Fringe mix: From time travel to S. Philly stoops

Unfortunately, Blake's and director Lenny Daniels" ambitions aren't realized here. Harris holds down her part of the stage as Ansonia, a crack addict who engages in both spoken and sung tugs-of-war with her childhood self (Chioma Dunkley or Jamara Griffin in alternating performances) and drug dealer (Harum Ulmer, Jr.). However, Ulmer is all wrong in the role, unintentionally hilarious as a gold-chain and Kangol-wearing pusherman.

Jolly's music lays down a solid framework, calling catchy pop, jazz and blues into service, but Blake's lyrics suffer from a reliance on the hackneyed ("Family will keep me grounded/Someone to love and care for me").

In addition, both script and production include plot elements that are confusing and distracting. Is the drug dealer Ansonia's childhood abuser, or is that someone else entirely? Is young Ansonia leading a church service, or is that supposed to be a completely unrelated child preacher? And why include a whole church service at all? Sure, it has energy, but how does it serve the story?

Blake's work has its heart in the right place; it remains to be seen if its head will follow.

- Wendy Rosenfield

$20. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. Saturday. Arts Garage, 1533 Ridge Ave.