KC Fringe "This" review by watchNwrite

 Say Yes to This

Rating: 5

This

KC Fringe Festival

       Among the best plays in 2011's Fringe Festival stands "This," a play about a young man who is willing to take life by the horns and ride like there is…well, a tomorrow that's worth fully living - and his attempt to convince a stranger to do the same. About 10 minutes before the show's start on Monday, the 25th, the audience gathers what information they can from a man who seems to be enjoying his rest on a bench a little bit more than your average bench-sitter might. By the end of the 10 minutes, the audience's interest is fully peaked, but it's a good guess to assume few people in the room were ready for what they were about to see.
       The man, Ethan, is very awkward, but in a charming way. He seems to be the kind of man who could have chemistry with any girl - not just the one he has chosen: Aimee-double-E. From start to finish, this couple (and that word is used very loosely) does nothing short of have, and deservedly keep, all the attention in the room. The actor playing Ethan walks with purpose, talks with enthusiasm, and acts like a pro. He builds for the audience the most adorably goofy character and takes his viewers from equivocating him to a weirdo on the streets of the Plaza all the way to rooting for his every desire to come true. The actress playing Aimee manages to hold her own up against the sheer magnetism of her male partner, and she does it with grace, energy, and the abilities of a well-rounded realism actress. The moments when her face ever-so-subtly signals that she is a second away from giving in are arguably the most beautiful in the entire play.
       "This" is a play you must see. "This" is some of the best acting in the Fringe Festival. And even though "This" severely frowns upon a "lack of boldness," any Fringer is exhibiting a serious lack of intelligence if they don't go see "This." And, additionally, "This" reviewer is saying to get there early enough to grab a very comfortable Living Room chair because a bad chair will be the most disappointing thing about "This."