Friday, August 11, 2023

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2023: "OPERA PUNKS"

Day:
 7

Show: 25

Title: OPERA PUNKS

Category: COMEDY / IMPROV / MUSICAL THEATER / ORIGINAL MUSIC / OPERA / PHYSICAL THEATER / KID FRIENDLY / LGBTQIA+ CONTENT

By: SECRET CULT

Created by: Kelly Shuda

Location: Rarig Xperimental 

Summary: Short form musical improv.

Highlights: Like most improv, this is a wild ride covering many weird topics. But unlike most improv, it's entirely sung! Five talented musical improvisors (Isabella Dunsieth, Ruben Gomez, Nora Nelson, Michael Rogers, Julia Weiss) perform short scenes based on audience prompts. They're accompanied by Director Kelly Shuda on keyboard and guitar, who sets the style of the song, and also fiercely watches the performers to pick up and pass cues. The show I saw had songs about aliens, amusement park accidents, siblings reuniting and resurrecting their dad, and a really weird story that ended with people (or aliens, or blood cells?) traveling around inside a body. Entertaining and well sung and bizarre.