Minnesota Fringe – Day 8 Round Up

It’s hard to believe that we’re already approaching the last weekend of the Fringe. It has been an amazing week full of interesting, alternative theater of all sorts. Dance, drag, drama, comedy, twists on Shakespeare, and odes to popular culture of all kinds and eras.

The Fringe Festival is truly one of my favorite things in Minnesota. We have so many small theaters, so many talented artists, and such a thirst for the art brought in by touring shows as well. Although I learned today that attendance is still significantly lower than it was pre-pandemic (just under 60%), I saw packed theaters, enthusiastic artists and invested audiences every single day of the festival.

We can only hope that attendance continues to bounce back in the coming years. I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet gone to the Fringe yet this year to see a show or two –and in the meantime I have two more recommendations for our readers:

Holy O (Corner Coffee Uptown)

When you walk into Corner Coffee and check in for Holy O, you are given four gold pipe cleaners and the instructions for turning those pipe cleaners into a nimbus (the fancy halo saints wear in paintings). You’re invited to find a seat with the understanding that depending on the chair you choose, you might be asked to participate in the play. Half the chairs are strewn in clothing. A woman, performer Lauren Hance, lies sleeping in a pile of clothing in the front of the space.

I got a little nervous when I realized that Holy O was an interactive play. The space is so intimate that it felt inevitable to get involved, but I was wrong – most interactions are initiated by the audience member instead of Hance. On top of that, Hance says that audience members can and should pass on an interaction if they’re uncomfortable. No one felt uncomfortable at the show I attended – in fact, quite the opposite.

When the play begins Hance wakes up, groggy until her morning prayer snaps her fully into the land of the living. Upon opening her eyes she notices us, an audience of saints, watching her. We then spend the duration of the play helping her sort through her clothes in anticipation of her next chapter in life. This assistance becomes a tactile choose-your-own adventure type of storytelling. When an audience member chooses a piece of clothing, Hance muses over the story she associates with it and then offers a prayer for the person it reminds her of, the audience member who chose it, and even a little Marie Kondo-esque wish for the clothing that was not chosen and will therefore be donated. The blessings given to audience members always seemed to strike a chord with the recipient. I saw more than one set of eyes well with tears.

Hance is an amazing storyteller. She gives an energetic performance without ever overwhelming the intimate space that is Corner Coffee. She has a great sense for balance: drama balances comedy, sacred balances profane. I loved seeing our audience surprise her as much as she surprised us.

I highly recommend Holy O, especially to people who like interactive theater, moments of connection, and choose your own adventure books.

Remaining Shows

8/10 – 7:00 PM

The MacScottish Play (Phoenix Theater)

The MacScottish Play is a cute jaunt into a (very cursed) college theater production of Macbeth. After losing several cast members to injury and illness the play suffers the final blow: they lose the director under mysterious circumstances. This fun fantasy story revolves around a familiar Shakespearean fave, has an interesting story arc, is full of solid jokes, and features a sweet queer romance.

I thought the cast of The MacScottish Play was charming and had inklings of strong chemistry, but performances were a little rough across the board. Actors stumbled over lines and mixed up the names of the three girls more than once (to be fair Abby, Molly and Poppy are maybe phonetically a little too close for comfort). The script could have used a little tightening as well, especially in the first third.

Still, I recommend MacScottish Play for anyone who wants to support young Twin Cities artists, loves a little homage to Shakespeare, and enjoys fantasy.

Remaining Shows

8/10 – 1:00 PM 
8/11 – 5:30 PM