Minnesota Fringe Festival 2010

Behind every failed relationship...there's at least one really good yarn.

A dubious romance meets its end on a Valentine's Day road trip to the World's Biggest Ball of Twine in this new, mostly-true work-in-progress from the creator of "So Kiss Me Already, Herschel Gertz!" and "Circumference". Tangling together multiple chronologies, live music and narration, "Entwined" dissects the demons of loneliness, and sends out a high-five to anyone who's ever felt dorky and desperate.

"Salloway is hilarious, honest and unsparing, with a great sense of pace."
-- The Calgary Herald

"An appealing and marvelously funny performer -- brave and original."
-- The Ottawa Citizen

"Utterly fearless; absolutely hysterical."
-- CURVE Magazine

"Entwined" Fun Facts!

* "Entwined" is the fifth solo theatre piece from Minneapolis-based actor/writer Amy Salloway, whose other plays have traveled the US and Canadian Fringe circuits since 2004, including the festivals in Thunder Bay, Orlando, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, Victoria, Vancouver (where Amy got "Best in Fest" in 2007), Halifax ("Best of Venue" 2006), Cincinnati ("Critic's Pick" 2005), and Winnipeg ("Best in Fest" 2007, 2008). Amy hopes to use this Fringe run to further develop "Entwined" so that it can hit the road next summer!

* "Entwined" features live music by singer-songwriter Jim Schweitzer.

* The twine ball integral to the "Entwined" story is indeed the World's Largest Ball of Twine (rolled by Francis A. Johnson), located in lovely Darwin, MN! YOU could take a road trip to the Twine Ball just like Amy did (hopefully without the ensuing breakup) -- and you should! In fact, Darwin Twine Ball Day is the second Saturday in August -- August 14th, 2010 -- which falls during the Minnesota Fringe! Visit the Twine Ball, then see "Entwined" at 4:00 pm! I know, right?!?

* Here is the official website for the Darwin Twine Ball.

* And here is a nice write-up about the ball on Roadside America.com.

* This show is part of the Rockstar Storytellers Fringe Passport 2 Series. For more info, visit www.rockstarstorytellers.com

Hey Wow!

Thanks to the work of the MN Fringe staff, here is an "Entwined" excerpt from the July 19th Fringe For All! Keep in mind that this is a work-in-progress clip of this, um, work-in-progress.

Additional Links!

* City Pages Fringe Picks!

* Minnesota Monthly Fringe Picks!

* Amy on Videographer/Arts Reporter Matt Peiken's 3-Minute Egg!

Amy Salloway
Role: Writer, Actor
"...has a gift for detail, a technician's skill with words, and a dead-on instinct for finding humor where others might mine only darkness." -- City Pages A-List


Actor/writer/storyteller Amy Salloway is extremely excited to put two years of terrible lottery luck behind her and finally participate in the MN Fringe once again! Hooray! A lifelong fan of educational and issue-based theatre, Amy spent years acting at science museums and living history centers and in touring shows about deforestation, natural resources and child abuse before taking the plunge and creating original plays around the topics closest to her -- body image, bullying and discrimination, family dysfunction, the search for self-worth. Her three solo productions ("Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat?", "So Kiss Me Already, Herschel Gertz!" and "Circumference") all began their lives in the MN Fringe Festival, and have gone on to tour to Fringes, solo festivals, colleges, community centers and theatres in the U.S., Canada and beyond.

Amy's been a substitute theatre instructor and guest playwright for Interact Center for the Arts, and a contributor to MPR's "In The Loop" and CBC radio's "Definitely Not The Opera"; she's also one of the twelve Rockstar Storytellers, and a practice patient at the U of MN Medical School, where the audiences for her portrayals of Woman With Migraine and Woman About To Give Birth are small but attentive.

For more info, check out www.amysalloway.com.
For video clips of Amy's previous shows, go here!

Jim Schweitzer
Role: Musican, Collaborator


Jim Schweitzer is a writer/comedian/musician whose career has been littered with countless bizarre tangents. They've ranged from scaring theme park patrons silly as part of the Fright Fest Creature Crew at Six Flags near Chicago, to getting spontaneously pulled up onstage to sit in with old friends Better Than Ezra (twice), to working as an online chatroom decoy with Dateline NBC's "To Catch A Predator" series. He's happy that his friend Amy said "You need to start doing stuff in local theatre, dammit", and she is happy that he said "FINE, OKAY".

User reviews

David Sedaris meets Carol Burnett?
by Juli Juli Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy Salloway is a born storyteller with deft comic timing and a distinct, unforgettable voice. In this quirky Minnesota love story, she pulls her audience in from the opening lines; we are indeed "entwined," as surely as the unlikely pair we meet on stage.

Welcome to Amy Salloway's world ... don't miss the chance!

When Real Life is Stranger than Fiction
by Elizabeth Thomas Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy has done it again! She has this way of walking you through the absolute absurdity of true life events while showing her humanity in a most raw form.

She is witty and haunting in letting you in to her inner most thoughts as they "entwine" with the nuttiness around her. Amy makes you feel more normal and human as she lets you into the darkness of her soul. The bravery of self-exposure, however, is well timed with hilarity so that you never sink into your own empathy-based depression.

The next time you're engaged in an oddball social situation you will think of Amy. She really has seen (and done!) it all and survived to share it.

Good but not great
by Sharon Kahn Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Good show, but not her best work. It's a solidly written piece, not really a work in progress. But it would have been better if she had finished it in time to perform from memory rather than reading aloud.

Including a 2nd person in the performance was an interesting experiment. I don't think it ruined the show, but I don't think it added much either. I wasn't crazy about her sidekick's deadpan delivery, and I found the musical interludes distracting (except for "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota," which kind of had to be there as the theme song).

All in all, a very enjoyable show, but not quite up to my expectations.

Great!
by James Long Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Amy's writing is very good, indeed. It is lively, vivid, and deep. The show made me squirm in a lot of ways, but not because of the performance. The story was superb. The characters were in a lot of ways dispicable but we felt for the main character and we were left with a ray of hope. Definetely a great show.

I'm Entwigued
by Mary Hirsch Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
My friend and I absolutely loved Entwined. Amy Salloway knows how to mold words and feelings into wonderful productions. And even though the actors were tethered to stands to read the work-in-progress, they were able to accomplish more with their bodies and faces standing in one place than many actors who have an entire stage to do the same. It always touches me that Amy is so willing to share so much of herself with us. The addition of Jim Schweitzer was a brilliant move and Amy knew not only how to include another person in her "monologue," but the right person to include. I would definitely give Amy my rock of admiration. I look forward to seeing her over and over again.

Delightful!
by Jessica Tkach Paquin Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Amy is delightful and skilled. This is an entertaining, funny, & touching way to spend an hour. I'm defiantly going to see that ball of twine now.

Sooooo Funny!
by Dorian Potter Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Oh my goodness! Where to begin, I laughed so hard my eyes started to water. Maybe it is because the story line was so familiar to my life. I actually know someone like Bean and yeah if he lived in the same state and was willing, I'd be his 10%. Good music, but the performers and the writing are what I loved the most. Just hilarious!

Fun AND thought provoking!
by Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
At the end of this show, I thought I had seen a wonderful adaption of a New Yorker Magazine short story. Amy's ability to take thoughts & feelings most are at a loss to describe into concrete narrative and metaphors galore is truly outstanding. Phrases from the production haunted me on the way home, ie: "...you only have 10% of my heart..." (apology if inaccurate). The dialogue and music added dimension the the show.

We've all been there
by Laura Littleford Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a perfect work-in-progress show--very funny but serious. Stay tuned to Amy's process--with music!

Engaging and charming
by Pat Lindgren Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Amy is the sort of person with whom you would like to have a conversation. She is witty, funny, with perhaps an over-supply of self realization, and just the right amount of irreverence and sense of irony. Her two-person one-woman show worked well and she did find a distinctive voice for her second character. Plus, since I have been watching the Darwin ball of twine morph from idiosyncratic hobby to community icon for more than 40 years, I had to see what she did with the giant ball of twine. Did not expect that - but loved it.

Amy is the Jewish Lisa Simpson.
by Ken Kaffine Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy is a gifted storyteller who is totally fearless on stage. She holds nothing back. I went with a group of friends and we all loved her. Her intelligence and vulnerability keep you in the palm of her hand from the first line of the show.

Utterly lovable... and brave
by Sarah Eshelman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is important, beautiful work. I am amazed at Amy's willingness to be so vulnerable and to explore such tender issues in a public venue. Hilarious and/but heart-wrenching. I am very glad I saw this--try to catch the last performance!!!!!

Tie A Knot, And Hold On....
by Jason Schommer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy Salloway is as close to Fringe royality as one can get. Her one woman shows have been the highlight of many Fringe season's past for many people. I was finally able to participate in the magic that Amy casts at the Fringe with Entwined. This is the first time I have been able to see Amy in this setting and it was worth the effort to do so. She is a hypnotic storyteller. Her words grab your mind, your heart, and your soul. She is painfully honest, brutally sincere, and hilariously real. This tale of love found, love fought for, and love lost is the story of all of us and the scars that we carry on our hearts. Go and see Entwined while you can, you will not regret it. Trust me when I say that I simply will NOT miss another show of Amy's. Amazing!

Engaging and funny
by Timothy Mooney Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy captures the character that she does so well, stringing us through the pathos of that car crash that we see coming from such a looonnnng way away (not an actual car crash). She really held us right up until the end. There's a kind of an impressionistic twist that happens there (which I won't give away here) that I couldn't quite follow, and I think I suffered from the too-many-things-happening at once syndrome to be able to fully appreciate the conclusion.

Ouch.
by amihan huesmann Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I wasn't expecting this to be so poignant, but wow---there were a lot of moments I could relate to in this show. The staging was sparse but well done; what effects there were (sound, facial and physical expressions) were just right. Bean's facial expressions and the fucking sound (even if flip-'n'-fucks don't squeak) were especially good.

One edit I'd make (that only the food-obsessed will notice) is that Bean should probably bemoan the lack of *vegetarian* options at the cafe. Since he drinks hot cocoa and puts dairy in his soup, he's probably not vegan.

Gimmie More Gimmie More
by Kathy Douglass Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I have been watching Amy for years and I believe “Entwined” marks a major leap or even breakthrough for Amy. Her shows have always been strong, funny and poignant. She is an incredibly brave performer in that she emotionally strips herself naked for us. She hides nothing and hides behind nothing.
“Entwined” moved me in a new way. It was the addition of the second performer and the music. The interaction created a new dynamic and giving Amy someone to work off of was striking in its simplicity and its effectiveness.
Amy and her schmuck (yet honest) boyfriend struggle with what is really a one-sided relationship.
The work was still reader’s theater, not in sketch form, and I think this device is essential. It underscores the detachment in their relationship. It still lets Amy be Amy telling us her story and not an actress playing a part. The timing between Amy and Jim was brilliant. I cannot imagine anyone other than Jim Schweitzer playing this part. I have never met the real boyfriend, but Jim’s underscored demeanor made him all too believable.
Amy – I never knew you wrote music. Please, please keep it up. More. I. Want. More.

All Tied Up (With a Bow!)
by Ronald Laudner Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Fans of Amy know she can tell a story with the best of them. With Entwined, Amy takes a giant leap forward and gives us the best of her. If you're a fan you will love it, if you haven't seen Amy before, you will love her!

Totally do not settle for 10%
by Liz Floyd Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Ick I really hate Bean! What a bad guy. It's good for girls to hear bad guy stories. Possibly it can help someone out to avoid such a guy. I loved all the sound effects and the music.

hilarious!
by Pam Marguerite Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
reminded me of some of my own horrific relationship moments all too clearly, it's so good to be able to laugh about it now, thanks Amy!

Entwined is awkward personified!
by Tobi Steinmetz Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is my first Amy Salloway show, and I have to say, I am a huge fan now. She made me cringe, and laugh, and want to cry, and laugh again. She's a brilliant storyteller, and it's the kind of story that could only be true...it is WAY stranger than fiction!

The addition of Jim Schweitzer, I'm told, is a new thing for Amy...she's usually a solo performer. As an audience member, I would have thought that they had known each other and worked together forever! They had great chemistry, the songs were really funny and poignant, and the two together were cringe-worthy hilarity. I really didn't want it to end.

There are only two shows left. Go and see Amy and Jim, they had me completely Entwined!

Great humor
by Harvey Zuckman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy's humor touches us all. She it an amazing writer and performer and it's a joy to see her every time. This show is cleverly written and if this is still in development, I can't wait to see the final version.

Amy Does It Again!
by Theresa Alberti Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Amy is a Fringe favorite, and it's no wonder why.. she definitely hits on common themes that so many (women, for sure) can relate to... having been there ourselves. How many people have had a relationship like that, or knew a guy like that, the same emotionally-manipulative-yet-holding-back/rejecting kind... and even the falling-for-a-guy-who-initially-repulsed-you... ugh! There's the loneliness, the self-doubt, and then she ties it up (ooh, a twine-pun) on such a hopeful note. You'll laugh a lot, cringe and wipe away a tear or two. Don't miss it!

Amy Salloway's best show yet
by Gabriel Heller Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
If you had asked me what Amy Salloway's shows needed, I would have said, "not a thing." And yet this show has sound-effects, prerecorded music, live music, and a cast (of one guy who plays the guitar and sings, hence the live music) in addition to Amy at her awkward best. The fringe this year is chock-full of storytellers adding all manner of things to their shows, but none of them have done it as successfully as Amy. The additions perfectly complement and illustrate the story, without any distractions from the telling. If you see no other storytelling show this year, see this one! Though really, you should also see Missing.

amy we love you!
by mark browning milner Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
it's such an unhappy story told here, why do we keep laughing so much? amy is an extremely gifted story teller, and jim matches her note for note. (as a curiosity note, this performance featured the first tech glitch i'd seen in the festival - amy had to call for lights after a blackout - which demonstrates what a terrific job the techies do...i had to see 32 shows before a snafu. good job!) you'll want to wrap amy up, put her in your pocket, and take her around and introduce her to every available nice guy you know. she deserves it - and you should see her show. me, i'm planning a trip to the twine...

Fabulous
by Jean Sramek Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Sign me up as a new Amy Salloway fan. You'll laugh, you'll cringe, you'll laugh some more.

Entwined Around Salloway's Finger
by Rob Callahan Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I wish I had a stage presence like Salloway's. In Entwined, she relays the story of her one-sided love affair with Bean, the most passive aggressive d-bag the world may ever know, waving her arms wildly and using other, um, motions to draw us into the world her words build.

The addition of Jim Schweitzer as the voice of Bean, providing both the villainous niceguy-slacker's words and a series of musical segues reminiscent of Flight of the Conchords, made the show even more enjoyable.

If I take a kitty away for anything, it's for the general disjointedness of the story itself. I know this was due in large part to intentional jumps back and forth in its chronology, but I got the sense that part of it happened because the show changes every night. So many changes to such a complex story on such short notice are a risky endeavor, which the show pulls off almost flawlessly. It was only during a couple of moments where the sequence of events didn't feel quite natural to me.

But I could be wrong altogether, so don't just take my word for it. Read the other audience reviews and see the show for yourself. Even if I'm right about the few little glitches, the combined showmanship of Amy and Jim will be more than enough to carry you past them.

The ball isn't done unwinding!
by Fringenheit 451 Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I was going to write a review of Entwined just on my own, but then I read the one by David about not finding out what was inside the twine ball or inside Amy, and instead I just want to say that I think he might have kind of missed the point. We don't find out what's inside the twine ball because it's not unravalling in real life -- the end of the show is like a fantasy moment. And what it means is that Amy is finally taking the RISK of finding out whats inside of her without needing a guy to HELP her do that. The show ends where it does because she's just starting that process. It's not done. Also, the show can only be an hour, and she's already packed a lot into it. Anyway, that was what I was really going to say - that this show has so many interesting things packed into it, so many feelings, and I personally really related to that and appreiciated it.

Not Amy's Best
by David Trudeau Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
But nevertheless worth seeing. I think she does better solo. A soft ending as she flies away from her dilemma and we never find out what's inside the big ball - or her.

Well worth your time
by Ari Hoptman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A touching, funny, and well-crafted show about love, disappointment, and actual twine. Good balance of Amy's character with that of Jim Schweitzer (who is also quite an accomplished musician). Definitely worth your time.

"This Can't Get Any More Unitarian!"
by Heather Baldwin Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I first met Amy in 2001, around the time when the events described in this show took place, but I wasn’t aware of this back-story then. I’ve gotten to know her better over the years and have seen her perform in her other solo shows and as part of the Rockstar Storytellers, and I’m a big fan of her work. Amy is very skilled at finding humor in awkward and embarrassing situations, while at the same time connecting with her audience on an emotional level. The core of the show is about her relationship with a man who is the Webster-worthy definition of “passive-aggressive”; many of the things that came out of his mouth made me cringe and slap my forehead. However, I identified with the themes this show explores, such as self-esteem issues, finding real love vs. “settling”, and the quirks of Unitarians. Several scenes in the show were just heart-wrenching, while others were hilarious. And some were both. Clearly, writing this show has been a cathartic experience for Amy; it’s a story that she really needed to tell. And as an audience member, it’s a story that I really needed to hear.

Laugh-out-loud funny + poignant
by Kathy Ahlers Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ohmigosh, I laughed out loud so many times. (Of course, I'm Unitarian...)It's not so much what you're laughting about, but the way it's being expressed. My 19-year-old daughter liked it, too. I had never seen one of Amy's works before, and I am a convert--I definitely will be going to see Amy perform again. A round-up from 4.5 kitties.

Entwined Review
by Electra Rich Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
If this is just a work in progress, the finished show will be amazing. I love Amy's courage and honesty. She took a story that could have been quite depressing and made it funny.

Not only do I laugh with Amy, but watching Entwined helps me see the humor in some of my own experiences. Amy expresses the universal in a unique, entertaining way.

Don't settle for 10%!
by Murray WithTheFringeOnTop Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I LOVED Entwined, and I loved it largely because it uses our Fringe exactly as I've hoped our Fringe will be used -- as a testing ground for new work that's still raw and wobbly, but totally impassioned and filled with heart. Entwined has the hilarious verbosity, quirky single-gal situations and signature low self-esteem of Amy's other work (at least the work that I've seen), but also contains newness -- the voice of another actor...music...much more dialogue incorporated into the scenes (or maybe it just felt that way because there was another actor speaking the lines)...good for Amy for trying all of that, even if it might increase the "imperfections" on the show here and there! I was completely happy to see Entwined in THIS stage, and will absolutely go see it again when it's polished, thanks to its run at the Fringe!!!

Sit in the Middle
by Amelia Kritzer Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
If you see this show, sit in the middle (facing the performers, who read from their scripts with no movement to dramatize the story). That way, you'll get to see more of the facial expressions of the duo who perform this piece about unrequited love.

Laughter is Good Medicine, thanks Amy!
by Carole Vandal Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy Soloway’s work “Entwined” enthralled me. I laughed till my cheeks hurt and was energized by Amy’s sense of humor. Both Amy and Jim Schweitzer do a great job keeping the audience entertained and on the edge of their seats waiting for more. All of this is accomplished thanks to Amy’s wit, panache and charisma demonstrated in her writing prose. A Shockwave Radio Theatre Review.

The Big Ball of String
by bill emery Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A sweet story with lovely imagery... a wonderful energy from both these actors. As a work in progress... I can see some editing down the way... 4 Kittys

Always Funny
by Lori Baerg Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I've been a fan of Amy's since 2001, when we shared a tent at MNRF. She's funny, poignant, melancholy and adorable all at the same time. I loved that she had someone to play her wit against in this production. Great job, guys!

With Apologies
by Kale Ganann Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
"I'm sorry," she said, working her way down the line. "I'm sorry."

The she is Amy, and the line was hers. We stood waiting for the house to open and Amy came out to work the line, but looked miserable. "It's not good," she said, repeating, "I'm sorry."

It is, perhaps, best to say we know Amy - not very well, but well enough to disclose. We've been attending her performances since "Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat?", and have immensely enjoyed every one. Mywife and I even enjoyed some voice-overs in her play, "Circumference". She is a friend, and as a friend I say to her, "I'm sorry."

I'm sorry you can't see the beauty in your work as readily as others can. I'm sorry the full scope of your vision may never actually reach the stage. I'm sorry that in creating wonder you must first wade through the drudgery and rewrites, and that even when you bring something wonderful to us, all you can see are the discarded versions littered along the path you took to get there.

I'm sorry.

But I'm not sorry that I attended your play. I'm not sorry I watched as you again expanded the skills we have come to see you display, and that you again amazed us. Does the balance of the play shift a little between narrative and dialogue, making the end not quite as even as the front? Perhaps, it's true. Are there things that could be improved? Of course, always.

But the greatest music is always the music of the spheres, and even though you can't bring us that Amy, no one can. And despite that, you bring a symphony, one that grows and expands and is more beautiful with every reprise.

Perhaps the difference, in the end, is when Amy reads the words thay are on the page, lifeless, flat. Afterwards I asked her why she had apologized, and she told me, "The soul is gone."

No.

If it is not on the page, then it is in the performance. The soul can never be gone, because when Amy Salloway performs she is the soul, and I humbly attest that this may be the best thing she has done yet.

Out of twenty two performances so far, this is our pick for Best of the Fringe. It may yet be toppled - there's plenty of road left to travel this year - but we cannot recommend it highly enough. Amy and her fellow actor Jim Schweitzer have an absolute gem on their hands, and you owe it to yourself to go see it.

A Diamond With Very Little Rough
by Whittier Strong Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Amy Salloway's "Entwined" is in many ways typical of her other works: memorable characters, ingenious turns of phrase, perfect timing, and a gift for carrying the audience from hilarity to poignancy in the blink of an eye.

She ventures into new territory with "Entwined", though, by adding original music and a second performer, Jim Schweitzer. The earlier pieces are outrageously funny. However, I felt a song mid-show, "Suicide Watch", was too dark for the tenor of the show. Several audience members disagreed with me, though. Also, especially in later songs, I had some troubles with Mr Schweitzer's enunciation. I hated that I missed some of Ms Salloway's brilliant writing in the process.

The middle third of the show drags some, with which Ms Salloway agreed when I talked with her after the show. She will certainly iron this one issue out.

She makes it clear from the outset that this is a "work-in-progress" that will undergo editing and revision through the course of the Fringe Festival. This will no doubt be a 5-kitty show by closing night. It is already far better developed than your typical Fringe show.

Could NOT Relate
by cory danks Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
Not much to say but I just didn't get into this play. Wish I had seen something else.

Coordinated Bladders
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy Salloway's hemi-demi-semi-autobiographical tales are at once touching and hysterical. Here, she is joined by Jim Schweitzer, playing a proper foil for Amy's angst. Much fun is made of Unitarian Universalists, twine balls, desperate relationships and the sad, lonely characters. Note: While presented in the Rarig Arena theater-in-the-round, the show is directional, so the theater is a bit smaller than the number of seats technically available. A Shockwave Theater Review.

Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.

A deeply affecting script
by Florence Brammer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy's delivery is as usual: endearing, effective and affecting. This script is particularly touching, exploring the emotional minefields of loving and being loved. Very artfully written and performed.

A well-written, entertaining performance
by Dennis Walsh Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Amy Salloway calls her artistic company Awkward Moment Productions, and Amy truly has a gift for taking any awkward moment and turning it into a thing of humorous, poignant beauty. Her latest creation, "Entwined," makes great use of this skill, and I highly recommend this show.

On one level, "Entwined" is a story of a relationship; the ups, the downs, the ending, the beginning, the middle, and all that is said - and unsaid - by the participants. The quirks of the male protagonist Bean are fodder for much of the humor in the story, and indeed, in less-skilled hands, this story could have easily become a sitcom named "My Wacky Ex-Boyfriend." But Amy's well-written and very personal narrative take this story to a much deeper level. Amy's energetic performance, her storytelling skills, and most of all, her willingness to provide her audience with an unfiltered view of her intersecting - dare I say, entwined - thoughts, emotions, fears, and dreams throughout make "Entwined" something special - a story that is equal parts humor, irony, revelation, resiliency, and hope.

Also laudable is the performance by Amy's costar Jim Schweitzer; his own comic timing meshes well with hers, and his songs lend a nice texture to the show. Technical credits are also top-notch, with clever use of lighting and sound effects to skillfully handle the transitions in both time and place in the back-and-forth chronology.

No show is perfect, of course. As an improv student of Amy's, I have seen her talent for physical comedy, and this could perhaps be utilized a bit more in the theater-in-the-round setting. And, indeed - as entertaining as the show is in its current form - Amy is referring to the show as a work-in-progress. But suffice it to say that this is definitely a work-worth-seeing in my book, so head over to the Rarig and check out "Entwined"!

Hilarious and Poignant
by Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
There's so much to love in this show- Amy's writing is spot on, and her delivery is consistently fresh and surprising. The integration of humor and pathos is masterful. That being said, it was dull visually- those music stands could get hauled all around that stage! I think the show needs a bit more movement to match the energy that the script demands.

Desperation and Twine
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
SWF author seeks. That's where her stories all seem to start: relationship hunger. This is Amy Salloway's best effort yet. Church, dating, ex-relationships, and unrequited commitment form the foundations, while food and fuckery come along for this road trip to the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota. The musical interjections are amusing but the story stands on its own merits.

Big ball of humor
by evelyn blum Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The Delivery was spot on, and I loved seeing Amy humor matched up with someone else. There was good Chemistry within the script.

If your familiar with Amy the subject matter will not seem very new, but nevertheless it was good!

I love Amy!
by Dave Larson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I am a big Amy Salloway fan. Her writing is always amazing and this show is as good as her other Fringe shows. The humor is a terrific vehicle for wonderful show. Get in line early - this show will and should sell out.

Great Show.... Loved it
by jill hiede Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Wonderful. While Amy calls this a work in progress, I found this to be completely interesting and engaging. Amy's unique ability to share her vulnerability, so openly and plainly, is touching, alternating between heartbreaking and hilarious. While this may not be the piece that Amy set out to write, it was the play I was meant to see.

Amy hits it out of the park again!
by SBRK Hart Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I am one of Amy's greatest fans, along with my girlfriends, and she has once again lived up to our great expectations of her. I just hope that she is really a happy person with millions of friends and not at all pathetic like she makes herself out to be in her stories. But her stories are wonderfully, and her delivery of them superb. This one should be sold out every night and should be on everyone's must see list.

charming vulnerability
by Robyn Hendrix Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
hilarious storyline, funny antics, this one is a keeper. I am left wondering what they used to make the bed-squeeking sound. Think they could have done a bit more to utilize the in the round theater.