Minnesota Fringe Festival 2010

Check out TC Theater Connection's Podcast on Table 12!

Welcome to Table 12. If you're seated here, the Bride and Groom would prefer to avoid you- and for good reason.

There's Amy, drunkenly awaiting her blind date. She's next to Christophe and Leroylyn, a pair of "professional crafters" obsessed with gourds and afraid of the Internet. They are avoiding Charlie, the groom's cousin who happens to be stalking the bride. Next, there's Saul, the ex-brother-in-law of the Bride - he's the one they kept.

And meet poor Mave, whose only violation forcing her to this ceremonial purgatory is the fact that she's the Groom's boss...and where the hell do you seat your boss anyway?

Your waiter will be by with drinks, food, and restraining orders.

BIG NEWS: Baron Dave Romm put together a feature on his video blog about Table 12 as part of his annual Minnesota Fringe Festival coverage! Check his piece out!




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From Table 12

Rachel Flynn
Role: Mave
When Rachel first arrived at the University of Minnesota, Morris she was going to do a double major in Psychology and Communications, but by the second quarter of her freshman year she came to her senses and realized that being mature and responsible is not nearly as much fun as playing with the theatre kids so she promptly changed her major to Theatre Arts - with a Management minor so as to at least keep up the appearances of "maturity and responsibility." Rachel is currently the Marketing Director of History Theatre and has just earned a Masters degree in Arts & Cultural Management from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. Rachel's favorite shows include The Music Man, BLISS: Three One-Acts (Marian), (various roles), Postcards from the Corn Palace (various roles), Tartuffe (Elmire), and Savage in Limbo (Denise Savage). Favorite wedding memory: "I love a really bad wedding party toast. At the time they're so awkward and extremely painful to watch that my heart absolutely goes out to the bridesmaid who is so very wasted that she decides to recount a story about 9/11 or the best man who is so nervous that he ends up rambling for 8 minutes about the time the bride bought bread (seriously). Thankfully those were at two different weddings. And really, if an awkward toast is the worst thing to happen at a wedding, it just makes everything else about the event seem that much more awesome. Right?

Scot Moore
Role: Charlie
Table 12 marks Scot’s 6th year of active involvement in the Minnesota Fringe Festival (not including the years he just sat and watched). Prior to this show he has appeared around town with The Flower Shop Project, Starting Gate, Cromulent Shakespeare Co, Theatre in the Round, Bedlam, Nimbus and more. As far as weddings go, Scot believes they are a joyous occasion. But, they’re not so joyous when they’re dry. Sometimes, guests have to take matters into their own hands and stock a very small car with a cooler full of booze, then cram as many people into it at once as possible. We are unclear if that heightens the effects of alcohol. But, making it a shared event can enhance the fun-factor. That wedding turned out to be awesome after all… From what we recall.

Kendra Ryan
Role: Amy
Kendra moved to Minnesota from Arizona around 2 years ago. Some of her favorite roles on Twin Cities' stages include Celia in As You Like it, Tina in Tony and Tina's Wedding, and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Her favorite bit of marriage advice comes from Mickey Rooney: Always get married early in the morning. That way, if it doesn't work out, you haven't wasted a whole day. Kendra is very excited to be a part of Table 12, and she would like to thank her family and Michael for their continued support. Hope you enjoy the show! Mazel tov!

Katie Starks
Role: Leroylyn
Katie wanted to be involved with Table 12 as she has SO been at "that table". Who doesn't love an obligatory and awkward formal social occasion? Oh, that's right, no one! But we all have to do it and we all have a story tell. Katie has been an avid viewer and participant of twin cities theatre for 7 years, starting with The Fringe in 2003. As a scared 21-year-old girl from Iowa Katie moved here not knowing a soul (Mary Tyler Moore style of course) but happened to move the first week of the Fringe and she “made it after all." Katie graduated from Metropolitan State University with a BA in theatre in 2007 where she was blessed to have worked with the amazing Camille D'Ambrose, including her final production Macbeth, last fall. Some of the companies Katie has worked with in town include; Theatre Unbound, Urban Samurai, Commedia Beauregard and most recently, The Flowershop Project. As for wedding stories, oh she’s got wedding stories, but none that she is willing to go jail for, so she will simply tell you her parlor trick: at the last few weddings she has been too, she pulled the happy couple aside to look at the moon. She does this so they will always know what the moon looked on the night they were married.

Neil Schneider
Role: Waiter
Neil Schneider has been a bridesman 5 times. No, that’s not a typo and he doesn’t mean groomsman. He was bridesMAN 5 times! No, he didn’t wear a dress but did stand up on the brides’ side was invited to the bachelorette parties! He has learned that bachelorette parties are way dirtier than bachelor parties and husbands should be scared. Neil has lived and worked in the Twin Cities for nearly four years now and is excited to make his Fringe Debut! Credits include Emcee in Cabaret, Drake in Annie, Peter Thorkelson in I Remember Mama, Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice, Dale Wilson-Shears in Smile the Musical, Scouja/timHom in Klingon Christmas Carol, and Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Neil currently works at CLIMB Theatre as the company manager and also coordinates the annual Twin Cities Unified Theatre Auditions. He would like to thank all his friends and family for their constant support and love!

Michael Sung-Ho
Role: The Other Guy
New to the Twin Cities, Michael Sung-Ho has spent his more recent years working as an actor and full-time model in Los Angeles, CA. After relocating Minnesota he’s been warmly received, taking study and shelter at The Brave New Institute and meeting our Director during their run of M. Butterfly on the Guthrie’s Thrust stage. His professional credits include a slew of independent films you’ve never seen before and tons commercial advertisements exercising his Asian-hipster expertise in video game peripherals and cellular phone technology.

Jeremy Motz
Role: Saul
Jeremy Motz (rhymes with boats) hasn’t really been onstage in about two years. He graduated from Central Michigan University in 2005 with a BFA in Acting/Directing (ask to see it; he keeps it in his back pocket) before moving to Minneapolis and trying his hand at playwriting. His plays AIN’T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD and THE ROOMMATE have been produced at CMU and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. THE ROOMMATE was developed from a one-act to a full-length play by the University of Wisconsin Fond Du Lac in 2008. Motz was recently published in the online crime fiction anthology PLOTS WITH GUNS (.com). In Minnesota, he’s mostly taken classes at the Playwright’s Center and the Loft Literary Center, but he’s really hoping his latest full-length play, ALL GONNA GO, will get a reading this summer in Mpls before he has to move away this fall to attend graduate school at Ohio University’s Professional Playwriting Program.

Ruth Virkus
Role: Producer/Playwright
Ruth Virkus is excited for this adventure with all these awesome people. A National Merit Scholarship recipient who graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Morris with degrees in history and theatre, she serves as Literary Manager for 20% Theatre, Twin Cities, and is part of the artistic company for Swandive Theatre. Previously, she worked for several years with The Flower Shop Project, a theatre company she founded with other graduates of the UMM theatre department. With FSP, Ruth acted in and co-wrote Drowning in Velvet, Dawn’s Inferno, Ladies A.I.D, Auld Acquaintance, Attack of the Atomic Trash Monster’s Bride and The Fish, The Fruit and the Pet Coffin Maker and also served as head producer for Almost Got it Made and In the Weeds. Her first solo writing endeavor, Preferred by Discreet Women Everywhere, eventually begat a companion piece entitled 10:00 Bistro Caprice, which was featured in The Fresh Five with 20% Theatre Company this January. During the day, Ruth happily works as a Property Manager for MSP Commercial, a real estate development firm based in St. Paul. In what spare time she has, she cooks a lot, makes bread and feeds it to people. Forcibly, if necessary. A topical example of this: she catered her own wedding. Which is her best wedding memory, because she missed the part at her kick ass wedding reception when Grandma Bev started a line dance.

Ben Layne
Role: Producer/Christophe
Since coming to Minneapolis after earning his B.A in theatre at the University of Northern Iowa, Ben Layne has worked primarily as an actor with several companies in the Twin Cities, including Swandive Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata, Tedious Brief Productions, The Flower Shop Project, Starting Gate Productions, Theatre Limina and Commedia Beauregard, among others. Ben also wrote, acted in, directed and produced a few shows for a small theatre company called Bad Attitude Productions a few years ago, and is currently part of the artistic company of Swandive Theatre. As for weddings, the nice thing about his wedding is how it remains possibly the greatest party he’s ever thrown, from the part where his friends banded together to do a Backstreet Boys karaoke number, to the car that was set on fire down the street, to the missing bridesmaid the next morning. That was one damn fine time!

Crystal Schneider
Role: Director
Over a two-week span in December 2008, Crystal Schneider graduated from college (with a B.A. in Theatre), got married, and moved to Minneapolis from Cedar Falls, IA. She’ll never forget the night when her mother taught the groom how to hand-stitch lace pieces onto her wedding dress; the most hilarious sewing circle ever! Since that fateful month, Crystal has assistant directed for History Theatre, Park Square Theatre, and Commedia Beauregard, and has directed for Commedia Beauregard and others. She recently finished a Directing internship with Guthrie Theatre, and will soon direct for the 2010 MN Shorts Festival. This is Crystal’s MN Fringe Festival debut.

Claire Avitable
Role: Sound Design
Claire Avitable is a bi-coastal chick from Mass-ifornia, and will be celebrating 5 years in beautiful Minneapolis this August! A graduate from Smith College with a BA in theatre, she is super excited to be working with one of her favorite local playwrights, Ruth Virkus, as well as a handful of other crazy talented folks! Primarily a director and producer, Claire is the co-founder and Artistic Director of 20% Theatre Company Twin Cities. Recent sound design credits include Theatre Unbound (Most Massive Woman Wins), Morris Park Players (Kiss Me Kate), Theatre Or (Biloxi Blues, The Diary of Anne Frank), and over 10 productions for 20% Theatre Company.

Toni Piazza
Role: Wedding Planner
Toni Piazza is a Graduate of the Carlson School of Management that decided 10 years ago to step off the corporate ladder and open her own special event management company, what could also be referred to as a “Sanity Supervisor”. While she has planned countless Non- Profit and Corporate Events over the years, her favorites are, and always will be, weddings. All of her talents come to fruition and are tested in that genre. She is a self proclaimed mediator, financial planner, negotiator, event designer, poet, culinary and spirit expert, time keeper, and most importantly a comedian. Without humor, love and patience none of this “planning” would matter. She is very excited to be a small part of this production and is happily getting her feet wet in theater again with this amazing ensemble of talent. Her personal favorite wedding moment will always be singing at Ben and Ruth’s wedding, and knowing that the lyrics of the song she was singing really applied to the couple. Her favorite professional moment? Telling a HORRIBLE Mother of the Bride that after she and her husband had spent 400,000.00 on their daughters wedding (that the Bride NEVER wanted) their daughter and future son in law had in fact eloped!

Cameron Freeburg
Role: Props Master/Backstage guru
Cameron Freeburg isn't a huge fan of weddings. You're more likely to see him hanging in a corner hoping his mother hasn't noticed he took his tie off and turned it into a makeshift slingshot out of boredom. It's probably why he snagged a tech position in Table 12. Cameron has incidental experience in a few Fringe shows as well as an extensive high school theatre career (he's only 20, people). He is currently working on acquiring a degree in Criminal Justice, while remaining active in the city at large as a part-time super hero.

User reviews

Can't really add anything
by Teresa Lhotka Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
To the rave reviews here, yeah, it was great. The waiter was fantastic. The whole cast nailed their characters, the writing was tight, the comic timing was impeccable. The venue was perfect for this play. And, importantly, the cast drew us into the situation so we weren't just laughing at the characters, we were laughing with them. Great connection with the audience.

Excellent
by Publius McGee Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Very delightful performance - the actors were entertaining, the script was witty, and they made perfect use of TRP's space.

Solid
by Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show totally blew my expectations out of the water! I want to congratulate Ruth Virkus on an awesome and funny script. The entire cast was even and solid. I never expected to laugh so much. This show was on the waiting list to begin with, so they had no clue which space they would be in and Theatre in the Round was perfect for this piece. They used the round stage to their advantage and each side of the audience got a different piece of this hilarious show. I wish this production had gotten the encore because if you didn't see it, you really missed out.

I do, I do love this show!
by Dorian Potter Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Very funny show. Well written, beautifully acted. I laughed and laughed!

Hilarious!
by Brent Latchaw Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Pleasantly surprised by this well-written wedding spoof! Acting is very good and the Theater In the Round venue is perfect for this funny piece.

Been there
by Larry Retzlaff Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The situation was presented in a fun and all too close to life way.

Hurry, don't miss this!
by Bradley Johnson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
It's Saturday morning and the reception starts at 1pm. It's your last chance to get in on the fun at Table 12. Delightful, funny and well acted. Don't be late!

Find yourself or someone you know at the
by Penny Pietila Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
So much truth about the scrabbling that happens in relationships. Not too hard to find yourself or someone you know on the stage. The surprise at the the end had me really laughing.

Fun show!
by Scott Pakudaitis Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Excellent acting and a delightful script full of memorable characters and comical situations set around a table at a wedding reception.

wedding horrors
by Scott Linke Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I think I've been seated at table 12 before... Well done. very funny. Must see. I want some gourd art.

where's Mike?
by Jennifer Walker Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Great cast delivers great characters in this tight, fun production. If you are debating whether or not to see this show, DO IT!

Very fun!
by Kristi Lawless Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This one had me laughing throughout. Loved the zingers.

Tons o' fun.
by MaryLynn Mennicke Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I had a great time watching this play, and I laughed a lot. All of the actors were excellent; the script was clever and hilarious. I was engaged through the whole show. There's no down side. It was just awesome. Go see Table 12! :)

Intelligently Human. Incredibly Funny.
by Kate-Madonna Hindes Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
If nothing else, it needs to be seen so the phrase, "Google yourself to hell," creates a puddle under your seat as you giggle uncontrollably.

It's THAT good.

So Very Funny!
by Missie Kittok Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Everyone in this cast is spot-on and hilarious! The concept lends itself perfectly to a round stage setup, and the actors are very good at keeping things interesting and realistic with little bits of background business.
The script itself is very funny, with all kinds of wackiness, but it never quite leaves the realm of possibility. You've met some of these people, which makes it all the funnier! Loved every second!

Delightful
by FringeBob Squarepants Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Absolutely delightful. No, really. Fun, sharp, with a great cast. A well-rounded show. This is what Fringe is about! Bravo.

Fun, Fun Fun!
by Larry Ripp Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Comedy ain't easy even if this group makes it look that way. SOOOO much fun! And the perfect cast. They must have had about a thousand actors to choose from because everybody involved were not only spot on but the perfect "type" for the parts. The scipt is one of the witty things you HOPE for in comedy but don't always get and the wit and fun is sustained right on through to the end AND even past that to the point where they have to clear the theater. This group even makes THAT fun! I loved this show so much! Go see it and savor afterwards.

I'd love to sit at Table 12!
by Mariah Christensen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I can't think of anybody who wouldn't enjoy spending an hour at Table 12. Excellent scripts, performances, direction, I loved every minutes of it. Big props to the writer for not trying to force an overt 'message' into the show's final moments. I'm really hoping this show gets an extra performance on Sunday so I can see it again.

Laughs and Twists
by Richard Shields Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a well written and well performed show that should go on your short list of what to see. There are lots of laughs and some good twists. If you have not been to a wedding where you have had something like this happen you have not yet lived!

Craziest Wedding Ever!
by Ben Thietje Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Yay! I loved this show. I wish I'd seen it earlier so I could've told everyone to attend. Great performances by all. It was a ton of fun!

A Riot!
by Samuel Crnobrna Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
As a wedding DJ, I have performed at around 500 receptions. It was very entertaining to see a very witty tale formed around a small portion of such an event, and with such flair! The cast was brilliant, and the script very entertaining. See this one for sure if you can

Edged by 21- A Palatial Want
by Brian Watson-Jones Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Great production- I went in expecting an hour of gags poking fun at weddings and all the associated ridiculousness, and while I wasn't disappointed in that regard, there was a lot more to it. There was an actual story worth telling in there, even a moral or two if you're looking for 'em. And perfectly fit acting all around. Definitely worth seeing!

Awkwardness support group
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Funny characterizations and quirky quips keep this farce rolling, unless there's real champagne in those bottles! Lots of laughter as the audience recognizes themselves and their pals as likely denizens of table 12.

funny play, well played
by mark browning milner Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
it's an odd thing about in-the-round staging. if a director *really* knows what he or she is doing and has lots of experience with the format, everybody in the audience thinks they have the best seat in the house. you'd think this show, with its round wedding table, would lend itself to the format well, but... we were on the wrong side. the show has been staged so that the best seats are those facing the lighting booth. a word to the wise... well crafted play, cute characters nicely acted. try to see this one before it's too late (sunday).

You know you sat at that table!
by Kitty Warner Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
and felt awkward! This play is so fun, fast-paced, with great characters and witty dialogue. Holds your attention from start to finish. Just what you'd expect at the Fringe. Recommended.

Clink, clink, clink, clink...!
by Heather Baldwin Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The premise of this show is simple: it’s about a group of guests at a wedding reception, who are brought together by fate...and place-cards. As a single woman who has attended several weddings where I don’t know many other people there, I could definitely identify with the awkwardness (and the humor) of being in that situation. A stellar ensemble cast brings to life a collection of realistic yet absurd characters. The bottom line is that this show is just lots of fun.

All around a good time
by David Schlosser Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
From the writing, the directing and the casting this is a fun show. They use the space of the round very well, letting the audience on all sides enjoy each person ant any given time. The cast was having fun and so was the audience.

another drink please!
by Ariel Pinkerton Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Bravo cast! Extra bravo to Scot Moore, I almost peed myself! This is why it's gonna be seat yourself at my wedding, I fear creating this table! You will laugh, cry, and recognize every charater. You probably sat next to them when your best friend didn't include you in the wedding party. Great writing, great acting, great fun!

Reception from Hell, Good Yucks!
by Chuck Beeson Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Going on line to see the video preview of this play, it looked like a chaotic show. As I entered Theatre in the Round and saw an empty reception table stage center, I had a feeling “Table 12”, written by Ruth Virkus and directed by Crystal Schneider, would not disappoint. A wedding reception is usually a somewhat awkward social setting, but safe because everyone’s in the same boat. The characters presented to us seemed self-absorbed and petty, especially Charlie (Scot Moore), who was prevented from stalking the bride by the over-the-top waiter (Neil Matthew Schneider), and Amy (Kendra Ryan), who waited forever for her date to show, even talking to his empty chair. Leroylyn (Katie Starks) played the most out-there character—not for Minnesota mind you—a really Norwegian crafty person who takes gourds very seriously and it really pulls on your heart strings when she cries after her art is insulted.
The pace of this show is frenetic, the jokes are excellent, and the “hook-up” (see the show to find out) was really cute. Mave (Rachel Flynn) felt to me like she was the alter-ego of the author, a sense of calm in a sea of social insanity, drenched in alcohol and eighties music (!) There always seems to be a dead spot in the play, and it may have been the order of the plot…I might have moved a few beats around because at about 35 minutes I went “when is this show over”? And that probably had to do with the rising arc of “the hookup”. For that reason only did it lose one kitty.
I recommend this show. The audiences have been large and very appreciative, so don’t miss out on the fun, check it out!

MUST SEE!
by Aaron Greer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I’ll admit to a moment of worry at the beginning of Table 12 . . . it started out slowly and the rhythm wasn’t quite there . . . but then it picked up speed . . . and got in synch . . . and kept building momentum . . . and by the time it was done it had solidly established itself as a MUST SEE! Funny material, funny characterizations, great use of the space, great chemistry within the cast. Strong comedic timing and sensibility all around, but I’ve got to single out Scot Moore who really hit the ball out of the park here.

A masterful modern farce
by Gabriel Heller Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Table 12 is a marvelous modern farce perfectly staged for an arena and excellently acted. I can't say anything else positive about this show without giving away at least one of the myriad jewels of original gags, all of which you deserve to see newly minted yourself when you attend this show at the very next opportunity, which you should, unless for some reason you completely detest farce. Or don't detest televangelists and are incapable of plugging your ears for 10% of the play.

Make reservations at TABLE 12
by Matt Saxe Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Just a purely comic, well-written and performed show. Perfectly executed for the space. The writing is clever and the cast does a fine job with all the crossover dialogue, making it feel exceptionally natural (especially considering the outrageousness of some of the characters) like a real table of misfit toys at a wedding/event dinner. Each exceptionally talented cast member has a moment to shine and takes full advantage of it and work together wonderfully as an ensemble. I was particularly impressed with Kendra Ryans work as a drunk which as we all know is so difficult. If you are looking for something light and fun, reserve a seat at TABLE 12.

very well done
by Brian Alm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Well written and well acted and some surprises along the way. A very nice hour of entertainment. Nicely suited to theater in the round.

What a treat
by Elisa Korenne Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show was an unexpected surprise, and I laughed myself to tears. The cast is strong and entertaining. The misfit wedding table concept is clever and it works. It is an ideal fringe show, and one well suited to the Theater in the Round. That said, I enjoyed the performances so much I really wanted to see everyone's face, and not only the ones seated facing me. The waiter and the actress who played Amy were standouts.

I would sit at Table 12, ON PURPOSE!
by Lacey Piotter Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
What a fantastic way to welcome TRP to the Fringe Family.

Lovely set, sharp writing, and a stellar cast made this a joy to attend.

Mr. Schneider, I may hire you to come watch over my very overenthusiastic sister's boyfriend at my wedding. I think you're up to the task.

and Mr. Moore, I would keep you as far away for said sister as I possibly could. (and I mean that i the best way....)

GO SEE NOW!!!

very funny
by vickijoan keck Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The premise of this show is hilarious and the hour simply flew by. I enjoyed every goofy moment and really was intrigued trying to guess who was going to wind up with who. The Waiter in this piece really holds it all together and would steal the show if the rest of the cast was not so excellent. Thanks for making my day.

Solid Stuff
by Carla Mantel Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Scot Moore, Rachel Flynn And Kendra Ryan really shine in this show. All of the performances are solid and very funny. The script seems to cram in as much conflict as possible at the beginning, but once everyone is introduced and settles into their interactions, things flow smoothly to the hilarious conclusion.

A Wedding of a Great Script and Actors
by Justin Alexander Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Table 12 is a fantastic wedding of a great script with great actors. (Pun intended.) And the smooth, rapid-fire staging shouldn't be overlooked, either.

The show succeeds by managing to create characters who are both ridiculously larger-than-life and utterly abrasive in their personalities, while nevertheless growing to become completely endearing and sympathetic figures.

The result is comedically explosive.

The show benefits not only from a constant patter of off-the-cuff hilarity, but also from the slow-burning joke infernos and character-based escalations that can only be delivered by a more sophisticated script.

Another notable feature of the production are the small pockets of time in which the flow of the table's conversation naturally divides into several smaller dialogues all happening simultaneously. These immediately immerse you into the reality of the play (as if you were watching a real conversation) while creating an amazingly layered theatrical experience that fully capitalizes on the in-the-round staging: For example, this reviewer got a faceful of Kendra Ryan's awesome Amy, but conversations with others seated around the theater report that everyone had a unique angle on this play (literally).

And the great news is that this play is so hysterically hilarious, that it should more than reward a second viewing from a second seat.

wacky
by Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A play where on the way home you compare notes to try to remember all the wacky comments.

kudos to the playwright on the obscure reference to Tom Robbins. Only one person busted out laughing - but so hilariously that I had to google the reference when I got home. And that gave me yet another laugh, hours later.

Really Fun Time
by Marvin Joel Rubin Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Well written and well acted.

The wedding party nightmare, is portrayed by over the top characters, who as the story develops, become endearing. The actor's skills shine, as they transition from cartoon characters, to people we can identify with.

You don't want the party to end.

Recommended
by Jen Tuder Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Table 12 encompasses everything that is terrible about modern weddings--and that's what makes it so enjoyable. As always, Ruth Virkus writes dialogue that is sharp and irreverent. The cast is strong overall, with a stand-out performance from Neil Schneider as the snarky, long-suffering banquet waiter. I also felt that we were looking at backs for a bit too long. I noticed it most during Maeve's monologue about her dream wedding, because it is the first time the audience really gains insight into her character. That said, the show is great fun and good preparation for real wedding fiascos.

Don't Miss This Show
by Andrew Christman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show plays like gangbusters in front of an audience. Very, very funny. It gets better as it progresses; it's sharply written, observed and acted. The casting is excellent and the (frequent) jokes hit home almost without exception. The actors and production team make great use of the "In the Round" format. Don't miss it; no real-life experience at an actual "reject" wedding reception table is required, though it probably wouldn't hurt.

The Perfect Fringe Show
by Melinda Beatty Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
"Table 12" is the perfect Fringe play because its funny as hell, even sometimes ridiculous, but rooted in the reality of everyday life experience. It even has a few touching moments. The writing was especially great. Sometimes its hard to follow a play with many characters, especially a one-hour play, but this show was so well-crafted and within 5 minutes I felt like I knew each individual character personally, and the story, or rather, multiple stories within the story, were easy to follow and a lot of fun to watch unravel. Go see it!

So Fun!
by sarah broude Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a show you need to see. From the staging (in the round) to the acting, and the writing, it's just a lot of fun. Put it on your list!

Mildly complex yet hilarious
by Bill Werb Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Several subplots keep you laughing in a show made for theater in the round (sit on the entrance half of the theater for the best views, but none are bad).

The show bills itself as a wedding dinner you have or will be at. They are correct and make the event full of laughs.

I am certain that as the word gets out, this one will sell out the remainder of the shows (or at least it should!).

Very entertaining
by Shevvi Crowley Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
If you ca n take your eyes off the raccoon caftan this show is very entertaining. The our flew by. There are some unexpected plot twists and it is extremely funny. All of the actors perform at the professional level.

A real winner
by Sharon Kahn Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I don't attend a lot of formal weddings, so I didn't expect to enjoy this show as much as I did. I'm here to testify that this is a delightful play even for people who had never even heard of the "misfit table" concept. The writing is sharp and the acting is generally excellent and hilarious.

The in-the-round space was a bit of a problem with a play that takes place around a table. They do the best they can with it, getting the characters up and moving around whenever possible. But even so, from where I was sitting I spent most of the play staring at Maeve's back. I didn't have any difficulty hearing all the dialog, however, including hers.

I agree with the reviewer who commented that the "gourd couple" was a weakness. They were out of step with both the style and the action of the rest of the play. They were funny, but in a very over-the-top, cheap joke kind of way. The wife managed a pretty credible MinnesOHtan accent, but the husband's accent was wrong and I think he was the weakest actor. It was a little odd that they dominated the table for the first quarter of the play, then simply disappeared. I'm glad they left, however - once they were out of the way the shifting conflicts and allegiances of the remaining guests kept the energy crackling and the laughs coming. Surprisingly, I was starting to care about these people by the end.

And kudos to the offstage Grandma Carol, the one person at this wedding that was apparently having a non-stop good time!

Recommending to my friends
by Michelle Walter Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I think this show really works in the "round," since the set is a round table. It was well-acted and well-written; I think as the week goes on, the actors will find their timing, and hopefully speak louder and more clearly because sometimes their lines were hard to hear.

Fun with the outcasts
by Derek "Duck" Washington Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I thought this show was a lot of fun and especially enjoyed the performances of Scot Moore, who I always enjoy onstage, and Kendra Ryan, who I don't think I've ever seen perform before. The two of them dive into the ridiculousness of their characters and help make an already decent show very entertaining.

Save a spot for me.
by Laura-Ann Lewis Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I wasn't sure what to expect going into the show, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the better receptions I've been to. The show covers all the zany things that happen at these events and some surprises that may not happen. Katie Starks was the highlight of the show, her witty comments and timing were really worth the price of admission.

Misfit Bin
by Patrick Pfundstein Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This is a solid show with some things I liked better than others. On the good side, the production was beautifully staged, and directed to play well to all directions of the Round. Some of the action (food tossing, over-wrought emotions) was pitch perfect. I also loved the plot twist involving one of the people at the table. However, there were times the pacing lagged a bit, and other times it was a bit too quick (absent natural pauses, things sometimes sounded too glib, like you were reading, say, from a script). My biggest issue,though, was the gourd couple. The playwright was obviously trying to say something of importance through these people (it comes up in the notes), but they were written so shallowly (and jerked on and off the set like props) that any message was lost. You can't make much of a splash by throwing rocks into a quarter-inch deep puddle.

This will be a sell out.
by Robert Flynn Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Professional in every way; acting, directing and a sharp script.
We've all been at "Table 12" or dread the day it happens.