Best Picture

Legends performing legends. There’s no surprise that Best Picture was sold out the day that I saw it, and I’m sure it has been again and again since then – deservedly so. 

Fringe legends Tara Travis and Jon Paterson join Fringe cult-star Kurt Fitzpatrick to play a cast of thousands as they jump from film to film to film to film performing bits (or even just titles) from every Oscar Best Picture film ever.  That’s 86 films in 60 minutes (with a few non-Oscar winning favourites sneaking their way in as well). 

These three are truly Fringe masters and the show starts as soon as the audience begins cramming into the tiny Havana theatre.  The experience is uniting and the trio has everyone on sidel ong before the curtain speech starts (and if they didn’t, they certainly have them all by the end of the speech).  And the audience stays with them until the very end. 

Best Picture flies by at a rip-roaring pace. These actors are given many opportunities to flex their comedic chops, but I missed watching these talented folks have a few quiet moments of connection amidst the flurry of getting through all the films. A few moments of calm would have lent themselves nicely to the break-neck pace.  The best parts of roller coasters are awesome the moments of teetering anticipation – the quiet before the storm.  

The show was so fun that I almost forgot how uncomfortable the seats at the Havana are. And I certainly added many movies to my must watch list.