Comments on: Shadows in Bloom http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39 Celebrating Independent Performance and Art March 4 - March 13, 2010 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:34:02 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ernie http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-406 Ernie Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:01:14 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-406 Loved it. Loved it.

]]> By: Stephen http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-394 Stephen Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:38:08 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-394 It's hard not to compare this year's show to last year's...and both are brilliant. Gemma is a master of writing ability, moving seamlessly from metaphor to dreamstate, wringing the most from internal dialogue to outer hesitations. Toss in her breathless acting ability and Shadows in Bloom becomes slice-of-life theatre at its absolute finest. I gently preferred last year's show because it was so non-linear it required more mental attention, more audience intellect. The Brechtian style of presentation drew me, for one, further into the eventual emotion that quickly followed my total immersion. Unlike Heddalyn above, I found the ending completely and succinctly closed-ended, the perfect ending to the story. I was shocked to see only a 2/3 full house. Shadows in Bloom should be required viewing for every other Rogue and Fresno actor/writer in town. Note: This is a very tech-heavy show, and many kudos to the volunteer who did the tech work. The light changes were subtle and the many sound cues right on. Great job Gemma and Rogue! It’s hard not to compare this year’s show to last year’s…and both are brilliant.

Gemma is a master of writing ability, moving seamlessly from metaphor to dreamstate, wringing the most from internal dialogue to outer hesitations. Toss in her breathless acting ability and Shadows in Bloom becomes slice-of-life theatre at its absolute finest.

I gently preferred last year’s show because it was so non-linear it required more mental attention, more audience intellect. The Brechtian style of presentation drew me, for one, further into the eventual emotion that quickly followed my total immersion.

Unlike Heddalyn above, I found the ending completely and succinctly closed-ended, the perfect ending to the story.

I was shocked to see only a 2/3 full house. Shadows in Bloom should be required viewing for every other Rogue and Fresno actor/writer in town.

Note: This is a very tech-heavy show, and many kudos to the volunteer who did the tech work. The light changes were subtle and the many sound cues right on. Great job Gemma and Rogue!

]]> By: Michael Medrano http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-302 Michael Medrano Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:54:46 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-302 It would have been a good play if each of the parts in Gemma Wilcox’s one-person show, Shadows in Bloom, was cast. But, Wilcox’s ability to weave from character to character, seamlessly, takes this well written performance to the next level. Wilcox not only is a master at character transition, but she’s got her myriad of characters: women, men, children, the motherly neighbor down to their very gesture and attitude. Even the plants on the kitchen sill are portrayed with such accuracy, you’d swear to never look at a blooming daisy the same way again. No, it’s not about bad ass Gonzo types trying to find redemption through loaded metaphors and hyped up experiences, nor are there any references to the occult or even fire-breathing. What works for me is what I like best—Wilcox, her well written script, her movement, those character. This Is Her Stage—I dare you to take it! Michael L. Medrano is the host of "Pakatelas" which airs every 2nd & 4th Thursdays (3-3:30pm) on KFCF 88.1 FM It would have been a good play if each of the parts in Gemma Wilcox’s one-person show, Shadows in Bloom, was cast. But, Wilcox’s ability to weave from character to character, seamlessly, takes this well written performance to the next level. Wilcox not only is a master at character transition, but she’s got her myriad of characters: women, men, children, the motherly neighbor down to their very gesture and attitude. Even the plants on the kitchen sill are portrayed with such accuracy, you’d swear to never look at a blooming daisy the same way again. No, it’s not about bad ass Gonzo types trying to find redemption through loaded metaphors and hyped up experiences, nor are there any references to the occult or even fire-breathing. What works for me is what I like best—Wilcox, her well written script, her movement, those character. This Is Her Stage—I dare you to take it!

Michael L. Medrano is the host of “Pakatelas” which airs every 2nd & 4th Thursdays (3-3:30pm) on KFCF 88.1 FM

]]> By: Jessi http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-280 Jessi Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:55:44 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-280 Not only does Gemma give each of several characters a distinct personality, but she does it in a way that gives each of these personalities relevance to the story. You'll sympathize with some characters and appreciate others. When she talks to you from a plant's perspective, you get the feeling that this is exactly how this plant would act in this situation. Really fantastic show! (full review at http://fresnoundercurrent.blogspot.com/) Not only does Gemma give each of several characters a distinct personality, but she does it in a way that gives each of these personalities relevance to the story. You’ll sympathize with some characters and appreciate others. When she talks to you from a plant’s perspective, you get the feeling that this is exactly how this plant would act in this situation. Really fantastic show!
(full review at http://fresnoundercurrent.blogspot.com/)

]]> By: DeniseAdAbsurdum http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-261 DeniseAdAbsurdum Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:00:19 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-261 A calla lily, a sunflower, an elderly neighbor, oh my! Please allow me to start the ovation by being the first to stand….Gemma Wilcox’ show is superb. In a show that includes a myriad of characters, she transitions between each with ease and grace that belie the difficulty of the art she is performing. Miss Wilcox’ unique talent, delightful facial expressions, and obvious passion for her craft make this a show worth watching. The storyline itself and characters make it worth even another viewing. Thank you Gemma for returning to the Rogue this year, you are definitely one of its greatest stars. A calla lily, a sunflower, an elderly neighbor, oh my! Please allow me to start the ovation by being the first to stand….Gemma Wilcox’ show is superb. In a show that includes a myriad of characters, she transitions between each with ease and grace that belie the difficulty of the art she is performing. Miss Wilcox’ unique talent, delightful facial expressions, and obvious passion for her craft make this a show worth watching. The storyline itself and characters make it worth even another viewing. Thank you Gemma for returning to the Rogue this year, you are definitely one of its greatest stars.

]]> By: heddalyn http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-189 heddalyn Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:54:45 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-189 This was a really good show. Gemma switches characters with amazing speed, and grace. Her body language shifts tell you who she is before she even has to open her mouth. She is very talented. I did feel like the story left me hanging a little. It was a little too open ended for me, and I would have liked a little more closure, but that's the only fault I really find here. This is a good show, and definitely worth spending your $ on to see during the Rogue. This was a really good show. Gemma switches characters with amazing speed, and grace. Her body language shifts tell you who she is before she even has to open her mouth. She is very talented.

I did feel like the story left me hanging a little. It was a little too open ended for me, and I would have liked a little more closure, but that’s the only fault I really find here.

This is a good show, and definitely worth spending your $ on to see during the Rogue.

]]> By: Paul http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-181 Paul Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:12:10 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-181 This woman is utterly brilliant. Saw her last year and she was far and away the best thing at the Rogue. Thus far this year, same result. She LIVES these characters, she is these characters. If you can only see one show, this should be it. This woman is utterly brilliant. Saw her last year and she was far and away the best thing at the Rogue. Thus far this year, same result. She LIVES these characters, she is these characters. If you can only see one show, this should be it.

]]> By: Charlie http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-170 Charlie Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:54:39 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-170 I missed Gemma's performance last year and was recommended to see her this year. Without a doubt, her performance is one of the best of the festival. She manages to go from part to part in a seamless transition. A thoroughly enjoyable show! I missed Gemma’s performance last year and was recommended to see her this year. Without a doubt, her performance is one of the best of the festival. She manages to go from part to part in a seamless transition. A thoroughly enjoyable show!

]]> By: Brendy http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-163 Brendy Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:25:59 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-163 My wife and I saw Gemma last year and we were absolutely amazed by her performance, when we saw that she was performing again this year we couldn't wait to see her show again, and once again she did not dissapoint, I highly recommend this show, she is amazing. My wife and I saw Gemma last year and we were absolutely amazed by her performance, when we saw that she was performing again this year we couldn’t wait to see her show again, and once again she did not dissapoint, I highly recommend this show, she is amazing.

]]> By: Brad http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39&cpage=1#comment-158 Brad Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:00:14 +0000 http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=39#comment-158 Another outstanding show and performance by Gemma Wilcox. She just gets better every year. Another outstanding show and performance by Gemma Wilcox.
She just gets better every year.

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