(To learn more about this show, please visit the show’s page here)

Performance 6/13/26 – Portland Stage Storefront (aka TFK)

I was not slated to review this show but happened to see it with family members who enticed me to hang around for one more after seeing three shows already on Saturday. But I have to weigh in because it turned out to be an exceptional performance by Del Gonzales and Square Product Theatre from New York City.

When a solo performer from away comes to Portland, it is harder to generate an audience if you are unknown. Lots of Fringe performers pack the hall with people they know, or via reputation or spontaneous word of mouth. As such, the crowd was smallish, and most of us were festival volunteers with comped tickets.

So if you read this, spread the word. Beastie is a clown, and a really great one. It is not very common to see clowns of this caliber, particularly who are so young, and who have such polished chops in movement, improvisation, character development, crowd rapport etc. The performance was well structured and even poignant at the end. The whole evening was a delight. I am so glad I stayed.

Submitted on 6/14/26 by Mark Shaughnessy, PF26 Independent Review Team

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Every day is a new adventure for our curious friend, Beastie. With the audience’s help, he sets out to explore every wonder to the fullest. He’s learning, though, and sometimes makes mistakes. That’s when self-doubt creeps in, dimming the happy mood like a booming storm cloud. But tomorrow is a new day, so Mr. Beastie shakes off disappointment and bounds off in search of the next new thing. The question is, how long will Beastie stay his jubilant, curious self?

Del Gonzales brings Beastie to life with boundless joy and bottomless kindness, as he recrafts this poignant story of childish wonder and self-love with the assistance of the audience every performance. Del holds the space and our attention with such care and ease that his playful energy becomes infectious, and you can’t help but want to assist Beastie on his journey.

By the end of the show, audience members are left reflecting on self-judgment, parenthood, and a longing for their lost inner child. Del and the Square Product Theatre go out of their way to show the audience that they’re all right there, just around the corner, waiting to play.

Submitted on 6/17/26 by Nathan Gregory, PF26 Independent Review Team