Minnesota Fringe Festival

Four women walk into a liposuction clinic. Insert witty punch line here.
Sabine, Carly, Rennie and Cel have all made the choice to remove unwanted "parts" of their bodies. Their stories are unique, yet universal. Stories of desire, temptation, denial and surrender, intermingled with the rhymes and songs we all chanted as girls on the playground. A deeply comic and stinging social commentary on women's relationships with their bodies.



Must See Review from Pioneer Press

The cast

Miriam Monasch
Role: Director
Miriam Monasch has been active in the theater community as an actor, director and playwright since moving to the Twin Cities in 1974. Favorite acting roles include Amanda Wingfield in THE GLASS MENAGERIE at Park Square, Linda Lohman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN at Starting Gate, and Mama in Workhouse Theater’s 2008 Ivey Award winning production of ‘NIGHT MOTHER. Most recently, Miriam has acted and/or directed for the Minnesota Jewish Theatre, People Sittin’ Around Doin’ Theater, Theater in the Round, Pioneer Place Theater and Theatre Unbound (for whom she directed last year’s Fringe show BRILLIANT TRACES). Miriam would like to thank her partner, Kathy Johnson, for her extreme perseverance and loving support.

Heather Brady
Role: Assistant Director / Movement Coach
Heather C. Brady has been a Theatre Unbound company member since 2003 during which time she has worn several hats including movement coaching My Sister in This House, The Love Talker, The Anastasia Trials in the Court of Women and Frankenstein Incarnate: The Passions of Mary Shelley. Prior to working with Theater Unbound she put her BFA in dance to good use dancing with Corning Dances & Company, Pennsylvania Dance Theatre, VanDance and The Vroom Vroom Group. Thanks to Stacey for opening doors for new possibilities.

Shannon Buchda
Role: Stage Manager
Shannon earned a BA in Music and Theater from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. She joined Theatre Unbound as a company member in 2004 after stagemanaging TU’s 2003 production of Rebecca Gilman’s BOY GETS GIRL. Since then she has worked on Theatre Unbound productions in a wide variety of capacities, including Stage Manager, Set Design and Construction, Costume Construction, Program Design, House Manager, and Sound Board Operator. She was last seen on stage as Fanny in FRANKENSTEIN INCARNATE: THE PASSIONS OF MARY SHELLEY by Anne Bertram. Before moving to Minnesota, she worked with the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh, the Attic Theater in Appleton, and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI. Currently, Shannon works for Illusion Theater and the MN State Fair Entertainment Department.

Chenea Love Green
Role: Cel
Chenea is making her 3rd appearance with Theater Unbound having performed in THE BEST OF THE 24 HOUR PLAYS for the 2006 Fringe Festival and 2008's 24 HOUR PLAY PROJECT. Since moving to Minneapolis 5 years ago, she has been seen on stage at Stages Theatre Company, Hey City Theater and in local indie films such as UNCLE CARL and THE COMPLETELY REMARKABLE, UTTERLY FABULOUS TRANSFORMATION OF A REGULAR JOE.

Lacey Piotter
Role: Sabine
Lacey is thrilled to be making her third appearence with Theatre Unbound, after having been seen in the 24 Hour Play Project in 2009 and 2008. Other acting credits in the Twin Cities include 20% Theatre Company (THE NAKED I), The Ministry of Cultural Warfare (OUR VANYA, OURSELVES), Workhouse (AUTOBAHN), Kalidescope, National Theatre for Children, and the occational singing telegram. As a director of outreach for The Flower Shop Project, Lacey is pleased to invite you all to come see her first adventure in playwrighting (and her love/hate letter to waiting tables) this October at the Bryant Lake Bowl, In The Weeds. Many thanks to Stacey, Chenea and Roneet, the amazing Miriam Monasch, and the Fringe Kitty.

Stacey Poirier
Role: Carly
Stacey received her BFA in Theatre from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Twin Cities acting credits include work at Unicorn Theatre, Lakeshore Players, Arena Theatre, Ebullient Theatre, Dream Lab Theatre and Theatre Unbound, for which she has appeared in the title roles of Medea and Frankenstein Incarnate: The Passions of Mary Shelley, among others. Stacey has worked with Homeward Bound Theatre Company and Stage Coach Theatre Arts teaching children's classes and coached the Blaine High School Speech Team for seven years. She worked in administration at Penumbra Theatre, Ballet Arts Minnesota, and Minnesota Dance Theatre & the Dance Institute. Currently, she works with Corner House and American Prosecutors Research Institute to help in the detection and prosecution of child abuse.

Roneet Aliza Rahamim
Role: Rennie
Roneet is very excited to be joining Theatre Unbound in this year's Fringe show. Relatively new to the Twin Cities, you may have seen her recent portrayal of Mother Teresa in nimbus' "The Trial of Mother Teresa." Keep your eyes open in the Fall for her upcoming shows with Theatre Pro Rata and Hardcover Theater. A native Californian, Roneet received her BFA in acting from Marymount Manhattan College in NY. She would like to thank her friends, family, and GR for their love and support throughout this process.

Alexandra Gould
Role: Costume Designer
Ali has been a company member of Theater Unbound for the past two years. She has been working in the Twin Cities theater scene for the past seven years, and teaching theater for North Hennepin Community College for the past three. She is a well rounded theatrical artist who has functioned as costume designer, actor and director, just to name a few. Her work has also been seen at The Guthrie, Penumbra, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Croix Festival Theater, The Paul Bunyan Play House, Gremlin Theatre, Theater Pro Rata, and The Grey Space Performance Company. She is looking forward to the opening of her Theater Unbound directorial debut OVERTONES, which will be part of TU's showcase of plays by early women playwrights: APHRA'S ATTIC which runs 9/19 - 10/4 at The Lowry Lab Theater, in St. Paul.

Claire Avitabile
Role: Sound Designer
Claire is a graduate from Smith College with a BA in theatre, is excited to be working with Theatre Unbound again after having so much fun directing in the recent 24 Hour Play Project. Claire currently works as Director of Performing Arts at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, overseeing the professional theatre season, and is also the founding Co-Artistic Director of 20% Theatre Company Twin Cities, producing and directing new scripts by female and transgender playwrights.

Melanie Jensen Schatz-Pattay
Role: Set Designer
Melanie Jensen Schatz-Pattay has been a small theatre volunteer around the Twin Cities for several years. In addition to helping Theatre Unbound, she has worked with Starting Gate Productions and Theatre in the Round. In the days of old, she was a scene shop foreman at the University of Lincoln, NE Theatre Department and freelanced with UNL Opera and the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company as a Prop Master. These days she’ll be found working for Anoka-Ramsey Community College, raising her 10 year old daughter Gwenevere and living with her husband, their 8 dogs, 2 dragons, 3 frogs, 1 newt, and approximately 3,000 fish.

Theatre Unbound

The Most Massive Woman Wins

Fri., Jul. 31 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 2:30 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 4 @ 10:00 p.m.
[A] Thu., Aug. 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 7:00 p.m.

KEY:
[S]=ASL interpreted
[A]=Audio described

Warning! Adult language

Venue U of M Rarig Center Arena
For ages 12+
Written by Madeleine George
Web site www.theatreunbound.com
genres Comedy, Drama
subjects Family, Relationships

Overall rating

User reviews

Outstanding
by Curt Lund Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
It is easy for me to get seduced by all the funny, funny and funny that Fringe has to offer. It's great to be reminded occasionally that Fringe also offers some damn outstanding straight-up theatre. Not that this show didn't have its funny moments, it did, but went much further and much deeper than 90% of the other work at Fringe. Really terrific; definitely among the top 3 shows of the festival for me. Congratulations to the actors and crew of MMWW and also to Theatre Unbound -- I was familiar with the company but had never made it to a production before; now I can't wait to see what happens next.

I know, right?
by Ryan Grimes Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I almost can't believe I'm giving a Fringe show five kitties, but I'm doing it and I have no doubt. This production was, by far, my favorite performance of the entire Festival. All four performers present deeply touching portrayals of doubt, guilt, beauty, and love. Intended to address body image for women, this show addressed, in my opinion, the issue of body image for all of us. Do NOT miss the final performance!

Massively entertaining!
by Cody Stewart Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
8-4-09 @ 10:00 pm
Rarig Arena Theatre

This extant piece about women and their body image is very important for our society and culture to see. At first I was upset that not all of the women were overweight, but then I realized that it's not so much what we see as an audience member, but that body image is what we feel within ourselves. I was entertained by the piece; however, I wished there could have been more movement. I found myself wondering if the original play is longer and cut down for the fringe. I recommend this to anyone on their fringe journey. 4 out of 5.

We are all connected
by Katie Starks Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I encourage all American women to see this show. It is an excellent script filled with controversial subject matter ,delivered sensitively and honestly by four very brave and incredibly talented actors. Very professional work and great use of space. This show gets my vote for the best of the Fringe.

Well crafted
by Matthew Greseth Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Kudos to cast and crew for putting this piece together. Acting, directing and design are all top notch. Need something to see the last day of Fringe? Check this out, you wont be disappointed.

Hits Close to Home
by Heather Baldwin Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show is probably my favorite Fringe show I have seen this year. It was powerful and emotional, while also being humorous. The acting was phenomenal; each woman injected realism and charisma into the characters they played. Every woman can identify with the struggle to be comfortable with her own body while being bombarded with negative messages from the media, from their significant others, and even from their own parents. There was one character in particular with whom I strongly identified, but all four of the characters were realistic portrayals of American women. I highly recommend this show!

Thought provoking
by SBRK Hart Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Wonderfully thought provoking play. Excellent writing and the acting was spot on. This is what the Fringe is all about. Thanks to all of those who made this one come to life.

Fat is not the new black
by Anon Review Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
The play was very well acted, the actors were fabulous to watch.

I couldn't help but think during the play that the acceptance of body image no matter what it's size is a reflection of a problem such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and many other problems. And while yes, women of all sizes should embrace their bodies,simple surgery after accepting the body image is not the solution to these problems. I feel that health matters in such a play should be explored. I left this play thinking that the script reflected that Fat is the new Black....and it is not.

wonderful variety
by Ariel Pinkerton Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This story has something for every woman, and enough humor for the serious to really sink in. Brava, ladies.

Strong cast, show
by Meaghan DiSciorio Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This was a great show. The cast did a tremendous job with some very compelling, usually taboo, material. Nice job ladies!

Wow, the fat topic.
by Ellen Jordano Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The subject was heavy (no pun intended). The topic was so relevant, and they said it all out loud. I admire these four actors--Bravo!

What else can I say
by John Berard Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The acting, and directing were great! This is the type of show that all Fringe makers should aspire to. The women all came out ready to play, and delivered great performances. Be proud of of your work! You deserve it. A must see for all Fringers!

seconds, please!!!
by Amber Bjork Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
four amazingly talented, beautiful women. a gorgeous script. wonderful use of an intimate space. these are the ingredients of good fringe, and theatre unbound serves up a healthy heaping. indulge yourself!!!

honest and relateable
by brenda atkins Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
this show was so worth it! i just sat there wanting to laugh and cry because all of it was so true and terrible at the same time. it sounded like they were writing about my life! life of all women. it was really powerful that they were so beautiful but yet dealt with the same issues i do. that says so much about our society and womens' issues.
a great glimpse of the life of a woman for men to see too!

beyong the skin
by dixie treichel Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Very well written.directed and performed. What seems to be a cosmetic issue goes much much deeper.
Go See.

Excellent!
by Peggy Bandit Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This was an excellent show with a first rate cast and an important topic. Two days after seeing the show I am still thinking about the messages it had for the audience. I highly recommend it!

A Healing Stab to the Heart
by Tess Galati Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The gutsiest, most engaging, painful, wonderful, transforming show I've seen in years. Women: Get set for shocks of recognition. Men: Yes, it really is like this. Come only if you have the courage to grow.

Beautiful and brave
by Stan Peal Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Tough issues that, while at first glance seem to be about the female experience, are unexpectedly and powerfully universal - this is a show for both genders. Incredibly moving, well directed and beautifully performed.

Strong Message
by Richard Shields Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The on-stage cast and their supporting team put on a strong show. The subject of body image and what it does to individuals is a hard one to deal with since so many of us have had our own lives impacted by this topic. I found myself thinking of how I saw myself and how I sometimes try to adjust myself to meet social expectations of what a person should look like as I watched the production.While there is some humor, this show has powerful drama and a viewer needs to be prepared to listen and and to think. If you are looking for a show with social content consider seeing this one.

This group also knew how to use the arena space to deliver their work, some past groups have not understood the complex nature of playing in a "round" space.

Raw and powerful
by Pat Lindgren Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This is a great cast who knows how to use the arena space well. They bravely explored topics that most of us would probably prefer not to explore, and did it well

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