Fringe Review

Taking the genre of heist movies as its inspiration, The Bird Comedy Theatre’s “An Anarchy Heist Show” is a mixed bag of punny humor, archetypal characters, and situation comedy delivered through wildly inventive cinematic disruptions and audience interaction.  While the premise and writing for this show may not be the most original, the way it invites the audience to “choose our own adventure” creates an inspired change to the traditional sketch comedy routine.

Beginning 5000 years ago, we meet a coven of wizards hoarding a magic ball that sees into the future (along with other less auspicious side effects). This brief scene only serves to introduce the precious magic ball, which will be the object of the titular heist for the rest of the show. Cut to the modern day and a professional thief named Orbison is obsessed with stealing this magical orb.  Add in a motley crew of sidekicks, hustlers, and keystone-esque cops, and you have plenty of fodder for silly jokes and slapstick humor.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this production is how it blends prerecorded video scenes along with the live performance taking us to various locations and providing some of the funniest moments of the show. Additionally, when the leading characters arrive at an impasse in the script, the narrator emerges to lead an audience vote to determine what happens next. These clever inventions – along with a very funny extended captive scene for the leading man – are the most enjoyable aspects.

Like the writing, the performances are also a bit hodgepodge.  Tay Castillo as a downtrodden detective gives an exceptional performance by preserving some truthful empathy among the silliness and folly. Tiffany Michelle Foster as Ms. Interpreter is also strong at developing a unique and truthful character that stands out among the ensemble.  Other performances were either too understated or over-the-top or simply underwritten to quite hit the mark.  Similarly, the direction was a bit chaotic with many unnecessary scene changes and tepid pacing.

I expect the show will tighten up with a few more performances under their belts. Although, as the narrator reminds us, the show could be different every time given the audience’s selection. Overall, “An Anarchy Heist Show” brings frenetic energy and unrefined fun, which is always a part of the adventure of Fringe.