Faron Nuff, a children’s TV host and puppeteer, begins to spiral when his show gains exciting traction and hits its 100th episode milestone. His need to control even the most minute details leads to an ugly outburst that will spark a series of events that take him further than he could imagine. When he ends up in a mysterious and mystical desert landscape, he encounters new and familiar faces, including an idol of his. Faron must examine who he is and who he is becoming to find a way back to the world he knows.

Created by Eden Knapp and Faron Nuff

Directed by Tyler Lien-Bowdish

 Starring:

Faron Nuff as Himself

Faron Nuff is a full-time professional puppeteer and one of the best there’s ever been. Certainly, he's the greatest living puppeteer. Originally trained at the Jim Henson Company, he has performed on networks like ABC, MTV (the good years), Adult Swim, live at fancy people venues such as the Magic Castle and Hollywood Bowl, and for the cult classic Mystery Science Theater 3000. Of course, you know all that. He is a licensed wedding officiant and has performed puppetry at countless weddings for fortunate couples who are mostly still together. Hard to rule his contribution out of that success rate. In Denver, he can regularly be seen performing live feats of puppetry and clown as the better half of the comedy duo Front Porch Puppets.

Natalie Lien-Bowdish as Jared (a puppet)

Natalie met Faron while working as a puppeteer at Casa Bonita. As Faron often tells her, “You probably wouldn’t even be into puppets if not for me!” Since then they’ve produced many a puppet show together. Natalie’s Midwest roots influence her delightful brand of comedy in a way that Denverites LOVE. She provides a great balance for Faron as local audiences have a hard time relating to his L.A. style. Maybe it’s over their heads? Maybe it’s just confusing? Hard to say. Natalie brings a fresh perspective to Control Freak, drawing from her background in improv and clowning. She excels in crafting memorable experiences that resonate with everyone’s inner child. Natalie is charmingly polite, and moreover, she’s a professional. She would never not be off book when everyone was told to be off book by that time.

Bethy Roberts as the Blue Fairy

Bethy Roberts grew up dancing and singing. She earned several silver and gold medals singing Italian arias at Peaster High School. Not one, several. She picked up East Coast swing in 2014 and did the West Coast Swing competitive circuit for several years. Not one coast, both. In 2018, she took an improv class at the University of Texas at Austin as an elective and hasn't looked back since. She performs alongside Faron and Caroline in the country clown band "Le Jam Fou". The night before the Fringe submissions were due, she graciously allowed Faron to use her phone to write up a rough draft of an application. She yelled at him that it was not too late in the back patio of Bardo, so this show is very much happening because of Bethy's encouragement. Everyone needs a guardian angel, maybe?

Morph Suit Players:

Tyler Lien-Bowdish

Tyler rose to stardom in the early 2000s after he was cast in the leading role back-to-back in the musicals “Holy Moses!” and “The Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hit” performed by the Kaleidoscope Children’s Choir. After a 15-year hiatus from performing, Tyler returned to the stage in spectacular fashion in 2023, contributing to various productions by Front Porch Puppets, Scraps, Jesting Grounds, and more, as well as performing regularly in the improv comedy troupe Executive Funk. He is considered the most intelligent member of the production team, and most of the best parts of the show were single-handedly written by Tyler. He is also a licensed wedding officiant, and every couple he has officiated IS still together.

Eden Knapp

Eden first got involved in the arts through dancing, singing, and playing guitar. She wanted to be a star! When she met Faron, he helped her learn that she also liked being behind the scenes. She began costuming live theater, specialized in quick changing, and was lead designer for productions of Les Mis, Xanadu, Our Town, Hello Dolly!, and more. As time went on, she found herself further and further behind-the-scenes until she was back sitting in the audience. She was fine with that! She made her comeback to live performances by assisting Faron and Front Porch Puppets in Denver Fringe Fest’s 2024 season. Eden spends her free time – what little of it there is – writing fiction, reading tarot professionally and for fun, making zines, and keeping Faron on schedule. She often shares fun, whimsical, beautiful imaginary stories with Faron as he falls into his afternoon nap, and he always wakes up with new ideas. Control Freak is one of those tales.

Live Band

Music by Green Typewriters

A neo-psychedelic bedroom pop band in Denver. Apparently, Faron couldn't be bothered to finish his own compositions, so Green Typewriters took the reins and made his dream of having a Greek chorus live band in this show come true —in the 11th hour, no less.