Another fabulous day at Fringe. Religious humor has been a staple at this festival and we typically seek out these types of shows.  However this is the first time (inadvertently) we hit them all on the same day-three in a row. My favorite of the day was Corpus Christi, but Karen, Gary and Mark really appreciated the deep message of The Lighter Side of Suicide.  All really appreciated rounding out a day of serious drama with the hilarity of sketch comedy by The Executives.

Corpus Christi

Relevant Theatrics, Orlando, Fl.

Corpus Christi is a play written by Terrence McNally a Tony winning author for his work. Love! Valor! Compassion! 

Corpus tells the story of Jesus' life from birth tell death contrasted with occasional scenes of modern day religious life.  The setting for this play is 1950s Texas and Jesus is called Joshua.  13 young men portray various characters that are known for significant influences in the bible.  Centered mostly on his relationships with his apostles, and Jesus’ love for Judas, this work explores the hypocrisy of organized religion.  It reminds us that Jesus loved all men, regardless of beliefs or sexual preference.  It inspires us to open their minds and hearts and to move beyond preached church doctrine which often breeds hatred.  Delivered from a very serious angle but peppered with humorous elements, as religion so often is.

A cast of all young men from UCF, several of the castmembers stood out for strong performances, but none more than Chad Gnieting as Joshua and Hunter Karazulas as Judas.  Hunter commanded your attention whenever he was on the stage.  He played a Judas who was intelligent, beautiful, the embodiment of James Dean (who makes an appearance to tempt Joshua from his true path).  It was no wonder Joshua loved him so much.   Their relationship began when Judas stood up for Joshua while still in high school in Corpus.  There they developed a deep unbreakable bond.    The story transitioned into a period of their separation whist Joshua traveled around Texas performing miracles and gathering followers.   Judas turns up again to join the happy band and all of the well known events unfold.  The most poignant scene was when Judas betrays Joshua and then again when Joshua confronts Judas.   The story ends with an emotional crucifixion scene and more reminders of the hatred being spat by those who dare to call themselves Christians.

I loved this show, it was probably my favorite one of the day.  Although it was very serious, didn’t have a lot of bells and whistles it totally roped me in.   I loved every minute of this show.

Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You

Logan Donahoo, Orl Fl

This must be what it’s like to be in Catholic school, it certainly took me back to Sister Bernice and Saturday Catechism at St John of God.  This quirky little show follows Sister Mary as she explains all the earth, heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo, Sacraments and why following the church is the only allowable path.  But be careful not to cross her because she will quickly assist you in meeting your maker. 

The first half of the play is practically a stand up act. Nicole Carson portrays the nuts-y neurotic nun who you love to hate.  She delivers her opening monologue and is deadly serious and passionate about her beliefs, but her dry sardonic style is completely hilarious.  10 year old Mira Strauss played little Thomas, Sister Mary’s pet student.  (whom she fed a cookie whenever he spoke on command).   Mira may not like playing a little boy, but boy was she great.  Apparently this little girl hails from the Sanford area and can be seen at the Wayne Dench Theatre, I’m sure this isn’t the last we will see of this little prodigy.

The play really gets out of control (and frankly a bit too cheesy) when former students visit Sister Mary, entertain her with a skit detailing the story of Jesus, (second virgin birth and crucifixion of the morning)  but then have a cathartic venting session by blaming her for all that ails them in life.   Sister Mary cannot forgive their transgressions and believes quite frankly that some people just don’t deserve to be forgiven-especially those fetus killers.   Sister Mary wields her own brand of justice and we are left with a very disturbing image of little Thomas holding a gun and spewing scripture.

A multitude of mixed messages in this play and something to catch, especially if you have managed to avoid being infected by those Catholics. 

The Lighter Side of Suicide

Original Play By Tom Kline

Moonlight Theater, Clermont, Fl

Original works by local artists are one of the best things about Fringe.  Billed as an original play that explains God, the afterlife, the significance of public toilets, how taking drugs is not necessarily a bad thing and why the number 12 is SO important, this is one of the deepest works we have experienced at Fringe to date.   Tom Kline, a self proclaimed agnostic, delivers a strong moral message about living a good and pure life.  He makes you ponder suicide, reincarnation, drugs, abortion, love and friendship all in the course of this 75 minute play,  Billed as a “dramedy” but just a few funny parts. 

The story opens on Jingy who has just committed suicide but whose guardian angel is working overtime to preserve his 11^th time soul from being flashed out of existence because of one foolish act.  Jingy talks to the voice (God or Angel we do not know but seems like Angel)  as he is forced to watch the events (breakup, drunken stupor, women & drugs) leading up to his death (ala “It’s a Wonderful Life”).  Jingy writes a beautiful poem about the importance of life, passes the test and is sent back to finish his 11th life with the hope of making it into Gods ocean at the end of his 12 and final life.

Fun performances by Andrew Bushwitz as Wormy, Billy McCoy as Greggo (drug dealing best friends) and of course Eric Bridges starring as Jingy Richards.  Solid acting and transitions with simple sets and a curtain separating the real world.  This was Karen’s favorite play so far at Fringe.   High praise indeed. 

The Executives Present: Free Kittens

Orlando, Fl

A hodgepodge of unconnected mini skits ala SNL or Laugh In.   I never would have believed I could have enjoyed sketch comedy, but this troupe had some truly brilliant elements made stronger by outstanding performances and a hefty dose of physical humor.  No free kittens given at this show, perhaps they ran out.

The highlight of this show was the skit called “Satan”.  For those of you that may remember the opening to Queen’s video “Bohemian Rhapsody” where the four are in the dark with light on their faces, that was the look of this skit.   Three men in the dark holding flashlights on their faces.   Each one speaking very quickly and the flashlights moving just as fast from face to face.  This was done brilliantly as the actors outlined the outrageous hypocrisy of what is perceived as good versus evil in America. 

Another highlight for me was the duet with Summer Aiello singing.  Great acoustic guitar and fun story about two Dungeons and Dragons geeks falling in love despite their painful introversion.