July 22nd-
We are climbing up the mountain of Fringe shows to review and are at the apex and on the way down with over 75 shows reviewed. [Editors Note: We are now over 100 shows covered] As always, if you have seen a show we haven’t covered, please send us a review. If you think we missed the mark on a review, please send us your review. Reviews are just one person’s opinion on one showing of a live theatre production, where anything can happen. For more on that and with a fresh perspective, I turn the Editorial over to Ray Yuen, our Review Coordinator.

-Murray Hunter

I’ve been reviewing for many years and I truly enjoy doing this. I consider myself one of the more “relaxed” and “forgiving” reviewers and I, as a norm, would not give a bad review unless a show genuinely deserves it. I think the last bad review I gave was years ago for a 90 minute outing of watching a person dance to electro-metal, with an occasional break to tell the audience to “find Jesus.” That was it. I would have been utterly dishonest and negligent in my duty to the reader if I gave any impression at all anyone would get their money’s worth from that debacle. Otherwise, I try to be constructively critical if there are problems, but generally, I look for the good.

I know that the majority of the performers put their sanity, souls and sweat into their productions, and sometimes, they just do not turn out the way they hoped. Life happens and there’s nothing you can do about that.

This year (first time ever!), having my own show (check out the Shameless Self-promotions!), I have a first-person understanding of what actors/singers/dancers/artists go through to put together their performances. It involves hundreds (even thousands) of hours of effort, toil and dedication to come up with something that will hopefully entertain someone for an hour (give or take). While the journey can often be rewarding, it can also end in heartache.

Seeing things from your side of the stage, I have a sparkling new respect for all that you do. Huge kudos for all of our Fringe performers out there, and I really look forward to seeing the fruits of your hard work, and reporting it to the public!

Performers! Break legs!

Public! Go see shows!

-Ray Yuen
Jenny Review Coordinator