David and Katie Get Re-Married ★★★★

When taking a seat at David and Katie Get Re-Married, the saucy tone makes itself immediately apparent. The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony plays over the speakers and a screen up front suggests a fun couples game: “Ask your partner whose ex is hotter and why. Give detailed examples.”

Time to buckle up.

Real-life pair David Carl and Katie Hartman married in 2022, and little wonder: their chemistry is palpable. And though their show is not autobiographical, they’re so convincing as a needy, codependent couple that audience members may worry they are witnessing a dumpster fire of a second wedding. The couple admits conflict at the start when they announce that “We are the winners and also the losers.” Even the location has been secured under dubious aegis: “Never tell the venue it’s a wedding. Tell them it’s a show.”

And what a show. A Balinese butterfly release to the ubiquitous Pachelbel’s canon. A criticizing/confirming exercise with Native American roots called “Sticks and Feathers” which isn’t problematic because, as Hartman declares: “This is not appropriation. This is celebration.” And, in lieu of a unity candle, a unity volcano.

Kaboom!

But not from the unity volcano. From the songs. They are sensational, comprising the funniest and best score this reviewer has thus far heard at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Written by Carl and Hartman, with some assistance by Jody Shelton on the zippiest tune of the bunch, the catchy and danceable “CodepenDance,” their music continually advances the storyline as it deepens understanding of these two lovebirds. Both gifted with utterly fantastic voices, Carl and Hartman make true that most eye rolling of clichés: They make beautiful music together.

Even when singing about chimpanzees.

What’s not quite up to the level of the music, not yet at least, is the script. It’s very good, but the overall impact of the show is weakened slightly by dialogue pitter-patter that too often feels theatrically forced, especially the insistent “I love you”s that get tossed back and forth like inactive grenades and don’t quite land as believable. Less of that will likely go a long way in making this delightfully messy matrimony, divinely directed by Michole Biancosino, go even further. Can’t wait to attend the anniversary celebrations.