A Fried Octopus Reviews
LA Weekly- Recommended
"...The surreal, cryptic and emotionally evocative choreo-play, created by co-writer/performer Alicia Adams and co-writer/director Justin Zsebe, is at the Bootleg Theater, where Adams serves as artistic director."
LA Theatre Review- Somewhat Recommended
"...I trust this piece will be performed in houses large and small nationwide in no time. The title alone will bring patrons by the droves. But for you diehard "Sleepless" fans in the LA area, I'd call ahead to see when understudy Adam Silver is playing Sam. He might make a better go of it."
Stage and Cinema- Not Recommended
"...In Fried, the creators make the mistake that this popcorn-type effect of topic jumping and oblique callbacks can work on the stage. Maybe it can, but here it is the opposite of effective. It doesn't work because we're not all in the same headspace as those who created it, and no effort is made to engage the audience in a way where we feel like we are connecting with what the performers are saying."
ArtsInLA- Somewhat Recommended
"...A Fried Octopus looks like it was exciting to create and experience coming to fruition; if only there had been more emphasis in engaging the audience enough for us to be able to join in on the fun and not be left as vaguely amused voyeurs."
Neon Tommy- Recommended
"...Would I see it again' Yes. Do I recommend it' Yes, if you have a penchant for drag shows and glitter. But I suggest alcohol, or if you are underage, a large coffee with extra shots of espresso or a few energy drinks during intermission."
Thomas Hampton Reviews- Somewhat Recommended
"...By it's own nature, the piece is self indulgent. It has no narrative spine, few fleshed out characters, and little beyond flashy bits of inventive eloquence and surprise to hold the audience in the tangle of A FRIED OCTOPUS' tentacles."
LA Downtown News- Recommended
"...Rashad proved in Gem of the Ocean that she can be trusted to handle the lead in a Wilson play. Now she has shown as a director that she is a more than worthy caretaker of Wilson's legacy."