Images and video from “The Opinions of Men” (2020)
When many fringe festivals went virtual in 2020, I learned a handful of animation and editing programs during quarantine, producing a 60-minute animation featuring 25+ actors I recorded remotely. The animated play was featured in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, the Kansas City Fringe Festival (where it won Staff Pick of the Fringe), the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and the Elgin Fringe Festival.
When Pope Leo X summons "King Henry" to his chambers, he is brought both Henry the 2nd of France and Henry the 8th of England, who soon hit it off.
Katherine and Werner, tasked with helping Martin Luther print his 95 theses, try to figure out if there are any theses that could be cut.
The various historians providing narration throughout include, of course, an anime cat girl named Leslie Bobb.
Trent welcomes the crowd to the 1545 Council of Trent.
It turns out that the afterlife is just standing around in a void, only you never get bored and focaccia periodically appears in your mouth.
Storylines converge when Werner manages to make his way to Queen Elizabeth I's chamber at the same time as Henries 2 & 8.
One well-researched scene takes place in Estonia.
Another intriguing location is a Martin Luther-themed comedy club.
Historian Susan Kerchunk tells the story of Henry the 8th and Pope Clement the 7th.
The poster for the show's inclusion in the Kansas City Fringe Festival (where it won Staff Pick of the Fringe).
Click on this image to watch an interview I gave during its inclusion in the Elgin Fringe Festival.
Critic's Pick review during the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Click to read.
Queen Elizabeth I (Elizabeth Chinn Molloy) offers Werner a space in her tower.
Best friends Henry the 8th (Jordan Trovillion) and Henry the 2nd (Andrew Ian Adams) go in for a handshake.
Pope Clement VII (Maggie Cramer) has no patience for the two King Henries.
Trent (Rory Sheridan) welcomes everyone to the Council of Trent.
Martin Luther (Jared Earland) considers his legacy.
Katherine (Brianna Bernard) questions Martin Luther’s approach.