Shakespeare’s Terminator the Second at Fringe

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Shakespeare’s Terminator the Second got my vote as the most clever show at this years Fringe. The show presented by Hardly Working Productions, was a 17th century version of the film Terminator 2 Judgement Day constructed solely of lines form the plays of Shakespeare. The film is a classic and it was surprisingly easy to accept Shakespeare’s dialogue used throughout with just proper names changes to to match the screen version. The casting of muscular Matt Doman in the roll of Schwarzenegger was spot on. He would sometimes just stand still on stage looking ripped and stoic and the joke became clear that thus was all that Schwarzenegger had ti do in the original film.

Jolie Hart was wonderful as the adolescent John Connor. Pam Stone as Sarah Connor truly carried the show performing amazing monologues of her prescient visions of doomsday. John Reid Adams is as the shape shifting T-1000 parried with the terminator with some thrilling and inspired swordplay choreographed by Bill Warriner. The production was often comic in it tributes and nods towards the original film. My favorite was the liquid metal ending which they stages with a simple flaming sheet behind which many of the cast were crouched. When the T100 terminator fell into the liquid metal various cat members who had been killed by the T100 them flailed up from behind the sheet in quick succession as the unit melted into oblivion.

Director Simon Needham had the scene changes coming in quick succession with the monologues being fires off just as fast. This presented a challenge for this artist working with a traditional 17th century sketching method but I loved every entertaining moment. The only line not written by Shakespeare was, “Ill be back.”

Lots o’ Shakespeare at Fringe

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Timothy Mooney Repertory Theater from Buffalo Grove Illinois presented Lots o’ Shakespeare at Orlando Fringe.Timothy began the evening by handing out green circular Lots 0′ Shakespeare stickers. I stuck mine on the cover of my sketchbook. Timothy introduced the show by explaining that he had been going to many auditions and came to realize that he really wasn’t what most Shakespearean directors were looking for as a romantic lead. To remedy the situation he set about memorizing all of Shakespeare’s plays.

A small movie screen was set up with a projector. He used this to place lines that he wanted the audience to call out in response to some of his monologues. A bingo cage was also on stage which he used to select bingo balls which was how each monologue was picked. The added bonus was that everyone in the audience had bingo cards and they could win Shakespearean swag by circling the numbers on their cards. Ball 2B was used to begin his recitation of Hamlet’s “To be or not to be.”

The show turned out to be a real tour de force. I gained renewed respect for this actors tenacity and verve as he recited each monologue with absolute conviction in character. The show remained exciting since he threw himself into every role acting out the scene rather that just reciting the lines. Along with the long series of monologues he also added some sonnets as well. This tuned out to be an amazing hour of theater with amazing monologues tied together with tongue in cheek humor. Pam Schwartz filled in both of our bingo cards as the show progressed since I was occupied sketching. I ended up winning with a diagonal line up on the card. I didn’t collect the Shakespeare script book or coffee mug, preferring to leave it for a future show.

Shadow Tales for a Darkened Theater at Fringe

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Written and Directed by Gabriel Garcia, Shadow Tales for a Darkened Theater was presented by Blank Slate Productions. The show was a ghost story anthology told in six parts using shadow puppetry, pantomime, dance movement and ensemble story telling. The shadow puppetry occurred in three frames at house right which were back lit. The dark silhouettes of birds, branches and a chandelier didn’t really help progress the plot of the stories told but the added to the mysterious mood. My job of completing a sketch of course was exacerbated by the fact that the theater was indeed black for the full duration of the show. I used the faint glow of my iPhone to illuminate the page.

In one tale a woman sold her soul to the devil so that she could become the worlds best Flamenco dancer. She danced with absolute passion and abandon until she feet bleed. She only discovered too late that she already had this talent and if she believed in herself she would not have needed to sell her soul. A young couple deeply in love were torn apart when the wife died, leaving her partner destitute. In one story a mysterious man had his face obscured by a hood.

One man who was hyper sensitive became overwhelmed by everyday life. People he passes in the street he believed were talking about him. He was convinced everyone was conspiring against him. It seemed his greatest fears were true because he so firmly believed in them. The Man in Gray (Kyle Meehan) acted as the host and narrator who dared the audience to look into the recesses of their own life to see if they could find any hope in these tales of loss and madness. Try not to hold on to your fantasies especially when they prove to be harmful.

Fringe Beer Tent

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The Fringe Beer Tent was bigger that ever this year. Three different tents were sectioned together to form a large large central watering hole for patrons. As I sketched I noticed that the tents were now dedicated to Matt McGrath who was a huge supporter of the Fringe and theater in general when he was alive. I sketched several rehearsals in his back yard bar and porch area. I was shocked when he passes away at such a young age. It would make him happy to know people are still knocking back beers in his memory.

Pam Schwartz and I relaxed her between shows and as I sketched the sun set and the tent took on a warm glow from the way it was illuminated. I still had a few books left to sell and any time I saw a famous Fringe artist I would rush up to them to get their signature in the Fringe Book I kept for myself. The plastic lawn chairs set at some of the tables were flimsy by design. The guy in the foreground of my sketch leaned back and the chair sagged into an unnatural shape, unable to support the weight. The orange metal bar stools were a far better bet if you dint want to topple over after having a few beers.

Art Tour at Fringe

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Cindy Murry Productions from Orlando Florida presented Art Tour at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Art Tour was a part of the Visual Fringe. Patrons could purchase ticket to the show hosted by a comedic actor who would give them a tour of the art on display in the Orlando Shakespeare theater. IT offered an entertaining walk about of the work on display. The show was directed by Eric Pinder who is known for directing Opera. What could be more operatic than an uncurated showcase of the Orlando visual arts scene.

I caught this group being given a tour between press previews in the Shakes. I don’t know why it was necessary for art patrons to wear dunce caps. I am sure that by the end of the tour they had gained many insights about the local arts scene. I was working the Fringe lines selling my Fringe Sketchbook this year. One copy of the book I saved to get signatures of Fringe Artists. I approached Eric Pindar twice by mistake to get his signature in the book.

Trump Counter Protest

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With president Donald Trump invading Orlando to announce his run as the incumbent for President in 2020 locals decided to set up a counter protest for the rally set to happen at the Amway Center. The counter protest happened at Stonewall Bar several blocks West of the Amway Center.

The Baby Trump Balloon was brought to Orlando for the “Win with Love Rally.” The balloon first appeared in London during Trump’s visit there last month. It gained so much notice that money was raised to create six
clones in the U.S. A GoFundMe campaign was started last week to raise funds for the helium
needed to inflate the balloon in Orlando. The campaign was successful, going over its
$3,500 goal. In addition to the helium canisters needed to inflate it, the balloon also
came with more than a ton of gear and 12 volunteers, said activist Mark
Offerman. Protest organizer Ida Eskamani said that, because the event is within a
specific perimeter of the Trump event, the balloon would not be able to float but would have to stay on the ground. I don’t get why a helium balloon was needed if it wouldn’t be allowed to fly. Much smaller trump helium balloons were on sale for $10 each and these did often take flight.

When Pam and I arrived at the counter protest we noticed police moving towards the north. She suggested they must be going to some disturbance so we followed. About a dozen “Proud Boy” Trump supporters in red MAGA hats and bulletproof vests were standing off with police. The police presence was impressive with officers in full gear from multiple counties. When the Trump supporters turned away, I made my way over to sketch the baby Trump Balloon. The counter protest was crowded. I had to remove people from my sketch so I could see baby Trumps diaper and cell phone.

I could see the red hats making their way around the lake towards the southern roadblocked barricade to the counter protest. When they faced off a second time people in the protest faced them and raised their anti Trump signs. It gave the protestors a symbol of hate to confront. They shouted “Hey, hey, ho, ho. Donald Trump has got to go.”

After my sketch was done, Pam and I decided to make our way through the police lines to walk down to the Amway. At the same time  the “Proud Boy” thugs decided to follow us down. They were a bunch of bros bragging about their bravado and looking for a chance to get in front of cameras. Anyone wearing a bulletproof vest to a rally is looking for trouble. They paused at a club on Church street and I lost sight of them. Two men were arrested outside the Trump Rally for disorderly conduct. They have since been released on bond. At least at the counter protest, Hate was faced with peaceful protest and a message of love.

The grassy field outside the Arena was littered with garbage and lawn chairs. Some folks just left their tents crushed up on the sidewalks. There was no overflow crowd. Trumps claim that hundreds of thousands of people would be showing up to witness his bid for the candidacy proved false. He didn’t even fill the arena. All  that remained outside were vendors trying to sell $5 Red MAGA Caps.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for June 22 and 23, 2019

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Saturday June 22, 2019

8am to 1pm Free. Parramore Farmers Market. The east side of the Orlando City Stadium, across from City View. Purchase
quality, fresh and healthy food grown in your own neighborhood by local
farmers, including Fleet Farming, Growing Orlando, and other community
growers.

7pm to 9pm Free. Brewery Tour. Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, FL.  

8pm to 10pm Free. Music Mount Dora. One Flight Up 440 N  Donnelly Street, Mount Dora FL  32757. 


Sunday June 23, 2019

10am to noon. Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness. A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources. 


10am to 4pm Free. Lake Eola Farmers Market. Lake Eola, Orlando, FL 32801. Weekly.


10pm to midnight. Free but get a coffee. Comedy Open Mic. Austin’s Coffee, 929 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL. Come out and laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Night before the Trump Rally

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The night before Trumps Orlando Rally to announce his candidacy for president, Pam Schwartz and I went down to the Amway Arena to see the Trump fans who were camping out to keep their place at the front of the line to get into the arena. Pam wanted to do some pop up oral histories and of course I wanted to get a sketch. We approached the arena from downtown and didn’t see any crow so we then circled the arena clockwise. We finally discovered people waiting on the North West corner  across the street from the Federal Courthouse.

Tents were set up on sidewalks. It had rained hard that afternoon so these rebid supporters had been well soaked. Pam had talked to one group who had walked down the street in Paramour and stripped in the street so they could dry their clothes in a launder-mat. Surviving the daily rain storms seemed to build a bond between the red hatted supporters.

TV News trucks also made sure they had parking close to the arena. Periodically someone would walk up and down the street with a banner of flag waving. These red white and blue displays resulted in whoops and hollers from the crowd who had been sitting in the heat and humidity all day. One banner read, “Hispanics for Trump” and of course “Trump 2020.” One supporter seemed to feel that the right leaning crowd was misunderstood. The liberals he pointed out where the one who would be throwing out F bombs when the debates got heated. He stressed that he firmly believed that Christian values were the building blocks on which this country was built. Fear of immigrants invading our country seemed to be on everyone’s mind. He felt that if folks just sat down and talked together then they might achieve something better than just shouting at each other. I agree that communication is key.

The group at the very front of the line was well lubricated with beer and pot. They were feeling no pain on their long vigil towards hearing the Donald speak in person. Abortion was on their minds. Children were being murdered. A woman needed to bring a child into this world no matter what. When asked about the possibility of rape or incest, the idea was dismissed. “That happens so rarely.” One guy however started to waver and his opinion softened a bit. A car honked in the background and supporters shouted.

I wondered how many people might end up in this line that was forming to get into the arena. Trump claimed that over 100,000 people wanted to get tickets, but the Arena only holds 20,000 people. A grassy field was set up beside the arena for any run over crowd. Jumbo trons were set up to broadcast the speech from inside the arena live to any overflow crowd. Trump has less than a 20% approval rating in Orlando, so I doubt many locals will be in that crowd.

Someone shouted my name as I was sketching. A husband and wife stopped
on their bicycles to greet me. I had sketched her years ago since she
was once a roller derby athlete. She said, “You are the only person I
could imagine who might be out here sketching the night before a Trump
Rally.”

Show of Force at Fringe

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Skinned Knee Productions from New York, NY presented Show of Force. I found out about the show from Nicki Equality Drumb who I believe was printing show flyers the same day I was picking up flyers for my Fringe Book. Young women recently deployed recount their experiences as soldiers. The performance had live percussion.

Several of the woman talked about having to always watch their backs. One woman had to deal with a supervising officer who was constantly making unwanted advances. On the day she was going home having served, he called her into his office. While she heard her helicopter preparing to take off he forced himself on her. She described the rape in all its horrific detail. It was a bone chilling memory.

Another woman back from service tried to help her parents understand what she did in the service. She explained that it was her job to push the button that would kill indiscriminately. She wasn’t the same person she was when she left.

While in the service they could rely on each other for support. But once they came back to civilian life they scattered to the four corners of the country. It was hard to adjust to life as a civilian after living through war.

Love Trumps Hate

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On June 12, 2019 families of the fallen, survivors and members of the community gathered at Pulse to remember the 49 lives lost in a horrific act of violence. It was a chance to honor loved ones, to show support for the survivors and to honor first responders. It was 195 days since Orlando as a city changed.Orlando as a community continues to rise.

The sun was setting as Pam Schwartz and I arrived at the memorial ceremony. She branched off to make sure families were seated and I began to document the evening with a sketch. I had my own art stool and I sat in among the families leaning back against a tree. Several of the Angel Action Wings were in the crowd.

Several rows ahead of me I could see the father of Cory James Connell with his baseball cap and number 7 jersey. Cory was shot and killed on June 12, 2016 at Pulse. Later that year the family was blessed with the birth of a baby boy who they decided to name Cory as well. I sketched young Cory several times when the family spoke about their journey after the loss of their son. Now young Cory was a young three year old with wild hair and plenty of attitude.

During one of the songs a mother cried inconsolably to my right. Around me people turned and pointed their cameras towards the horizon. A large rainbow had formed as if an sign of the love and acceptance being honored. Barbara Poma offered a few remarks as did Buddy Dyer and Jerry Demmings. A sign language interpreter signed every comment of love and acceptance.  Then the names of the 49 were read. Unfortunately a few names were mispronounced.

Heather Martin a survivor of the Columbine shooting spoke candidly of her long road to recovery following that shooting. She talked about how loud sounds like fireworks could act as triggers. As she was talking an ambulance rushed by with it’s siren blaring which is another sound that triggers memories of that night at Pulse. “This unfortunate bond of tragedy has born incredible friendships, friendships that have kept me going when I struggle.” she said. Sharing her battle, her struggle helps overshadow the dark times with hope and love.

Plans are in the works for a permanent memorial and museum on the Pulse Nightclub site. Architecture firms from all over the world will be submitting proposals for what should be on this site. Opinions about what should be on the site are varied.