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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

#mnfringe show 55 - Empty Nest: Laura Zabel and Levi Weinhagen turn their complicated feelings about life now that their daughter has left home for college into an endearingly goofy comedy show about parenting mistakes and new stages of life; great way to end my Fringe this year - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

#mnfringe show 54 - Foshay! You Know The Tower - Now Here The Story: very full (and enthusiastic) house for penultimate slot; great voices, some sly lyrics and tunes; weird in current moment being asked to root for rich men of influence to get pardons for convicted fraud scheme; (eesh!) - 4 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

#mnfringe show 53 - The Local Music Scene: the band, Boobless; the improv comedy team, fired up to take interview and song lyrics from the musicians and turn them into comedy; dinosaur DNA experiments, reckless drivers, 7 yr old co-opting lives of adults around them, etc; good fun - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

#mnfringe show 52 - Casa Bde-Maka-Ska: is it possible to satirize Operation Metro Surge by repurposing the film Casablanca and swapping out the Nazis for ICE? And have it actually be funny while also respecting both the source material and our recent community trauma? Surprisingly, yes! - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

#mnfringe show 51 - A Confluence of Magical Arseholes: wacky, bizarre slice of literary "not-quite-history" where names big and small battle for supremacy in their secret societies, because we all long for a non-toxic 3rd space to hang out in; everyone dialing it up to 11; well done - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

#mnfringe show 50 - So Bright, The Night: intriguing to see updated script set during US's 1930s Mexican Repatriation in context of our current battles over immigration and deportation; strong cast; wild plot twists; my brain got a bit tangled in the double/triple-crossing going on - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#mnfringe show 49 - The Shape of Home: dancer/choreographer Rituparna Rana creates a charming, graceful showcase of Indian dance which is also a thoughtful meditation on the idea of home; narrative elements just as compelling as the dance; felt bad the crowd was small, deserves to be seen - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#mnfringe show 48 - The Importance of Being Eternal: extremely campy, very queer vampire infusion into Oscar Wilde's comedy of manners which unexpectedly works, even with a healthy dose of Twilight in the mix; acting, hissing, goth, fangs all at 150%; great fun at lightning fast speed - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#mnfringe show 47 - Leave Room for Jesus: Hannah Wydeven commands an improvised satirical musical evangelical Christian church service that is over the top and back again; talking stained glass windows, instant baby baptisms, sexy Jesus prancing; hilarious but a lot to process - 4 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#mnfringe show 46 - Stories from the Trauma Dump: Jena Young hosts a murderer's row of top notch storytellers, all with comedic takes on mental health - Allison Broeren, Rev. Matt Kessen, Ariel Pinkerton, Rian Vellichor, Duck Washington; my broken brain feels better already - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#mnfringe show 45 - Apologies for the Late Reply: thank goodness we can still count on Ben San Del's shrewdly observed stand-up comedy about life in these troubling times; he makes the case for gathering together, being present, even when everything around you is completely unmanageable - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#mnfringe show 44 - Braingystics: Seize The Mind - very funny, clever, theatrical and absurd; 2 sales reps pitch audience on Braingystics lifestyle/Miracle Shammy MLM sales model; ridiculous satire of self-help/work from home opportunities; gifted creators, curious what they'll do next - 4 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#mnfringe show 43 - I Will Become The Silver Surfer. I Will Protect You: mentally struggling man certain that tragedies in his life are all the fault of Galactus; now he must become the Silver Surfer and save the earth, which he... does? what's reality? convincing performance, to what end? - 4 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Full review of the #mnfringe comedy show "Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell" - Inspired Sketch Comedy - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

#mnfringe thoughts: voting for Golden Lanyard Awards is hard when so many shows are so good (nice problem to have, I know); still, it's not art unless somebody wins (?) :)

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

#mnfringe show 42: Cyrano: SO close to queer joy it's heartbreaking; way too much material for 1 hr even with talented cast zipping thru beautiful witty language at high speed; cut supporting cast, focus on triangle, maybe consider radical idea of happy ending? still, as is, great work - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

#mnfringe show 41: Socks and Shoes and Coats: under the radar suggestion, very glad I went; unique new musical, 2 singing actors as new parents; baby/child/other characters are supertitles "voiced" by musical instruments; fascinating experiment with a lot of potential, humor and heart - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

#mnfringe show 40: Latin Papi: 2nd viewing (their closing performance); dance show just as beautiful, sexy and fun as when I saw it back on day 1 of the Fringe; bonus, didn't need to take notes this time, could just sit and watch Armani Rey Colon and Gabriel Mata do their thing - still 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

#mnfringe show 39: Silent Movie: improvisers spin 3 wheels, 1 for genre, 1 for plot, 1 for ensemble member who will "star" in movie made from scratch on stage; no words, just brilliant on the spot orchestral soundtrack coming out of a keyboard; "shot" changes; delightfully inventive - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#mnfringe thoughts: Big thanks to audience members posting reviews! I was perplexed on the best choice among the options for 8:30pm tonight (of the shows I hadn't already seen). It was a great resource to read other folks' thoughts about the relative merits of each. Taking a chance on new play :)

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#mnfringe thoughts: Anyone else annoyed by having to do "silly" things like pay the mid-month bills or submit schedule availability for their second part-time job when there's Fringing to do? I did both this morning, of course, I'd just much rather be writing more Fringe show reviews :)

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Full review of #mnfringe solo queer poetry show "This Body, This Fruit" - Overflowing with Trans Joy" - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Highly Recommended #mnfringe shows (4 stars in alpha order by title) as we head into closing weekend swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Very Highly Recommended #mnfringe shows (part 3, 5 and 4.5 stars in alpha order by title) as we head into closing weekend swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Very Highly Recommended #mnfringe shows (part 2, 5 stars in alpha order by title) as we head into closing weekend swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Very Highly Recommended #mnfringe shows (part 1, 5 stars in alpha order by title) as we head into closing weekend swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#mnfringe show 38: Brakkesyke: 3 soldiers, a solitary cabin in the middle of winter, a circular plot in an endless war where roles and relationships evolve in unexpected ways; solid performances and presentation; not entirely sure what the point of telling this story, this way, now is - 4 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#mnfringe show 37: The Label Maker: storyteller Jena Young has been through it, to put it mildly; key stories from her personal/mental health journey highlight the challenge of getting the right diagnosis when symptoms are hard to catch and can apply to a number of different conditions - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#mnfringe show 36: Is That Why?: Ari Hoptman has a dizzying array of language facts and anecdotes in his brain, and with the help of an audience member picking cue cards at random goes on a 55 minute comedic "lecture" off the top of his head; dazzling and very entertaining to watch - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#mnfringe show 35: After The End: Scot Froelich as the last person on earth makes a plea to his (imaginary) audience to appreciate the folks around you while you can, and really talk to them about what matters; well-plotted dystopian scifi with acoustic guitar, humor and deep humanity - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Full review for #mnfringe solo horror show "Bay Creek" - Who (or What) Is Beside You? - 5 Stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Full review of #mnfringe storytelling show "Witness Loudly" - Tribute to Community Under Threat - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Full review for #mnfringe puppet/improv show "1 Hour Left To Live" - Deathbed Puppet Antics - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Full review of #mnfringe storytelling show "A Revolution Highly Favorable" - Cheeky Voices from the Past - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#mnfringe show 34: Hell on Wheels: The Winter Strike of 1934 - stirring theatrical slice of Minneapolis union history, cleverly written and staged; modern physical theater work alongside period detail, and music, all perfectly blended together; tough assignment but they nail it - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#mnfringe show 33: FAST Death of a Salesman: classic play hilariously torn into tiny pieces by college professor trying to reach his screen-addicted nephew employing a cast of misfits to (somehow) turn theater into something relevant by making it all the things it's not; comedy meltdown - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#mnfringe show 32: A Real Piece of Work: impressive work by all involved (direction, script, acting ensemble of 10); characters well-balanced in terms of getting their moment, just enough depth not to be stereotypes, just silly enough to make great comedy out of ill-fated Hamlet attempt - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#mnfringe show 31: Maniac: not at all what I expected; no need to fear this show, unless you're terrified by audience participation, of which there is a lot from start to finish; Fringe crowds are good sports so this mock trial with many detours did reach its destination; playfully dark - 4 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Full review of the charming puppet show "The Choose Your Own Adventures of Turtle Boy" - Lighthearted Fun, with So Many Options - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Full review for the improv duo "Bury The Leads" - Better for the Struggle - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Full review for Band Practice's clown show from Germany "Don't Be Scared" - Freakishly Good Fun - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Full review of Dawn Bentley's cathartic solo show "The Quiet Piggy" - Purging Some Negative Energy - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Full review for Destiny Davison's #mnfringe show "Doozy" - Whimsical Live Action Cartoon - 5 stars swfringegeek.blogspot.com/2026/08/frin...

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

#mnfringe show 30: Buckeroohaiku’s Reverse Armando: Kate Button's storytelling refracted tonight thru the improv comedy lens of The Mess; stories this time more a collection of random parenting anecdotes, so the improv was equally random but both still quite good, funny and entertaining - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

#mnfringe show 29: Pistachio’s Playhouse: unexpectedly short show (30 min) but every minute was fun, colorful and weird with LOTS of surprises; manic kids show host melts down when tragedy strikes; set, costumes, puppets, sound FX all wildly, delightfully over the top/meta; more, please! - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

#mnfringe show 28: That Was Shakespeare: A Revue - well-intentioned but awkwardly executed collection of scenes by the Bard; seemed a bit condescending; maybe needed better direction; actors each had good moments (Beatrice/Benedict a highlight) but elsewhere a lot of unnecessary screaming - 3 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

#mnfinge show 27: Quadrilogy: A Sabathani Benefit Game Show Extravaganza! - sharply executed game show format pitting 4 eager audience members against each other in elimination rounds (memory, Lego, lightning round) til 1 is victorious (but all get prizes); great fun for a good cause - 5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

#mnfringe show 26: The Importance of Living: fascinating duet of two (actual) murderers from different times in history sharing tales of their misdeeds (and alibis) (how? why?); charming sociopathic performances from Pinkerton and Uren; script is clever, cagey and unsettling - 4.5 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

#mnfringe show 25: A Magician: artist himself says he's still learning how to be himself onstage, telling his own story while also performing magic; the illusions are fun; the bones of the script are there; taking time and taking the stage without apology are the next step in his evolution - 4 stars

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Matthew A. Everett @matthewaeverett.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

#mnfringe show 24: Bay Creek: mesmerizing tale of family with a tradition of working on the wrong side of the law tangled up with a demonic force passed down from father to son thru generations; just who, or what, are the federal authorities interrogating? expertly crafted script, acting - 5 stars

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