Room 404 of the Art Academy of Cincinnati is developing something of a reputation, and it’s not such a hot one. Or rather, it’s too hot. There’s no air conditioning, so even before it’s full of bodies radiating their own heat, it’s a bit much. I mention this because despite dripping with sweat after an hour, I was still confident that seeing “Bad Poetry Night” was absolutely the correct decision.

“Bad Poetry Night” is the story of a terrible open mic night, featuring a circle of poets under the leadership of Miss Autumn Spring, played with note-perfect precision by Kelly McAndrews. Autumn is a high-minded, pretentious and utterly melodramatic leader. She speaks with flawless diction, giving maternal advice and support to the fledgling poets she has taken under her wing. McAndrews clearly revels in this role — she chews the (quite sparse) scenery every chance she gets and carries herself with exactly the overblown dignitas you would expect from a self-styled sophisticate at a coffee shop open mic.

Numbered among her crew are three apprentices: poncho-clad Demetri Martin (played by Merritt Beischel and no, not that Demetri Martin), one-woman dark and stormy night Dra (Brianna Bernard) and Blue Xylophone (Andrew Bishop), whose poetry consists of booming shouts and soft-spoken ramblings that always start as big ideas and end in a chain of barely-connected thoughts. Bishop also doubles as David, a new and nervous initiate in the poetry circle.

The paper-thin facade of the poetry night veterans begins to crack when they learn that an unspecified critic is in the audience. A review in a major publication, they outrageously reason, could lead to fame and fortune, because poetry is in high demand these days. Almost immediately, most of them find ways to compromise their artistic vision. Despite how unquestionably terrible their poetry is, it’s surprisingly heartwarming to see how this group bands together to defend and support one another in the face of critics who are afraid to be challenged.

Catch “Bad Poetry Night” during Fringe on June 4 at 7:45 p.m., June 7 at 6:30 p.m. or June 8 at 8:30 p.m. at Art Academy room 404. Despite the heat, you won’t regret it.

Zach Moning is the communications manager at ArtsWave. Reach him here with questions or comments about ArtsWave Guide.