Minnesota Fringe Festival

schedule

This abridged version of Ellen McLaughlin's Helen brings us the Angelina Jolie of Greek history, Helen of Troy, a cow-woman, bitch goddess, delusional hubby and Egyptian servant to tell the story that has never really been told...the story of the face that launched the ships but never lived the life.

The cast

Dona Werner Freeman
Role: Helen

Scotty Gunderson
Role: Servant

Camryn Reynolds
Role: Io

Martha Stuckey
Role: Athena

Todd F. Edwards
Role: Menelaus

Jeanne Willcoxon
Role: Director

Francine Boylan
Role: Stage Manager

Nicholas Thompson
Role: Dramaturg

Todd F. Edwards
Role: Scene Design

Molly Trucano
Role: Costume Designer

Cooper Alt
Role: Music

Andy Pokel
Role: Music

Logan Giannini
Role: Media

J & R Co.

Helen

Fri., Jul. 31 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 1:00 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 3 @ 5:30 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 5 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 2:30 p.m.

Venue Playwrights' Center
For ages 10+
Written by Ellen McLaughlin
genres Comedy, Drama
subjects Relationships, Historical
features First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer

Overall rating

User reviews

Refreshing
by Chichi Doscunkers Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Exceptional production with an absolutely stunning forward featuring every day images harmonized with profound-thought provoking music that sets the tone brilliantly. Engaged performances by all, each expressing their role in a unique yet driven way that establishes the necessary relationships to the main char. which keeps the play v. entertaining. Five kitties for this play along with a mirror compact and twenty dollars! Take a bow Helen cast!

Engaging and Well-Performed
by Gus Connelly Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Rock-solid performances from the entire cast make this powerful drama a nice reprieve from the craziness that can sometimes overpower Fringe. It will make you think, but that is NOT a bad thing.

Good performances, Disjointed Script
by Sarah Holmberg Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I thought there were some really interesting ideas in the script, but they were being stated rather than explored, which wasn't as intereesting to listen to. On the plus side, some wonderful performances helped keep me engaged. In particular I enjoyed Scotty Gunderson, whose soothing voice was nicely undercut with a biting edge when he was making his points.

Disappointing
by Justin Alexander Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Although Helen features some truly fun performances and some extraordinarily high production values, I feel it is ultimately betrayed by a simplistic, braying script. Although edited to fit into a Fringe slot, the play still shrieks its thesis statement repeatedly, hammering home its message in the most awkward and transparent of fashions.