Lazarus imagines a future in which the rich can live forever. (Photo courtesy of Capital Fringe)

Reminds us of: Children of Men in reverse but with just as much Christian imagery.

Flop, Fine or Fringe-tastic?: Fine.

Science-fiction shows at Fringe have two options for success: lean in to a deliberately campy, low-budget aesthetic or simply let the production’s underlying themes power an intriguing story. Lazarus aims for the latter path, and it’s all the better for it. On the surface, it’s barely apparent it’s a science fiction story at all beyond a handful of props, but that only leaves the the characters more room to explore some off-the-wall ideas that would be off-limits in a more terrestrial setting.

Lazarus in the show’s context refers not to the Biblical story, but to a far-future reality where aging has been stopped by a medical breakthrough called the Lazarus Procedure that’s exclusive to the ultra-rich. Lazarus shines in examining the implications of its unjust reality. It’s pure dystopia, with the rich living immortal lives of untold luxury while the poor gradually die off over generations. That rich vein could have been tapped even more, but the team should be commended for going as far as it does. Some uneven performances, loose pacing, and a few painfully awkward fight scenes prevent the show from fulfilling the full potential behind its premise. But if you’re in the market for some high-concept, low-tech sci-fi riffs this Fringe, you could do much worse than Lazarus.

Where to See It: Logan Fringe Arts Space on July 15 at 5:15 p.m., July 16 at 5:45 p.m. and July 22 at 8:45 p.m. Buy tickets here.

See here for all of DCist’s 2017 Capital Fringe coverage. All shows are $17, with a button ($7) required for entry.