PortFringe 2017 First Looks!

The following first-look review snapshots (listed in reverse chronological order, of PF-17 performances are generated by eight independent writers deployed by PortFringe to see as many shows as possible during the festival. Check back for more updates as the snapshots keep rolling in!

Note: Snapshots are listed in reverse chronological order by show date – the most recent performances are at the top of the list.

Show: DOG SEES GOD (Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Theatre Company)
Snapshot Performance Date: Friday, June 23, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Queer AF! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. For the PBS crowd. Definitely not for the PBS crow. Bring your tissues! So emo. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “MTWTHFSS Theatre Company is an ensemble whose joy when presenting comic material is always obvious and endearing. Which is why it is so surprising when DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD by Bert V. Royal, takes a quiet, deeply unnerving turn from what could have been a humorous, easy (and therefore potentially forgettable) concept of reimagining the beloved PEANUTS characters as bored, jaded, lost teens. The play turns pitch-black, and these lovely actors dig right in. Each has a scene in which to shine, and the resulting whole, explicit language and all, is a surprising, current, cautionary tale. Ensemble work worth seeing, whether you’re a hero or a goat.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: DANDY DARKLY’S MYTH MOUTH! (Dandy Darkly)
Snapshot Performance Date: Thursday, June 22, 2017
The PF Buzz: Queer AF! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Dandy Darkly pulls words like scarves and dazzles us with color where there would otherwise be drab heartbreak. The truth, the banal truth is slapped in the face with sequins and a fresh coat of lipstick and handed champagne, making it the life of the party rather than the shy kid in the corner.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: THE EULOGY (Michael Burgos)
Snapshot Performance Date: Thursday, June 22, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “This was a really fun time. Michael Burgos is a finely-controlled coiled spring, owning the room with his comic physicality as he says some of the worst possible things to a dead man that have probably ever been said. Be ready to participate—he includes the audience, and it is amazing. Get there early; [Fringe Central] fills up fast!”
–submitted by Peter Jacobs

Show: THERE AIN’T NO MORE: DEATH OF A FOLKSINGER (Willi Carlisle)
Snapshot Performance Date: Thursday, June 22, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “…Masks, Sock Puppets, SPIT!, FIDDLE MUSIC, ENNNNERGY! Willi Carlisle plays a folk singer who with the knowledge of his impending death, decides to revisit his life. This show was incredible and strange, and a total embodiment of Fringe. Hilarious at times, heartfelt at others, and brutally honest in others, it was totally gripping from start to finish.”
–submitted by Peter Jacobs

Show: I WAS A SIXTH GRADE BIGFOOT (Cyndi Freeman)
Snapshot Performance Date: Thursday June, 22, 2017
The PF Buzz: Family-Friendly
More Details: “Our storyteller is vibrant. She is buoyant. Her story of early adolescent bullying is neither vibrant nor buoyant. She details let downs and violence by peers, by adults, by friends by juxtaposing her story with that of big foot hunters. She winds us through both, unraveling the mass buy in of elementary school scapegoating.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: THE MAGICAL WORLD OF DOUG HENNING (The Humanist Anti-gravity Research Department)
Snapshot Performance Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Details: “The show is based on the real Magician Doug Henning, who later in his career moved from magic to an avid interest in Transcendental Meditation that some believe led to his untimely death. In this show, Doug Henning invited celebrities and a skeptic to share their stories of the unknown, and then unveiled his new theory of consciousness. I enjoyed the witty interjections of the celebrities, and Henning’s complete certainty in his powers, which involve communicating with plants.”
–submitted by Peter Jacobs

Show: THE GLOWING BOOT (Paul Bedard)
Snapshot Performance Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The PF Buzz: Queer AF! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Alice is a facial gymnast. Wow. They were able to switch from character to character in the storytelling of this piece like a boss. Their face portrayed emotion and intent with ease and slid into each character like an otter at play. Then the story was lovely. Thank you for digging into deconstructing the gender binary with a ghost story. Our narrator was able to pull through the gender spectrum and wind back to self and self confidence and I am grateful for having watched this story.”
–submitted by: Bridget McAlonan

Show: THE GOSPEL OF SHERILYN FENN (Brad Lawrence)
Snapshot Performance Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. I would have paid to see this!
More Details: “Holy yoyo of adolescence. Brad weaves a story of finding his feet in puberty using mercenary pornography, evangelical shame and constructive bulimia (is that a thing?) in a fashion that allows him to twist on his adult feet for a landing. His has a causal mastery of a frenetic pace of verbage launched at the audience seasoned with top of the Rollercoaster pauses. I wish the ending was a little less “it gets better…” but his definition of compassion had me. I’d listen to him tell more stories please.”
–submitted by Bridget McAlonan

Show: FAIRY TALES FOR GROWN-UPS (Laura Packer, Storyteller)
Snapshot Performance Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem.
More Details: “Laura Packer turns traditional fairy-tales on their ear, and the result is a richer, more emotional, and engaging storytelling experience. The writing brings a depth to the characters that you would not otherwise experience in the genre. Laura leaves just the right amount to the imagination, allowing her audience to become fully engrossed and connected to her characters. I would love to see a collection of her short stories in book form.”
–submitted by Robbie Carey

Show: ONE-MAN APOCALYPSE NOW (Chris Davis)
Snapshot Performance Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Definitely not for the PBS crow.
More details: “True to its name, this was indeed a re-telling of “Apocalypse Now” by one man over the course of an hour. But it was a hell of a lot more than that. Chris Davis put on a thrilling meta-theatrical performance while running through the major scenes of the film. He slipped effortlessly between characters while weaving in the careers of the film’s actors and parts of his own life as well. It brought to mind a crazy sweaty fusion of “Apocalypse Now” and “Hearts of Darkness”, the acclaimed documentary depicting the horrors involved in making the film. Although definitely not a requirement, I’d suggest watching the movie as a refresher before seeing the show so that you don’t miss any of the many, many references and jokes that play off of the original work.”
–submitted by Peter Jacobs

Show: KILL THAT MAN, COME BACK ALONE (Tandem Theatre Collective)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Which is the more relevant question: “Is it ‘disappearing’ if no one cares you’re gone?” or “Is it ‘baptism’ if you never come up for air?” Is there even a difference? Existing at the unlikely intersection between Beasts of a Southern Wild and Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle, “Kill That Man…” is both tender and brutal, hilarious and horrifying, not by turns but with alarming simultaneity, expertly capturing—through both conception and performance—the eternal youth, not of Peter Pan and his lost boys, but resultant in the abduction and murder of lost girls. A primordial and cold-blooded God might eat your alkaline flesh if you miss this play.”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: SIFTERS (Erica Murphy)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this. Bring your tissues!
More Details: I loved this show. It was a poignant, evocative coming-of-age tale centered around Greek myths, sisterhood, desire, and the painful discovery of hard truths. The actors use the small set so creatively that at times I forgot where I was. The beautiful performances, as well as the creative use of music, movement, and props, was like watching a poem in action.
–submitted anonymously

Show: POONSTRUCK! (Kelly Nesbitt)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. For the PBS crowd. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Poonstruck, featuring Dr. Tallulah, is riotous, physical exploration of self love- no really, self LOVE. If you’ve ever wondered about the utility of a foam roller onstage, well this show is for you. Kelly Nesbitt’s facile physical comedy is unmatched. She takes the stage adorned in 1980’s New Age finery, the likes of which you’ve never seen, and is so deeply in character, I’m not sure I’d recognize her on the street. She walks us through her life, loves, and mishaps, all while gliding, sliding, humping, rolling and undulating along the floor (sit in the front if you can!) This is a show that needs to be experienced- show up early, because this is a must-see!”
–submitted anonymously

Show: THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD (David Ortolano)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday,  June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: For the PBS crowd.
More Details: “If you are a fan of confessional one-man shows, you’ll really enjoy this one. The writer-performer lets the audience in on a lot of his darkest moments, followed by some energizing singing and dancing to recover. He presents some pretty compelling visions of a utopic future that could be within reach.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: JIM & MELISSA PRESENT: FREAKY NASTY TRASH (Jim & Melissa)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: Queer AF!
More Details: “Jim and Melissa are a trip. The influence of John Waters was present immediately as the show started- it was irreverent, gross, funny, uncomfortable, and most of the feelings that are possible in between. Jim and Melissa are masters of physical comedy and put everything on the table in this drag-tastic sketch show. If you’ve secretly wondered what your beanbag chair thinks about your relationship, whether a dirty sock can be a main source of human hydration, or what meatloaf made of glitter tastes like, this NC-17 show will fit the bill!”
–submitted anonymously

Show: DIVINATION IN 3 PARTS (Deb Grant & Kellie Ryan)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mother. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “This was a fun and hilarious exploration of divination that also included some deep and thought-provoking moments at just the right times. It’s worth seeing just for the set — the picnic blanket is especially great — but the whole show, from the sound effects to the charismatic actors, is a blast.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: A LINE IN THE SAND (Adina Taubman)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: For PBS crowd. Bring your tissues! I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Adina Taubman has created a haunting, gripping masterpiece that is sadly as relevant today as it was when it was written in 2000. Through a series of interviews with survivors, parents, first responders, and reporters, Adina, by herself onstage, thrusts the audience right back into the immediate aftermath of the Columbine school shooting. Her choice of vignettes perfectly overlap to show us how divided opinions were at the time about why this happened, and what, if anything, could have prevented it. The use of the shooters’ own words from their diaries, as well as multimedia video and photograph overlays made it feel as if we were watching a documentary on television, and not watching one woman become each of these disparate voices. In the end, it’s the small details that remain with you long after you leave the theater. A parent requesting the section of the sidewalk where her son’s body laid for 3 days after he was killed. Blood from a victim traveling under the table to where a survivor was hiding. And the cloying feeling that nothing has been done in the interim to stop this from happening again and again. Kudos to Adina for creating this compelling piece- though a hard watch, it is well worth giving this weighty topic your time.”
–submitted by Kristen Peters

Show: STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER – TEEN EDITION (Marianne Pillsbury)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: Family-Friendly. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. So emo!
More Details: “It’s inspiring to see a group of young women so boldly and forthrightly proclaim their self-hood, agency, and autonomy with such body-positivity and inclusion… A serious for-teens-by-teens production.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: PRETTY FACE DOES A WORLD OF GOOD (Amanda Huotari)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “The most American Fringe spectacle yet: absurdist, grotesque, aggressively sexual and profoundly unsexy. The tragic, pathetic creation myth of an unloved daughter and her walking restraining order of a father. And if that doesn’t get you to standup and salute, you haven’t been paying attention.”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: LITTLE BOY, LOVE GOAT (Stage Rage Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “The vernacular of desire has never so sweetly crossed over into the vernacular of cannibalism. “I want to gorge on your skin.” “Let me taste your ear.” “I want to peel you like a grape.” But no matter the sincerity in the voice of the erotic, do not expect fealty from a sensualist. Absolutely one of the highest high-points of this year’s Fringe.”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: SIFTERS (Erica Murphy)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Surprisingly good! Family-Friendly. For the PBS crowd.
More Details: “Sifters felt like a joyous exploration of the universe through the eyes of a child. The characters could not be more perfectly portrayed. From the first line, you are immediately taken aback by the beauty of the voice delivering it–Cassiopeia, speaking with liquid, ethereal clarity. When the children appear, you are unexpectedly transported to their world of joy and innocence. An exceptionally brilliant performance by all involved.”
–submitted by Robbie Carey

Show: MARK TOLAND – MIND READER (Mark Toland)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Surprisingly good! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. I would have paid to see this. Family-Friendly!
More Details: “Mark Toland clearly created his show with the skeptic in mind–not because it will convince you of the supernatural, but because it’s presented in the spirit of fun and entertainment. It’s full of laugh out loud moments and countless surprises. Mark is brilliant, funny and energetic with just the right hint of awkward energy that lets you know he’s a performance nerd at heart.”
–submitted by Robbie Carey

Show: ULTIMATE SUPREME (Andrea Carr)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! I would recommend to my friend. I would recommend to my mom. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “I had a blast at this show. The entire audience was having trouble keeping it together from the get-go. Adults playing the child contestants at a southern beauty pageant? Amazing. It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite part – the clueless kids? The completely obsessed parents? The ‘famous’ actor trying to host the pageant? They all gel together beautifully into a nice spicy southern gumbo.”
–submitted by Peter Jacobs

Show: THAT WAS UNEXPECTED (River Queen Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! 
More Details: “That Was Unexpected was an exorcism of inner demons made to feel like a raucous evening with your best friends. While it could be argued that the play teeters on the edge of self-indulgence, Grace keeps her journey relevant to her audience through humor, relatability, and brutal self-honesty. What is not up for debate is the talent. The leading ladies play wonderfully off each other, and truly come across as two parts of a whole.”
–submitted by Robbie Carey

Show: THAT WAS UNEXPECTED (River Queen Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Grace Foster and Joanna Clarke give us a raw, relatable, brilliant, hilarious, and real snapshot of life and love as a young woman, painting an imperfect but all too familiar picture of relationships and their emotional impacts and failures. The words are cutting, and the writing and performance offer a unique glimpse into the realities of breaking up and moving on. This play is refreshing, optimistic, and individualistic, with spot-on performances by all three actors, including the good-natured role of “Your Annoying Ex-Boyfriend” by Dalton Kimball. Being in the audience is empowering and fun. You should see this!”
–submitted by Mackenzie Mae

Show: NOT ALWAYS HAPPY (Bess Welden & Kari Wagner-Peck)
Snapshot Performance Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my mom. For the PBS crowd. I would have paid to see this. Bring your tissues!
More Details: “Not Always Happy is intimate, emotional, tender, funny, touching storytelling perfectly suited to its venue. The proximity you have as an audience member to the storyteller, not to mention the brilliant writing and expert storytelling of the performer, creates a close and tender experience that is sure to give you goosebumps. Excellently done, and a beautiful glimpse into the author’s world.”
–submitted by Mackenzie Mae

Show: BENEATH THE STEAM GRATES (Chimera Theatre Collective)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: Family-Friendly.
More Details: “This was a really creative concept, with some interesting use of sound effects. And if you like rants about hipsters, this is the show for you!”
–submitted anonymously

Show: MARK TOLAND – MIND READER (Mark Toland)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: I would have paid to see this. Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Family-Friendly. LOL! 
More Details: “This was such a fun and genuinely impressive show! I’ve been instructed not to spoil the mystery, but suffice to say you might have your mind blown.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: TIDAL SURGE (Giant Nerd Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my friend. Surprisingly good!
More Details: “The world can end in a lot of awful ways. Whether it’s the post-nuclear endgame of The Road or Fiskadoro, the unstoppable contagion of The Stand or Walking Dead, the government collapse and despotism of Mad Max, or the mounting ravages of global climate change evident in our daily news, it’s easy to imagine how massively the future will go dark. But in all likelihood, it won’t be any of these things. It’ll be all of them. The oceans will rise. Governments will fail. Any dingbat with the will can get a bomb. And we’re already seeing new (or rather, incredibly ancient) viruses awaking from the hermetic seal of Greenland’s melting icecaps. The cataclysm will arrive on many fronts. But it will be people—individuals—who meet that front. With striking austerity, Tidal Surge summons three of these lives lived struggling in the grim interior of the world to come, accounting not only for the depth and breadth of the imminent hardships, but also the sliver-hopeful fact that people will be there to see it and see it through.”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: EASTER AND ANNIE (Mod Twenty Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: Queer AF! For the PBS crowd. Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “This poignant piece gives us a glimpse into the hard conversations that were happening in our neighbors’ houses in the immediate aftermath of the consequential 2016 election. An engaged couple, Easter and Annie, are both coping differently as they grapple with what it means to be a gay couple, engaged to be married, in Trump’s America… Both actresses did a stellar job hitting the tension, love, and fear needed to do this wonderful script justice. Their chemistry was a joy to watch. Though short, this is a worthy piece to add to your must-watch list.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: PLEASE STAND BY… (Finyette Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! I would have paid to see this. Would recommend to a friend. Surprisingly good! For the PBS crowd. Bring your tissues!
More Details: “Please Stand By is the ultimate actor’s nightmare. We have all had that stress dream that we’re expected onstage for opening night, yet we have no memory of ever attending a rehearsal. Walter Fisk, a lowly night engineer at the local TV Station, finds himself in a similar mess, when during a normal shift, he suddenly needs to become the onscreen talent during a national emergency. I loved everything about this show. Mark Magee is masterful as Fisk. He is endearing, charismatic, funny, awkward, and genuine as you watch his journey from just trying to keep everyone entertained, to realizing that what he is doing is so much greater than he could ever have anticipated. The creative use of 1980’s tech was delightful, as were the unexpected touches of Hello Dolly and the cast of folks who called in regularly (special shout out to the mac and cheese.) You laugh while your heart sinks. It’s a genuine show, stellar from beginning to end, and well worth a spot in your Fringe schedule.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: HELL IS (Pie Man Theatre Company)
Snapshot Performance Date: June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: Queer AF! Definitely not for the PBS crowd. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem.
More Details: This was a really creative concept with some very funny lines. I learned quite a bit about some of my favorite philosophers!
–submitted by Nadia

Show: THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD (David Ortolano)
Snapshot Performance Date: June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: Surprisingly good! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. For the PBS crowd. Bring your tissues. So emo. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “A standout, excellent show. Brilliantly written and acted, and not to be missed for any reason. Sit in the front row if you can handle the penetrating gaze of the performer. This is a raw performance, full of serious reality and still whimsical fantasy. Also, with a great soundtrack. Don’t miss this amazing acting and fantastic show!”
–submitted by Mackenzie Mae

Show: TERROR ON THE HIGH SEAS (The Adventures of Les Kurkendaal)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! I would have paid to see this. Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. For the PBS crowd. Queer AF!
More Details: “Les Kurkendaal is a phenom. From the moment he steps on stage and says his first line, you instantly relax. You know you are in the hands of a master storyteller, and you simply sit back, and buckle in for a fun ride. Les paints a picture so vivid, that you feel like you too are stuck on a cruise with his obtuse in-laws. Portland Stage transforms into the world he creates, scene by scene, and you don’t want to be anywhere else. Terror on the High Seas is as funny and delightful as it is uncomfortable. Les pulls no punches bringing us into his everyday experiences. Whether it’s being pulled aside by drunk cancer survivors with amnesia, being regarded as waitstaff because of the color of his skin, or being scolded for not drinking enough damn Pellegrino water, you cringe along with him as he navigates the fraught and choppy waters of complicated family dynamics. Run, don’t walk, and go see this show. It’s one hundred percent delightful.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: TURKEY CLUB (Turkey Club)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL!
More Details: “You never know what you’ll learn where. Tonight I learned that eating your brother is kinda like incest. That the joyful labors of injecting meat puree into a tube can be both zen and revolting. That Impressionism and Body Music apparently originated in the Renaissance. Will you learn these selfsame life lessons at The Turkey Club’s set of game-based improvised comedy? Probably not. But I can with a certain margin of confidence say: it surely will behoove all parties involved if you bring along a dialog-heavy book to share with the class.”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: THE PARANORMAL PAIR (Box of Clowns)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: Family-Friendly. LOL! Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Did you enjoy Ghost World but lamented the absence of any real ghosts? Do you ever wish Finn and Jake were the hosts and creators of Ghost Hunters? Do you long for Tina Belcher’s oddly narcotic dance routines to somehow be more goth? This show, then, might very well be for you. Despite the onslaught of cultural references in the sentences above, this is indeed a truly original show. Funny, weird, engaging, charismatic, and—at strategic moments—hokey, all executed with the thought and intention that makes for classic Fringe. … I felt immediately at home with these characters. Not just they were enthralling weirdos with whom I was willing to spend my time. More like I knew them already in some cartoon form, like we’d hung out before and now get to hang again (much like the characters themselves). Could this possibly be some sort of echoing of past lives? Have our spirits been linked throughout eternity? Probably not. But it feels important that there was never a moment when Glen and Mysteria were strangers.”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: LOVERS ANONYMOUS (Vivid Motion)
Snapshot Performance Date: Sunday, June 18, 2017
The PF Buzz: Queer AF! LOL! Would recommend to my friend.
More Details: “Lovers Anonymous was a pop-punk danceathon/comedic portrayal of love and lust that was as earnest and vulnerable as it was silly and funny. The performers were committed, the music was loud, and the entire show was good plain fun.”
–submitted by Mackenzie Mae

Show: DRIFTING & TORN APART (Eric Darrow Worthley)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: So emo!
More Details: “…Each of these people is guilty of creating the life they are in…It’s cool to follow your dreams. But you’ll probably never be a rock star. But hey, maybe you can be a local powerhouse, playing out every few months and seeing all your friends hanging out at the back of the club. Failing that, you can maybe be in a bar band, jangling out “Beast of Burden” for the thousandth Saturday in a row and hoping this time someone might sit up and listen. Failing that, maybe you can be in a wedding band, adequately performing songs that sound romantic to the sensibilities of the people signing your check. And failing that?”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: OURS. (Molly Hunt)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: So emo!
More Details: “Ours. is a show for people who are comfortable in the discomfort of not knowing. For theatergoers who are happy to leave a performance with more questions than answers. It is an exploration of self and truth inside an empty box. Endless questions posed by Mira seem to only lead to more questions, and almost no answers are given by Benjamin or Leonora, her partners in this seemingly ethereal place and time. Who are they? Where are they? Where are they going? The fractured bits of memory that Mira shares leave the audience trying to piece her life together, to no avail. One of the best things about PortFringe is the flavor that the venues add to the shows. I think “Ours” would have been a completely different show with a different meaning in any other setting you placed it in- outside, on a proscenium stage, or in a dance hall. In Genos, with their sparse, dirty, gritty small box of a stage, it took on a dystopian feeling. There was no set, but every character had a small prop that took on immense meaning. As you grapple with your own questions about what you are seeing, you begin to search for explanations in the tiniest things, and these small props become part of that focus. The entire cast is to be applauded for a strong performace of a challenging piece. Leonora’s masterful physical presence was particularly strong. She slinks about the stage, like a witch’s feline familiar, and so entwines herself with Mira that at times you forget she is there. She vacillates between sinister and supportive with just a minute change in her face- her body control is masterful.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: THE ANTIGONE IN WARSAW (Purple Crayon)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: For the PBS crowd.
More Details: “In a small theater in Poland, two curtains are about to go up. The curtain on their play, Antigone, and the curtain of the theater of war- invasion of the Nazis is imminent. Richard Sewall penned this play in 1968 against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, and it is frighteningly relevant again today. In a way, this play embodies Fringe itself- theater in a time of bad government. Class and wealth are on center stage as all of the players vie for their own interests- some of them altruistic and genuine, others selfish. As the play begins, you mostly hear the men speak, but as the plot unfolds, you see the women are truly pulling the strings- be they shoe strings for the theater troupe or piano wire for the wealthy. The cast shows a wonderful, slow increase in tension that is almost unnoticeable until it explodes. The sparse, deliberate set is very effective and becomes a symbol of what is crashing around outside the theater, as well as inside it. It is also a symbol of the have nots, and their willingness to strive for the good, while knowing they have little chance of the comfort and insulation that money provides. …An elegantly composed script, with a strong ensemble cast… especially timely given the state of the world.”
–submitted anonymously

Show:  20×20: AN IMPROVISED PECHAKUCHA (Two Red Hens Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Surprisingly Good! I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “Stringing together a narrative out of twenty random photographs is a daunting task for any storyteller. Making that narrative coherent is even harder. Making it funny is even more of a challenge. Doing it all in 400 seconds? If you have a fetish for watching fresh anxiety shoveled onto someone every twenty seconds and seeing that someone each time flare brightly for the fuel, this might be the show for you.”
–submitted by Douglas W. Milliken

Show: DRIFTING AND TORN APART (Eric Darrow Worthley)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: So emo!
More Details: “Each of these people is guilty of creating the life they are in… It’s cool to follow your dreams. But you’ll probably never be a rock star. But hey, maybe you can be a local powerhouse, playing out every few months and seeing all your friends hanging out at the back of the club. Failing that, you can maybe be in a bar band, jangling out “Beast of Burden” for the thousandth Saturday in a row and hoping this time someone might sit up and listen. Failing that, maybe you can be in a wedding band, adequately performing songs that sound romantic to the sensibilities of the people signing your check. And failing that?”
–submitted anonymously

Show: FLOWCASE (Spark Artist Collective)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: Family-Friendly!
More Details: “Lots of eclectic movement and dancing with some impressive acrobatics… I always admire folks who are brave enough to do what they love for an audience.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: HOW DARE YOU, SIR: A GENTLEMAN’S PANEL OF ROCK  – THE F**K THE MAN TOUR (Mad Horse Theatre Company)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: LOL! Would recommend to my friend. For the PBS crowd. Definitely not for the PBS crowd. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “A fierce demonstration of the control and manipulation by The Forces Above (be they pharmaceutical, economic, or intellectual) through the habitual use of ultra violence to greet the voice of the dispossessed, “How Dare You, Sir” is the perfect cross-section of NPR-style discourse and the blunt, howling protest at the core of rock n roll.”
–submitted anonymously

Show: MARIMBA CABARET (Brian Calhoon)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: Family-Friendly. For the PBS crowd. Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mom. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. Queer AF!
More Details: “This was sweet and fun! The musicians were so charming. Even though the show seemed light-hearted, there were actually quite a few touching personal moments as well, and a few Easter eggs of pop music amid the more obscure showtunes. You don’t have to be a fan of musical theater to enjoy it, you just have to enjoy watching two talented musicians doing what they love.”
–anonymously submitted

Show: DEEP AS HELL (Jason LeSaldo and Khalil LeSaldo)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: Definitely not for the PBS crowd.
More Details: “…The audience was cackling and seemed to love it! Might be perfect for one that enjoys slapstick a bit on the crude side… The parts of the show I loved were its tender moments,  some of which were done quite well… Dedicated performers!”
–submitted by Mackenzie Mae

Show: RADICAL PRESENCE (Pop Killed Culture Productions)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to a friend. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. Definitely not for the PBS crowd. I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “This one was an early favorite for me. It really lived up to its title, from the moment you walked into the studio. It felt mysterious, intimate, and thought-provoking. I also appreciated that the interactive portion didn’t impose itself on the audience. It really felt like there was a lot of space, physically and emotionally, to absorb what you were seeing and think about what it meant.”
–anonymously submitted

Show: DOUBLE FEATURE – THE YELLOW WALLPAPER (Bare Portland) *and* FROM THE RIB VAULT IN THE ROOM THAT HAS BECOME MARY (New Fruit)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to my mother. I would have paid to see this. Queer AF!
More Details: “An absolute MUST SEE. Something for everybody. This show was breathtaking and utterly unique. Relate-able to every woman, and not alienating to a male audience. The whole room was enraptured! … An immersive audience experience, probably not suited for children or for those that might be looking for something more lighthearted.”
—submitted by Mackenzie Mae

Show: YOU ARE NOT ALONE (Meredythe Dehne Lindsey)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
The PF Buzz: Queer AF. Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. I would have paid to see this. Bring your tissues!
More Details: “The emotional generosity of every member of this ensemble (stellar ASL performers included) is to be lauded. They gave themselves over completely to immerse the audience in their often painful experiences and it was gripping. It’s a risk to expose yourself emotionally like this… I also really appreciated the genuine diversity of this group… This entire show, from beginning to end, reads as a beautiful composition…The cadence of the writing ebbed and flowed with rhythm and song… It’s rare to see a true ensemble, and these performers were it. They created sets with their bodies, providing oppression, support, abuse, and love with only themselves onstage. Silence is used effectively as speech, a credit to their mastery of body language… The content is challenging, and the warning presented to the audience is warranted. This is not a show for children. But it is a show that needs to happen, and be talked about… As an aside, I found the juxtaposition of this show in this space very interesting. They were set against a wall with three large paintings – all of which depicted women performing a gender performatively female act – ballerinas, dancers and a bride – all with one male prominently in the center, the focus of attention… an interesting reminder of where we are coming from and how ingrained these expectations are for people to all fit neatly into a box…”
–submitted by Kristen Peters

Show: KARA SEVDA (Now What Theatre Company)
Snapshot Performance Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
PF Buzz: Would recommend to my friend. Would recommend to Gloria Steinem. So emo. Bring your tissues! I would have paid to see this.
More Details: “This show is pretty heavy, but not without its comedic moments. The two actors had a definite chemistry and produced quick, sharp banter, but the real draw of the show was their individual monologues… The play is a bit ominous and downright intense at time… surprisingly emotional … great job by all.”
–submitted by Mackenzie Mae

check back – more snapshots coming soon!

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