The Adventures of Radioactivity Man & One Eyed Electrical Socket - Iris Inn Productions

Easily the most kid-friendly of the Fringe shows I have seen this year, “The Adventures of Radioactive Man and One Eyed Electrical Socket” is a slapstick comedy in the vein of a radio adventure serial series of the early 20th century. A tongue in-cheek love letter to superhero shows like the Powerpuff Girls, the Super Friends, or Captain Underpants, the program states that the original comic book concept was conceived by writer Joshua Gleeson and has gestated into the colorful showcase being performed this week. Gleeson also provides the overarching narration that flavors the story with deadpan and foley heavy humor. This show is extremely pun heavy, so your mileage and enjoyment may depend on your tolerance for the kind of cheese this show provides.

Robert Vardiman plays the titular Radioactivity Man with a self-aware arrogance and prideful nature that is amusing and not grating, while the under-appreciated sidekick, Electrical Socket, is played by a game Ai Vy Bui. The ensemble of villains, played by Richard Bertoldie, Elsa Bernadette, and Jamie Lynn Pratt, all keep the energy up, and stay to the spirit of the deadpan comedy this show requires. Pratt especially does the leg work when she portrays the Shakespearean versed Sir-Lady-Screams-A-Lot. Costumes by Taylor Zimmerman are bright and appropriately cartoonish, and props are ingeniously created with household objects, but with a loving craft and care that shows in the final product.

While the show does not quite save the world, it may save the afternoon of a family or the citizens in a small city. It is definitely an easy way to pass an hour, especially for those who have a group of kids free from school for another month. A lighthearted time for those who want to experience the serial cartoon adventures of their youth.