Fringe Festival: "How to Swear Like a Minnesotan"

Day: 5

Show: 15

Title: How to Swear Like a Minnesotan

By: Joking Envelope

Created by: Joseph Scrimshaw

Location: U of M Rarig Center Xperimental

Summary: A stand-up comedy routine about all the wonderful (and not so wonderful) things about being a Minnesotan.

Highlights: As I think I've made fairly obvious on a number of occasions, I love my home state of Minnesota. And I love a good Minnesota joke, but only Minnesotans are allowed to make fun of Minnesota. It's a good thing Joseph Scrimshaw is a Minnesotan (we know because he lists all of the Minnesota towns he's lived in during his lifetime), because he makes good fun of Minnesota in this show, but in a loving way. It's absolutely hilarious, filled with jokes about hot dish, snow, the long good-bye, out-state family afraid to visit "the big city," Betty Crocker, The Oregon Trail, Minnesota celebrities, Paul Bunyon, and "Minnesota nice" covering up the hot angry cheese inside of us (I like Garrison Keillor's definition - "Minnesotans are so nice they'll give you directions to anywhere except their own home"). And yes, he does swear, including that most Minnesotan of swear words - "uff-da." I'd say you should go see it, but it's completely sold out. Your last chance is the "Audience Pick" at 8:30 pm on Sunday night (reserve a ticket for the U of M Rarig Center Xperimental here).

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Fringe Festival 2012: Nightmare without Pants

Day: 3

Show: 9

Title: Nightmare without Pants

By: Joking Envelope

Written by: Joseph Scrimshaw

Location: Rarig Thrust

Summary: A man from the ATF (the Bureau of Alcohol, Taxes, and Feet) has come to confront someone who did their taxes wrong. A woman comes forward out of the audience, and is told that in order to avoid punishment by an evil pony, she must fall in love in the next 45 minutes. After scouring the audience for a possible target, a man volunteers, and much mayhem ensues. Oh, and no one is wearing pants.

Highlights: Did the summary make sense to you? No matter, it's a wonderfully silly premise that leads to a hilarious exploration of memories, relationships, life, and happiness. Playwright Joseph Scrimshaw (of the theater company Joking Envelope) also stars as the ATF man who leads us through this adventure (beware of the first row, you might get picked on). The hilarious Shanan Custer plays our main character who tries to fall in love but is just too practical. Rounding out the fabulous cast are John Riedlinger as the "happiness counselor," John Middleton as "beer can mouth man," and Anna Sundberg as the enthusiastic and perky waitress. I laughed through the entire show and then was surprised by the almost poignant ending. "Oh life (hey life), why are you so unfair? You're full of stupid things, like school and boys and hair." Very profound question, and a sweet ending to a salty show.

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