KC FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025

Performances July 17-27

Visual Art July 06-26

Film July 18-20

Fringe Review

Hitchcock’d
Reviewed by Julia O’Donnell

When one enters the Unicorn Theatre for “Hitchcock’d”, they are immediately taken into the world of his black-and-white pictures. Every costume, the set design – while not entirely black and white – is made up of so much black, white, and grey that the atmosphere immediately speaks “Noir.” The cast is star-studded with local talent, so if you live here, you are sure to see a familiar face or two, and might even get to know them a little better. *wink* And all of that is only what greets you on arrival. “Hitchcock’d” jumps comically through the history of Alfred Hitchcock’s oeuvre, and gives us just a taste of all the best (and worst) of one of horror’s most iconic storytellers.

The hosts of the show are an unlikely pair with comedic chemistry, one of whom is a surprise guest from years long past. Their banter crosses generations to create an amusing and all inclusive horror tribute, and their own story develops…unexpectedly…as the show goes on. They introduce us to each foray into Hitchcock’s history. “Rear Window,” (the *spookier* *shittier* version) is made more hilarious through Stefanie Stevens self-aware acting of the older woman, who is pretending to be much more frail than she is, and similarly Em Coffin’s fake injury and her perfect comedic timing provides a great deal of laughs. All of this doesn’t even begin to mention the occasional fourth wall breaking nods to the audience- a Spooky Shit Show trademark, and possibly the best element of their productions.

As the show continues its journey through “The Birds”, “Psycho”, and even a little exploration of ethics and our starring host’s real life, the *spooky* *shitty* twists get *spookier* and *shittier.* Chaos ensues and the entire show is upended in the best way. To describe it would be to spoil the many fun twists that Kansas City knows to expect from The Spooky Shit Show. But let’s just say that this show is the biggest, can’t-miss-it of KC Fringe this year.