L.A. Review: 'Fierce: Interventions'

Fierce Backbone is a force to be reckoned with, mounting seven productions—14 plays—as part of this year's Hollywood Fringe Festival. The new group of playwrights, actors, and directors focuses on new writing, and its "Interventions" comprises three short plays that, if not particularly fierce or fringy, are certainly thought-provoking.

Nancy Beverly's contemplative "Clouds Rest," directed by Cailin Harrison, is the strongest of the three. Andrew Boyle plays a jilted lover kept up at night by fateful words and images until he reaches a new perspective. In Mona Deutsch Miller's "The End of the Line," Ann Ryerson and Ashley McGee play strangers on a train who share a horrifying experience; director Herb Isaacs might have channeled more of the inherent dark humor to tighten the piece. Courtney Ryan directs Jeremy Kehoe's "Banana Intervention," a clever comedy bursting with humor that finds Will Blagrove, Sean Welch, and Ashley McGee close to gagging on punch lines.

Presented by Fierce Backbone as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival at Fringe Central Mainstage, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. June 14–22. Remaining performances: Mon., June 18, 3:30 p.m.; Wed., June 20, 11 p.m.; Fri., June 22, 3 p.m. (323) 455-4585 or www.hollywoodfringe.org.