pool (no water) – theater review for Hollywood Fringe Fest – HFF 2012

I had heard raves from my fellow critics about this show, so my expectations were reasonably high.

Alas, those expectations were dashed by a play that had its merits (the incisive storyline was excellent) but was largely tedious to endure. Way too much yelling going on, methinks.

The much-touted movement aspect of the piece was well synched to the text but left this critic cold. I spent a lot of my time watching the mirrored images screened upstage, but some were ill-chosen, poorly rendered and eventually became repetitious. Some of the projected art works were wonderful, though.

Basically, this was a show I enjoyed more upon reflection than I did throughout its 80 minute duration.

Photo credit: Jazmin Monet Estopin.

pool (no water)

Directed by Monkey Wrench Collective artistic director Dave Barton and choreographed by Angela Ann Lopez and Lee Samuel Tanng.

 

For more information on all Hollywood Fringe Festival plays, visit their official site.

Here’s an updated show list of my Hollywood Fringe Festival reviews. Click on the active links in the play’s title to go to its review page.

ArtsBeatLA HIT LIST:

FRIDAY, June 8

ANACONDA

SATURDAY, June 9

NO WAY AROUND BUT THROUGH – Falcon Theater, Toluca Lake

DOC FAUSTUS

SUNDAY, June 10

JENNIFER ANISTON STOLE MY LIFE – unreviewed

FRENCH CABARET – CARPE NOCTEM

Tuesday, June 12

BEFORE THE RED TREES COME 916A Formosa

FRIDAY June 15

MIXED PERSONALITY DISORDERS – Theatre Asylum

POOL (NO WATER) – Flight Theatre at The Complex

FILTHY LIARS – The Complex – East Theater

SATURDAY June 16

THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM – Rogue Machine (not Fringe)

WHERE THE GREAT ONES RUN – Rogue Machine (not Fringe)

4 CLOWNS: THAT BEAUTIFUL LAUGH – Open Fist Theater

MONDAY, June 18

RED BASTARD – Artworks Theatre & Studios

TUESDAY, June 19

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET –Pantages

FRIDAY June 22

ALTARCATIONS – Actor’s Circle Theatre

LOST MOON RADIO – Fringe Central Mainstage, Open Fist Theatre Company

TAPE – Artworks Theatre

SATURDAY June 23

MISSION TO MATE – Theatre Asylum