Geography for F*cking Idiots. Plays About Places I’ve Never Been
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KC FRINGE FESTIVAL
P.O. Box 415001
Kansas City, MO 64141-5001
Attractive looking cast! Disjointed plot (if there really was one?) My diverse group of five friends who went to the show all reacted the same…..”huh, what was that”? I kept wanting it to make some sense and grab my interest. Supporting the arts would be the motivation to attend.
The last 15 minutes is funny and fits the program description. The first 45 minutes is repetitive with the dominant emotion of the characters upset with each other with no resolution
Comments from friends as we were leaving: “How far off-Broadway is this play going to be?” “Kansas City isn’t far enough” “Should have been called ‘Playwriting for F-ing Idiots'”.
Unfortunately, the description has nothing to do with what was on stage….sounds intriguing, but it was just painful and disjointed. Fringe is about supporting the arts, but might I suggest a donation to kcfringe.org instead of buying a ticket to this particular effort?
There’s a train wreck at Union Station!
This is seriously the worst show I have ever seen. I’ve been to several Fringe Festivals … you know … the shows aren’t “judged” and anyone that pays the fee gets to perform. I’m a fan of Broadway too, but I want to assure you that I’m realistic in my expectation of what Fringe shows might, or might not be. But this is the biggest piece of garbage that I’ve ever seen.
There was no plot. There was no story of interest. The “guest” actors of Rob and Morgan were okay, but the material simply wasn’t there. At one point in the show, a line is uttered, “the show doesn’t suck,” and audience members behind me were overheard saying in unison “yes, it does!”
You’ve been warned.
You got em John B!
I agree with John B, if you pay $10 for this you’re the idiot. Worst thing I have ever seen at Fringe Fest. It had nothing to do with the description listed of the play and was so slow and boring I kept wanting to check my watch. I was just glad when it was over. WHY???
The concept of the show was actually funny and interesting. The show itself had nothing to do with the concept, or funny, or interesting. The play should have been named attempts at play-writing by F*-ing Idiots. The last 10 minutes approached entertainment (and the ad lib “My name is Michelle, you pig”), but this play was my least favorite so far.
I wish I could say this play was “fine”, but it wasn’t.
I get where you are coming from, Nancy.
It seems that all of the people who have taken the time to comment are unanimous. What about truth in advertising? This play had no relation to the posted description. The entire story was aimless–some talented improv actors could have come up with a more coherent plot on the spot. To top it off, there was a monologue near the end which trivialized the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Holocaust. Skip this one–even if you already have bought a ticket. There are too many wonderful things to see at Fringe and a limited amount of time slots.
A play about writing the play described in the show summary. Yes, that’s right, you don’t actually see the play which was advertised. While I did figure out the plot about halfway through I never really cared about the characters or their situation. Whatever message they were trying to convey was lost among their attempts to be artistic and edgy. In the end it’s just a boring play about a boring play.
The title was the best part of this play. Too bad the content was unrelated to the title. A waste of time.
I think the best part of the play was the end of the play.
I think the best part of the play has been reading these reviews!
In the assumption that the artists will read this, I will try to make sure my review is fair and constructive, not just piling on.
Obviously, the first problem was the description of the show, which was the description of the show in the play, not the one that we were watching. The show is actually about two writers/directors who are given money to develop an off-Broadway show and the scenes take us through that process, from first reading, to rehearsals to constant rewrites, opening night and the relationship frustrations that can exist with people working so closely on a show, especially when said people are perfectionists.
The scenes were really short compared to the scene changes. The changes seemed unnecessarily long, particularly with the costume changes, most of them visible on stage. That took me as an audience member out of the show and interrupted any flow the show could have and should have had at that point.
The last few minutes, particularly the Promised Land portion, had the potential to be the best part of the show. I wasn’t sure if the cake was destroyed the night I went on purpose or if that was an accident. But that portion is what I was actually hoping the show was going to be about from the description.
The show wasn’t the worst Fringe show I’ve ever seen. But I think a lot of the frustration with this show would have been remedied with a more accurate description of what we were going to see.
The description did not match the content of the play at all. Writer seemed to depend on foul language to get a laugh. Pitiful.
I agree. Buncha foul mouthed lil bits
No music from the 80’s. Frown.
They should have called it “Being bad at life for fuck-ng idiots” then it would have been a more accurate description.
I am 85 years and have done nothing in my life to deserve watching this shows. I only went because my grandson is in it and because he said it matched the description, WHICH IT DIDNT!!!
0/10
I couldn’t tell if the main characters were supposed to be brothers or lovers. Took me out of it. More clarity would be helpful.
HATED all the veiled pro-choice references. Other than that I thought that the Halle Berry joke was okay.
I’m not sure your review matches the play, which may be what the writers were going for. Who knew?
This show had either too much or too little nudity, they need to make a decision!
Too much vulgarity!!! Whatever happened to words like “darn” and “frick”???!
Do not waste your time or your money on this one! There are too many good options. The description is nothing close to what you will see, and you will be checking your watch hoping for the end of time! A lot of time is spent moving two beds and two small chests around and taking/throwing off and putting on shoes which distracts the audience and is not relevant. Then again maybe it is because I never could figure out any relevance. Spread the word since I felt cheated since my selection was based on the Fringe description! This is by far the worst show I’ve seen after 4 years of the Fringe!
Spread the word!!! Stop these time criminals!
I live in the area hit with hurricane force winds in KCK. Looks like a war zone and no power from Saturday evening to Wednesday afternoon. I got less than two hours of sleep Saturday night and dozed off a few times during this show. My initial impression was to rate this show a four out of ten, but thought I might have been impressed more if I was not so tired. However, after reading some other reviews my impressions were reinforced. JT wrote the following review:
In the assumption that the artists will read this, I will try to make sure my review is fair and constructive, not just piling on.
Obviously, the first problem was the description of the show, which was the description of the show in the play, not the one that we were watching. The show is actually about two writers/directors who are given money to develop an off-Broadway show and the scenes take us through that process, from first reading, to rehearsals to constant rewrites, opening night and the relationship frustrations that can exist with people working so closely on a show, especially when said people are perfectionists.
The scenes were really short compared to the scene changes. The changes seemed unnecessarily long, particularly with the costume changes, most of them visible on stage. That took me as an audience member out of the show and interrupted any flow the show could have and should have had at that point.
The last few minutes, particularly the Promised Land portion, had the potential to be the best part of the show. I wasn’t sure if the cake was destroyed the night I went on purpose or if that was an accident. But that portion is what I was actually hoping the show was going to be about from the description.
The show wasn’t the worst Fringe show I’ve ever seen. But I think a lot of the frustration with this show would have been remedied with a more accurate description of what we were going to see.
I agree with everything that JT mentioned, so will keep my rating at 4 out of ten. This play was done by the same company that produced Incognito and Marie Antonette. Those plays were much better in terms of both the story and the professional quality of acting.
That is not to say that the acting was not good in this play, since it was indeed, but it just was not on a par with the other two plays I mentioned.
I thought this play made me want to vomit! The incredibly sexy and charming Michael Elliott should have taken off his pants and left them off! I was disappointed when Sonny Stollman did not take his clothes off either. But what is with that cake? It made no sense. Bad. Very bad! 0/10!!! Only go see it if you want to lose 10 years of your life.
antisemetic
Go see Taming of the Poo or Incognito instead, this was just a train wreck that doesn’t deserve to be compared to the other shows in the venue.
I’m afraid I agree with the majority of comments above. The play bore no resemblance to the tile, except for the attempt to be ‘cute’ by swearing/cursing all the time. Their friends in the front row loved it and good for them. But, at least they worked hard to put on the play, so good on the cast and team for doing that. Back to the drawing board please folks.
Don’t go…for all of the reasons above + it isn’t ready for any stage.
0 stars on any scale
Great title and nothing else…
When I’ve attended Fringe Festivals in the past, there will sometimes be a breakout hit that gets all the buzz. This show is the opposite. It’s buzz worthy ONLY because it’s so pitiful.
And to the reviewer who mentioned the “front row,” I sat in the front row. I assure you that I’m not a friend of any of the performers or writers, etc. As I said before, “There’s a Train Wreck in Union Station!” The show was a pitiful excuse for a show. And even though they owe each of us a refund, the least they could do is show up on this comment board to apologize for their lame attempt.
And I realize that I may sound like a stalker, but I checked out their personal Facebook pages. These two losers had the audacity to say that the presenter (at a Fringe preview night) was “boring” so they snuck on stage to take a selfie. I didn’t go to preview night, but there’s no way that she could have possibly been as boring as what these two put on stage.
I did not say everyone who sat in the front row was a friend, please read more carefully!
Worst show ever. False advertising, did not relate to the promo. And they mumble. (the 2 year old seated behind us talked louder.)
And nobody yet has mentioned the ILLEGAL PIRATED MUSIC FROM LES MISERABLES!
Sue them!
These producers should be banned from future Fringe Festivals anywhere in the country.
Sell those two beds and go get a day job. You have no talent, no concept and no integrity.
WHY DIDNT I READ THE REVIEWS BEFORE I SPENT $10 ON THIS SHOW?! Unbelievably bad, I’ve seen better playwriting from my 6th grade theater students, and they’re 11. Lesson learned: YA CANT JUDGE A PLAY BY ITS TITLE
You tell them Maddi! YOU ARE A WARRIOR!
Sorry I didn’t mean to scream
God bless.
I kinda liked it. Went back a second time to confirm that theory, and, yeah, I kinda liked it again!
There’s something you’re getting that we’re not all getting. Explain, please?
Sure, even though I’m not sure anyone will see this. First let me tell you that I’m not a neophyte or moron. I’m a retired English, speech and drama teacher. Directed and acted in my share of productions. So usually I’m very critical about what I see. And let me start by saying that when I go to any Fringe production I don’t expect to see polished productions. I expect to see what I saw here…a rather amateurish production by actors who did the best they could to earnestly present rather weak material. But the actors were not offensive and rather appealing, and their ability to ad lib and reply to audience catcalls was outstanding. And while the material was weak the concept of presenting a play within a play has been used forever (see Midsummer Night’s Dream). The scene changes, while time consuming, were really rather well choreographed. So overall it wasn’t the best thing I’ve seen at Fringe but it was far from the worst. I had a good time watching it, both times, which were two very different crowds and I’m not sorry I gave them my contribution. Hope that helps.
Did you see the same show?
I am simply bewildered. At first I thought I must have dozed off a couple of times because I was so lost. Nope, I was awake. Then I thought perhaps I was at the wrong locatiion so I checked my program. Nope, I was in the right place. Maybe I mis-read the description.? Nope, I read it correctly. This is my 4th year at KCFringe and possibly the worst show I’ve seen.
This is ridiculous. On a pure level, the attractiveness of Michael and Sonny doesn’t matter to a review. Grammar matters too. Content matters. To quote the famous poet, Nike, just do it.
Also I agree with BJ Novak