn’t be complete without God and Satan telling their side of the story. They also have some sense of rhythm. By the way, what’s up with the image of Jesus, tall, blonde, blue-eyed, like an Italian model on the cover of a fashion magazine? Are we missing something here?

What if everything they told you about these biblical characters is not exactly accurate? Is God really, really good? Is Satan really, really bad? And don’t get me started with the death toll. It’s revolving, never-ending. Team God vs Team Satan. Why is God in white but Satan in red?

Billy Threadgold‘s script is thoughtful, controversial, defiant, but never boring. The cast will keep you entertained and engaged, whether you believe in the Holly Scriptures or you don’t give a continental damn, just make sure you like comedy and pop songs.

So, let your prejudices at the door and come with an open mind. This show might turn your world upside-down, but at least you hear it directly from the protagonists. Who would’ve thought that blasphemy could be so much fun?

Jesus Live!

Stephanie Feury Studio
5636 Melrose Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90038

June 14 @ 5:30 PM
June 19 @ 8:00 PM
June 25 @ 8:00 PM

Tickets: hollywoodfringe.org/projects/14404

Written and executive produced by Billy Threadgold

Directed by John Coppola

Cast: JD Mata, Alexandra Fragoso, Evan McNamara, Jack Little

Creative team: Matthew Quinn, consulting producer. David Carbonara, Composer. Bertha Rodriguez, Casting/Marketing. Ron Barnett, Music Director. Spencer Frankeberger, Tech Operator. Michelle Vasquez, stage manager. Jenna Morris, Costume.

Hollywood Fringe Review: WHAT SURVIVES

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Five separate stories reflect the contrasting positions of Americans in today’s socio political environment. From unity to division, What Survives is an answer to crackdown on immigration by the current administration.

10-year-old Isabella has been abducted by ICE from her elementary school. Her Cuban-American father Eduardo (Randy Gonzalez) confronts Calvin (Steve Fite), the White school’s principal. Isabella is nowhere to be found and Eduardo demands answers. One of the highlights of the tense exchange is the revelation by Calvin that the federal funding is contingent on the school’s cooperation with ICE. Although rare, there have been some documented cases where ICE agents have detained minors and have sent them to detention facilities. This is a consequence of the revocation of Sensitive Locations Memorandum, which excluded schools, hospitals, and places of worship from immigration enforcement. The scene describes the frustration and the powerlessness—or complicit attitude—of the principal. You decide.

The play is presented in vignettes that explore the modern-day immigration experience in the U.S. and the reaction of Americans to some of the most extreme federal policies. The scenes delve into the full adoption of AI, the citizen’s concerns of such technology, the concerns of two veterans about the future amid the widespread tolerance of racism, and one case in which a trans woman is going to through a forced detransition, an example of the country’s movement towards conservatism.

The most striking depiction of the acute division of the country is the couple arguing about Trump’s administration policies on immigration. Julie (Rachael Meyers), who is White, is married to Gabriel (Greg Mathis Jr.), who is Black. Gabriel supports Trump’s immigration enforcement while Julie disapproves of it. The argument heats up and more things are revealed about the shifting perceptions of what America is and what it should be.

With splashes of experimental theatre, What Survives takes a clear position on the current state of affairs and the angst and extremism lurking beneath our feet. Meyers uses Isabella as a connective tissue to link the lives and experiences of individuals who are trying to make sense, if any, of the turmoil around them. The noises of fireworks in the background during the veterans’ scene (Shereen Khan, Homie Doroodian) seems symbolic, representing the increasingly loud noise in the background of our lives.

And the rockets’ red glareThe bombs bursting in airGave proof through the nightThat our flag was still there

Is the noise that we hear proof that our flag is still there? You might agree or disagree with what you see and hear in this play, but Mayer will shake you up and make you analyze not only what’s out there, but maybe even more importantly, what’s inside of you. There is a lot of depth into the stories in this play; they’re glimpses of Meyers’ skills as a storyteller, performer, and director. And that’s the great thing about Fringe. It allows all of these creatives to sharpen, experiment, and exhibit the things they’re capable of in a less restrictive environment. Just make sure to get the heck out of the theatre as soon as the show ends. This is Fringe, and Fringe moves fast.

What Survives

The Broadwater (Second Stage)
6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Saturday, June 6 at 9 :00pm
Thursday, June 11 at 8 :00pm
Sunday, June 14 at 12 :30pm
Thursday, June 18 at 11 :00pm
Friday, June 26 at 10 :00pm

Tickets: hollywoodfringe.org/projects/14386

Written and Directed by Rachael Meyers

Cast: Carolyn Mignini as Alice, Lydia Tinsley as Willow, Randy Gonzalez as Eduardo, Steve Fite as Calvin, Rachael Meyers as Julie, Greg Mathis Jr. as Gabriel, Shereen Khan as Masoumeh, Homie Doroodian as Naser, Sarahbeth Zohrehvand as Kat, and Shariffe Rahming as Lucas.

Creative team: Costume Design by Mylette Nora, original music by composer Dan Burdman, and props and graphic design by Kristen Maloney. Angelica Estevez will serve as stage manager, and Robert Zambrano as assistant stage manager.

Theatre Review: Cassandra

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ThurZday
ADA MARINELLI
SOFÍA BRAGAR
HANNAH HOWZDY
HEIDI STARRELLE
Director Kelly McMahon

Cassandra is a Hollywood Fringe production that combines Greek mythology and rock ‘n roll. The story and direction is by Kelly McMahon. The book is by Anthea Carns. The Stage Manager is Heidi Starrelle. The music is by Patti Smith.

In the story, Princess Cassandra (ThurZday) is the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. The place is the legendary city of Troy. Ada Marinelli plays the roles of the Fate Clotho, who spins the Thread of Life and Hecuba, the Queen of Troy. Hannah Howzdy plays the roles of Fate Atropos, who cuts the Thread of Life and Clytemnestra, the Queen of Sparta. Sofía Bragar plays the Fate Lachesis, who measures the Thread of Life and Athena, the Goddess of War. RJ Dawson plays Apollo, God of the Sun, who is in love with Cassandra.

This play follows the life of Cassandra as she goes from love to rejection by Apollo, her experience as a prophetess, her pain to see the fall of her beloved city of Troy, her rape by Ajax and her subsequent avenge by Athena, and her final fate.

McMahon’s adaptation of this classic tale re-tells the story of Cassandra from a feminine perspective. The most famous authors who depict Cassandra in their writings were all male: Homer, Virgil, Aeschylus, Euripides, and Hyginus.

Even though McMahon follows the classical story line, the inclusion of Patti Smith’s songs gives this production an impactful and feminist take on this enigmatic character. The selected songs are paired up with a corresponding scene of the play. We hear “Dancing Barefoot” when introducing Cassandra, “Upright Come” with Clotho’s lesson, “Cash” with Lachesis’ lesson, “Trespasses” with Atropo’s lesson, “Ask The Angels” with the prophecy about Helen, “Dead City” with the prophecy about that Horse, “Death Singing” with the prophecy about Clytemnestra’s plans, and “Dream of Life” with the Comfort interlude with Apollo. The addition of ancient Greek music with lyre such as “Europa” and “The Discord of Eris” puts a magic touch to the ambiance.

Cassandra features dancing, singing, and a form of laterna magica to display on the walls some of the facts mentioned in the story. ThurZday, Bragar, Howzdy, and Marinelli deliver a compelling performance to give a new voice to these Trojan women from ancient Greece.

Cassandra

Book by Anthea Carns. Songs by Patti Smith. Story and Direction by Kelly McMahon. Cast: ThurZday, RJ Dawson, Ada Marinelli, Sofía Bragar, and Hannah Howzdy.

Studio/Stage

520 N. Western Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

For tickets and dates: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/7512?tab=details