{"data":{"id":"5a05e6a4-c732-438d-9e47-6b72c17c5a0f","originKind":"SYNDICATED","title":"Fringe Review: Randy & Elizabeth a masterful homage to pro wrestling's most iconic couple","summary":"Randy & Elizabeth: A Savage Love Story\n\n5 stars (out of 5)\n\nStage 13, La Cité Francophone, 8627 91 St.\n\nGeoff Hughes really loves the late Macho Man Randy Savage.\n\nThe Winnipeg performer debuted his homage to the wrestling legend, dubbed the “Macho MANitoban,’ and he inhabits the character for 60 minutes straight as he recounts the on-and-off-screen romance between Randy “Macho Man” Paffo and his wife-slash-valet Elizabeth “Miss Elizabeth” Hulette.\n\nGiven that I’m a passionate and lifelong fan of professional wrestling, Hughes was performing to at least one eager audience member familiar with the material.\n\nHe tells a concise and engaging version of this tumultuous and ultimately tragic love story while keeping up a perfect emulation of Savage’s mannerisms and speech patterns and taped-up fingertips.\n\nEven if you’re not a wrestling fan, I think it’d be hard not to be captivated by the magnetic charm of the “MANitoban.” H ughes expertly captures the larger-than-life presence of Macho Man without overshadowing the vulnerable humanity of Randy Poffo that existed underneath.\n\nRelated Fringe reviews: The Last 1.5 Librarians North of Lethbridge keep the faith alive\n\nFringe review: Jeff Leard tackles evil corporate swine in False Profits","url":"https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/edmonton-fringe-review-randy-elizabeth-a-savage-love-story","imageUrl":"https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/randy-and-elizabeth_304749785.jpg","publishedAt":"2026-08-17T04:42:05.000Z","sourceLabel":"Edmonton Journal Music","tags":["Entertainment","Festivals","Local Arts","Theatre"],"authorName":"Ramin Ostad","contentHtml":"<img alt=\"Randy &amp; Elizabeth: A Savage Love Story at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.\" src=\"https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/randy-and-elizabeth_304749785.jpg\" title=\"Randy &amp; Elizabeth: A Savage Love Story at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.\" /><p> <strong>Randy &amp; Elizabeth: A Savage Love Story </strong> </p><p> <strong>5 stars (out of 5)</strong> </p><p> <strong>Stage 13, La Cité Francophone, 8627 91 St.</strong> </p><p> Geoff Hughes really loves the late Macho Man Randy Savage. </p><p>  The Winnipeg performer debuted his homage to the wrestling legend, dubbed the “Macho MANitoban,’ and he inhabits the character for 60 minutes straight as he recounts the on-and-off-screen romance between Randy “Macho Man” Paffo and his wife-slash-valet Elizabeth “Miss Elizabeth” Hulette.  </p><p> Given that I’m a passionate and lifelong fan of professional wrestling, Hughes was performing to at least one eager audience member familiar with the material.  </p><p> He tells a concise and engaging version of this tumultuous and ultimately tragic love story while keeping up a perfect emulation of Savage’s mannerisms and speech patterns and taped-up fingertips.  </p><p> Even if you’re not a wrestling fan, I think it’d be hard not to be captivated by the magnetic charm of the “MANitoban.” H ughes expertly captures the larger-than-life presence of Macho Man without overshadowing the vulnerable humanity of Randy Poffo that existed underneath. </p><h2>Related</h2><ul><li><a href=\"https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/edmonton-fringe-reviews-the-last-1-5-librarians-north-of-lethbridge\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fringe reviews: The Last 1.5 Librarians North of Lethbridge keep the faith alive</a></li><li><a href=\"https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/edmonton-fringe-review-false-profits\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fringe review: Jeff Leard tackles evil corporate swine in False Profits</a></li></ul>","slug":"fringe-review-randy-and-elizabeth-a-masterful-homage-to-pro-wrestlings-most-iconic-couple","publicPath":"/news/2026-08-16-fringe-review-randy-and-elizabeth-a-masterful-homage-to-pro-wrestlings-most-iconic-couple"}}