Philly Fringe 2024: Jenn Adams presents An Evening with August Strindberg: Followed by a Perfectly Normal Performance of Miss Julie

Adams, who also wrote and directed the piece, took an ambitious leap by embodying the complex and often problematic playwright. While Strindberg is a serious and imposing figure, this portrayal of him was firmly tongue-in-cheek.

The play presented interesting tidbits of modern theatrical theory, but the writing often fell into shallow critiques. The focus on Strindberg’s misogynistic milieu became repetitive without much fresh insight. While the commentary on the hegemonic masculinity of the 19th century is valid, it’s not exactly revelatory.

Adams, for their part, commanded the stage, though they occasionally broke character and seemed overly amused by their own jokes. A standout feature of the performance was their hand-drawn signs, which formed a significant part of the show’s humor. These visual aids were usually effective but gave the production the feel of a TED Talk. Some jokes landed well while others felt redundant; it became clear early on that Strindberg (as portrayed by Adams) views the audience as intellectually inferior, a point that was hammered home a bit too often.

Despite these drawbacks, the show has potential. With some serious editing and workshopping, it could thrive in a space like Theatre Exile's Philly Grit showcase. At this stage, though, it feels underdeveloped, in need of nurturing and refinement.

Plays and Players Theatre was a comfortable home for this evolving work, and in the final moments of the performance, Emily Dale White delivered a wonderfully surprising comedic turn as Miss Julie, ending the show on a high note.