[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival review of Sage Center, a new play by Corey Renfree.
Powerfully engaging and brilliantly executed, Corey Renfree’s Sage Center makes its Hollywood Fringe Festival debut at the Upstairs @ El Centro.
Sage Center is set in a fictitious residential treatment facility atop a ski hill. It takes place in the late 2010s, where staff and a recent new hire, Corey, help treat and care for a band of schizophrenic residents. The treatment center is understaffed and never has enough supplies or funding to meet its needs. In comes Corey, early 20s with no experience or training as a psychiatrist, therapist, or medical professional. He applies for a job opening with only his enthusiasm and a passion to help people as his credentials. He is eventually hired, and the adventure begins.
The multi-faceted and multi-talented Corey Renfree not only plays the lead, but he also wrote, directed, produced, and co-wrote with Dakota Brubaker the original music. Sometimes, all these key credits might be a red flag, but in this case, it paid off.
The writing immediately sets us right in the middle of the world of Sage Center, the residential treatment facility. The dialogue is taut and authentic. The pacing moves the story along, but allows for each character to be fully formed. Therefore, the characters may not all be relatable, but they are all very specific. That only happens when you have a good cast, of course. Fortunately for the audience, the cast was very strong and committed to a great emotional inner life for every character. Directing this cast must have been such a pleasure.
Speaking of direction, Corey Renfree, as mentioned earlier, is also directing this new play he wrote. It is not an easy task to wear so many important hats in one production. It could have been a recipe for disaster, but happily for this production, the cast was in excellent hands with casting director Lauren McNair. The scene changes were tight and short, and the blocking was simple and direct. It kept my eyes glued to the actors on the stage and not folks moving things in the dark.
A special mention goes out to the tech staff: music engineer Dakota Brubaker and lighting and designer Matthew Moss (you too, Corey). Thank you for melding the music and lighting cues so seamlessly. It does indeed take a village to make a play.
As my 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival comes to a close, I must say how many wonderfully successful and enjoyable the shows I had the privilege to see and experience. Sage Center is definitely in my top three. I look forward to more works from Corey Renfree and his excellent cast.
The Cast:
Corey Renfree, Diane Witter, Samiah Alexander, Angela Hernandez, Niranand Raum, Lauren McNair, Jahrell Phillips, Kevin McKim, Jeff Raum, Shannon Spangler, Kyle Sanderson.
The Production Team
Lauren McNair – Producer, castinf director
Corey Renfree – Producer, writer, director
Dakora Brubaker – music
Paige Peterson – concept art
Mathew Moss – lighting and sound design