“Magical Mystery Detour” show #335

My finale show I took in for the 2013 Rogue Festival was Magical Mystery Detour at the Severance Building. This had been a show I was highly anticipating to see simply due to word of mouth and descriptive appeal. However, what I did not expect was to be completely WOWed by Gemma Wilcox’s performance. Not only was her script (Wilcox is credited as the Playwright, Performer and Producer) solid, relateable and entertaining; but her execution of it on stage was immaculate. It was everything a one-woman show should be, and more. Simply put, Magical Mystery Detour is by far the best show I saw at this year’s festival.

“Dancing With Demons” show #334

Last night I kicked off my second weekend of Rogue Festival happenings with an evening performance of Dancing With Demons at the Tower Lounge. Having now seen the majority of my Rogue shows (from both last year and this year) in the Tower Lounge I have realized something very key to the success/failure of performing in this space. You need, in the event of a one-man show (which this show is), a charismatic performer who can take charge of the stage and really envelop the audience into their piece. Such was not the case for Shana Cordon in her one-woman performance.

“The Bike Trip” show #332

At the time of seeing this next Rogue show, The Bike Trip, I was ready for a story-telling one man show that would enthrall me. I mean, with a title like The Bike Trip, I could only imagine what could be said for an hour that would make this show entertaining. Then, I saw Mr. Martin Dockery. I listened to this man tell his story of recreating Alfred Hoffman’s first bike trip home when he experienced the effects of LSD, as well tales of his time in India and in a cafe in San Francisco. His Kramer-like animation and hand gestures were all I needed to settle in for what could have been an attentive all day-long experience. I felt as if I was under Dockery’s own brand of LCD with the amount of enthusiasm I felt for his performance.

“A Girl Walks Into a Bar” show #331

My Saturday afternoon choice brought me to Starline to see A Girl Walks Into A Bar. This one-woman compilation for Katherine Glover (a Rogue regular) is one that I was anticipating due to her great dramatic turn last year in Dead Wrong. However, this year brought a sort Hodge-podge variety hour of scenes and stories that seemed to be randomly thrown together at the last minute (which she openly admitted during her in-between dialogue with the audience). Though some parts were laugh worthy; overall, it was not the best thing I have sat through.

“Beached” show #330

Hot from the Broken Leg stage (Starline is also a venue for this same production; check your Rogue Map) is the newly opened surfing-based, one woman show, Beached-Part 1. As of now, Part 2 will be performed in Rogue 2014 (already exciting to look forward to.) Angela Neff is the writer/performer as she takes the audience on a journey starring Darcy, and the crazy characters that are part of her life. Even if you do not like surfing, what you are getting is an astounding performance by Miss Neff in this fascinating story.

“Apocalypse Clown” show #329

My second Rogue show for the evening was the 10pm opening performance of Apocalypse Clown at the Starline Performance venue. Yes, that is the title and yes it is funny. In the official Rogue Festival map/program this show is billed as, “Three darkly comedic vignettes about life, love and the end of the world!” After seeing this show, I can safely say it confidently meets the billing and will meet several doses of humor that any theatregoer is searching for (except for the couple sitting a row behind me that would NOT HUSH UP! RANT COMING: When people pay to see a show, they are not paying for anyone to talk or perform, except for those on stage. We can all hear you when you chat so be quiet or leave).

“Psyche Savage and All My Ghosts” show #328

To kick off the 2013 Rogue Festival I took in the opening performance of Kate McKnight’s one woman show, Psyche Savage and All My Ghosts. McKnight wrote this one-woman show based on life events that have shaped who she is to this day. Though it was a bit rough in terms of performance, the piece is definitely worth your time.

“The Fat Guy Show” show #245

The third show of my Rogue filled weekend (6 total shows from 2012 Rogue) brought me The Fat Guy Show. I really didn’t know anything coming into this show. The description was very general, with specific comedic phrases that drew my attention. Then, once I entered the Neighborhood Thrift store venue, I realized I was in for quite a treat.

“Confessions of a Church Organist” show #244

The second show of my Rogue night was Confessions of a Church Oragnist. This one man show is a narrative account of Tony Imperatrice’s life from childhood to present day. He takes the audience on a journey of drinking (both in church and out), sex, and his love for music, specifically the organ. Included are some live music he plays in order to show the audience that not only can he play, but demonstrates what he had to play for weddings, and for a career. Like his music abilities, Tony has orchestrated a hilarious and insightful piece of theatre that I sincerely enjoyed.

“Dead Wrong” show #243

Tonight I jam packed what I could for the end of my viewing pleasure for Rogue Festival 2012. Many shows continue through tomorrow night so don’t miss out. Tonight’s first show for me was the early evening curtain of Dead Wrong. This one woman show, performed by Katherine Glover tells the tale of Megan Shepard; adapted from an interview by Glover. The story will bring you to an emotional point that isn’t for the light hearted. Glover’s account of Megan’s story will show you just how frustrating the judicial system, as well as our “7 Sins of Memory,” can ruin the life of an innocent person.