Boom
presented by IL Productions
Showtimes
Fri., Aug. 1 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 3 @ 2:30 p.m.
[A] Tue., Aug. 5 @ 8:30 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 6 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 9 @ 1:00 p.m.
KEY:
[S]=ASL interpreted
[A]=Audio described
Show details
Venue: U of M Rarig Center Arena
Duration: 60 minutes
Created by Andrew Connor
From: Bellingham, WA
Website: www.infinitelaughs.com
Genres: Solo, Audio described
Overall rating
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User reviews
I still think about this show a lot
by Kay Kirscht Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I name this show my favorite show of the Fringe - loved the interaction between the little girl (actually, a brilliant apprentice) and her brilliant, creative, innovative uncle...who understood a bomb's true metaphysical quality (it creates as it destroys; we just tend to pay more attention to the destruction part).
I was sitting VERY close to Andrew as he, as his character, is blasted into space (his character - petrified of space travel)...I wish you could all have seen this incredible mime...balancing on his back on a stool, curled up in near-fetal position. You see he's screaming his head off (although you can't hear a peep). Really a lovely show on many levels.
A must stop!
by Cody Stewart Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Andrew Connor's BOOM! is an excellent one man show. I never knew it was physically possible to create an entire play using one man. Connor proves this without a doubt. He plays children, the elderly, a radio DJ, and women. The play is political, topical, and about the quest for truth and ultimately staying true to oneself. His simplistic costuming (a hodge podge of costume pieces to symbolize everyone he plays) and broad, yet detailed characterization focuses one's imagination onto this incredibly detailed, yet easy to understand story. Although slightly confused in the beginning I was riveted on Louis', the bombmaker's trials, and the pacing was perfect. The comedy is not overdone and this is a must stop on anybody's fringe travels!
food for thought
by lemon cookie Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This show was about imagination, it seems. It turned our notion of the word "bomb" inside out, creating a universe where everything creative was also destructive, and visa-versa. Which I thought was a brilliant.. however, such a bold exploration demanded more boldness in it's execution. I think the characters and stakes didn't quite live up to their plot-line, and while there was some honest and skillful work done (nothing to scoff at) by Andrew Connor, the directorial choices could have gone further, and probably made the world clearer for those who were apprehensive to go along for the ride.
The costume is a good example, it was evocative, and entirely different, but the characters didn't quite take it to the finish line. I wanted more scenes like the one where he went to the moon, more space for the imagination to breath..
Either way, a fantastic exploration.
Great Show!
by Katie Sopoci Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
After a long day, I wanted to see something...good. And thank goodness I had "Boom" on my schedule. Even though I was tired, ready for a beer and too cold to sit in another dark theater for an hour, I forgot all of my troubles and was whisked away into this alternate world where bombs are an art-form as beautiful, complicated, and possibly destructive as a bill passed in the senate. I was also treated to a host of characters so well defined by Andrew that my tired brain didn't have to reach for which one was set before me at breakneck speed.
Long story short: good theater can momentarily lift you out of your own troubles and this was certainly the piece of theater to do it for me. Wonderful!
Amazing performer; so-so script
by James Proescholdt Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
It takes an amazing performer to so seamlessly shift from one character to the next, and Andrew Connor fits the bill as he brings 10 characters to life on stage, all with distinct mannerisms and personalities. (Standouts include the bomb-obsessed little girl and the old woman who suddenly declares to her husband, "You're an asshole.")
The script, however, felt lacking. It started a little slowly and took a while before the plot became clear. I would've liked him to explore more about bombs that do more than just explode, and the ending seemed a little abrupt. There was an uneven balance between the serious and sudden bits of humor as well. There is some good satire embedded here, but some re-tooling might be necessary to help it reach the audience better.
Connor functions amazingly as a one-man show, and I'd love to see him something like "I Am My Own Wife" or "Fully Committed." His commitment to this material made it work.
Wonderful performance
by SBRK Hart Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show was so well-written and spectacularly performed that the hour flew by, as one man portrayed numerous characters, at whiplash speed. Connor's characters are people we know, people we consider friends, colleagues, neighbors, relatives; people who by turns we can sympathize with, and we are embarrassed by. This show is what the Fringe is all about: talent amongst us that we don't necessarily know about or get to see the rest of the year.
Bombs away!
by Derek Henderson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I knew Andrew Connor from the Cody Rivers show is a mean performer. I knew he has impeccable comic timing, grand stage presence, and amazing physicality. And now I know that he can spin fascinating narrative and weave a beautiful and touching tale. Brava!
The Butterfly Bomb
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Andrew Connor give several virtuoso performances. He creates both sides of conversations, separating his characters by voice and posture alone. The theater in the round is used well, telling a good story with a few laughs which could have been tighter. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal.
Tick Tack Tick
by paulino brener Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Time is ticking and your head will explode like a bomb when you wonder at the end of the Fringe why on earth (or space)you missed this show!!! Smart, funny and thoughtful together with great performance.
great new package for known message
by Rex Winsome Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A clever future times fairytale, incredibly witty and spectacularly performed, Boom tells today's story, a story we already know. The story of corporate irresponsibility, income disparity, governmental idiocy, facile pop entertainment and individual moral responsibilities. Will this fantastic packaging finally effectively deliver the message to the masses? Or is the message itself being ignored because it's not really inspiring or complete?
huge cast of characters
by Sherry Larson Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
but just one actor. one good actor who made me see a little girl who liked to make bombs; her uncle who taught her to make bombs; her mother, a welder; the mayor of the town; his secretary; and more appear on the stage. This bomber isn't a mad psycho bomber but a mild mannered man with a job to do. It is good fun.
Beautifully Done
by Susan Hein Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A smart, fascinating story that kept me riveted. Very well acted and absolutely worth your time!
Smart script, flawless performance
by Florence Brammer Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Wow, Andrew Connor is the Real Deal, that's for sure. A really, really smart and deeply layered script that is flawlessly (FLAWLESSLY)performed. While the acoustics of this venue make hearing clearly a challenge, Connor maneuvered the in-the-round setting really well.
Truth and Beauty Bombs
by Bill Stiteler Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
What if bombs didn't just destroy? What if they could alter and shape? That's the intriguing premise of this satirical fable, as one idealistic bomb maker (who's dream project is a bomb to attract butterflies) who has to decide how far he's willing to go to protect his home town.
Splendid
by Tim Voss Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
There's a lot of risk in one actor portraying multiple characters in rapid-fire succession. Andrew Connor pulls it off to a T. Every character is completely believable. Even the little niece. They're all interesting people filled with humor, moral compromises, and odd solutions to problems. But of course they have odd solutions because that's the way this world is. Each character is a piece of the story, and they all fit seamlessly to make the whole. If only our big problems could be solved by a butterfly bomb... Saying more would give it all away. The best show I've seen thus far. Do not miss!
Super inventive
by David McKay Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
He is able to mix a rather absurd concepts into a hilarious and engaging story. I have to also say that he also gets his science right in details that nobody else probably cared about (space travel and station possibilities. Go see it, you will definitely have a good time.
Another Must See
by Renee Ladd Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Connor's work in this show is amazing. It's sharply written and smart, but it's also really funny. Connor's performance is as good as his writing. The way he quickly moves from one character to the next, making each one distinct and fully realized is a sight to behold. He obviously isn't making any makeup or costume changes, but I could literally SEE the difference between the characters.
Wow
by Kristi Lawless Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Very talented artist. I had a little trouble understanding what was going on, but it was entertaining.
Hooray for Boom
by Rick Burkhardt Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I saw this show at the NYC FRIGID festival and loved it -- great performing wedded to an excellent story in a small world where everything's just a little off, until it goes way off. Reminds me a lot of the Firesign Theatre -- and that's one of the highest compliments I know how to pay. Don't miss this one.
