"All I Want for Christmas is You... to Elf Off!" by Brave New Workshop at the Dudley Riggs Theatre

Brave New Workshop's holiday* comedy sketch show is a favorite. And not just of mine; there were tons of groups, families, and people decked out in their best (or worst) holiday sweaters in the audience last night. The cast began the show by saying that this is the 65th holiday show (give or take) for one of the longest running comedy troupes in the nation. But despite the joke of that first sketch that every idea (even the most absurd) has been done before, they still managed to come up with some new, fresh sketches, along with some tried and true favorites. As you may guess from the title, All I Want for Christmas is You... to Elf Off, the show is an irreverent look at holidays and traditions, poking loving fun at the sometimes ridiculousness of this time of the year. But it stays true to the real meaning of the season - togetherness, community, and laughter. The show plays through January 27 so you have plenty of time to go celebrate with some holiday humor, by yourself or with a group of your favorite people (but I would not recommend bringing the children - spring for a babysitter or leave them with the grandparents, whom you also may not want to bring, depending on their sense of humor).

Minnesota Fringe Festival: 2018: "Self-Titled Debut Album"

Day: 7

Show: 26

Title: Self-Titled Debut Album

Category: Comedy / Drama / Musical Theater

By: Philip Simondet

Written by: Philip Simondet

Location: Mixed Blood Theatre

Summary: A band called The Cautious Opti-Mystics gathers in the studio to record their first album in just four days.

Highlights: I found this show to be really charming, with a simple premise that works well. We watch one hour of day two of their recording session, and in that time the band goes through a whole range of emotions and relationship changes. Lead vocalist Philip (Simondet) has a strict plan, and doesn't want to let his kickstarter supporters down. Producer T-Bone (Eric Heiberg) is enthusiastic if a bit clueless on how the tech works. Each band member gets their own song to tell us who they are, Philip's "One Man Band," drummer Alexis (Erin Kennedy) singing about the job of a drummer while accompanying herself on drums, guitarist John (Genz) lamenting being a third wheel in the band, and bassist Scooter (Will Roberts) shares what it's like to be taken for granted. We also get a duet (with plenty of not-so-subtle "do-it" euphemisms) from Alexis and John, who not only used to date but also played in a band together, which makes Philip jealous. But eventually they all make up and realize they're "Better Together." The show almost has a Flight of the Conchords vibe to it, with a band played by actual musicians with funny, clever songs that spoof the band. It's awkward and fun and silly and sweet, all in one.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2018: "The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist or, Ocean's 'Eh'T?: A Musical"

Day: 1

Show: 2

Title: The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist or, Ocean's 'Eh'T?: A Musical

Category: Comedy / Musical Theater / Original Music

By: Literally Entertainment

Created by: Literally Entertainment Productions

Location: Mixed Blood Theatre

Summary: A musical spoof of the real life event in which $18 million worth of maple syrup was stolen in Canada.

Highlights: If you've seen any of their past shows, you know what to expect from Literally Entertainment (music and lyrics by Kyle DeGoey, book and direction by Travis Carpenter). Funny and clever songs, a silly and fun story, and enthusiastic performances by the winning cast. This one also features a good old fashioned heist and plenty of Canadian humor (they're so polite, they drink beer, they wear plaid, they speak in funny accents). While the lengthy plot explanation at the end of the show is a bit confusing and goes by too fast to make sense, it's a fun and very fringey musical. And there's a moose! Oh Canada, we love you (and we kind of wish we were you).

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.

Fringe Festival 2017: "RomCom-Con: A Meet-Cute Musical"

Day: 8

Show: 33

Title: RomCom-Con: A Meet-Cute Musical

Category: Musical

By: August Moon Productions

Created by: Kyle DeGoey

Location: Ritz Theater Mainstage

Summary: After bad break ups, two people meet-cute at a convention for fans of romantic comedies.

Highlights: This meet-cute musical is super cute. Book writers Nathan Kelly and Kerri O'Halloran have filled the show with rom com references old and new. The show pays homage to the genre that is loved by so many, including our meet-cute couple Will (Aaron Cook) and Samantha (Erin Kennedy), while turning some of the tired tropes on their head. When Will jumps in to defend Sam to her ex Brock (Edd Jones), who comes to the rom com dressed as his favorite rom com character Severus Snape, she protests that they've only just met and she doesn't need him to defend her. And then goes on to explain that true love doesn't happen in an instant, but builds with time and hard work. The super charming and appealing cast also includes Hannah Parish as a rom com guru/fairy godmother, and Nimene Sierra Wureh and Drew Tennenbaum as the best friends who have a meet-cute of their own, even though we're told "true love is for main characters only." Kyle DeGoey (music and lyrics) has once again written a clever, fun, and genre-specific Fringe musical (see also Oregon Trail and Gilligan).

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.

Fringe Festival 2016: "Gilligan: A Tropical Musical"

Day: 5

Show: 25

Title: Gilligan: A Tropical Musical

Category: Musical

By: Literally Entertainment Productions

Created by: Literally Entertainment Productions

Location: Mixed Blood Theatre

Summary: A musical based on the iconic 1960s TV show Gilligan's Island, told in the style of Hamilton.

Highlights: The team behind last year's smash hit Fringe show Oregon Trail: The Musical returns with a takeoff on the current Broadway smash hit Hamilton. You can watch the opening number here, in which First Mate Gilligan is introduced by the other castaways a la Alexander Hamilton's introduction. What follows is sitcom-like scenes interspersed with Hamilton parodies, including Gilligan singing "I'm not very good at knots" ("I'm not giving away my spot") and Mr. Howell singing "She'll be back" (my personal favorite song, "You'll be back"). The songs are incredibly clever (composed, er... maybe adapted, by Kyle DeGoey, with lyrics by Kyle and Travis Carpenter) and I wanted more of them! "The island sisters" are mentioned ("Marianne, Ginger, ... and Lovey") and I was really hoping we'd get to see that number (nope). There's a Wizard of Oz diversion that doesn't seem necessary when  you have source material as rich as Gilligan's Island and Hamilton to mine. But I'm being nitpicky. The show is incredibly clever and fun, with super fast lyrics well-delivered by the cast (Aleksandra Sobie, Chris Laumann, Erin Kennedy, Justin L. Rios, Kyle DeGoey, Matthew Englund, Roxanne Britz, Travis Carpenter). It's a must for the Hamilton-obsessed.

Warning: the first two performances sold out and the remaining three are at high risk to sell out, so you might want to make advance reservations or show up at the theater early to ensure a spot.