Fringe Review: The Five Lives of Colby Carter

Playwright: L.M. Magalas
Director: L.M Magalas
Cast: Luis Arrojo, Jenn Magalas, Julian Nicholson, Olivia Prunean, Paddy Skinner, Alex Whorms
Original Music by: Geoff Ball

Venue: Hamilton Theatre Inc
Show Times:

Sat July 16: 2:00 pm
Sun July 17: 3:30pm
Mon July 18: 7:30pm
Wed July 20: 6:00pm
Thurs Jul 21: 9:00pm
Sat July 23: 7:30pm
Sun July 24: 6:00 pm

Set in a tense hospital waiting room after a horrific accident, the characters recollect and reminisce about the titular Colby Carter (Jenn Magalas).  We see how she touched each of their lives. Memories fade in and out and we see the different faces of a complex woman. Sister. Colleague. Lover. Scared child, shivering in the dark.

Seasoned Fringe veteran Julian Nicholson makes an appearance as an investigator, setting up a Rashomon-inspired sequence that provides some levity as we see how the characters view themselves and each other.

Written, produced and directed by first-time playwright L.M. Magalas, The Five Lives of Colby Carter is an impressively professional production, complete with an original score. It’s one of the longest shows of the 2016 Fringe, but the tight pacing and seamless scene changes make the 90 minutes fly by. A polished gem that is well worth your time.