Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
What a delightful play with a dark topic. Even though we see black and white cows, standing in line in front of the white wall, we realize they could easily be us - humans.
They all look similar, yet they are all different. Just like us.
No two people are exactly the same. We are all alike, yet unique and special. There is a great message with many spiritual lessons for all of us in this play. The script is simply brilliant. The directing is perfect. Big applause to
Aaron Francis for writing, directing, and producing this play. It is very educational and offers something to think and talk about.
I highly recommend this play!
Betsy (Jennifer DeRosa), and Patty (
Jules Bruff) are at the end of the line. There are six cows standing in front of them. They are all waiting for something wonderful to happen. When 'Next" is called, they are excited and curios at the same time, about something new - yet unknown. After a moment we hear the sound of shudder. And silence follows. All the seats were taken at tonight's performance, and everyone listened intently.
The dialogue between the two cows is fantastic. Betsy and Patty explore life's challenges and look for answers: Why are they standing in this line? Why is it so hard to admit that they are wrong sometimes? How can they find happiness and joy? They come to a conclusion-- even though they have many reasons that keep them from admitting they are wrong. It is better to be wrong and experience something new; even if we fail, we learn something. They recognize that they are prisoners and dream
of
revolution with other cows, breaking through that white wall, and finding bliss in a meadow of the fresh green grass.
'Betsy & Patty Find Out' is
potent,
funny, detailed, and minimal.
It could be performed anywhere -- just make sure that those wonderful sound effects are performed properly. Bruno Oliver plays the man, who calls upon 'Next' cow in line. Jennifer DeRosa and Jules Bruff are playing off each other with great timing. They hold us in their capable and caring hands for 45 minutes.
They are interesting, colorful in their interpretations, and utterly entertaining. The chemistry between them is wonderful. And that also goes for all the silent cows in the line: Lake Armstrong, Suze Campagna, Monica Howe, Courtney Kruse, Yolanda Snowball and Jasmine White. Through their silence and reactions, they say a lot. Well done!
Jennifer DeRosa & Aaron Francis created the costumes, Kathleen Jaffe, stage manager, with Adam Francis as a stagehand. Box office manager is Julia Paras.
The show runs at the Broadwater theatre (Second Stage), 6320 Santa Monica Blvd. on June9 at 6:30pm, June 14 at 11:00 am, June 23 at 8:00 pm, June 26 at 5:00 pm and June 29 at 9:30pm. The tickets are $12 and can be purchased at
www.HollywoodFringe.org