Tammy Kopko returns as Bette Davis, the chain-smoking, tough-talking, Hollywood DIVA and unlikely guardian angel and mentor to awkward 5 year-old Tommy Klein, (Rhyse Silvestro) in the this special anniversary production of the Fringe and NYC hit comedy by John Ryan.
Tommy, smothered by his needy mom, (Janine Klein) finds he needs more guidance as her grows up and he finds it in Bette Davis. Tammy’s performance as Bette is spot on, her every nuance is inspired by the ballsy disdain of this Hollywood DIVA. She is truly a force to be reckoned with. Her mission is to earn her wings guiding the young Tommy towards adulthood. Demonic puppets act as the young boy’s inner demons but they fall flat as guiding voices.
A date goes horribly wrong when an attention starved girl (Melanie Leon) throws herself at the young boy. Her performance is wide eyed, manic and over the top funny. As she freezes in mid kiss, Tommy gets up from the couch and turns to his diva for advice. She advises him to follow his inner voice and that doesn’t lead him to want to pursue women.
The young Tommy grows into a teen, (Clark Levi) ready for college. He ends up rooming with a misogynistic dude as a roommate and Bette earns her wings when the sensitive Tommy stands up for himself. As she says, she gets her wings any time a frat boy screams.
Tammy Kopko as Bette Davis was fabulous. Every moment she was on stage was pure gold. This was a fun romp and the few moments that fall short are easily forgiven for just one more moment of the DIVA’s attitude. Look no further for your next Fringe Crush.
Tickets are $12 plus a $10 Fringe button needed to get into any Fringe show. The show is in the Gold venue inside the Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803.
Remaining show dates are:
8:45 PM
10:15 PM
5:00 PM