Monday, June 20, 2022

Ben & George (Fringe 22)

 Spoilers ahoy! 

I am a big fan of dark comedy, and Ben & George certainly counts as darker than most. Imagine if you will two men who meet under some really rough circumstances.  They become, almost against all odds, become friends and eventual roommates.  So far, so normal.  But...there are the winged creatures stealing people.  And the dog that may  (or may not) talk.  Then, there's the semi-psychopathic rage.

Lorne Stephenson Jr. and Jared Gaxiola play the title characters, with Rafael Buenaventura playing the rest of the cast (including the dog).  All three show a lot of talent and skill, with lots of layers and details woven into their performances.  Love the twists and turns which emerge in a wonderfully disturbing picture.

I must admit the show itself doesn't so much end as stop.  Been trying to figure out why, and methinks the answer is a subtle nuance of timing and/or energy.  Still worked.

Ben & George plays Saturday June 25 at 1:30pm at the Stephanie Fleury Studio, 5636 Melrose Avenue.

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