by Ronnie Ruff
The Queen of the Bohemian Dream (Produced By Lorraine Treanor)
My Award: Off The Finge-o-meter
Capital Fringe 2007 winds down to an inevitable ending, I force my way out into the evening heat to see a few shows that I have been excited about since the Fringe started.
Now I know I am a bit biased on this first show and I have waited for the last performance not only to see it but to comment on the producer of the show. Queen of the Bohemian Dream is a Fringe show only my best friend and DC Theatre Scene Editor Lorraine Treanor could produce. Lorraine is all about “the best”, she picked the best songs by Fran Landesman and Simon Wallace, the best people to direct her selections, Michael Bobbitt and Darius Smith and the best people to sing the songs with Margo Seibert, Bobby Smith and Tracy McMullan. It was the best produced show I saw at this year’s Fringe, bar none. Great singing, laughs and snappy, hook driven songs that just plain make you smile and feel good. I would tell you to go see it but the show has closed so your summer will not be as fantastic as it could have been had you been in one of the production’s audiences.
(note: Since I may be a bit biased when it comes to projects by Mrs. Treanor ,I waited until the show has closed for this mini-review)
Butter: a Love Story (Produced and performed by Kristen Cantwell)
Our award: 4 Fringes
Next on the bill tonight was Butter: A Love Story. I have special place in my heart for shows that deal with people that society walks on. Kristen Cantwell is back this year with another show that stands up for those of us that are not the societal norm when it comes to body mass. Kristen has written a comical show that pokes fun at itself and provides lots of laughs but also has you think twice about what should be more important happiness or trim, size 6 bodies.
Cooking shows are pretty popular now days and this show is for you if you are a Food Network fan. Sandy (Kristen) does not like to cook but knows how to please her palate and provide the proper “roombiance”. From butter soaked burgers to Cool Whip, butter and M&M encrusted desserts Kristen brings us a southern gal who likes her Tequila straight and her coffee strong.
Funny, themed songs (‘Peel Me A Grape’ works best) have you humming along and at show’s end there is also a sing along! Ms Cantwell will not win you over with her voice but that is not what this show is about. Big food, a performer with a big heart and big belly laughs were all present and the focus of this one woman musical that had the audience smiling from ear to ear.
