(Some of our reviewers have seen Fringe shows already reviewed by LATR. They wanted to present their own views of the pieces, so I am putting the first few of these here. I will do more as they come in. - ed.)

Eco-Friendly Jihad @Theatre of NOTE

by Kat Primeau ~

Abie Philbin Bowman started out as a Gandhi-loving idealist from Potato Island (aka Ireland) when an interaction with an ex prompted him to become the change he wanted to see in the fight against global warming. Through a combination of absurd correlations and bizarro logic, he proves that Al Quaeda is an exemplary leader in the fight against carbon emissions and no meal is truly local, healthy, and free of socio-political implications. Not for the easily offended or champions of political correctness, Bowman’s excitedly lisping speech meanders and loses momentum at times, but is saved by smartly-clever acoustic renditions of REM’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” and “I (Earth) Will Survive.”

June 19 @ 6PM, 21 @ 8PM, 23rd @ 10:30PM, and 26th @ 8:15PM @Theatre of NOTE

—–

Mission of Flowers at Theatre Asylum

by Ashley Steed~

“In life there are winners and losers. No in-betweens.” For pioneer aviator Bill Lancaster, he certainly wasn’t a winner; but after seeing Mission of Flowers by Gerry Greenland, I don’t think anyone would have the heart to say he was a loser. Based on a true story, the play chronicles Lancaster’s plane crash in the middle of the Sahara and incidents in his life leading up to that point. Stranded with little water and a journal, Lancaster writes to his mother and the aviatrix Jessie “Chubbie” Miller – the love of his life.

After an accident, business failure and a murder accusation – it seems his dream of making aviation history will never come to fruition. Thus his Mission of Flowers is his last chance to make it.

This is truly a gem in aviation history. Under the helm of Damien Lay, Leof Kingsford-Smith masterfully maneuvers through the one-man show. Coincidentally, Kingsford-Smith is the great nephew of aviator Charles Kingsford-Smith whose ill-fated plane was sold to Lancaster. A clear sign that this was meant to be.

Even though the set consists of a wing tip, a journal and a canister of water, the simplicity allows for the imagination to flourish. Kingsford-Smith, unlike Lancaster, is undeniably a winner.

Mission of Flowers plays at Theatre Asylum June 17 at 2:30 PM; June 18, 24 at 4:00 PM; June 19, 20, 27 at 1:00 PM; June 21, 23 at 8:30 PM; June 25, 26 at 7:00 PM

—–

The Stories of César Chavéz at Theatre Asylum

by Rachel Stoll ~

Fred Blanco’s piece The Stories of César Chavéz is a fascinating one-person show built around Chavéz’s first hunger strike in 1968. During his fast, he prays and has a series of visions, which include meeting his wife, the beginning of the union, the grape boycott, and his time in the fields. These visions and multiple characters are all portrayed expertly and with depth. The six years spent in development and research is evident in Blanco’s performance and monologues.

The set and lighting that Blanco chooses is effective and works well for distinguishing the characters from one another. Although some scenes feel a smidge too long, the overall play is intense and interesting. Based on the historical events surrounding this fast in California, this play would be most relevant to those interested in story of Chavéz himself.

June 17, 22 at 5:30 PM - June 18 at 10:00 PM - June 19 at 8:30 PM - June 20, 21 at 7:00 PM

—–

Be sure to join us for a FREE closing day panel discussion with fellow critics from the LA Theatre scene. Panel begins at 1pm at Fringe Central on June 27th. For more info go to the Hollywood Fringe site HERE - hope to see you there!