Fringe Fest: Party of One

Most people run and hide when they make complete asses of themselves — like, say, in an ugly "incident" where you may have loved someone just a little too much. But Chicagoan Noel Williams' touching and often funny one-woman clown show is all about embracing that moment of utter foolishness. Sure, her own incident has compelled her to head straight for the depot to get the first train out of town, but that doesn't stop her from letting all her insecurities and hopes literally hang out. The one-hour show has some bumps along the way, like a bit about Jesus and the Bible that never catches on. But overall, Williams and her director and co-writer, Sue Morrison, have created not only some engaging moments of clowning, but also a genuine look at how we all make fools of ourselves as we try to mend our broken hearts and keep moving on with life.