Show reviewed:  All Rights Reserved:  A Libertarian Rage 

Playwright:  Phillip Andrew Bennett Low

Date saw the show:  July 22, 2008
Place saw the show: Kansas City Fringe Festival,  Kansas City, Missouri
Company: Max!mum Verbosity http://www.maximumverbosityonline.org/rage.php

Reviewed by:  Deborah Ground Buckner (Kansas City Correspondent - USA)

A soapbox is a major part of All Rights Reserved: A Libertarian Rage, presented by Maximum Verbosity at the Kansas City Fringe Festival.  Several of the five ensemble members have the opportunity to mount the box and deliver a rant, all revolving around the theme of the need to ask questions.

Language, its meanings, its doublespeak, its political correctness, is in the forefront while this attractive and energetic company romps through a revue of songs and sketches.  The shock value of language is quickly thrown out the window in a folksy duet asking if it is too early to make light of various current events, with a sweetly sung chorus of "Fuck, no!"  Kudos to the cast, having just arrived in Kansas City from Minnesota, for taking the time to research and toss a few local topics into the song as well. 

The silliness of language that does back flips to avoid offense is brought out in a meeting of the "Peace League of Minnesota".  A reference to "colored people" is quickly corrected to avoid racism; the proper term now is "people of color."  The leader of the group urges the attendees to "fight for peace."   

A frothy rant spews from a would-be playwright who cannot get a play produced.  "No one takes chances on a new play," he whines.  Producing a play requires grants, and grants are only available for plays devoted to women or gays or disabilities or particular nationalities.  As the rant continues, the playwright's significant other can't stand it anymore and accuses him of being a writer "terrified of words," daring him to have the courage to "actually tell people that you think they're full of shit!"

Fodder for another soapbox rant arises from a political debate of the candidates for mayor of Zombietown.  The current mayor and a council member, both zombies, are challenged by an independent citizen seeking the office, and virtually shut out of the debate (I recognize a third party candidate when I see one!).  He concludes his attempt to enter the world of politics with the observation "our electoral system sucks."

There are plenty of funny lines, many delivered by cast members in underwear.  But the silliness isn't quite enough to overcome the feeling that an "important message" is being pounded into the audience.  A little more subtlety at times and a lot more humor can get the message across even more effectively. 

The show will play in the Minnesota Fringe Festival July 31-August 9.