Rogue Round-up, Day 2

Day 2 of the Rogue Festival brought me to six very different performances across three different venues. Below are my thoughts!

Rooted, Reaching: We Carry Each Other

Aleno Dance Project brings a most-impressive feat of a show to the Hart’s Haven venue, and by that I mean the entire venue. Audiences will be treated to a six-part dance show that begins in the front of the bookstore, makes its way through the bookstore proper, has a couple of acts in the performance space, a piece in the back lot, and ends in the Hart’s Hangout tent. The title of the show evokes the very grounded-ness and yearning humans strive for, and this title/concept is given full dance treatment in a beautifully choreographed and danced show. 

With the various spaces Rooted, Reaching… takes place in, there is a dynamically pleasant juxtaposition of tight, engaging formations when space allows with individual movement that utilizes wall and floor work. The dancing company doesn’t just use the spaces for dance, but shows the audience exactly why each individual space is uniquely suited for that particular piece. Rounding out this performance is the stellar choices in music, especially in Hart’s performance space, where the audience immediately knows if it’s a pensive, provoking, or energetically charged piece. The choreography and style match the music perfectly, ending with a multi-cultural celebration that is sure to get you involved by way of clapping, cheering, or simply sitting back and enjoying the superb dancing Aleno Dance Project has brought in their Rogue show this year.

You can catch Rooted, Reaching: We Carry Each Other at Hart’s Haven on:

Sunday, 3/1 at 2p

Thursday, 3/5 at 5:30p

Saturday, 3/7 at 2p

Bingo Comedy: A Comedy-Themed Game Show

Comedians Joey Rinaldi and Aditya Mayya bring a fun twist on a two-person comedy show: Bingo! While both are stand-ups by profession, Mayya has brought a developing one-man show to this year’s Rogue Festival. Rinaldi, therefore, provides the truer of the comedy performance while Mayya is working to balance the stand-up tendencies with the monologuist’s knack for storytelling. However, the Bingo aspect serves as a fun addition for the audience, not a distraction. In fact, it proves just how much we are paying attention to not just the jokes, but the stories and callbacks both performers bring to the stage. 

Rinialdi’s gift for self-deprecating humor is his gift, and his delivery of the more “offensive” and raunchy bits are palpable and delivered with the seasoning of a seasoned comedian who knows how to read a crowd, work a crowd, and taper his bit list accordingly. Mayya has the audience unsure of when to laugh, what to believe, and I think that’s the point of his show. As Mayya continues to edit, develop, and workshop his one-man show, there is one aspect I hope doesn’t get left on the cutting room floor: the Heart. Mayya’s exploration of dealing with familial death, depression, drinking, and dating is driven by an engine of heart, and it’s that heart that leads me to root on Mayya’s continued finessing of his one-man show. 

You can catch Bingo Comedy: A Comedy-Themed Game Show at Hart’s Hangout on:

Sunday, 3/1 at 12:30p

Sunday, 3/1 at 5p

The Stakeout (#935)

Martin Dockery and Andrew Broaddus are two men on a stakeout of two men on a stakeout of them. This premise should get you in the door of the packed Dianna’s Studio of Dance (I’m glad I found a seat!) but it’s the weaving and unraveling of this tightly-wound plot that will send you on a journey you don’t want to leave. Dockery and Broaddus’ chemistry as actors drives the banter-y pace and earns every reactive pause as reveals and revelations are made in silence, a look, a take, a repeat of a line; this plays is masterly written and directed by Vanessa Quesnelle. 

What appears as a simple stakeout a newly graduated FBI agent and a veteran FBI agent on his eve of retirement turns in a twisty, turn-y exploration of abandonment and the natural chaos that comes from seemingly innocent misunderstandings. Both Dockery and Broaddus have a gift of theatrical gab, hence making this 50-minute two-man show a riveting piece to watch. Two chairs, an old school two-can-one-string prop, and a few choice sound effects make this entire world come alive. By play’s end you realize how deeply you've come to care about these characters and not just figuring out what happens next. Dockery’s script paired with Quesnelle’s direction leaves the audience comforted that the questions we still have are intended to go unanswered and the final image (which I dare not spoil) is a pensively drawn piece of acting that serves as a sublime ending to this terrific play.

You can catch The Stakeout at Dianna’s Studio of Dance on:

Sunday, 3/1 at 12:30p

Saturday, 3/7 at 2p

Fresno Writer’s Live

I always find it to be an enriching experience when catching the Fresno Sate Creative Writing program, and I’m glad I could see their opening lineup. Steven Sandage’s essay brought themes of hunger and danger vs. comfort to the forefront when introducing the prompt that the evening’s writers all had to honor: write about all the beds you’ve slept in. Sandage’s visceral reality was a terrific start. Jaquelyn Mejia’s essay touched on themes of how bugs--especially the dislike for flying bugs--can affect relationships, both with self and with others. Mejia’s essay had beautifully bold language and was engaging throughout. Mel Hamilton’s essay, revolving around a “thin pale man” served as an abusive adversary who tainted the sacredness and safety of the bed, both for the reader’s and the reader’s mother. Hamilton’s specificity in describing the various beds which, sometimes, weren’t beds at all, was both haunting and harrowing. 

The final two writers were Emerald Medrano and Deborah Bento (the lineup of readers changes every show). Medrano’s essay centered around dreams, a plushie (which we got to see and was effectively hugged and used), and was compelling throughout. Medrano’s use of visual, active language made both the word and the delivery a standout piece. Lastly, Bento was a fantastic finale, bringing humor and cookies to the Veni's patio. Bento’s line regarding preference of narrating her life rather than explaining it drew in the nuance of the entire story, traversing from her therapist’s couch to the multiple beds involved in the reader’s romantic life. Bento’s syntax and performance were in sync and was a fabulous way to end an evening showcasing a quintet of talented writers. If Fresno State’s Creative Writing program is but just a part of the future writers this world has coming, then the future of writing will assuredly be in good hands.

You can catch Fresno Writers Live at Veni Vidi Vici’s on:

Sunday, 3/1 at 2p

Thursday, 3/5 at 8:30p

Saturday, 3/7 at 8p

Andre’s Cabaway Day Majeek!!!

The Baggy Pants are back with a triplet of entertainers, bringing comedy, magic, and burlesque to the Hart’s Hangout stage. In this completely hilarious, titillating, and exciting magic and dance show, each performer (Christopher Bange, Tim Mannix, and Felina Bella) are fully entertaining in the comfort and delivery of their respective craft, and the audience interactions will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Not just a collection of tricks and stunts, Andre’s…brings laughter and allure to this variety act in support of card tricks, an escape, and slew of other impressive illusions. It employs suspension of disbelief while also being a non-stop laugh fest. Mannix and Bange’s deprecating humor works in pairing with the awe and glamour of the Felina’s burlesque, making for a tewiffeek cabaway! There will be spectacle and laughs for all, so make sure you see this show!

You can catch Andre’s Cabaway Day Majeek!!! at Hart’s Hangout on:

Sunday, 3/1 at 3:30p

Friday, 3/6 at 10p

Saturday, 3/7 at 6:30p

Wikipedilove

Noam Osband has brought his new show, Wikipedilove, to the Rogue Festival, and I honestly can’t recall a time where I’ve laughed harder in a Rogue show. Strung together by music and lyrics (Osband on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Nick Olson on recorder) audiences are treated to, essentially, a PowerPoint show (don't worry, it's fun!) littered with the most bonkers and illuminating Wikipedia articles and headlines Noam has found. 

In this show, you’ll learn just how many cursory town and city names exist in this world; get a history lesson on love in the Third Reich; learn how some authors rely on six-pack abs on a cover and a not-so-clever title to sell their books; how urine can be so valuable when delivering expectant news; how whales procreate; and, in a truly touching final act, the life and job of a Luna moth.

I’m glad I skipped the gym yesterday because I hadn’t planned on working my abs so much from laughing! Osband’s compiling of these articles, accompanied by lyrics and music with Olson, make this a sure-fire can’t-miss show!

You can catch Wikipedilove at Hart’s Hangout on:

Sunday, 3/1 at 6:30p

Friday, 3/6 at 8:30p

Saturday, 3/7 at 5p