Chase Padgett: Grab Bag Cabaret

Chase Padgett—PTE – Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage

Chase Padgett is another familiar figure to most Fringegoers at this point – he says this is his tenth time here. Most will know what to expect – multiple characters (despite his claim at the beginning to be eschewing that this year), brilliantly and hilariously brought to life, interspersed with equally brilliant guitar playing. This time is a little different, though; he’s using a deck of cards to determine which of numerous pieces to perform, and almost as importantly, in what order. Not all of them fit his usual mold – some, for example, more closely resemble standup comedy – and you might see a completely different show than I did. My personal favourite piece I saw was “Song Request Rant”, a half-standup, half-improv bit about what the songs people request from performers like him say about them personality, including suggestions from the audience. A close second is how he got CRABS! (it doesn’t mean what you think).

Jeff Heikkinen