- Phoenix Productions
When four friends get together for their weekly card game, the conversation turns to the question: if it were possible to go back in time and change one decision, do you know what decision that would be? If you made that change and had to relive your life from that point with all your memories intact, would you do it? While discussing the possibilities, the friends are forced to take a good look at their lives and come to some startling revelations. They realize their lives are not what they thought they were – maybe it’s not even reality.
IThis show is a creative take on a question most commonly asked..” What If”.
The characters are all convincing and strong and demonstrate excellent multidimensional depth to their persona.
The ending makes it all worth while . Great job!
Every year, I stumble into a show that represents the very nadir of Fringe; this year, that show was Yesterday Reimagined. It is difficult to believe this was actually written, rehearsed, and performed by functional, adult human beings. Every hackneyed, subtlety-free line (“You used to be into all the social causes…I loved when you used to lead us in all those social causes.” ) felt like it was written by an alien attempting to understand human culture, a sixth-grade drama class trying to capture what “grown-ups” think and talk about, or an AI trained on Tommy Wiseau scripts. And the acting was so wooden and cringeworthy I wondered whether all the actors were actually three schoolchildren in a trench coat. During the performance I attended, everyone’s phone went off with a government tornado warning – so even the heavens wanted this drivel to end.
I decided to attend last night’s performance of Yesterday Reimagined despite the Free Press review, From experience over the years I know some of the BEST shows are given poor ratings by the Free Press. It did not disappoint at all. In fact it was very good. Tremendous performances from the cast. Take it from a long time fringer, THIS is a great show and bravo to the cast and director.
I was not going to go to this play after reading the 2 star review in the Free Press, but a friend talked me into going with her tonight. I was pleasantly surprised, the show was very well done, lots of well timed laughs, with up and down emotions that made for a great show, with a twist you don’t see coming at the end
I normally don’t leave reviews but this production deserves mention!
Right from the get go one senses tension brewing between the couple Denise and Curtis while waiting for their friends Sandy and Paul to arrive for Sat night game night.
The arrival of the 2nd couple proves to bring up some controversial topics and tempers flare, feelings and emotional responses are heightened as the story unfolds.
The Roles of Sandy and Curtis are exceptionally strong with sharp quick responses exchanged between them . There is punchy dialogue quick wit and sarcasm that brings interest to this drama… all the while the personal lives of all characters become more exposed and explored. Tender moments and droll humor expressed between couple Sandy and Paul warm the heart and bring multidimensional aspects to their characters.
Curtis is wonderfully reprehensible and there is oscillating dynamic that flows between him and wife Denise as their lives unfold and unfurl. Denise’s ability to portray emotional highs and lows brings depth to her character and so moves the audience . The wonder of the “what Ifs” are well explored and emoted by the entire cast. Well Done !
This play is a must see!! The actors were so on point, at first I thought with so much stage and only four actors that it would be hard to hear them, but that was not an issue at all. It was a great story wondering what if!! The actors tell the story beautifully, they are not one dimensional at all, there is laughter, sadness and anger throughout the play. The actors move about the stage filling it up instead of being stagnant. Check it out, I would give it a 4 1/2 stars!!
I’m sure we have all made a decision or two in our lives that leave us wondering, “What if…?” However, this play is a great demonstration of the fact that that can be a destructive train of thought, and likely an even worse conversation. However, if you are attached to someone as detestable as Daniel’s character in this play, it’s never too late to run for the hills. If you are a fan of relationship drama, and love-to-hate characters, you will find a LOT of that here.
I think this show needed more work. The characters were one-dimensional and the performances wooden, with overly expositional dialogue and a character so needlessly cruel he became a mustache-twirling villain. It was obvious the playwright didn’t know how to write a believable character they disagreed with without turning them into a straw man.
The direction also had characters ping-ponging all over the stage for no reason, with more care needed for blocking that felt deliberate. The central debate at the heart of the show is pretty tired – no new ground or original content is explored.
“Yesterday Reimagined”
Set in the comfortable intimacy of a suburban living room, “Yesterday Reimagined” invites audiences into a seemingly ordinary games night between two couples—until a provocative question stirs the quiet evening: If you could go back and change one decision, would you?
At the heart of this reflective drama is Katerina Dawson, who delivers a standout performance as Sandy, a devoted wife and mother who radiates love and gratitude for her life and family. Her portrayal is heartfelt and grounded, bringing warmth and emotional depth from a place of deep acceptance and contentment. Katerina’s ability to convey strength through stillness and nuance through silence is particularly moving; her scenes are the emotional anchor of the play.
Counterbalancing Sandy’s certainty is Curtis, played by Daniel Cormier, whose imagination runs wild with the paths not taken. Daniel brings an easy charm and restlessness to the role, offering moments of levity but also a quiet ache beneath the surface. His character becomes a mirror for anyone who’s ever looked back and wondered, “What if?”
The other actors, Paul and Denise (played with sharp timing and emotional range by Hannon Bell and Leslie Boardman, respectively), round out the dynamic beautifully. Pragmatic skepticism and dry wit add texture to the group’s chemistry, creating a believable and often funny interplay that makes the moments of introspection hit even harder.
Writer/Director Liz Farler wisely keeps the staging intimate, letting the actors’ performances carry the emotional weight. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing deliberate, and the tension simmers just below the surface as past regrets and present joys are laid bare.
In a world obsessed with alternate timelines and second chances, Yesterday Reimagined reminds us of the quiet power in saying, “I wouldn’t change a thing.” And thanks to Katerina’s beautifully sincere performance, that sentiment lingers long after the curtain falls.
What a great show. Very entertaining from start to finish. All 5 of the characters really got into character. Best show I’ve seen at the Fringe in years. A nice comfortable environment to watch a show as well.