This year’s Fringe Festival offers darker dramas with overtones of the recession in nearly every corner.  The young performers of today are by far the ones most affected by a proverbial uncertain future.  Though don’t expect sappy stories, they pierce with sarcasm and satire.  Feelings of pity are quickly dashed by self-loathing mental clusterbombs.  To honor the Theatre in the Round before Central Corridor LRT construction turns the area into spaghetti, we feature a few of our favorites from the blue brick building.

Bad Deeds Done Bad

Blue-eyed blondie Nolan (Jacob Mack) is the precarious and flamboyant child in this dark humor family drama.  His mother Carla (Kara Pontiff) is a sharp-tongued martini-waving pessimist who weaves about the vagaries of life.  Called a mashup of Avenue Q and August: Osage County (an even darker family comedy), the play is fittingly performed in the heart of Seven Corners, a place where odd collisions of groups reveal the familiar turmoil of hard love.

Theatre in the Round Players – 245 Cedar Av

James T. Wilson

Reviewers have already pointed out this is not a comedy but an intense psychotic thriller.  Wilson (Stanton Pavlicek) is losing his sanity in a recession world full of turmoil, affecting his closest relationships.  The youthful energy of the two Perpich graduates leads them to rough ground but the performance remains compelling nonetheless.

Theatre in the Round Players – 245 Cedar Av

St. Christopher of Financial Aid

Christopher Kehoe is a Twin Cities theatre regular and delivers a convincing solo satire on the grotesque financial aid industry.  Kehoe’s effortless performance and intriguing voices has garnered rave reviews and picks by many publications.  Through the laughter you might just realize how much school debt really costs.

Theatre in the Round Players – 245 Cedar Av

Run To Shelter

When Fringe introduced dance and movement into the festival, people scoffed, it will never catch on.  This year once again proves that the dance companies are serious about offering finely produced shows which inspire and awe.  Run to Shelter has already garnered big reviews for it’s poetic theme and strong imagery.

Intermedia Arts – 2822 S Lyndale Av