Fringe Theatre

We were able to see so many amazing shows this trip I can’t believe it. From Wicked and Hamilton to smaller Fringe Theatre shows like Bluets and Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York). There genuinely was not a show I didn’t like, and while I’ve somewhat managed to compile a ranking of the 15 shows I watched, I loved even #15. We watched Bluets on Wed, Jun 12 and Two Strangers on Thurs, Jun 13. Bluets was a short performance, only a cast of three, and based of a book of the same name by Maggie Nelson. The play was a performative reading of the book, sort of like slam poetry, and aided with visual affects like TVs. It was really such an interesting and effective way of putting those words into actions. The book itself, and the play in turn, are about a person’s obsession with blue as a manifestation of their depression. There’s a lot more to it of course, but honestly as much as I enjoyed the experience I don’t know how to talk about it or describe it that well. It was incredibly moving and the cast and crew were all so amazing with both acting and the strict coordination of the performance . Two Strangers on the other hand was a rom-com. It also had a very small cast, only two, and my god they were incredible. This show was one of my very favorites because you just can’t go wrong with a good rom-com. It was such a great story, and we had such great seats that I could see the actors faces and expressions so clearly and they probably saw me grinning like a fool almost the whole time. I just loved them and their relationships so much. I laughed, I cried, and I really did sit there with a smile of giddiness at their chemistry, it was just so beautiful. The male lead, Sam Tutty, was such a sweet guy you couldn’t help but love and root for him the entire time. Dujonna Gift, the female lead, was so compelling and you really felt for her and her troubles even when you didn’t know hat they were yet. From their very first meeting you knew their dynamic was going to be something special, and it really was. I could feel the characters love for each other and the conflicts in their way just broke your heart. During a scene where they argue, I was so invested in their relationship that I just wanted to anything I could to help them work it out. A classic rom-com with a original and extremely well-done storyline, with two incredible actors that brought the characters and their love to life, a fun and interesting set that worked perfectly for their performance, and some perfect seating made this #1 on my ranked list. It’s so hard to sort out the order given the absolutely insane shows and acting we have seen and my love for all of them, but I just don’t think I can argue with the fact I sat upright in my seat with a smile like the Cheshire Cat the whole time. We were able to meet Sam and Dujonna after and got pictures with both. There were so nice and I was so honored to be able to meet them. We told them how amazing they did and how this has been one of our favorite shows collectively, which is really saying something given the selection we’ve had this past month. As I write this we have already seen our last performance and I cannot believe the trip is coming to a close. It was truly an incredible experience I will remember and cherish forever.