FRINGE REVIEW: Pet Fish Are Made For . . .

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Now this is a good way to kick things off!  With perhaps the longest title in the Festival, pet fish are for killing by accident somehow it’s really quite inevitable, tells the story of love and loss among three female roommates.  Marla (Erin Ward) is depressed about her relationship with Petra (also played by Erin Ward).  Marla is depressed, likely all the time, but especially right now because she knows things are over with Petra but neither of them will call things off.  Tabitha (Sarah Durham) has been with Marc (also played by Sara Durham) since she was 14; she’s bored but unwilling to break up.  Their roommate, Antioch (Candice Handy) – who’s most important relationship is the one she has with grad school – has had enough of it and takes matters into her own hands.

This script from Sara Tripp is clever and cute, if not all that “Fringe-y.”  It’s quick-witted and many in the audience seemed to relate well to the female-centric and generationally relevant references throughout the show.  Director Shelby Becker moves her cast around the echoing stage well, though it is sometimes hard to see the action from certain vantage points in the venue.  But Tripp should consider cutting her final scene; there’s enough of an impact without the tag and the show runs right up against the sixty-minute mark.

The actresses get to stretch themselves, playing both the female and male counterparts in each relationship. They are very talented and have great range.  Ward has long been one of my favorites; Durham, a CCM student, makes interesting choices that work very well and Handy has charisma for days.  Overall the production is funny, but also smart and I enjoyed myself.  I think you will too.

pet fish are for killing by accident somehow it’s really quite inevitable runs again on the following dates at the OTR Community Church as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. 

  • Jun 5, 2017 at 06:30 pm (Mon)
  • Jun 7, 2017 at 06:30 pm (Wed)
  • Jun 9, 2017 at 09:00 pm (Fri)
  • Jun 10, 2017 at 04:45 pm (Sat)

 

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