This year, DC Fringe is offering the cinephiles out there a show that’s very well-tailored to the silver screen – Movie Magic Live! While this production is technically a work of theatre, it’s actually a sincere, kinetic game show devoted to film. Over the course of 90 minutes, “all audience members will be asked to participate. Everyone will be embarrassed”.
Movie Magic Live! takes place in the beautiful and vibrant Blind Whino SW Arts Club. A projection screen, dressed with glitzy gold sequins, is tucked into a nook of the wildly painted old room. Close by, an assortment of props is laid out – the perfect level of gaudiness between the setting’s colorful interior and the setup of Movie Magic Live!
Each of us was given a nametag and card to write down our answers.
After a short video of iconic movie moments (paired impishly with Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King”), hosts Jason Fraley, Ally Jenkins and Queen Bambi (doing a stellar Lucille Ball impression) led us immediately into the competition. What follows includes gender-flipped scene reenactments, lightning-speed makeup sessions and a very Travoltan dance-off. The three hosts were assisted throughout by a small crew of loud and eager assistants dressed in black.
Movie Magic Live! provides lighthearted entertainment that pushes audience members out of their comfort zones. The liveliest contestants add a lot of the fun. Take, for instance, one scene recreation centered around the (in)famous deli moment in When Harry Met Sally; the sight of a grizzled, middle-aged man acting out Meg Ryan’s climax was a hilarious sight to behold. Inescapable nostalgia also complements the show. Throughout the evening, I found myself privately acting out classic movie scenes aired on the projector.
At times, there was audio trouble with cut scenes and transitions between the games. The sounds didn’t always sync with the video on-screen, which took a bit away from the magic. Additionally, as someone who’s admittedly indifferent about game shows, the hosts’ various movie title puns wore pretty thin.
Regardless, Movie Magic Live! is a fun alternative to most Fringe fare, and I think any film buffs out there will be sure to enjoy themselves at least a bit.
Movie Magic Live! . Created by Jon Gann, Kerri Sheehan. Cast: Ally Jenkins, Jason Frahley, Queen Bambi . Presented at the Capital Fringe Festival 2018 . Reviewed by Tim Caron.
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