Minnesota Fringe Festival

schedule

In a culture where so much emphasis is placed on individual achievement, it's easy to feel alone. It can be difficult to feel connected when most of our social time is spent in emails and on telephones. We hardly ever see each other face to face unless it's a quick bite to eat before moving on to the next immediate thing we need to accomplish for ourselves.

In the show Drinking Stories, comedienne Jen Zalar combines stories, jokes, poetry, sketch, improv, magic, song, and dance in a one woman variety show to explore and create a sense of community. From angsty poetry about love, to embarrassing tales of college woe and bravado, to amazing physical feats accomplished, this event of humor and heart will leave you feeling connected.

The cast

Jen Zalar
Role: Solo Artist
Jen is a local artist who enjoys playing with a variety of performance styles. She has been know to do improvization on a Monday, spoken word on a Tuesday, stand-up on a Wednesday, dance on a Thursday, music on a Friday, film on a Saturday, and interactive theater on a Sunday. Jen has always had a fascination for vaudeville and commedia dell'arte, and has performed both at the MN Renaissance Festival within her 18+ years of experience there. Her most recent projects include playing "Daisy Campbell" in the 48 hour film "Moonlighting" and hurling insults in the loosely improvised adult comedy "Vilification Tennis." When not entertaining others, she can be found entertaining her 9 year old son Jared, whose brilliance encourages her always.

Jen Zalar

Drinking Stories

Sat., Aug. 1 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 8:30 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 3 @ 10:00 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 6 @ 8:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 4:00 p.m.

Warning! Adult language

Venue Bryant-Lake Bowl
For ages 17+
Created by Jen Zalar
Web site http://jenzie.wordpress.com
genres Solo, Spoken word
subjects Relationships
features Audience participation, World premiere, Regional (MSP) premiere, Original script/choreography, Original music, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer

Overall rating

User reviews

Pleasant and delightful
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
The show started slowly, recycling RenFest bits. It got better as it moved along into more personal material. Only incidentally stories about drinking (and not always drinking alcohol) but plenty of toasts are included. This was a decent first Fringe piece for Jen Zalar.

Jen Zalar has a lot going on!
by Scott Linke Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Jen Zalar is adept at a myriad of performance styes -- ALL of which you will see in her first ever solo Fringe performance. The writing and singing were very well done, I liked her stories, her humor and THE FIRE DANCE WAS AWESOME!

That being said, there were a few issues that kept this from being a 5 Kitty show for me. Some of the pacing was a little off for me... slow. A lot more could've been done with levels -- most of the show seemed to be at about a 6 or 7 and there wasn't much outside of that. Some of the blocking was awkward -- the story about the guy in the bar was distracting and it should've been a lot better, because the story was great. I think the show could've been a lot better with a little bit of objective direction beforehand.

I think this lady has a lot to offer, I think this show was a little ambitious for her, and there was a little too much of everything going on. With a little focus Jen could be a real contender, TONS of potential and I would look for a better show from her next year.

I'm gonna go write my name in the snow now.

cheers to Jenzie!
by Jennifer Walker Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Jen is a gifted writer, singer (!) and storyteller who brews up a charming show. Stories, jokes, toasts and songs are woven into an entertaining and cohesive event. Come for the cheers, stay for the fire dance!!

Well done and worth a look! Bring a beverage and enjoy.

Slainte!
by Mickey Foley Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Cheers to Ms. Zalar for an entertaining show that displays her gifts for singing, songwriting and spoken word.

Go See? Yes.
by Nick Decker Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Comedienne Jen Zalaar excels as a monologist; she confidently delivers her scripted material, and her off-the-cuff stories share the same meticulous detail. Her series of stories are tied together by the motif of drinking, be it coffee, tea, water, or beer. Bring in a drink, as she'll be raising a glass in toast throughout her set.

Comfortable and Engaging
by Rob Callahan Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Delivers poems, puns and storytelling in an intimate atmosphere while Zalar mingles with and entertains the audience. This mature, fun production feels less like going to see a show than it does hanging out at the bar with your funniest, most charismatic friend.

Good Fun
by Eric Crist Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A very down-to-earth, hearty show. Make sure you have a drink (or two) for the show, as toasting during the performance in encouraged (required) during the show. Lots of subject matter, most of it extremely funny.

Great Job!

Nice!
by Lindsey McDonald Dorsey Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A warm-hearted, honest and personal performance with a pleasant conversational tone; the kind of stripped-down, plucky, experiential show that makes the Fringe what it is.

Cheers!
by michael freiert Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Grab a drink, sit back, and toast stories, jokes, and songs with a smattering of charming improv. A glimpse into Zalar's life and mind through liquid prose and poetry. Well worth watching (but at least have a water).

a toast to disappointment
by Stacy Kosluchar Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
I can't recomend this show. The material was uninteresting, uninspiring and delivered poorly. I'm giving it one kitty because I think she was really trying.

A toast!
by Random Audience Member Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Here's to an honest and moving solo show...with cream to make it go down easy.

Inser witty title here.
by Christopher Bauleke Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Make sure you order a drink for this show, the segments are separated by toasts and I had to pantomime a glass for the toasts and felt left out.

That being said, I enjoyed the show. She covered stories from being hit on while waiting for her boyfriend's show, a quasi-fire dance, and improv. Though I wish the improv had gone on longer because is really good at it.

Cheers!

Cheers!
by Minrod Mier Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Sliding from story to story with punctuated grace and an eye to self-revelation comedian Zalar tips her hat - and her glass - to a myriad of topics and genres in this solo show. You'll have a fun time, but don't forget to bring in a beverage to hoist!