[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of “BUGS!” written by Tommy Fleming and Riley Smith at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2023.
I’m English and I grew up with David Attenborough. He’s still the absolute best natural history documentary filmmaker. So when I found out he was at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this year in a musical…well, I had to be there!
What a brilliant, hilarious and wonderfully creative tribute to Sir David!! “Bugs” is a fact-packed homage to the insects all around us. From the lowly worm to the magical snail, the roach, the spider, the moth, the bee, the gnarly wasp and more! Each sketch is a musical extravaganza complete with dancing and a bit of rapping by Sir David, always on stage keeping a watchful eye on his beautiful bugs.
I have no idea how Tommy Flemming and Riley Smith came up with this fabulous idea, but I will be forever grateful that they did! The actors are fantastic too! How can a man be a bee? Or a moth? Or a worm? It takes some skills I can tell you! Everyone is just so excellent. Believable, great costumes and the dancing…well “Cats” has nothing on “Bugs!”
I particularly loved the way every actor took their roles so seriously. There are no cheap “stings for laughs,” every wriggle and every wing flap is played to perfection and that really makes all the difference. You believe that they believe and the magic happens.
Hollywood Fringe needs big fun shows like this – irreverent, whimsical and joyful. I cannot recommend “Bugs” enough. The costumes by Clara Rodriguez are amazing too. It’s a big cast, and they all look brilliant!
They have a few more performances and it’s a Hollywood Fringe show not to be missed!!!! I absolutely loved it!!
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9714?tab=tickets
When:
Friday, June 16 at 10:30 pm
Saturday, June 18 at 9:00 pm
Thursday, June 22 at 8:00pm
Saturday, June 24 at 3:30 pm
Where:
The Broadwater (Main Stage)
1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038
