Fringe 2009 - FFA 1 - Crescendo

"All you've got is a moment. And that's not even close to a story."

Allegra Lingo

Crescendo

Through the eyes of a misfit joker, Allegra Lingo discovers that small beginnings can build into a powerful end. Inspired by the music of Aaron Copland, it's like Fantasia, except with words instead of dancing brooms and scary demons.

Allegra Lingo, creator of past Fringe hits Tipping the Bucket (2008, Fringe Encore Winner Rarig Arena), I Hate Kenny G (2007, Fringe Encore Winner Playwright's Center, A Heap of Broken Images (2006), and Hubcap Frisbee (2005), returns to the Fringe with her fifth, and final, solo show.

To be clear, the opening quote above is from the script, not my evaluation of it.

So, Allegra's hurdle this time is to compose a script that accompanies, and is accompanied by, various selections of classical music. As a sample, she trotted out her prologue. To the strains of "Fanfare for the Common Man," (which she kept telling the tech in the booth to crank up the volume on), Allegra battled with her inner critic to fashion a story of her joker hero. (And she did it all, getting out in the yellow light zone besides.)

I've got a bit of a leg up on some in the audience for this one, since I attended her full preview, and moderated the Q&A afterward. So I'll spill a bit more. Allegra weaves together her own re-imagined tale of Daedalus and Icarus (who, among other things, dealt with the half-man, half-bull Minotaur in the labyrinth and built wings and flew a little too close to the sun), and moments from her own daily life with her partner and her dog. She even uses props! The music stand's still in evidence, but just as in the shows that came before this, she continues to push herself to step away and, well, perform a little more. While I'm not fond of the whole "artists talking about their art" genre, I am fond of old tales told again, so they balance each other out nicely. Plus, Allegra's got quite a track record. It is best not to underestimate the woman.

Unless she's like Cher with repeated farewell concert tours, this is the final solo show in the Fringe for Allegra. I know Mom's not going to want to miss it. And I wouldn't disappoint my mother, now would I?

Allegra's website - www.allegralingo.com

Her show page