Coleman Crenshaw

The 10th season of Kansas City Fringe is in full swing.  Lots and lots and lots of wonderful theatre happening in KC!  You should check out some of my favorite people and plays if you can.  I’d recommend (besides my three shows at Off-Center Theatre, of course- I’m sure you’ve already seen them): Forrest Attaway’s Dirtlegs at Heartland Forum, and in the same space: Virgin and Sing, Sing, Sing and the Fishtank’s Red/Blue/Green Fish– all promise great things.  The Submarine Show at the MET is also wonderful!  A-Cop-Alypse at Just Off Broadway Theatre is sure to stoke your zombie fix.  And finally, I’ve been hearing great things about St. Nicholas and Bond.  There are many, many others that I haven’t yet had time to see, so splash out and tell me what’s up in the comments!

Here are some of the things people are saying about the shows I’m currently running (Dangerous to Dance With, Red Death, and More 4Play: Mmmmm):

RED DEATH by Daniel Doss and Bryan Colley
Robert Trussell at the KC Star says this about the opera:

[Daniel] Doss’ lush score… is darkly romantic, often returning to a haunting waltz-time motif…. Tenor Nathan Granner… as usual, is mesmerizing.  Soprano Devon Barnes is impressive…. this one shimmers, thanks to a delicate, evocative lighting design by Shane Rowse and elegant costumes designed and created by Varney and her collaborators. A cadre of dancers create dreamlike stage pictures. In essence, this piece is a 19th-century meditation on death, but the combination of music, dance, creative lighting and inventive costumes will linger in the viewer’s memory.

For the full review head here.

Lee Hartman of KC Metropolis added this:

The production values of Red Death put many other Fringe shows to shame…. Granner, at full volume for most of his singing, is convincing with his laissez-faire attitude and Barnes… is an equal match. … Red Death should be on your “to see” list for this year’s Fringe. It tries something new, albeit conservatively, but the performances and production are worthy of attention.

Full review here.

What about the people?  KC Stage reviews abound:

It seems every year at Fringe there comes along a show that I find myself wishing could be brought out to full length. This year, one such show is Bryan Colley’s “Red Death” –KellyLuck: 5 out of 5

At one point their frantic, almost jerky, movements gave the impression of many more dancers than there were. This was an effective contrast to the fluidly slow movements, particularly when Coleman Crenshaw as the Uninvited Guest drew attention merely by his intense stage presence. – Detailer: 5 out of 5

DANGEROUS TO DANCE WITH by Bill Rogers
Mr. Trussell also had this to say about Dangerous to Dance With:

…a talented cast, anchored by Victor Raider-Wexler as Harris. Raider-Wexler is one of the city’s best character actors, and he inhabits the role with gruff authority and a shrewd sense of comic timing….  Coleman Crenshaw is smooth and relaxed as Nick…. the writing is often witty. Overall this is an interesting, edgy example of comic playwriting.

 [T]his play is so thought provoking, in order to understand and appreciate all of the philosophical points, you need to see the play twice. -AlanSKoalas: 5 out of 5

Nick has a very dry sense of British humor, which is perfect for Coleman, and a great foil to the broader humor in the play.  – Jewell: 5 out of 5

Victor Raider-Wexler stands out among the cast. He created a fascinating character, always consistent, truthful, and spot-on. Victor was adept at both comic timing and intense seriousness…. [Coleman Crenshaw] was interesting to watch and listen to. … his active listening and facial reactions were consistently good.  -Detailer: 3 out of 5