Fringe 2005 - Many Happy Returns - Top Ten Class of 2003 back again

Rhino Productions - Spare Parts

Last time, Rhino brought us a stripped down version of the The Hobbit for the stage that found its way into my pre-Fringe Top Ten list.

This time out, Mic Weinblatt is bringing a play of his own to the party.

Spare Parts
Two friends travel cross country for their buddy's funeral. At the diner across the road, the chef lies dead on the kitchen floor. An old man in his underwear wanders in and a rattled woman stumbles in with more questions than answers. A comedy.

I've seen this script in several stages of its development and it's a goofy farce with a dark edge. The string of revelations that bring the mystery to its conclusion are a hoot. Knowing Mic, he's going to streamline those earlier drafts into another wild ride that fits snugly into a Fringe-sized performing time limit. Not every new script that makes it to the stage is worth the effort, but I expect this one will be well worth the trip.

[To see the full list of some of my favorite returnees from Fringe 2003, click here.

...including
- Rik Reppe (2003's Staggering Toward America)
- Kevin Kling (2003's Baseball, Dogs and Motorcycles)
- Ballet of the Dolls (2003's Beauty and The Beast)]

(For more of my writing - plays, past blog entries and more - visit www.matthewaeverett.com)