Stage Takes

My Brother’s Room at The Broadwater

Wow. This was a show I happened to have time for on a whim, and it completely blew me away. Dare I say it’s the Good Will Hunting of Fringe this year.

The play follows an older brother returning home after years on the run; and that’s really all you need to know going in. What unfolds is a deeply human story brought to life by a young company with an exceptional script and richly developed characters. It took me a few minutes to settle into the world of the play, but once I did, these characters absolutely won me over.

The performances felt intimate, genuine, and lived-in. Every relationship carried a sense of history, and the actors navigated the emotional complexity of the material with impressive authenticity. The set was thoughtfully designed and transformed throughout the production in creative and effective ways, making the most of the space. I would love to hear more about the process behind creating this show.

If I had one note, it’s that some of the visual casting and character presentation occasionally worked against the story being told. While the actress portraying the mother delivered a stellar performance, she appeared younger than the role suggested, which sometimes made it difficult to fully buy into the family dynamic. Similarly, the men described as living on the streets looked noticeably well-kept, creating a small disconnect between the script and what was seen onstage.

Reservoir Dolls at The Broadwater

Lani Harms returns to Fringe with a sharp, hilarious, and cleverly constructed exploration of Quentin Tarantino’s iconic female characters. Blending live performance with multimedia elements, Harms creates a world where women from across the Tarantino multiverse collide, reflect, and fight for agency within stories that have historically been shaped by men.

What makes the show particularly compelling is its balance of comedy and commentary. The audience is treated to laugh-out-loud moments and loving parodies to Tarantino’s filmography,. The result is both entertaining and surprisingly thoughtful.

Without giving away any of the surprises, this is a show best experienced firsthand. It sold out its entire run last year, and after seeing how much stronger it has become, it’s easy to understand why. Don’t wait too long to get a ticket.

Show Me Your Dick at The Broadwater, Second Stage

Genuine, unhinged, and completely unforgettable. Cara Meyers delivers a one-woman show that is raw, hilarious, brutally honest. And yes, filled with an astonishing number of dick pics.

Through a deeply personal exploration of dating, relationships, and life in a larger body, Meyers examines the ways society and men have treated her differently because of her size. What could easily become a heavy or purely educational piece instead strikes a remarkable balance between comedy and insight. Meyers is a natural storyteller, finding humor in even the most absurd and frustrating experiences while never losing sight of the larger message at the heart of the show.

What makes the show so effective is that it never feels preachy. Meyers presents her experiences with confidence, and self-awareness, allowing the audience to arrive at the show’s conclusions alongside her. Beneath the outrageous stories and visual gags is a thoughtful examination of desirability, body image, and the ways people are judged before they even have the chance to introduce themselves.

One of the most important shows of this year’s Fringe. Come for the laughs, stay for the perspective shift. And yes, as promised, you will see a lot of dicks.