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Performance: 6/20/25 – Portland Stage Studio

The best way to start this off is: Welcome to Fringe! BECAUSE with ‘Between the Underworld and Sky’ we are lunging right into action with a Musical. A Musical? Yes with Singing and Choreography. So what’s is this Musical about? Right off the bat I should tell you this has to do with Greek Mythology, a fact I didn’t realize until I heard one of the later songs, and it was a noticeable song too because of the complete change in pace (which is not a complaint, I found it quite entertaining) going from slow and methodical to quick and upbeat (even though the story is not) and it was during this song I heard Persephone. Boom, Greek Mythology,  realization hit me like a freight train. Thinking back now I really should’ve caught on much earlier, with the talk of Gods and Mortals and Oracles. This show covers a lot, so, bear with me. Let’s talk about visual elements: First thing you will notice is the Ukulele hooked up the amp, this is the primary instrument other than vocals, it is played beautifully, and even used to portray emotions at points such as: Extreme Stress shown masterfully via scratching on the wood of the Ukulele (Unexpected and impressive). The other important visual element other than the Choreo (which at points lines up closely to Interpretive Dance) is the use of Props, or rather one certain Prop… This being Yellow Yarn. I won’t delve too deeply into that one but it plays well… And now let’s discuss the Content. This show, tells a lot of stories, all within the context of an Underground Group of Storytellers, each one, shunned and hunted. See “To Act is Treason, To Stay is Complacency” each one of these stories is deeper than you realize they are going to be. Unfortunately through this I cannot even begin to express the amount of raw emotion was put into this, you can hear in their voices just how pure all these stories are. These stories cove r so much, including but not limited to: Transphobia, Sexual Abuse, Anxiety, PTSD, Lies and Inner Truths, Love, Resentment, Regret, Longing and More. So, yeah, there was a lot to cover and I hope you can understand why after hearing that short list. But thankfully there is a Helping hand at the end of all this saying to those who Want Change: Defy the Gods, Don’t Trust the Oracle and “If you can’t Speak, Then Sing”. I’ll end this with telling you two things, first is to go see the show if you can because it’s an experience you won’t get anywhere else. That and a beautiful phrase I heard as the performers walking of stage… “Sing Fringe”.

Review Submitted 6/21/25 by Rigel DeLisle, PF25 Independent Review Team

Performance 6/22/25 – Portland Stage Studio

A Greek Mythology Musical! Pretty great stuff here, very original including original music. The cast pulls it off with commitment and grace. Loved the Greek statue freezes and wanted more of this kind of crisp stylization. If I may, (is it Psyche?) the song/story that provided levity gave more resonance to the overall weighty themes here. It would be nice to have some more lightness throughout. But this is kind of perfect for the Fringe. It would be interesting to see it developed more, as stories and history repeat and having a voice even if the gods are against you seems all too familiar right now.

Review Submitted on 6/23/25 by Linda, PF25 Independent Review Team