Threads review, mnfringe show 4: Minnesota Tonight; late night show in a Fringe-sized package; charming host, 2 very funny comedians plus some sketch comics, house guitarist, and interview guest Josh Carson! - 4.5 stars
OK, the official title of this Fringe show is “5 Episodes of Minnesota Tonight; 4 Minnesota Fring3, it’s Minnesota 2Night’s 1st Time at Minnesota Fringe” but that’s an awfully long thing to keep typing (or in your case, reading) so I’m going to shorten that to “Minnesota Tonight.” (Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate both the countdown element of the longer title and the strategy of gaming the show listing algorithm on the Fringe website by sticking a number at the front of the title. Kudos to both.)
“I’m not gonna press charges, but I would like some feedback.”
It’s the recently resurrected late night variety show format of Minnesota Tonight with new host Denzel Belin, his in-house comic Shyloh Blake, musician James Rone, and sketch comedians Smartmouth Comedy. To this team they add a roster of guest comedians and interview guests which is different each episode. Shyloh starts the show, warming up the audience with some jokes, then introduces the guest comedian (the evening I was there it was Rita Joy). After the comedian’s set, they introduce the host Denzel Belin who comes out for a monologue. Then Smartmouth Comedy does a sketch, followed by an interview with a Fringe-related guest (for my episode, it was Josh Carson). Lastly, a little more sketch comedy from Smartmouth (this time with a guest appearance by the Robot from The Life Robotic, Michael Rogers, adding the element from their show of the audience texting the robot his dialogue). Then an original song from James Rone on guitar. And then it was time to say goodnight.
“This man is still in my life, like a chronic illness.”
Belin is a charismatic and funny host. Shyloh Blake does great stand-up, and James Rone provides lovely music through the evening on guitar to keep the vibe going. Smartmouth Comedy has an ensemble whose members probably rotate in and out depending on scheduling (I’m not sure of the names of the folks that were part of the episode I saw but the performers listed for Smartmouth - who have their own Fringe show as well, In Our Sketch Era - are Julia Alyn, Cameron Cylkowski, Megan Guidry, Heather Higinbotham, Caroline Hitt, Nick Kary, Drue Malcolm, and Kendra Yarke). Their sketch this episode was a Scooter Braun vs. (offstage) Taylor Swift scenario, and the improv they did with the Robot at the end of the show was Olympic bobsled team training.
“Can I offer you a lukewarm bottle of water?”
Guest comic Rita Joy’s set in the episode I saw was quite hilarious. I’m assuming the other comics on the guest roster will be equally engaging. Josh Carson and Denzel Belin played off one another well in the interview section. Carson, of course, has many a Fringe war story to share, and of course, his epic feud through the mail over the movie Garden State. Smartmouth Comedy also does a sketch riff in the middle of the interview when a particularly fun turn of phrase or situation might come up in conversation. Josh Carson shared a review that likened his writing to Gilmore Girls on crack (or was it cocaine? some illicit substance that supercharges dialogue) - so we Lorelei, Rory and Luke on stage with us for a minute courtesy of Smartmouth. And then the review just picks back up and continues on.
“Let’s pray to the bobsled gods.”
The format works well. The stand-up comedy works a bit better than the sketch or improv, but everything moves along at a good clip so while laid back, the evening never gets bogged down. This past weekend, they had guest comedian Ellie Hino, and interview guest Matthew Kessen, Tonight (8/6), there’s stand-up from Gabby OK, and the interview guest is Duck Washington. Thursday’s episode (8/8) will have a special guest host (I guess Denzel has a conflict for that one) Bailey Murphy (who, if you’ve not seen her, is a delight), along with stand-up from Emily Bradley, and interview guest Ariel Pinkerton. The closing performance is on Sunday, 8/11 and has stand-up comic Ali Hormann, and interview guest Matthew Everett (oh wait, that’s me, I’ve broken the fourth wall).
“I need attention, or I’ll die.”
Minnesota Tonight is a solid framework for a show, and Belin and his team fill it out well with entertaining content, while also bringing on talented and interesting people for more comedy and commentary (I’ll leave myself out of that, but you can come see me at closing on Sunday and make your own judgments on if I help or hurt the franchise.) The show has to fit into a Fringe-sized timeframe so it can’t be quite as laid back as it might be in a real late night stage slot without a clock ticking, but I think the drive here helps keep things moving.
If you’re looking for a variety show, Minnesota Tonight is happy to provide something different for your Fringe schedule. Check them out!
4.5 Stars - Very Highly Recommended
Here's some handy links to coverage of shows I've seen in the Fringe this year getting 5 and 4.5 Stars (Very Highly Recommended), 4 and 3.5 Stars (Highly Recommended) as well as the shows ranking 3 stars or less; also links to this year's Top 10 list and Top 11-20 list, also a full list of all returning favorites to this year's Fringe, plus a link to ALL the 2024 Minnesota Fringe Festival coverage.
While I have your attention, please VOTE :)
Minnesota is currently in the early voting period
for our Congressional and local primaries (I had the U.S. Senate,
Congress, and the Minneapolis school board on my ballot) - final day to
vote in the primary is Tuesday, August 13th, but you don't have to wait
until Fringe is over, go vote right now :)
Early voting for the Presidential Election itself in Minnesota starts on Friday, September 20th.
We're lucky to have a lot of time to get our voices heard, so cast your
vote, and then make sure everyone you know and love is registered and
gets to the polls to vote. Election Day, your final date to vote, is Tuesday, November 5th.
As a queer playwright and theater maker, I want a government that's compassionate and competent enough to keep us all safe and healthy, keep theaters open and running, and personally, I'd just like to be legal myself and keep the weirdos out of government and out of my personal business (and the things I post on this blog, for instance). We all have our reasons, so let's make sure we get the leaders we need and deserve, and get our friends, family and co-workers to raise their voices, too.
Find where to vote and what's on your ballot (with links to candidate websites) and other resources at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.
For other resources on how to register, volunteer or donate, locally or nationally, check out Vote Save America.
Vote. Raise your voice. We're not going back.
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