Audacity Theatre Lab at 2018 Elgin Fringe Festival

Every great piece of theatrical art bears the stamp of something like divine intervention, in the form of a few words from the script that sum up the piece perfectly. Awash in the torrent of words that is "Robert's Eternal Goldfish" is this phrase: "horribly adorable."

The angry rants and picayune observational humor are just camouflage for a beautifully composed long-form prose poem filled with layered imagery, expressed through vivid descriptions of cafes, apartment life, memories and dreams. This piece would read beautifully on paper.

But Brad McEntire executes it convincingly as a neurotic loner in a hoodie and knit cap, with a musical and emotive delivery that fixes your attention no matter what the hour of night -- or degree of caffeination. Like anger management group therapy, you might be healed just by listening.

Memoriam Development at 2018 Elgin Fringe Festival

You might think of it as comedy with an edge, if not an agenda: "Participation Trophy" is nine sketches that capture life in 2018 as it's played out in restaurants, living rooms, football fields and corporate America. Big targets like bigotry, capitalism, violence and misogyny are easy to hit, but this troupe takes them on — and wins — in street clothes and a minimal set, with bold and well-rehearsed characterizations.

It's an equal opportunity rapid-fire satire of men and women, young and old, real and imagined, with a keen dissection of language, labeling, and social conventions. Not even the digital app you're using right now is off limits. We'd call it "skitsplaining" if we thought it wouldn't put you off this cleverly written show full of absurd dialogue, parodies and punchy endings. Put "Participation Trophy" on your list -- the bigger and looser the audience, the more fun it will be!