KC Fringe "7 (x1) Samurai" review by Robert Trussell

David Gaines is an exceptionally skilled clown who creates vivid images on stage with nothing more than his own body, a couple of masks and vocalized sound effects and faux dialogue.

more at kansascity.com

Starlight "Peter Pan" review by Mark Edelman

Forget Broadway’s Spider-Man. Smack down Cirque du Soleil… Cathy Rigby blows them all away, twisting and turning as she careens overhead in Peter Pan, now through Sunday at Starlight.

more at KC Confidential

KC Fringe "Best of the IFC" reviwe by kellyluck

An interesting distillation of the local indy scene
Rating: 4

Best of the IFC
KC Fringe Festival

The Independent Filmmakers Coalition is a small group of amateur filmmakers here in the Kansas City area who have clubbed together to help each other make their own films. The indy scene in America and indeed around the world has been flourishing with the advent of new and increasingly inexpensive "prosumer" technologies, so more and more would-be auteurs are getting the chance to bring their visions to life. The result is on display here, with ten of the best works to come out of this talented group.

The films run the gamut of genre and mood: we start off with a quite satisfyingly wicked comedy, move to a odd little black and white quickie, and then on to documentaries, slice of life, suspense, and so on. There are many hands and many visions on display here. And while there were inevitably some I enjoyed more than others, I can honestly say that the majority of them boasted a good story competently performed.

Funnily enough, if there was a theme to the evening, it seemed to be humor. With the exception of the documentaries, nearly every entry, regardless of genre, had at least a humorous undercurrent, even if it was just a smirking black wit in some of the darker pieces. Sound was quite often problematic, but of course this can be down to equipment issues and so on, and of course when shooting in an uncontrolled environment such as outdoors it brings its own set of problems.

All in all, this is an ultimately satisfying summation of what is being done in the Kansas City independent scene. It is encouraging to see these creative minds at work, and this reviewer is looking forward eagerly to seeing what else our local talent can accomplish.

The IFC meets Wednesdays at 7:30 in the Westport Coffee House. They may also be reached at www.ifckc.com or Facebook.

KC Fringe "Sexing Hitler," "Buck Hoss" review by Robert Trussell

Oh, those crafty Nazis. In 1940, designers and fabricators at a factory in Dresden set to work making inflatable sex dolls for the troops because fine young specimens of German manhood were falling prey to the ravages of syphilis via Parisian prostitutes.

more at kansascity.com

KC Fringe photos for Wednesday, July 25

A Night at the Opry by TMajkol

7 (x1) Samurai by Joe Maino 
Bar Natasha Reunion Revue by Joe Maino
Bar Natasha Audience by Joe Maino 
Divine Divas by Joe Maino

The Beautiful and the Damned by JSumma

Vibe Tribe by JMStrange
Surrender Dorothy by Micah Husereaux 
Pilgrimage by TJohnson
Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Audience by MRodriguez

Charlie Piper, Mizzou New Music Summer Festival preview

Completing the international contingent at this year’s Mizzou New Music Summer Festival is resident composer Charlie Piper, who’s from London, England. Born in 1982, Piper completed his master’s degree with distinction at the Royal College of Music and currently is doing doctoral research at the Royal Academy of Music.

more at the Mizzou New Music Initiative

KC Fringe "Loganheim, the Clock Smasher" review by sunny

A Cut Above the Fringe
Rating: 5

Loganheim, the Clock Smasher
KC Fringe Festival

Wonderful play and winner of the Young Playwright's Award from the National Playwriting Competition. It's a pleasure to see a talented playwright who is also just as talented as an actor, speaking his own words. Zachary Weaver brilliantly emphasizes the words he wants us to chew on for a bit, and the words are both profound and also hilarious at times. Are we doomed to be slaves to clocks? Would we have it any other way? Richard Alan Nichols is perfect as the clockmaker on the other end of time, both literally and figuratively. This is a rare chance to see a play that has already been performed and lauded in New York and is being performed for the first time here in Kansas City for just $10.00. It isn't often that we're motivated to think in the midst of thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Go to this play, and you will do both!

KC Fringe "Amish Project" review by Detailer

Amish Project inspires
Rating: 4

Amish Project
KC Fringe Festival

Jessica Franz plays several characters to explore emotions after a shooting in an Amish schoolhouse.

Jessica makes good distinction between the characters, and balances the show with humor, drama, poignancy, and gentle lightness.  I am glad I came.

Her style is interesting.  There are moments when she actually comes out into the audience and speaks to its members, but most of the time she directs her monologues with a more general focus on a defined physical stage.  The two approaches work well together and allow me to feel close to her characters immediately while giving me privacy for the emotional moments.  I feel like she is speaking honestly, naturally, to me personally.

I appreciate the seamless way she flows from one character into another, usually starting each character in a specific place on stage, which is that character’s home base. That helps me identify who is talking.  She is able to intersperse her characters quickly because she doesn’t need to change costume—she defines her characters by voice and physicality, and often the location in which each character starts speaking.  This ability is especially helpful later in the show when her characters start interrupting each other; she is able to make that work with good effect.

Jessica uses the small space so well, with interesting placement and levels.  I particularly like how she uses the literal elements of the space to complete her environment—the entrance door to the theater becomes her door, the narrow space between a column and the wall becomes a unique area just right for how she uses it.  I always like levels, so I appreciate the multiple uses of the bench.  I was glad that she opened up the space farther than I have seen it; I like the added depth of an upstage area.  That makes me feel less claustrophobic, and gives her space to use different movements like running and jumping.  Her staging of the shots is very effective.

It is a wise choice to open with a child’s delight.  I like drama which lets me feel close to the character and happy about the character before anything bad happens.  She returns to the child often to lift me up from the darker moments.

Jessica presents several different viewpoints about the crime and the person who committed it. These offer varied perspectives and reveal prejudice, judgment, and forgiveness.  The wife of the killer talks about the miracle of still loving him and how she misses him, and the poignancy with which she admits this is very moving.  That makes an insult hurled at her even more horrible to hear.  I like the child’s explanation of what JOY means.  There are many other powerful, poignant, inspiring moments.

I learn some things about Amish belief and way of life, and I get some inkling of why some outsiders have negative feelings about it.  I would like a fuller exploration of why they forgive, and I missed the word that was so all-important.  I care enough about the child that I want to know what happens to her, but I don’t get a resolution of the incident.   I was never bored, but at the end I had an unsatisfied feeling that I didn’t quite get closure.