Minnesota Fringe Festival

schedule

In this two-person original play, audience members take an intimate look at relationships as love and fear go to battle begging the question of how well we know the ones we love.

Playwright and director Whitney Rhodes has this to say about her script: "This play is about that heart wrenching, gut wrenching feeling you get when you realize that the person standing in front of you is rocking your universe in a very deep and spiritual kind of way. When you realize that you aren't just living for yourself anymore, that you don't just care about you, but there is somebody else who will have a huge affect on how you feel everyday; Someone who can dictate the good and the bad. Not because they've become your life or all that you focus on, but because they have scooped up that piece inside of you that was scared and alone and cradled it next to that piece inside of them. And you find that you are just too terrified to admit it. I wrote this piece to challenge the idea of love, challenge the concept of relationships and hopefully tell a story that is experienced everyday but many people don't want to face. At the heart of it, it's just a good old fashioned twist on the epic story of boy meets girl."

The cast

Whitney Rhodes
Role: Director/Writer
Born and raised in Lincoln, NE this new Twin Cities resident is thrilled to be a part of the 2009 Minnesota Fringe! Whitney received her B.F.A in Acting from Drake University and after spending the majority of her time onstage is thrilled about the challenge of stepping off of it to dive into a new role as director and playwright. "As cliche as it sounds, The Only One Who Knows has been a labor of love for me for the past 5 and a half years. Like any relationship some days I hate it and some days I love it but every single day I'm proud of it. I have 2 phenomenal actors traveling over 1500 miles to tell my story and that's the best compliment any playwright can get."

Kelli Chaves
Role: Sarah
A native Nebraskan, Kelli was recently featured in several films including the upcoming Battle of the Bands, Freakonomics and The Winning Season. A veteran of the stage, Kelli's favorite roles include a solo performance of The Syringa Tree and Lil' Bit in How I Learned to Drive. In addition to film and theatre, Kelli also plays the guitar, sings and models. Kelli received her B.A. in Theatre Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Now based out of New York City, she is excited to be a part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival!

Jake Klinkhammer
Role: Justin
Originally from Albertville, Minnesota Jake is excited to be back in the Twin Cities performing in the Fringe Festival. He has been working professionally based out of New York since his graduation from Drake University in December of 2008. Most recently he spent his summer in Warsaw, Indiana at the Wagon Wheel Theatre performing in High School Musical, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Brigadoon.

Whitney Rhodes

The Only One Who Knows

Thu., Jul. 30 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 8:30 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 3 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 1:00 p.m.

Venue Bryant-Lake Bowl
For ages 13+
Written by Whitney Rhodes
Web site www.whitneykrhodes.com
genres Drama
subjects Family, Relationships
features Regional premiere (Minneapolis-St. Paul), Original script/choreography, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer

Overall rating

User reviews

Simple in a good way
by Steven Parsons Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I was impressed with the show. Whitney Rhodes used a rather common theme of a romantic relationship, but made it unique and interesting. The writing was very good, which made the dialogue flow naturally. The strong directing combined with the talented acting to make a simple, but original story to which the audience could relate. Overall, solid show.

Excellent show
by Charley Magrew Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The story, the actors, and the staging/use of the space are all reasons to see this show. The storyline itself is one that the audience can find their own genuine connection with, as the show explores so many aspects of the functionality and flaws of relationships. The acting team of Jake Klinkhammer and Kelli Chaves was incredibly strong - they both had a great on-stage presence and their character development helped them convey the story really well. In a space where there are bowling pins being knocked over in the next room over, the actors were able to take this story and, despite the distractions, make it the primal focus. The small space was staged really well, making it very clear when there was a scene change.

Overall, I thought this production was really well done, and I would definitely recommend checking it out!

Romantic Torture
by Chuck Beeson Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I was looking for a romantic drama between two people at the Fringe and this show The Only One Who Knows, a play by Whitney Rhodes, fit the bill. The crowd was pretty small and had to compete with the noise of the bowling alley through the door, but the actors Kelli Chaves (Sarah) and Jake Klinkhammer (Justin) made due, using the aisles in the crowd for their transitions between scenes. Walking off the stage worked well for the character Jake, because he was always running out on Sarah, never allowing intimacy to enter the relationship, constantly keeping her in the dark about his inner feelings. The story started a bit clever and slow, but the elastic tension between these actors held me riveted. I wanted to jump out and grab Justin and say, “What the hell is wrong with you…talk to her!!” So the actors were doing their job. The play explored the most crucial aspects of relationships: first impressions, communication, intimacy, space, meeting the parents (don’t be late), the effect of a good kiss (!) and that grey line of when you should stay or when you should leave a relationship. If you are having a bad time in a relationship, go see this show, you’ll feel better! Only three kitties because of the writing…I would have liked to see more non-verbal communication between the two actors to establish the pure torture of their relationship. Go see it…you’ll find something to relate to emotionally.