title of show[sic] is a vest-pocket musical (four characters, one keyboardist) that was originally produced at the 2004 New York Music Festival. An Off-Broadway run followed, topped by a Broadway transfer in 2008. Now the show has been revived at the 2013 Hollywood Fringe Festival, in a resoundingly successful way.
All of the elements come together in this W. Coast production: acting, directing and stagecraft, resulting in a frisky, uplifting show that has sold-out audiences at the Fringe cheering wildly for it. title of show is a show-business fable about two young, hungry creative types, the writer Hunter (Travis Dixon) and the lyricist Jeff (Christopher Maikish). Faced with the challenge of writing a musical in three weeks and mounting it at the New York Music Festival, they call on their singer girlfriends, Heidi (Heather Lake) and Susan (Julia Plostnieks), for help. The foursome go without sleep or serious food as they try and cobble together a show from scratch. The musical mirrors their own story: it's a case of life imitating art which in turn imitates life.
The audience, caught up in the team's struggles, fears and hopes, can't help but root for the success of the as-yet untitled show. This turns a personal effort into a communal one, especially when the musical is well received at the Festival and attracts the attention of some New York producers. The trials and tribulations of turning a fringe show into a commercial vehicle are well-dramatized here, as our plucky foursome must keep battling the world and each other as they try and reach the top of the showbiz heap, sharing laughter and tears all along the way.
Thanks to title of show’s superb cast, strong direction, and many witty and sprightly songs, magic is made at the Hollywood Fringe.
