Minnesota Fringe Festival 2010

Strike Anywhere: a theatrical production company presents two short plays by Brian Howrey.

Deviates from the Master Plan
A manipulative Mermaid and her Chambermaid face off against a feisty Wood Nymph and a Man in Large Pants.

Apprentice and Sorcerer Trip on the Light Fantastick
The supernatural abounds as a Sorcerer and his Apprentice navigate reanimated corpses and a plague of frogs. All in a day’s work!

Magic and mystery collide with a dash of whimsy in these highly physical comedies.

Brian Howrey
Role: Playwright/Composer
Brian wishes he had been born in a giant vat of Amadei gianduja spread, but he's getting on with life anyway. In addition to baking (his own bread from his own sourdough) and learning at the feet of J.S. Bach, Brian creates cool art. His works have been performed in the U.S. and abroad, and his play The Fairy-Tale Engineers was nominated for the LA Weekly Theatre Award for playwrighting. He also composes original music and writes screenplays. Earlier this year, Brian was approached by a sea-lion while jogging. Well, it may not have been this year. Let's say this biblical year.

Paul Epton
Role: Lighting Effects

Spencer Faust
Role: Man in Large Pants/Mysterious Stranger/Demon
Spencer juggles, walks on his hands, frequents public parks at night, runs his own troupe at the Renaissance Faire, and has over 700 friends on Facebook. He appeared in the 2008 Fringe in Frizzabella Meets the Circus and has performed at the Showboat and as Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream while he was a student at the U of M. He has just barely recovered from 38 straight hours of wakefulness at his first CONvergence this year.

Leif Jurgensen
Role: Wood Nymph/Sorcerer
Leif is from Milwaukee and is a study in contrasts. He is fond of old ruins (Pompeii, Egypt), but likes modern art (Rothko, Chihuly). He has recovered from trigger finger (which he suffered from as a young adult), but continues to be lactose intolerant (ask for his soy cheese ball recipe). He recently finished playing Judge Brock in Hedda Gabler at the Southern Theatre, but is also really funny. He recommends a visit to Elvira, NY … a surprisingly interesting town.

Diane Mountford
Role: Director
Diane is a Bach-listening, Spanish-cave-aged-cheese-eating, vocabulary snob (thanks, Mrs. Stabler’s 8th grade English) with a divine skill for uniting casts that have a ball working together. She pulled herself away from streaming TV shows on Netflix to direct not one, but two shows for the 2010 Fringe -- don’t miss Fw: RE: Mom Update playing now at the Playwright's Center (check your Fringe schedule). Having a year severely lacking in wackiness, Diane is hoping to turn it all around during this year’s Fringe Festival. So if you see her out and about in one of her favorite orange shirts, be sure to bring on the wacky!

Zach Morgan
Role: Puppeteer/Master Builder
Zach Morgan lives very far away, hundreds of miles away (He hates cities. hatred. hate.), where he grows hops, plays with his nieces and looks after Mr. Nels Nelson, the farm cat. A good Minnesotan, he is fascinated by 15th century Sweden, Strindberg and the Faroe Islands. When he ventures into civilization, he works on theatrical productions such as Theatre Pro Rata’s Machinal (designing) and the Grand Marais Playhouse’s Waiting for Godot (playing Vladimir). He dreams of creating a piece of exterior art that will last 1000 years.

Jen Rand
Role: Mermaid/Flower Seller
Jen survived a near death experience at age three (choking on a Cheeto) and was happily returned after being abducted by pirates earlier this year. She frequently comes down from her happy place (in a tree) to work with such local companies as Actors Theater of MN, Theatre Pro Rata, MN Shakespeare Project, Theater Unbound and the Classical Actors Ensemble. Jen spends a lot of time learning new stuff ... she's currently looking to study French and glass blowing. She's also looking for a shirt that washes itself. It would be her favorite.

Derek Sandbeck
Role: Sound Designer
Derek is on a quest to find the end of the Internet. But he keeps getting sidetracked by learning new things on YouTube. Derek has designed sound for Mad Munchkin Productions and Theatre Unbound. He also works with Totally Deep Hole Recording Company, producing albums for Smith Made Music, Lingua Luna, and The Southtown Avengers. He really likes being surrounded by expensive audio equipment. He once had a firecracker blow up in his hand, but recovered to become the Mindball champion of the world!

Sigrid Sutter
Role: Chambermaid/Apprentice
Sigrid is devoted to witty repartee, three-hole punches and camembert. You might think she belongs in the 16th or 19th century, but she prefers to stay right where she is, so she can keep on romanticizing the past. You may have seen Sigrid earlier this year onstage in The Complete Sonnets Festival with Classical Actors Ensemble, or The Thugs with Red Eye Theater. Given a choice, she chooses tigers (are tigers an option?)

User reviews

whimsical is the word of the day
by Fluffy Singler Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I saw a lot of absurdist sensibilities in the first piece. I wasn't sure if it wasn't just going to go on and be the same thing over and over, so I thought of Samuel Beckett and freed my mind for whatever would come! The handcuffed maid serving the mermaid reminded me of Pozzo and Lucky with the two men, the hunter and the one with the geranium representing Vladimir and Estragon I'm just realizing. Maybe I'm reading too much but anyway it was a beautiful and funny piece of absurdism meets children's fairy tale. I also loved the sense of delight that the mermaid had with being able to manipulate reality and play with everyone else as if they were there for her amusement.


The second piece was moderately more linear, but just as full of magic and the possibility that anything could happen, and does. It was a very different kind of piece and really stands out among my fringe experiences. Very well done!

Not Exactly The Tempest
by Bill McTeer Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Sorcerers and sea creatures. An ambitious production with wonderful images and a complete lack of intelligible spoken words. However, the minimal storyline and extensive repetition made me want it to end sooner.

Double slice of WTF Pie
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Mermaids with laptop computers and handcuffed maids? OK then! And what's the deal with those Large Pants and that geranium? At least the unkind mermaid gets her comeuppance at the end of the first sketch. The second tale is much more linear. I was delighted that the Magicians' Tale was in Latin, Italian, and German. I think I want to see more of what this clown and mime company might create.

It was...
by Sid Solomon Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Absurd. Bizarre. Silly. Whimsical. But mostly immensly enjoyable.

Good Acting, but Bizarre Story Premises
by Heather Baldwin Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
My initial reason for putting this show on my schedule is because my friend/boss Leif happens to be in it. I had seen him act several times before in other projects, so I knew that I would at least enjoy his performance. I had also seen Sigrid and Jen perform in the past, too, and they, along with Spencer, did an excellent job with the acting aspect of the show. However, I wasn't quite so wild about the script. The show is divided into two different stories. The first piece is about a mermaid living in a treasure chest who uses a blindfolded and hand-cuffed chambermaid, whose movements she controls using a laptop computer, to steal bottles of water from a wood nymph who passes by every day. (Um...okay, that makes sense...) The second piece is about a sorcerer and his apprentice and the problems they encounter trying to perfect their spells. Neither of these stories were bad; I was entertained. But I basically spent the entire show thinking to myself, "WTF?!?" Overall, I'd say that the strength of the performances outweighed the oddity of the stories...but this show isn't for everyone.

A joyful romp
by Justin Alexander Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Deviates from the Master Plan / Apprentice & Sorcerer Trip on the Light Fantastick were both joyful romps filled with clever special effects and theatrical magic. Impressively, like a Miyazaki film, they felt like pure, light-hearted fun despite incorporating some darker tones and packing an impressive punch.

Unfortunately, both halves of the program also felt slightly bloated. And although both of them outlasted their welcome, it's nothing as simple as "cut the last five minutes, please". Rather, it's a matter of every interior moment needing to be faster and tighter so that one is not perpetually getting ahead of the "script" (physical though it may be).

The show also lacked the tight technical precision which I feel is essential to the total success of any non-verbal theater. All of the performers are talented, but the choreography is ever-so-slightly muddy. (This is particularly problematic in a piece which depends on slight variations -- or let us say deviations -- form an established piece of choreography. When those deviations become lost amidst a sea of unintentional changes arising from technical imprecision, the effect is dampened or eradicated.)

Laying those reservations aside, Deviates from the Master Plan was a slot-filling show for me. And I found it very enjoyable. If you, too, find yourself with a slot free, then I think this show can be a delightful change of pace.

Clowning Around
by Carla Mantel Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Completely charming! Fabulous clowning on all parts, and I especially loved the language confusion in Apprentice and Sorcerer. Beautifully designed as well -- the first set was especially bright and beautiful, and the transition between plays was almost a show in itself.

No need for words
by Scott Pakudaitis Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I chose to see this show because I saw that Leif Jurgensen was in the cast. I'm glad that I trusted my instincts. These two short plays were absolutely delightful. No dialogue in either one, per se, the stories and worlds unfolded through the characters' actions. All the performers are highly skilled and put on a very entertaining show.

Whimsey Without Words
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Two plays, much imagination. The first, about a mermaid who wants bottled water, is done without words. Well, a few gutturals. The second play has words, but not in English. It's about… well, I'm not entirely sure. Something about magic that doesn't work as expected. Neither are kids shows, but both are well acted and draw you into the story. The Xperimental Theater is used well. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.

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

Needs editing
by Gregory Abbott Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Play had a great concept -- a groundhog's day of clowning. But the first show's repetition went on WAY too long. About the 20th time the mermaid came out of the trunk, I wanted a merciful end to everything. And it wasn't just me -- my grade-school son was begging me to leave and didn't want to go to any other of my picks after seeing this.

sublime madness
by Derek "Duck" Washington Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show is one of my favorites of the festival. I don't know that it is for everybody but it definately was my cup of tea. It is designed beautifully and all of the performers do a knock down job.

Good Clowning
by Steve Budas Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This program has two shows. The first is titled: "Deviates from the Master Plan" which I liked a lot. It had good clowning logic, meaning that rhyme and reason had no place here. Once the routine was established it slowly began to unwind, until the continuing unexpected twist brought it to chaos - the kind you can get a lot of laughs from. I encourage them to continue to develop this show and take it to a clown festival sometime.

Knowing the time limitation these performers have between acts, it was amazing to watch their set transition into the next show. The transformation was fast, clever and fun to watch.

The second show "Apprentice & Sorcerer Trip on the Light Fantastic" was not as enjoyable for me. The story line was convoluted and it lacked its clown logic. Enough said.

Perfect Fringe Show
by AJ Sass Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Had no idea what to expect with this show, but I was blown away. The physicalities of each and every performer were terrific, and the puppetry was minimal but effectual. This show is the epitome of the Fringe Festival - unpredictable, weird, and ultimately left me with a smile tattooed on my heart. Five kitties. Five words: Ye ye ye ye ye.

Whimsey, technology and physicality
by Nicole Joy Frethem Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Came in not quite knowing what to expect and found a delightful 45 minutes. This show kept me and my tween and teen-age cousins completely engaged and giggling throughout. Strong, clear choices from all of the actors, whimsical stories and some impressive puppetry & tech make these shows work really well. They are perfect for the fringe - I can't imagine them fitting so well anywhere else.

Loved it- Great physical comedy
by Kathy Kay Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
in the absurdist rather than slapstick tradition, two plays in one hour are told by comedic action and few words. well performed by all, the music enhances the story, and the puppetry in the sorcerer play is magical. Imaginative audiences of all ages(over 7 yrs old)will enjoy this. Go!

See it!
by culligan mary Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A little odd, a little risky, clever, funny,
well acted and directed. This is what the Fringe is all about!

Be A Kid Again
by Tom Rand Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Fantasy, the kind you did as a kid when you got bored and your mind began to create. Don't think to hard (or at all) looking for deep meaning or symbolism, just accept like a kid would do when listening to a fairy tale. Don't ask why or where or when. Bring your kids, they'll show you how to have fun again. Is there anything better? Enjoy!

Go with the flow
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This is a piece of inspired clowning in the finest tradition. These two very funny pieces have their own quirky internal logic made up of a few simple elements that take a few minutes to comprehend, but once the audience enters the world of the players, all becomes clear. It would be a disservice to reveal too much in a review. One piece features a masochistic mermaid, a wood-nymph, a blindfold maid, a sad-sack with baggy pants, a computer and water bottle. The other involves a magus-for-hire and apprentice speaking in Latin, a scene from "The Red Shoes," a devil and objects flying out of a kettle. Suffice it to say that it needs to be seen. Once the mechanism of the pieces gets rolling, there is plenty to laugh at as the variations on the thematic elements play out against each other. The performers are accomplished physical comedians who work beautifully together. The only drawback is that the pieces don't quite know how to end. They need a solid punch-line, but to be sure, it is hard to find any way to top the clowning that has come before.

A thinker's plays
by Matlisa Semrad Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
You can't really choose a rating for this, it all depends on your view of theater. Unpredictable and interesting, the viewer creates the play in his mind because there is no context unless you speak latin.

worth your time, quite imaginative
by Clark Kinser Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Two plays for the price of one, and both very witty and imaginative; the cast is wonderful in each of the seperate plays. The plays are very funny, and imaginative; surrealistic almost, like a Salvador Dali painting. Well worth putting this one on your schedule.