Minnesota Fringe Festival

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Fifty years have passed since Rudolph visited the fabled Isle of Misfits. Now the hapless toys live in terror of their new, evil dictator. Can Horace, armed only with his musical weapons, liberate the Misfits?

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Walking Boxes Productions

Horace Greeley the Lesser: On the Isle of Misfit Toys

Thu., Jul. 30 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 4:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 5 @ 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 4:00 p.m.

Venue Augsburg Mainstage
Created by J Roth
Web site www.walkingboxes.com/HoraceGreeley.h...
genres Musical theater, Comedy
features Original script/choreography, Original music

Overall rating

User reviews

Do you know why? Children do!
by Nick n Rosie Heille Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Adults at play, in a land of yes, where there is a way. "Horace Greeley" is a play of the excitement of free association usually reserved for children. To understand it, the retentive adult, has to suspend judgment. The play's creator, J Roth, appears to have channeled Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, to aid him. It is someplace between a 4 or five.

Don't miss, last chance tonight!
by Daniel Cusick Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Walking Boxes have captured a unique mix of musical and cinematic genres with Isle of Misfit Toys, and rare is the production that can include a Speak-and-Spell toy among its core cast members. But here J. Roth and Co., spin a mildly dark comedy masterwork with a soundtrack to boot. Horace's ode to Pooh on the washtub base alone makes this one worth seeing. Come fresh, though. The writing is sharp but the pace is fast. Your childhood memories are bound to be piqued with a kind of Maurice Sendak-meets-Joseph Conrad sensibility.

Awesome!
by Allison Stadt Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show has it all, comedy, adventure, music, a song about the tin man, and a child's toy named FU! You'll love it!!

Talented!
by Marina Shkolnik Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Talented, energetic, interesting story and good music; I enjoyed the show a lot!

FU & Horace Make a Great Team!!
by Anthony Sandusky Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Loved it! Music, Comedy & Story-telling, all brilliantly done, there's more than a little something for everyone here. If you've happened to catch Horace & his crew jammin' on the streets this past week and were the least bit entertained, GO TO THE SHOW!...what they do on the streets is a mere appetizer, compared to the full-blown theater experience, and as for myself, I can't wait to go again this weekend!

A Little Bit of Everything
by Aidan Thillman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Imagination, humor, drama, music, plot - this production has it all. Prepare for 60 entertaining minutes as Horace Greeley takes you on a modern-day adult fairy tale adventure. You'll enjoy the ride.

Creative, At Times Unintelligible
by William Marth Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
There's a lot of creativity in this piece, with some decent music. Greeley's voice and singing style seems to borrow heavily from Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes, and the whole piece has this trippy, beatnik feel to it.

However, at times (or more than that), it becomes difficult to hear the story being told, as he either mumbles through his lines or staggers over them as if he's making them up on the fly. It's an interesting character choice, but I can't say that it helps the piece. A tech-savvy person might help by cracking open the Speak N Spell to make that a little louder, as well (don't ask, you'll see).

The toy choices themselves are pretty original and fun, even if one of them seems like one heck of a stretch, chosen simply because the actor can do a halfway decent impersonation of the movie character.

Overall, it's an interesting show. I wouldn't say that it's a kids show (there were three or four in the audience when I was there Wednesday night), though, as it's far too quirky and nostalgic for most of them to wrap their heads around. The final third of the play in particular reads like the character's on a nasty drug trip.

Absolutely Brilliant!
by Mark Long Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I can't say they everyone will like or "get" this show, but it is a great story, well-told, with fantastic weavings of other movie plots intertwined. The songs are clever, as are the different instruments and props.
Really, anyone that can link Rudolph, Misfit Toys, Apocalypse Now and others together is absolutely brilliant.

Completely crazy & totally talented
by puppet mochi Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Drink some espresso before going to see this one & you should have no trouble keeping up. Actually the story line isn't that hard to follow, especially with the great "song-breaks" with subjects from Winnie the Pooh to the Cow jumped over the moon... Original, witty lyrics, an actor who can make a speak'n'spell have a convincing personality, and an unexpected dark side that makes this not all fun & games. I totally recommend seeing this one. You'll never see the Rudolph movie the same again...

Loved FU
by michael murphy Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Boy oh Boy what an imagination! A simply amazing dialog interspersed with home spun music, clever props, and interesting plot twists. Can't wait to see the unabridged version at a theatre near me. I'll close as Horace might with a resounding "I am or I am not - what I thought"

thanks for the memories
by pam bolsinger Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Thanks to the wild and wacky character Horace Greeley for the nostalgic trip down childhood's memory lane. Slinkies and bears and FU oh my.
Terrific

Great acting in all aspects!
by Sarah Aldridge Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Great acting in all aspects – voice, expression, and movement –I could see the actor implementing a variety of modern and classic acting techniques. I enjoyed the script and music too. Do not miss this one!

Really, 3 1/2 kitties
by Anita von Geldern Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Maybe even 3 3/4...
It was indeed hard to hear/understand; the idea was grand, the acting and music very good. I agree with the other reviewers, it needs some tightening, some polishing, and it will be ready to take the world. It will bring fun, joy and memories. We will all smile ...

Interesting concept, but...
by Ashley Schweitzer Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
I really wanted to like this show because it such a creative and exciting idea. Unfortunately, for me it was a concept album that fell flat.

I hard a hard time following along, in part because it was convoluted, and in part because the actor playing Horace speaks quickly and quietly. Clearly a gifted musician, there were some really magical musical moments. Unfortunately, for me, they didn't make the show sing.

Skip this show, but go see the musicians doing what they really do well - find out their gig schedule.

Overstuffed, but not a turkey.
by re gurgitate Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Horace weaves a tale that's complex and overlong. Not something expected when spinning a childhood story, but his inner child held forth for a number of very witty songs, which made it worth the trip.

Great performance!
by Elena Khalitov Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The performance is full of energy and very nice music; some melodies got "stuck" in my head after the show and I would love to have a CD with the music.
Absolutely brilliant acting! The performance made me wish to see J Roth in a play as one of Doestoeyvsky's character. (Of course, it is a very different matter but his talent and deep personality would make him, for example, a great Raskolnikov on stage).
I highly recommend to see the performance!

delightful
by Kevin Chick Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful production. They worked in music and sound elements, excellently and in creative and innovative ways. I thought that the play really works one's imagination. The 3 actors create excellent imagery and sensations with very little, with their smart use of props. I found myself smiling throughout the entire show.

I highly recommend this production.

A misfit is welcome here
by David Otto Simanek Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I am giving this a five because of my childhood and Horaces help for me to recall. Music was the favorite of mine! All adult children must see!

rambling, with moments of brilliance
by kelly C. Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
I'm torn on this one. I thought the music was brilliant and engaging. I thought the premise was delightful and the use of toys was extremely clever. But the script wandered tediously and I found the story rather incomprehensible. I found moments of sheer delight, and other moments I was eyeing the door wondering if I could escape. I would love to hear this actor in concert, (in fact, I think I would love a CD of his work!) but his writing needs major tightening. He failed to keep the attention of a very well-behaved child in the audience, and at times was impossible to hear.

great fun
by steve legas Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I was not sure what to expect from this show,but I liked the idea of a return to the island of misfit toys.This show was really fun.Good story and quirky enough in the telling to keep you on your toes. One I thing is worth seeing.
slainte