Show: 10
Category: Comedy
By: Turd Sprouts Productions
Created by: Tom Reed
Location: Phoenix Theatre
Summary: A one-man musical comedy reenactment of last year's Netflix smash hit, the Emmy nominated Stranger Things.
Highlights: I love Stranger Things with its nostalgic '80s feel and slowly building horror suspense. But it's also kinda ridiculous and the perfect target for a parody. There is no better person for the job than Tom Reed, the master of the pop culture musical comedy parody (see also Disney Dethroned and The Hungry Games). From the moment he pops out of the dark to the moment he disappears into the dark, he hilariously and fairly accurately walks us through all eight episodes, or chapters (or cassette tapes full of blood, or Trapper Keepers made of teeth). Tom plays all of the characters (the tween boys, boy-crazy Nancy, frantic mother Joyce, damaged Chief Hopper, silent Eggo-loving Eleven, and more) in this loving homage that also pokes fun at the plot holes and inconsistencies (don't overthink it). My favorite of the half a dozen or so songs (accompanied by Jon Pumper on keyboard) are fan favorite Barb's rap, and Nancy's ode to the monster "Dear Demogorgon" set delightfully to the tune of Hamilton's "Dear Theodosia" . If you've watched Stranger Things you'll love this even stranger-er and funnier Things, and if you haven't, this show will likely still be a fun trip that will make you want to watch the series! My favorite show of the Fringe so far.
Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.
Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.