We have arrived at the last day of the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival. It's been a great ride, and I've enjoyed the journey. Along the way I've seen some incredible performances, met and reconnected with friends, and had a great time passing on information to you.
I attended two plays on this final day of Fringe - one at Theatre of Note and one at Theatre Asylum - before heading over to Fringe Central for the Fringe Awards Show. In other words, there will be two more articles after this one.
The first play I saw was a wonderful one-man show called "Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!" To be honest, going in I wasn't sure what this play would be about, other than it might have something to do with the ocean. I was pleasantly surprised and not the least bit disappointed.
Jay Alvarez has written an incredible piece, based on a taped interview with his father, Humberto, that chronicles the last days of old Havana and his family's escape from Cuba to a new life in America.
The play begins as it ends, with Jay providing characterizations of his mother, father and grandmother, as well as some of his father's friends, while they all made their escape. Jay was four and a half years old at the time and the title of the play refers to the six words that were his most vivid recollection of that day.
If the play was only about Jay's personal story, it would be exciting enough. But Jay goes beyond that scope and includes stories about the regime change and its effect on the people of Cuba. Jay provides great historical background that complements his personal story, leaving the audience with a true sense of understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices his family made in order to ensure that Jay and his siblings could grow up in a free country.
"Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You" will be part of the first Solo Show Festival to be held at the Theatre Asylum after the Best of the Fringe series. I strongly encourage you to catch a performance - you won't regret it!
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