Bi-Cycle is the low-cardio, sweat-drenched sexual awakening you never knew you needed.
Anderson’s tale is humorous, intense and at times heartbreaking.
Showcasing exactly the kind of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking that the Fringe is all about, Sam Anderson uses the format of an imaginary spin class to work through his journey to self discovery. Interspersed with flashbacks, various characters and inner monologues, Anderson works the audience and works up a sweat during this hour-long workout. By the end, we’re all out of breath and ready to grab life by the balls.
His character is part personal trainer, part motivational speaker. Whether you’ve ever been to a high-energy spin class or have just seen them on TV, it’s not hard to picture the scene. Anderson introduces himself to the class, talking to various audience members and complimenting our technique. When he yells at us to tuck in our tail bones and turn up the resistance, we instinctively want to impress him. There’s no doubt that if we were on stationary bikes instead of stationary chairs we would be getting the ride of our lives.
Anderson’s tale is humorous, intense and at times heartbreaking. The script gradually transitions from generic words of encouragement, to double entendres, to the very explicit experiences of our instructor, and back again. One moment he is giving us very detailed nutritional advice, the next he is re-enacting the moment he came out to his parents. The abrupt change from confident energy to vulnerable confusion is jarring but unforgettable. Anderson is truly the master of this unique form of storytelling.
There are moments when the timeline can get a tad convoluted (is this flashback from his childhood or just a few weeks ago?), and as we near the end there’s a feeling of impatience to reach a resolution, but Bi-Cycle is truly a life-enriching experience. With many, many Disney references (“I took Simba back to Pride Rock”), inspirational quotes and life-affirming mantras, this non-spinning spin-class might just change your life. But beware, there’s a sweat warning for the front row.
