Reviews

Sun Tzu's The Art of War

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:21:21 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 7, 2008 • I actually have some history with this text — there was a little black book in my father’s study when I was growing up that had a translation of this, that I was obsessed with for about a month, even trying to use it as the basis for a short story (which was, no doubt, a significant step up from the Dragonlance novels that were the basis of everything else I wrote at that time).

Roofies in the Mochaccino

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:47:26 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 7, 2008 • I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to say — I’ve already reviewed so many of the pieces that make up this show at the dozens of showcases he’s performed at leading up to the performance.

My War: From Bismarck to Britain and Back

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:38:36 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 7, 2008 • Boy, is this ever a tough sell to a Fringe audience — an epistolary script, performed by three older women, standing or sitting at three music stands. And it’s one of the most compelling things that I’ve seen so far.

Trying Guilt

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:16:37 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 7, 2008 • This is yet another show that falls under the category of “bursting with talent, bursting with ideas, but still doesn’t really work as show” for me. There’s plenty of cool stuff here — not least a set of shoeboxes that is used in various clever ways, and some pretty impressive sound design. There’s flashes of inspired writing here, some more poetic pieces and some comic pieces that could easily be plucked out and stand effectively on their own.

Karaoke Knights

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:33:35 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 5, 2008 • Most of the reviews that I’ve seen have been complaining about the venue — that it’s a divey bar, tucked out of the way (Lord knows, there’s not many shows that will get me on the 21A voluntarily); that it takes place in a bar that’s still executing its business while the show is going on. I dunno about everybody else, but this was exactly the Fringe experience I was looking for.

Paul Bunyan Runs for President

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:04:33 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 5, 2008 • Y’know, I have to be honest — I feel almost guilty for laughing as much as I did at this show. Because it’s such a dumb, obvious gag, and it plays out with few variations for an hour. But something about this hits me right in the goddamn funny bone, because I was laughing. Steadily throughout, almost without pause. Covering my mouth, giggling like a schoolboy. More than I did at the Scrimshaw thing. More than I was at Cody Rivers.

Secrets of the Little Yellow Diary

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:51:08 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 5, 2008 • So I’m trying to do my first car-less Fringe, which means that I spent Monday asking anyone I happened to run into if they’d give me a ride to whatever they’re seeing next. I ended up at the Ritz, and got a humbling lesson in just how far out of the loop I am — because I hadn’t heard a damn thing about this show, and the house was packed.

Beowulf or Gilgamesh ? You Decide!

Phillip Andrew Bennett Low — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:15:30 -0500

by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low • August 5, 2008 • I’ve seen both of these shows multiple times before, and he has one of the sturdiest reputations in the Twin Cities, so I don’t know that I really have all that much to add. The night I went, he did “Gilgamesh,” which is my favorite show of his.