schedule
Entropy Productions
The Nightmare Man
Thu., Jul. 30 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 7:00 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 3 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 6 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 1:00 p.m.
Warning! Violence, Adult language, Loud noises/gunshots
Venue U of M Rarig Center Arena
For ages 17+
Created by Matthew Kelly
genres Drama
subjects Relationships
features Audience participation, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer
Overall rating
User reviews
an audience member flinched!
by gayle steiger Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Yes, it's true. These first-time fringers give life to a scary series of flashbacks that had at least one audience member visably twitching in his seat!
Stage direction was brilliant - talk about up close and personal - and a key part of this dark and fairly complex work.
The actors were an equal match to the direction and play management. Some scenes full of potential were lacking but only by contrast to those scenes that were totally in the groove. Watching this serial killer come undone through flashbacks and his search for the one true love was, indeed, an uncomfortable process. I am quite sure that was the point.
Nicely done! We all hope to hear from this group again soon!
surreal
by Kelly McGrath Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This show delivers what it promises. It gives an interesting take on the mind of a serial killer while presenting some eerily plausible situations. It gives you something to think about. And it's a modern show that works in the story of Rasputin, which caught my attention.
The acting, writing, and technical sides were all well done. In my opinion some of the dialogue seemed a little forced but I think that had more to do with the time constraints of the Fringe than the writer's abilities. I can easily see this show going a little longer and seeming a little more "real." There is some comic relief scattered throughout the disturbing journey to ease some of the tension. The costumes and make-up add to the creepy/surreal factor;it's nice to see everything tie together like that.
Overall, an interesting show.
"dark."--captain obvious
by Brianna Chies Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
great performances, great stage direction, engaging and awkward (in a necessary way), yet i can see how this production can be misunderstood. however, "the nightmare man" draws strange parallels between us so-called "normal" people and the ones we would like to refer to as the "crazies" as far as human nature goes. which, uncomfortable as it is to experience, i found enjoyable. make sure you bring a friend to walk you to your car post-show!
Go See? YES, even for a 1-kitty!
by Nick Decker Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
To quote writer/director/misogynist/actor Tommy Wiseau, "Do you understand life?! Do you?!" With brazen confidence, writer/director/misogynist/actor Matt Kelly answers, "Yes, Tommy, I do. I do."
Like the auteur Wiseau, Matt Kelly's dream persona, referred to as "Killer," grapples with the she-demon haunting him. Yet in his film The Room, "Johnny," Mr. Wiseau's role, is crippled to inaction by the cheating machinations of fiancée Lisa, while Kelly's nightmare version of Killer (portrayed by Max Besner) proactively murders his true love Meghan, as well as every other female character in the production (all played with various accents by Katy McGrath), as they all represent her nature of betrayal due to their having of vaginae.
Despite their differences in methodology, their denouement remains similar: Johnny, too perfect and pure for this world, removes himself from it, while Killer, filled with peace of mind, concludes to remove everyone else. Killer, though, may have the edge on Johnny, as he has realized that women are for copulation, but murder is his one true lady.
Kelly's monologues, while brief and arresting, are saddled with in-between "Nightmare" segments acting out his murders, riddled with dialogue that sounds false compared to his tight solo scenes. Also perplexing are the costume designs for the "Nightmare" scenes, which evoke the character designs of Capcom's Super Street Fighter II: Turbo Edition.
The triumph of a film like The Room lies in its bizarre cultural impact and the invitation it gives the audience to freely laugh and cringe at a man's self-unrecognized flaw. The Nightmare Man succeeds in the latter, but in the ephemerality of the Fringe Festival it is doomed to be forgotten.
But not by me. Kudos.
CREEPY BUT THOUGHT-PROVOKING
by Kay Pohsibe Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
The Nightmare Man held my attention throughout, wondering how this was all going to end...in the end. There wasn't any closure and left me a bit scared about what goes on in a killer's mind--just what I think the writer intended.
The script could be better, but for a first-time fringe it did alright, and so did the actors.
The Writing Was Lacking
by Rob Callahan Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
An edgy, albeit clumsy, script redeemed in part by the efforts of its actors; notably Matthew Kelley's audience engagement and Michael J. Sielaff's commanding, emotive expressions. The troupe have the chemistry to become future Fringe mainstays, if they can tighten up their writing.
NOT FUNNY!
by Alice Karkcowski Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I liked how this was a breath of fresh air from most of the comedy shows at fringe. After checking the reviews about this show, most people don't get that this show was to offend. I was offended, and I loved that they were able to do that. Acting was decent, lighting was simple and matched the show. Costumes were cool, and the programs were thoughtful. Being the first show for many involved, they did a great job. Don't expect to leave happy, but rather a little scared and uneasy.
Terror and Beauty
by Steve Jones Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I enjoyed this production. I came away not in a good mood, but it seems thats what they wanted me to feel. The writing could be better, but I followed the journey of flashbacks. This show is for someone who wants to see a serial killer, who's normal is not normal. I did like the use of the stage, rare to see a full use of a circular stage. I would go again.
a real nightmare
by steve legas Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
A story told in a series of almost identical flashbacks. a one sour note story.It seems as if more thought went into the nice program than into the show.They get a kitten for getting up on stage and for whatever effort they did put into this nightmare of a show.
Sense and Sensibilities.
by re gurgitate Follow this reviewer
Rating 0 kitties
It offended both. I feel sorry for the actors being stuck in what was truly a nightmare. A must avoid.
Other shows like this
© 2009 Minnesota Fringe Festival. All rights reserved.
