It's Rogue Time Baby!
Festival Reviews: The Barn Identity and a Hour of Ninety Lies
Let's kick off the Rogue Festival madness, folks! The 2025 edition of this chaos takes place from February 28-March 8 in Fresno's buzzing Tower District, CA. Buckle up as we're going to drop some show reviews on ya over the next few days! Before Rogue opened, we've alreadypublished a bunch of Rogue Festival Performer Preview articles, along with an article about Rogue itself. You can find all our coverage in our Rogue Festival category, and more info including some performer press releases on our Rogue Festival event page over on our KRL News and Reviews. Tickets are available on the Rogue website.
The Barn Identity: A Twisted TaleBy Terrance McArthur
Erika MacDonald asks; "How many times have I told this story?" Every time she tells it, another piece of the puzzle slips into place. Is it about autumn leaves? Barns crumbling to the ground? A movie night? An elderly woman resting in bed? Losing one's identity? Architecture? Poetry?
MacDonald, a captivating, serene performer, owns the stage with an emphatic hand fan, expressive arms, and a soothing voice that draws you in without force. Each moment, each snippet, waits to connect. Music drifts in and out, adding or subtracting from the story. Follow it.
MacDonald collaborates with another Rogue 2025 artist, Paul Strickland (90 Lies an Hour: Paul Strickland). Her solo shows, directing, and puppetry have earned her awards, tours across the nation and internationally, and even Off-Broadway. Whenever you see her, you'll be reminded of a stage magician ready to bring a ten-foot-tall tree out of a paper bag. The magic lies in her words.
Catch the final performances of The Barn Identity on Friday, March 7, at 7:00 pm and Saturday, March 8, at 3:30 pm. Tickets go for $15. The story will unravel itself. Trust the process.
Terrance V. Mc Arthur was part of the Fresno County Public Library team for three decades, retiring but not letting go of his storytelling, puppeteering, writing, acting, magic tricks, basket weaving, and other weird hobbies. He aims to make life more bizarre for everyone he meets.
90 Lies an Hour: Paul StricklandReview by Lorie Lewis Ham
I wouldn't have imagined reviewing another show this Rogue Festival, but when I attended Martin Dockery's show again (it's that good!), he recommended checking out 90 Lies an Hour by Paul Strickland. And boy, am I glad I did!
As soon as Strickland, a delightfully charming southerner, steps onto the stage, you can't help but feel at ease. Born in Kentucky, his down-home vibe is incredibly comforting and inviting. He shares stories, sings songs, and weaves tales so well that you can't help but get pulled in. It's like chilling on your front porch on a lovely Spring day listening to your favorite cousin spin yarns.
Strickland collects stories – are they real or fictional? He calls them fact within fiction. Another insightful remark he makes is that sometimes we need fictional stories to help us navigate difficult times. He enjoys telling folk and fairy tales with a unique twist.
His songs perfectly complement his stories, linking them all together to tell a tale about community, everyday people, and the importance of looking out for each other. In the stories I heard, there were trailer parks, families, witches, reading toilets, whale songs, hardback books for hats, lightning bolts, and sing-alongs.
Leaving this show, you'll feel uplifted, inspired, and at peace. It's also hilarious! I can't recall the last time I laughed so hard!
So here's another show you don't want to miss! Paul Strickland is an exceptional storyteller. Coincidentally, our last two reviews share a connection – a complete coincidence.
90 Lies an Hour is performed at The Lotus Room, 626 E. Olive Ave., Fresno. Strickland's last performance takes place on Saturday, March 8 at 5 pm.
If you're a theatre enthusiast, don't forget to check out Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.
Find more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL's Local Theatre event page.
Lorie Lewis Ham serves as our Editor-in-Chief and contributes to various sections, combining her journalism experience with her connections to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie's mystery writing at Mysteryrat's Closet. Lorie's latest mystery novel, One of Us, is set in the Tower District of Fresno and the world of community theatre!
Uncensored Notes
Unfortunately, there's no info on Paul Strickland's specific performances at the 2025 Rogue Festival, but he has been credited as the director for Erika MacDonald's "Gabriel’s Corner" at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival[1]. However, there's no mention of his return to the Rogue Festival in the near future. For up-to-date and accurate information, check the official Rogue Festival website or this year's festival programs.
The captivating tale of Erika MacDonald, 'The Barn Identity: A Twisted Tale', has found its place amongst the diverse offerings in both the 'home-and-garden' and 'lifestyle' sections, as it explores themes of architectural decay, personal identity, and poetry set against a backdrop of autumn leaves and barns.
equally intriguing is Paul Strickland's engaging storytelling performance, '90 Lies an Hour', which integrates music, stories, and humor into a captivating entertaining experience, making it a perfect addition to any 'home-and-garden' or 'lifestyle' interests.
