Friday, August 5, 2016

Fringe Festival 2016: "Know Your B-Movie Actors"

Day: 1

Show: 3


Category: Comedy

By: The Miller Conspiracy

Written by: Derek Lee Miller

Location: HUGE Theater

Summary: B-move buff Derek Lee Miller talks about the lives of some of his favorite B-movie actors and what makes them relevant today. Different actors are featured at every show, along with a different special guest bartender

Highlights: If you're familiar with Derek's weekly News and Notes column on Minnesota Playlist, you know that his writing is clever, funny, and insightful. He uses that same voice to talk about '50s B-movies, B-movie actors, and the strange land that was (and is) Hollywood. The night I attended featured "badass babes" Beverly Garland (known for playing tough, no-nonsense women in movies and later on TV), Pam Grier (star of such blacksploitation films as Coffy and Foxy Brown, and still a working actor today), and Tura Satana (an exotic dancer and exploitation film actor who dated and dumped both Elvis and Sinatra). With details both tragic and inspiring, Derek speaks with passion, frustration, and appreciation for B-movies and the way they (particularly producer/director Roger Corman) have influenced movies and popular culture, even through today. The show is funny, entertaining, and educational. Oh, and guest bartender Adelin Phelps very nearly stole the show away from Derek with her facial expressions and occasional utterances alone. This show is different every night, and if I didn't have 50+ other shows to see, I'd go see it again!