Fringe 2023 - Returning Favorites - Hey Rube! (Marcus Anthony)

Behemoth

In an attempt to save her dying mother and reconnect with her estranged father, a cynical daughter sifts through her memories in search of hope.

From the creators of last year's award-winning Orzel Rising.

Venue: Theatre in the Round
Tagged for: Drama, Physical Theater
Content Warnings: Loud Noises

As it says in their show description, these are the folks who brought you the very popular Orzel Rising in last year’s Fringe so… I don’t really need to work too hard to sell you on Behemoth, do I?  They’re kinda pre-sold.

Instead of wartime submarine adventures with the occasional interlude of tiny plastic toys, this year we have a family story - dying mother, estranged father, cynical daughter. Not sure precisely what clues the show image is giving us but the dark background, silhouette of a grassy field and the large head of a horned bull-like creature, plus the title, of course, is giving very Old Testament/Book of Job vibes.  The word behemoth generally refers to a huge or monstrous creature (literally or metaphorically).  The show image also has a woman in a dark robe offering up a pair of bright red shoes (Wizard of Oz style?), and a very enthusiastic cheerleader.

Every show from Hey Rube’s Marcus Anthony is different than the last, but they’re always intriguing (hence Hey Rube’s placement on this pre-Fringe Top 10 back in 2014).  Plus this time Marcus Anthony’s also working with a handful of folks I recognize from previous Fringe shows I’ve enjoyed, so that’s another great sign: performers Mahmoud Hakima (from my Top 10 list back in 2010) and Tara Lucchino (who works a lot with Sheep Theater from my 2015 Top 10 list and Michael Rogers from my 2018 Top 10 list); and choreographer Kirsten Stephens (who, in collaboration with Dean Hatton, was on my Top 20 list way back in 2008).  A lot of talented Fringers collected in one place bodes well for the outcome.

Update, their Fringe preview:

Here's some handy links to this year's Top 10, and Top 11-20 Lists, plus the full list of all returning favorites at this year's Fringe, plus a link to all the 2023 Minnesota Fringe Festival coverage.