By Alan Jozwiak
The first weekend of the 2026 Cincinnati Fringe Festival was filled with strong performances and compelling stories.
Common themes are emerging from these shows. This edition focuses on complications.
COMPLICATIONS
Several shows thematically connect to some sort of complication or anything which completely changes the course of the characters. These include the following shows:
TOP PICK #1 – Hollywood Horror Story – Ingrid Garner, Los Angeles, CA,
Ingrid Garner brings to life the story of the first female horror host Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi in a solo performance. Nurmi herself is larger than life. Not only is she a horror television pioneer, but she hobnobbed, befriended, and slept with many an A-list actor during the 1950s–60s.
Garner tells this story with the same care, sensitivity and theatricality that she brought to her grandmother’s story in Eleanor’s Story. Garner shows the rise in popularity of Vampira, as well as exploring complications such as sexism and intellectual property theft. Nurmi also has some skeletons in her closet that complicate the legend and transform her from an icon into a fully realized human being.
Garner demonstrates some impressive physicality, slinking across the stage precisely like Vampira. Her Vampira costume is spot on, complete with see-through gloves ending in long fingernails. Garner’s expert use of videography enriches the story through clips of herself playing Vampira on television, as well as videos and photos of Vampira in her prime. Even the preshow music, a selection of punk tunes, perfectly sets the stage for what is to follow.
In short, see this play. Garner acknowledges Nurmi’s flaws and contradictions while making a compelling case for her importance as a television pioneer and artist.
This is one of the few times I turned to my friend after the show and said, “Oh my God! What an amazing show.” This is a must see show.
Remaining Pereformances of A Hollywood Horror Story on Know Mainstage:
- Fri June 5 8:30 pm
- Tue June 9 8:30 pm
- Fri June 12 8:30 pm
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – Unreconciled – Unreconciled Project, Easthampton, Massachusetts
Unreconciled examines the lifelong impact of childhood clerical sexual abuse through the real-life story of Jay Sefton. Growing up in a working-class Philadelphia suburb, Sefton played Jesus in his parish’s annual Passion Play, bringing him into contact with Father Tim, the priest who would abuse him. The play follows Sefton’s journey as an adult confronting the truth of what happened and its lasting consequences.
While a heavy topic, Sefton knows how to interject a light touch. He uses humor whenever possible to soften the horror. He slips easily in and out of several characters to offer comedic relief — such as his working-class, no-nonsense alter ego and his chain-smoking father. The only place the audience gets a fuller taste of the abuse when young Jay talks about being asked to strip naked so Father Tim can put on his loincloth.
The most unsettling moments come from Sefton’s use of actual video footage from the Passion Play, recorded by Father Tim and shown on local cable television. Watching the young Sefton portray Jesus becomes an eerie reminder of where the abuse began.
Sefton co-wrote this play with fellow clerical abuse survivor Mark Basquill. Together they tell the story of Jay’s abuse — both at the hands of Father Tim and years later with representatives of the archdiocese.
There was a talkback after the Sunday, May 31 performance that shed some light on the work Sefton does as a mental health counselor working with fellow abuse victims. He is part of the Unreconciled Project. Their website states that it is an organization dedicated to helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse reclaim their voices through the art of storytelling. That mission is evident in every aspect of this production.
Unreconciled is not an easy evening of theatre, nor should it be. Yes, there are some places where the storyline gets a bit muddy. It is a moving and often powerful account of survival that asks audiences to bear witness to the consequences of abuse and the resilience required to overcome it. It will make you feel, think, and talk long after the lights come up. Something I feel good theatre should do. For that, it is highly recommended.
Remaining Performances of Unreconciled at First Lutheran Church
- Fri, June 5 at 6:45 p.m.
- Sun, June 7 at 6:45 p.m.
- Wed, June 10 at 8:30 p.m.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – Quiet Coyotes – Green Fuse Productions, Southgate, KY
Quiet Coyotes tells the story of three camp counselors — Blair (Ellyn Broderick), Logan (Cary Davenport), and Sam (Monica Tenhover) — who need to keep their campers distracted from a wildfire raging near their camp. To distract the campers, they decide to put on skits that were set to be performed at the staff talent night. What follows is an interesting mix of educational skits about wild tobacco, different tree species, and lichens — and their symbiotic relationships to one another.
Davenport shines in these skits, especially as the hawkmoth laying its eggs into the wild tobacco plant (beautifully played by Tenhover). This part showcases his zany comedic sense and his willingness to go out on a limb (or leaf).
Tenhover is also strong as the uptight camp counselor, worrying about their fate and the safety of the campers, with strong reactions to Davenport’s shenanigans. Finally, Broderick shines as the stalwart and brave Blair. She has to figure out what to do because none of them can find their staff binders with instructions on wildfires.
This is a charming production that showcases the strengths of its actors. However, the wildfire emergency feels a bit forced, almost like a MacGuffin, to get us to the skits, and the unexpected intimacy between two of the counselors could have benefited from more foreshadowing in the script. The symbiosis theme could also play out more among the three camp counselors, as the skits tend to overshadow this part of the script.
In short, Quiet Coyotes is a charming show that entertains as it teaches. The only things missing are the s’mores and the whole group singing “Little Cabin in the Woods.”
Remaining Performances of Quiet Coyotes at Miami University Space:
- Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, June 7 at 4:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 9 at 6:45 p.m.
Look for Part 2 coming soon!
