Hugh Mannfried
A “Best and Worst” Review
The Best: Performer Jackson Card’s musicality. Card is a good (and occasionally great!) singer, and his guitar-playing is mesmerizing. I am in awe of his talent.
The Worst: This show is low energy for the first two-thirds (but it picks up in the last two songs). The low energy is due to, in part, staging/direction, the early songs’ easy listening vibe, and certain vocal dynamics. These things are all fixable.
Overall: I appreciate the massive amount of talent that went into creating the original songs. If there was a cast recording, I’d listen to them again. But a single viewing was sufficient.
A “Best and Worst” Review
The Best: The cheesy synchronized affirmations that begin each day. Always got the chuckles from the audience.
The Worst: It’s a banter show. And the banter never strays from a single topic.
Overall: It’s a show about the unrelenting drudgery of capitalism. Yeah, we really are just bureaucratic puppets, aren’t we?
A "Best and Worst" Review
The Best: The script... in part. During the first half, actor Shyanne Duquette delivered the scripted quips and callbacks with delightful wide-eyed innocence. Quite a few chuckles from the audience.
The Worst: The script... in part. There were SO. MANY. WORDS. ("Too many notes"?) The drag was real, especially in the last half.
Overall: There is a flair on Netflix called "Slow Burn." I think this show is a perfect example of that.
A "Best and Worst" Review
The Best: An incredibly compelling performance from actor Geoffrey Simon Brown (playing Orestes and Cassandra). An expert of both comedic timing and heavy drama, Brown plays his characters with a believability that never seems cloying. I think he single-handedly pulled up this play's rating by a full star.
The Worst: The director's "avant-garde" choices. Some choices (e.g. the marching and running and shaking in the preshow, the moving light stands, the deadpan chorus) didn't seem to serve the narrative.
Overall: A very experimental show, and there are some Fringers who will love it.
A "Best And Worst" Review
The Best: The sheer originality and variety of what you'll see on stage. I shall never forget the "Full PoohBear."
The Worst: I think, a few times, the two performers lost the audience. This probably has something to do with the randomized direction of the show segments, and maybe loss of control.
Overall: Every show will be unique and unpredictable. I'd see it again.
A "Best and Worst" Review
The Best: Without a doubt, the best direction I have seen in many years. Watching Bittergirl is a masterclass in dynamic story-forward blocking, comedic timing, using the entire theatre, and sheer originality.
The Worst: A couple of monologues felt rushed. Slow down and give the emotion some time to breathe.
Overall take: Hilarious and engaging. I would happily watch it again.