Day three at Rogue was a blast. It was a much quieter day at Rogue (only three shows taken in), but the three show I saw couldn't have been better. And in a strange way they couldn't have fit together better.

I started off with "Tale End" the first play in five years for Marcel Nunis. If you can call a show that was much anticipated a sleeper then this is a sleeper. Rogue is usually thought of as good laughs, music, one [wo]man shows, and dance, but this is a devilishly good dramatic two person play. A postmodern fairytale within a play set in a world of make believe. Where each character plays two or three parts of the archetypal characters of the theatrical/fairytale world. From the hero to the villain, to the damsel in distress, to the devious seductress, to the never seen, but often talked about evil stepmother. This play is a postmodern fairytale with a not so fairytale ending. It is as good as Rogue gets.

Next on the list of Rogue shows was Karen Marguth's "Music from the 30s and 40s." After a play that left me agape, not sure of where to go from there Karen Marguth's show was perhaps the only thing that could follow. I needed something that would bring me back from the edge, sooth my soul if you will. Karen's voice and the hyper-talented musicians backing her up where more than what was needed. This is as good as jazz gets in Fresno, this is as good as jazz gets anywhere. You'll regret missing this show.

So at this point having been taken to the edge by "Tale End" and brought back to an even keel with "Music From the 30s & 40s" I was completely torn asunder by Nicholas Nocketback's "Comedy Jihad." This was the worst kind of dirty pleasure. Swimming in the worst kind filth imaginable and I laughed like I haven't laughed in a very long time. So did the 60 other people who were in the audience with me. You'd be a fool to miss this show. The funniest show I've seen at Rogue and I don't say that lightly. I felt as dirty as sin for laughing, but laugh I did.

Again, hats off to the visionaries that are the Rogue people!