Phi Alpha Gamma
presented by Dan Bernitt
Showtimes
Thu., Jul. 31 @ 8:30 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 5 @ 10:00 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 7 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 9 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 10 @ 1:00 p.m.
Show details
Venue: U of M Rarig Center Xperimental
Duration: 60 minutes
For ages 17+
Created by Dan Bernitt
From: Lexington, KY
Website: http://www.danbernitt.com
Genres: Solo, Queer Content, Political
Warnings: Adult language, Sexual Content
Overall rating
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User reviews
Look For Things Associated With Bernitt
by Richard Shields Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is an example of a skillful writer also being a great storyteller. This also is an example of dealing with a serious topic in a manner that is detailed given the limits of time that is allocated.
Sadly violence and hate often have their context within a complex set of cycles, they do not appear from the air but are often deeply rooted within a group or individual. This show explores this concept of connections by having different characters give voice to their reactions in the events portrayed. It is realistic in that people do not see events the same way. They often place meaning in different measures to the same things.
This was serious show and at times painful because of the topics presented, but worthy of your time when you are looking for something with content.
Excellent vocal spoken word
by Rick Holcomb Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Best of show - amazing story, relevant, honest, with excellent vocal technique to make the spoken word define each character.
Powerful
by Courtney Miner Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Dan Bernitt has written a beautiful piece..and performs it with great intensity. It was very moving, gritty, courageous...very well done. Congratulations...Minnesota loves you!
Realistic interpretation!
by Cody Stewart Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Dan Bernitt's solo piece on the fraternity who deals with a gay brother and has had a brother imprisoned for five years for assaulting a gay man is realistic. He portrays four straight brothers: Jacob; the big bro to Lewis (the gay bro); David, the spiritual brother; Patrick, the fraternity president; and Aaron, the imprisoned brother. The piece is very moving. I was very ready to destroy the piece for it's tragic tone if he hadn't given the final voice to Jacob, the only man who was sympathetic to the gay brother who is "outted" (figuratively and literally) from the fraternity. The work lingers a bit too long on bible thumping, but does contain some gems of writing mostly in the voice of Aaron. Bernitt's story-telling style leaves something to be desired as each character's movements weren't very defined and he spent most of his time reading from the page instead of engaging an audience as the character. But the story held my attention and I give this piece 3 stars out of 5!
Better Than I Expected
by Erica Mauter Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Just now as I typed out "Phi Alpha Gamma" did I realize what those letters spell out.
I had seen exactly one review of this show and it was glowing, but I tried to consider the source because of course a gay guy is going to be more inclined to rate a gay-themed show very highly but then I decided that's a bigger plus because it means the topic was handled well.
Having seen a lot of one-woman shows, a one-man show was a nice change of pace. Dan Bernitt was great, very effectively portraying four different characters. The show was very compelling, but I agree with the previous reviewer in that the bible quoting part went on just a little too long.
Otherwise, fantastic.
Fear & Dogma
by dixie treichel Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Homophobia, dogma & queer bashing dramatically portayed in this solo show. He needs work on his delivery-some powerful moments lost energy. Great topic. Very well written.
tragedy & masculinity
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I wept.
Touching.
by Derek Henderson Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Very sad show. I have only one complaint: (this is for Bernitt the writer, not Bernitt the performer) the David character seems to go on and on and on about the bible. It's excessive. Could this time be spent on something else? Something better? I loved the show. Hit me right in the heart. But I squirmed a lot during the "let's all get it out" scene. Maybe that's what was intended. Fringe-goers GO SEE THIS SHOW!
I wish I could give this show 10 kitties
by Les Kuykendall Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I really enjoyed this show. I have seen all of Dan Bernitt's work and this is by far his best. Dan really draws you in and you can't help feeling for all of these characters involved in this tragedy. Go see this !
Stunning Solo Performance & Writing
by Matthew Everett Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
"Phi Alpha Gamma" is a great piece of theater. Bernitt, with just a baseball cap, a script on a music stand, a couple of light cues, and the well-trained tool of his own voice, creates the interwoven stories of four very different, very troubled, young men... It's an astonishingly powerful exercise in stepping into another personâs skin. I've seen 25 other shows so far in the Fringe, some shows have been as good, but nothing's been better. For a full-length review, check out my blog over at Twin Cities Daily Planet
