Review: PETUNIA AND CHICKEN at Capital Fringe

When you find a Capital Fringe show that is both entertaining and in an air conditioned space, you have basically hit the DC summer theater jackpot.

Directed by Melinda Jean Ferraracio, PETUNIA AND CHICKEN is on a basic level a seemingly simple prairie love story. The physicality and originality that the playwrights/actors Carrie Brown and Karim Muasher bring however, take it from simple to charming, funny and just so so sweet.

The show had a very festival feel as it was told with no set, only four props (a scarf, a hat, and two spoons), and two actors playing more than two characters.

Brown and Muasher expertly and smoothly transformed from character to character. After a few minutes of the play, it was not difficult to figure out who was who. The duo not only created characters through voice and physicality, but also set pieces. If done wrong this decision is extremely risky. The over-the-topness of the acting and ultimately the actors clear ability not to take themselves too seriously worked in their favor.

The fact that I could suspend enough of reality to feel that Muasher played a pretty convincing washboard and be willing to believe that one scarf unveiled a huge dance tent, then I would say the actors did their jobs really well.

At the beginning, I was admittedly concerned; it didn't grab me immediately. I quickly realized the talent and the hard work in front of me. Despite the challenges of no set, few props, few actors, I never felt lost or confused. In fact, this show really wouldn't be the same with those advantages. I was impressed with the creativity. Unfortunately, experimental theater pieces such as this don't often have the opportunity to make it into the mainstream, so it is so important and satisfying to be able to see them at a theater festival.

PETUNIA AND CHICKEN is an escape from the norm. Of course I will never be able to see all of this year's Capital Fringe selections, however I feel it is probably a gem in the lineup.

PETUNIA AND CHICKEN will be playing through July 21, with possible shows added to the schedule. For tickets, https://www.capitalfringe.org/events/918-petunia-and-chicken

Run time is about 60 minutes without an intermission.