Review: ‘Verve, Intensity, and Personality’ at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2026

Part of this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, “Verve, Intensity, and Personality” at the Madnani Theater is a solo show about a former child actor whose career prospects have run dry — except for one final audition.

Hannah Moore delivers a refreshingly relatable, funny and grounded performance as 29-year-old Abigail priming for her big audition moment. The humor never feels heavy-handed, and Moore does a skillful job playing a confident, slightly pretentious actor in an audition room while also balancing the vulnerability and insecurity that actors often carry internally.

Moore also engages with the audience naturally without losing track of the story, and by the end of the show, she leaves all attendees rooting for Abigail.

The set design is minimal but effective. The space clearly represents a casting room with just three chairs, a table with a plant on top of it, along with a sign-in sheet. The simplicity works well for the production and keeps the focus on Moore’s performance.

Playwright and actor Hannah Moore

Moore’s self-direction is smart and sharp. She cuts out the fluff and only makes room for what is needed. The transitions are clean, the blocking is smooth and the staging feels appropriate for the tone and structure of the show.

In terms of unique elements, Abigail’s childhood Disney Channel pilot video and slideshow projected during the show are very funny and help crystallize who she is and how she sees herself internally. An improv moment with the audience is also a strong touch, adding another layer of engagement while making the show feel alive and personal.

Overall, “Verve, Intensity and Personality” is a funny, thoughtful and relatable solo show, especially for anyone familiar with the pressure and absurdity of audition rooms. Moore gives the audience a range of emotions while still leaving them feeling encouraged. It is one of the more refreshing solo shows I have seen this year, and it is worth attending.

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