schedule
Giant Toddler Productions
Foolproof
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 1:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 5:30 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 4 @ 5:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 8:30 p.m.
Warning! Adult language
Venue Minneapolis Theatre Garage
For ages 16+
Written by Anthony Rydberg
Web site www.theaspectlab.com
genres Comedy, Drama
subjects Relationships
features World premiere, Regional premiere (Minneapolis-St. Paul), Original script/choreography, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer
Overall rating
User reviews
Realism to the extreme
by Anya Kremenetsky Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The dialogue pops, and the performers maneuver it well. It may not be exactly true to life (does every piece of theater have to be?), but there are some very real aspects to these relationships, which are taken to the extreme - and THAT'S what I found enjoyable and hilarious about this show. I found myself engaged the entire time. One of my favorites this year.
A Tangled Web
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
What an intense hour! This is a nigh-perfect Fringe show: dramatic tension, a believable story, actors who become their characters, unpredictable twists, and enough story to fill the time without feeling stretched nor stunted. I hope to see more such brilliance from this company.
Great acting, high drama, loved it!
by Allison Luskey Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
So glad I saw this show- many laughs and shocking moments. All in all a great show. Will leave you wanting Foolproof II!
Fun!
by Amanda Heller Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
An hour of entertaining craziness.
Uncomfortable
by Ryan Grimes Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
A noble attempt by Lisa Bol and Mark Benzel to give the same nobility to despicable characters couldn't overcome a script filled with such unbelieveable relationships. The character of Jake is central to the play, and yet so unlikeable that you feel uninterested in his plans. I didn't believe he and Martin were best friends, and I certainly didn't believe he'd be able to pull off womanizing across the country.
This show broke my heart, and not because of the subject matter, but because I wanted so much to like it and left disappointed. The script is an interesting concept, but requires some dramaturgy and strong direction in order to be worthy of Lisa's and Mark's talents.
Non believer
by re gurgitate Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Sorry, I just couldn't believe the dialog, which shatters any reality the characters or setting might bring. I was eying the door after the first 10 minutes.
foolproof
by nonya business Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The clever script and solid acting was a foolproof combination that kept the audience laughing from beginning to end.
Come on and let's do the twists!
by Peter Heeringa Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
At the start of the show, there was a hint of tension in the air. Once Martin (Mark Benzel) enters, the show really starts to pick up. The clear script unfolds well with several great reveals. As a male I found the man to man interactions identifiable and entertaining. In addition, I found myself loving and hating the flawed logic used in this play.
I think that the rough beginning was caused by a little too much acting when I wanted to get a good sense of who these characters as real people. I do think that the actors found their groove part way through the show and at this point it really started to shine.
When all is said and done at the end of the show I found myself really wanting to see it again.
Good not great
by joe fringegoer Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I thought the storyline was a bit more than improbable, yet well acted. The actors worked well together and it was enjoyable. Not a must see, but a good show nonetheless.
An all around strong production
by Timothy Gage Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Strong acting, clear direction, and a great script by Rydberg that sets up a fascinating moral quagmire for all characters involved. My only issues: a few of the beats go on a bit too long, and the final "twist" felt tacked on and unnecessary. Small issues aside, a super strong Fringe debut from The Aspect Lab.
Acidic (in a good way!)
by Joshua Humphrey Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This is a good, all-around production. Lisa Bol, Mark Benzel and Anthony Rydberg are all engaging personalities playing somewhat broken characters, and the ins-and-outs of the dialogue as characters lie, cover-up and rationalize is the strongest aspect of the show. I don't need likable characters to identify with them.
However, I'd like to see a slight reworking of this show sometime in the future with that last proviso in mind, because I think it could be made even stronger and more acerbic (to the audiences enjoyment). If anything, I wanted these characters to be MORE evasive and off-putting: the relationship territory they're working through has a multitude of land mines that could blow at any second, and to see them dodge and wriggle out of every question and answer has made me excited to see what The Aspect Lab offers in the future.
One of the reviewers mentioned seeing the "twist" coming from a mile away. You will too, if you watch Mark Benzel close enough during one or two segments, and just like the script says, it's written all over his face.
The couch is great!
by Bill Kreisle Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
If there was ever a piece of furniture that carried a production, it's this couch. THE MUST SEE EVENT OF THE FESTIVAL.
Twists and turns
by Nanette Stearns Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Romantic triangle, sort of, maybe? Well acted - all the characters had their good moments and their bad moments. Showed how sarcasm rings true sometimes.
I'd say "rent it" but...
by David Dworkin Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
That's not a choice here. I would give it 3 1/2 kitties if that were possible. There are some clever spots in the script and some good scenes from the actors. I agree with an earlier review that the characters weren't very likeable. I personally saw the twist coming a mile away, but enjoyed it nonetheless. If you have a hole to fill in your schedule, you could do far worse than to see this one.
See It
by David Bratt Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Starts slowly, but builds to a surprising but credible twist. Strong acting and clear direction.
Loved Them Hated It
by Kathy Douglass Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
The actors were terrific. Engaging and realistic. Unfortunately, the script made them unlikeable, each and everyone. As Joy Behar would say "So what? Who cares?" Icky people in an icky script...but very well done.
Foolproof
by Danielle Siver Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show has a lot going for it. Great, taut, darkly comic script. Wonderful actors. Solid direction. A well-paced hour wrought with tension and humor.
Highly recommended!
Foolproof
by Marie Odle Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Oh, my poor heart. After this show it doesn't know how to feel. Love: it soars, it crashes, it mends, it breaks. See this show. Your heart will be glad you did.
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