Review: ‘Dinosaurs’ at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2026

Mandy Rubeli’s “Dinosaurs” at this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival follows Claire (Hailey Hudson), who comes home to find an actual dinosaur inside her apartment. After calling her best friend Hayden (Devin Stone) for help, Claire begins to realize that the dinosaur may be connected to unhealed abuse she experienced when she was thirteen. As the story unfolds, Hayden, Claire and the dinosaur decide to track down and confront her abuser before the space-time continuum collapses.

The performances in “Dinosaurs” are enjoyable. Hudson and Stone have great chemistry on stage, allowing Claire and Hayden’s relationship to ground the more absurd parts of the story. Rubeli stands out in playing the dinosaur, mainly because of her strong comedic timing and commitment to the physicality of the role. Her dinosaur costume is also one of the most memorable parts of the production.

The entire cast brings good energy to the stage and commits to the given circumstances. However, some of the emotional moments would land better if the dialogue slowed down a bit. There are moments where the actors move through the heavier beats quickly, which does not always give the audience enough time to sit with what Claire is processing. Still, the actors understand the tone of the show and do a good job balancing comedy with the more serious subject matter.

Faith Saporito’s straightforward direction works for this production. Transitions are appropriate, blocking is smooth, and staging helps move the story forward without overcomplicating the world of the play. Saporito does a good job allowing the absurdity of the dinosaur to exist while keeping the emotional core of the story clear.

There are a few moments that feel rushed, especially when the play shifts into more vulnerable territory. Giving those moments more room to breathe could have made the emotional impact stronger. But overall, Saporito does a solid job grounding the absurd circumstances and keeping the focus on Claire’s journey.

The simple set design at the Broadwater Theatre also works well for this show because it allows the audience to focus on the absurdity of the situation and, more importantly, the characters. The dinosaur costume is a clear standout and adds a lot to the comedy of the production. What makes “Dinosaurs” interesting overall is how it uses offbeat humor and strange circumstances to explore something much more painful and personal.

“Dinosaurs” is an offbeat, funny and thoughtful production that uses absurdity to explore trauma, friendship and confrontation. The show works best when it leans into its strange concept while still staying connected to Claire’s emotional truth. While some of the heavier moments could have used more time to land, the performances, direction and unique premise make this production engaging and memorable.

For tickets to this and other Hollywood Fringe Festival shows, visit HollywoodFringe.org.