Fringe: A Drag is Born

Posted on by Thor

I loved the opening minutes of A Drag is Born at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. After the usual opening introductions, one of which was by a Fringe volunteer, wearing a pink flamingo hat, who had no idea she would end up on stage. The house grew silent. There was a glorious lengthy instrumental fanfare and then again a long silence.

People in the audience began to clap which would fade and then come back in another enthusiastic wave. I soon realized someone seated in the front row at house right was starting the clapping waves. I was trying to draw the guy in the baseball hat and he kept looking in that direction, so I stopped drawing for a while.

The guy in the front row was indeed the performer, Canarian artist Edu Diaz. I just learned this today, but the Canary islands  belong to Spain but are geographically in the north of Africa. He tried to make a break for the exit but a spotlight caught him. The audience had to encourage him to get up on the stage, which he did reluctantly. He leaned in towards a microphone and was shocked when he sounded like a seasoned female Broadway  musical actress.

What followed was a glittering and glorious performance as he pealed away layers to show off vibrant outfits in various colors of the rainbow. He understood the burlesque art of pealing off a glove with slow deliberateness. He never uttered a word but the audience was 100% behind him and wanted him to succeed. At times there was audio of a crowd muttering which I took as judgement which he learned to ignore. The show was part vaudeville, part clowning and part a celebration of brilliant fashion and individuality. The performer transformed from an awkward guy in a drab hiking outfit, into a diva that gained the love of the audience. At the start his expression was sad, and frightened but by the end his faced beamed with confidence and joy. The audience stood for a long standing ovation.

After the performance, Edu said that this was his first time leaving the creative bubble of New York City and he loves the energy of the Orlando Fringe. You should go, it is a fabulous time. I give the show 5 outfit changes.

The show is in the Pink Venue at the Orlando Shakes. It is rated 13 and up with a run time of 60 minutes. Tickets are $15.

The remaining show times are…

  • Thursday May 23, 7:55pm
  • Saturday May 25, 7:10pm
  • Sunday May 26, 10:45pm

Fringe: Whore’s Eye View

Posted on by Thor

Whore’s Eye View presented by Old Pros from New York City is an eye opening show about the 10,000 years of history of the oldest profession as told by Kaytlin Bailey who was herself a sex worker. In the stool beside her was a burbon which she sipped whenever the audience clapped.

The history itself was astounding with men throughout history finding ways to demonized women to the point where it is unsafe for a woman to walk a street alone even today. From Hammurabi to Trump history just keeps repeating itself. In June of 2022 the supreme court overturned Roe V. Wade effectively removing a woman’s right to an abortion. In the past, strong willed woman were burnt at the stake. Taking away a woman’s right to choose is much the same practice.

I was amazed to find out that the first woman to run for President in the United States was a sex worker. No it was not Hillary Clinton. Her name was Victoria Clafin Woodhall and she ran for president back in 1872. She was an activist for women’s rights and labor reforms. Woodhull was also an advocate of “free love”, by which she meant the freedom to marry, divorce and bear children without social restriction or government interference.

The show is part comedy and a large part lecture, but that might just be because I had so much to learn. For instance I learned that a woman’s clitoris is not just the little nubbin men have been told to tickle, but rather it is the size of a hand. Whoah!

When Katlin got married she couldn’t help but think that her husband was getting a really good deal.

The show was such a whirlwind of information and it left me wanting to learn more. It is backed by Amnesty International, The World Health Organization, Human Rights Watch and UNAids. They all agree that decriminalizing sex work is the only policy that reduces violence.

I highly advise you see this show. You will leave the theater wanting to make a difference.

Remaining show times…

  • Thursday May 23, 8:00pm
  • Saturday May 25, 7:30pm
  • Sunday May 26, 3:00

Fringe: Hyde

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Push Physical Theater of Rochester New York presents Hyde at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Hyde is being staged at the large Peach venue in the Orlando Family Theater.

As the performer was introducing the show he got a phone call from his mom who was late to the performance. He held a finger up to put the audience on hold and tried to convince his mom that she should be able to use google maps to find the venue. Visibly shaken he handed off his phone to someone in the audience and told them to get on stage and hand it back the phone should it ring.

A dynamic immersive physical performance began where he was tumbling with another performer. At the height of the piece, the phone rang and the audience member ran on stage to hand the phone back. The mom on the phone wanted to turn back, she had already missed too much of the show. The performer was crushed. He asked if there were any mothers in the audience and needed to know if there love for their child was unconditional. What would Hyde’s mother be like?

In the recesses of the stage, illuminated in a green light, a mother sat opposite her son who looked sunken and devastated. She slowly got up and walked behind him and put her hand on his shoulder and leaned over to rest her forehead on his head. Cut to black.

The PUSH Company engages with undeserved populations in areas of some of the highest  poverty rates and little access to the arts. The show abstractly addressed an underlying cause gun violence in America. Americans seem content to ignore gun violence until it happens in their back yard, even then thoughts an prayers are offered and nothing is done. Physical theater is being used to try and wrap its arms around the root causes of violence. If people have a creative outlet, they might not need a gun.

Hyde is rated 13 and up. The show is one hour long and tickets are $15.

Remaining show times:

  • Wednesday May 22, 6:00pm
  • Friday May 24, 7:10pm
  • Saturday May 25, 2:10pm
  • Sunday May 26, 8:00pm

 

Fringe: Love Crumbs

Posted on by Thor

The Orlando Fringe show, Love Crumbs is being performed at the upstairs theater in City Arts in Downtown Orlando. Due to some technical issues the press preview for the show was canceled, so the performance I sketched was the first time the show was being performed with all lighting and sound cues in place.

This show has heart, showcasing love in all its forms. Several members of the cast had to deal with people not being able to pronounce their name correctly. Ha’ani Hogan was often mistaken for being Hawaiian but she offered the audience a lesson in geography to note that her families home island of Guam is actually closer to Australia that Hawaii.

On monologue which hit me the hardest was a man reading from his diary about the isolation he felt after becoming divorced. Over time he began to accept the isolation. His life began to turn around when he started going to a coffee shop regularly. Like Norm from Cheers people greeted him as he entered. He felt he belonged. He met a woman but that relationship didn’t last either. This time the isolation didn’t hit as hard, he wanted the best for her. Projected on the screen during his performance was a tiny sapling of a plant held up by spindly planter legs. It reminded me of the air plants I have started to use to camouflage the broken fence posts in the yard of my recent rental. New life softens the darkness.

Danielle Ziss gave a moving angst filled performance that took place in a pristine colonial kitchen. I know Danielle for hosting amazing story tellers, but this was a story that plumbed the depths of despair using movement and raw emotion as her medium. Another moving scene had two men literally bump into one another and fall in love. In the panic of the moment they forgot to ask each other’s names, but social media brought them together.

Other acts celebrated pets and friendships. The idea of finding the perfect mate can be the cause of so much stress. It is better to just enjoy each moment that we have together on this earth. The show celebrates supporting one another and honoring our differences. You will laugh, you will cry and you will feel the love. I give the show 5 hearts.

Love Crumbs is rated 13 and up. The run time is 60 minutes. Tickets are $15.

The remaining show times…

  • Tuesday May 21, 6:00pm
  • Wednesday May 22, 9:00pm
  • Saturday May 25, 1:30pm
  • Sunday May 26, 7:30pm

Fringe: The Light Bringer

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The Light Bringer is a one woman Fringe show about an Arab family coming to America and finding the American dream.

I thought I might be sketching the performer seated beside the lantern but Laila Lee immediately jumped up and related her tale with endless enthusiasm.

She was a young girl when her family immigrated to America. She loved discovering American culture which conflicted with her parents wanting to hold onto traditional ways. She truly had the energy of a 12 year old as she discovered American music and fashion.

Around her neck was a long shining yellow scarf. It turned out that scarf was actually a hijab which should be worn around a woman’s head. In high school she wore it as a bandanna to look cool.

Her desire to blend in and accept American fashion came head to head with her fathers ideas of what would be good for her. He wanted to marry her off to save her from becoming an American slut. Laina had to choose between her family or becoming who she felt she needed to become. As another act of rebellion she started taking acting classes which lead to her eventually taking the stage today and I am glad she did. There is a second show she has developed which takes off where this show left off. I for one desperately want to know more.

This was an amazing show brimming with energy. I give it 5 hijabs.

The Light Bringer is in the Blue Venue. It is rated 13 and up with a run time of 60 minutes. Tickets are $14,

Remaining show times:

  • Thursday May 23, 7:00pm
  • Saturday May 25, 9:20pm

Fringe: 1001 Red Flags (Shereen’s Version)

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I met Shereen Kassam at several Fringe Press preview shows and loved her back story so I had to see her show. 1001 Red Flags is a candid hilarious romp with equally candid views of American racism.

Shereen worked at Real Radio in Orlando which is a talk show station. Two talk show hosts kept teasing Shereen for not getting herself out there in the dating scene. They set up a dating game and invited men to come into the station to try an win a date with her.

Over 100 men applied but in the end she had to pick between three contestants. One was an a-hole of a jock who simply bragged about how long he could last in bed. Another wanted to get her knocked up immediately. The third was a fireman who said he had a steady income and would support her career. She picked the fireman.

Red flags started popping up immediately that hinted at the fact that they did not belong together. She was a bit drunk on the first date and didn’t want to be alone so she ignored the signs. She talked about just wanting to meet a guy with good insurance. As a freelance artist I can relate to that. Two doctors I have used have left the practice and my last doctors phone line was disconnected. Doctors ghost patients worst that any would be date.

In one stand up comedy show in Central Florida Shereen mentioned in her act that she was Muslim. After the show she was actually physically assaulted by a woman from the audience. American hatred and isolationism runs deep. All Shereen wants to do is make people laugh and she does that in spades.

She loves sneakers and wore a different pair during each section of the show. She had one pair that was absolutely gorgeous with vibrant rainbow springtime colors. I admire that obsession though I only wear earth tone hiking boots anywhere I go.

At one point Shereen was joking about the wonder and joy of uncircumcised penis’s. She might not have gotten along with her boyfriend, but she loved his penis. That started up a discussion in the audience members directly in front of me. Rather than ignore them, or heckle them, Shereen joined in their discussion to find out the guy was bragging about his penis. A mom seated directly in front of me was offering her opinions and mentioned off hand that her daughter was seated beside her. It was a hilarious unscripted moment you only get in live comedy theater. The hilarious discussion could have continued but Shereen managed to steer her show back on track.

I highly recommend this show. I love any performer who can share their life experiences so openly. It was a blast.

1001 Red Flags is in the Blue Venue in the Shakes. It is rated 18 and up and runs for 55 minutes. Tickets are $15.

Remaining show times:

  • Saturday May 18, 9:50pm
  • Sunday May 19, 3:00pm
  • Monday May 20, 8:10pm
  • Tuesday May 21 6:45pm
  • Friday May 24, 10:20pm
  • Sunday May 26, 9:40pm

At the Table with Keith Brown

Posted on by Thor

The Fringe show, At the Table with Keith Brown is being performed in the huge Silver Venue in the Orlando Family Theater. This magic show features intimate slight of hand card tricks best observed close up. Four folding chairs were on stage and four audience members were invited on stage to watch the magic up close and personal.

The rest of the audience got to see the magic through multiple cameras. One camera was aimed at Keith, while another was aimed down on the table.

Since I was sketching, I am not the best person to try and catch how the tricks were done. I just trusted through audience reactions that there was some pretty stunning tricks being performed.

Keith told a story of a trip he went on with his family as a teen. He was still honing his magic skills, when someone in a bar approached with a card trick intending to get a free drink with a bet. He didn’t know he was trying to con a magician. Of course the young Keith won every time.  Soon a crowd had gathered and people hooted and hollered every time the young Keith guessed right.

Some people believe in magic and some don’t. I am in the camp that there is magic to be seen every day. You just have to be looking for it, and in my case, I need to sketch it to prove that it exists. I was amazed and awestruck many times during this show. I give the show five ace of spades.

At the Table is rated for all ages and runs 60 minutes. Tickets are $15.

Remaining show times…

  • Saturday May 18, 9:30pm
  • Sunday May 19, 6:00pm
  • Tuesday May 21, 7:55pm
  • Thursday May 23, 8pm
  • Friday May 24, 9:05pm
  • Sunday May 25, 1;05PM

 

Orlando Fringe: Life Goes On

Posted on by Thor

The Orlando Fringe show, Life Goes On is produced by Kelsay + Morales Company. It is being performed at the Renaissance Theater. The theater now sports a beautiful rainbow  colored mural with the phrase “We Are All from Here”.

This is a new musical about a young millennial names Calvin, performed by Damian Barry, who is tired of struggling as an aspiring actor who works at a clothing store to make ends meet and never gets the acting roles he dreams of.

His partner, Jon performed by Max Herskovitz,  listens to his complaints with only marginal interest since he has heard it all before. Their relationship has lost it’s spark. There is no big fall out, just a slow decay. Flash back to when they first meet on a subway and the attraction is palpable.

Their duet had me welling up. I don’t think I was ready for a show about love lost. Calvin calls a long time friend, Gabby, Performed by Dee Quinterro and they hit the town. She is a new mom and needed to escape the pressure cooker of new responsibilities of raising a baby and a demanding husband.

Calvin and his partner do break up, but he seems to land on his feet by moving in with two acting buddies and starting therapy. Guilt, sorrow and hope all well up to the surface. The reprise of “Life Goes ON’ was an uplifting song about self discovery and moving on even as relationships fall to the wayside. We move on because we have to. I was thoroughly impressed with the show. It left me aching.

She show is rated 18 and up with a runtime of 60 minutes. Tickets are $15 plus a $10 Fringe button.

Show times:

  • Thursday May 16, 6:30pm
  • Saturday May 18, 7:30pm
  • Sunday May 19, 1:30pm
  • Wednesday May 22, 8:00pm
  • Saturday May 25, 3:00pm
  • Saturday May 25, 9:00pm
  • Sunday May 26, 4:30pm

 

Cocaine Bear the Opera

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I caught a dress rehearsal for Cocaine Bear the Opera which will be performed at this year’s Fringe festival. The show is written and produced by Eric Pinder.

If you have ever been to an opera or even seen some bugs bunny cartoons that use the classics, you will be familiar with the music, now with lyrics telling the tale of a cocaine crazed bear.

I know of the movie which this opera is built around, but I haven’t seen it. The opera holds its own as a hilarious romp.

The show begins with a drug runner dreaming of his future life filled with beautiful woman now that he is in possession of a stack of cocaine bricks. On the rear projection screen a plane on a stick bobs up and down before crashing into the forest.

A bear finds the mysterious substance which he calls “magic snow” and he lusts after it like Gollum after the ring.

There are lots of intestinal entrails when people find the magic snow and the bear defends his stash. I was entertained by a lustful scene between two park rangers who were then both disemboweled by the bear. Strangely a little girl in tears caused the bear to pause and take pity. Horrific chase scenes played out in delightful slow motion.

The glue holding this all together was classic operatic ballads that were so familiar that I found myself humming along. This is a strange quirky but absolutely delightful show. I give it five bloody bear paws.

The show will be in the Peach Venue inside the Orlando Family Theater. It is rated 18 and up for some language and suggestive situations. The run time is 50 minutes and Tickets are $15.

Show times:

  • Wednesday May 15, 5:45pm
  • Saturday May 18, 9:50pm
  • Sunday May 19, 10:05pm
  • Monday May 20, 9:35pm
  • Tuesday May 21, 6:05pm
  • Saturday May 25, 12:30pm
  • Sunday May 26, 9:40pm

Brain Bros Presents: Uber Chronicles

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When going to the Fringe show, Brain Bros Presents: Urber Chronicles, I imagined I might experience a show that showcased the unexpected insights gathered from candid and insightful conversations with Uber passengers.

The show was part rap and much stumbling. A phone alarm started going off in the audience. “Who’s phone is that?! He shouted. People looked around in confusion. It turns out it was his phone. He made his way into the audience and grabbed it. It was just a strange unrehearsed moment of chaos.

Beats were provided by Fryemixes who was seated in the audience. When he stood and explained how he was mixing the beats, I wanted to hear more. I wish he was also in front of the audience. His creative process was fascinating. I liked that Brain Bro had a large photo of his dead dog Cooper Thatius leaning up against a flat of a taxi.

He wanted audience participation and this group of seasoned Fringers were more than happy to play along. Since he wasn’t great with the dance moves, he asked several audience members to get up and act as his back up dancers. The two dancers did an awesome job swaying to the beats and even ventured to try and do a moon walk. Part of the appeal of the show is the fact that it is such a train wreck. I admire the effort, and perhaps the show will find it’s feet over the course of it’s Fringe run.

I was surprised that COVID did play a part in the show monologue. Usually any mention of the C word is certain death in entertainment. People prefer to pretend it didn’t happen and certainly they don’t want to think the pandemic is still ongoing.  He said the pandemic experience changed him forever. However he referred to the pandemic in the past tense. Based on the show flats, it would seem he must have been in NYC during the worst wave of the NYC COVID deaths at the start of the pandemic. The Fringe program however points out that he is an Orlando performer. Is his name Brain Bros? Probably not. Observations about the pandemic were  cursory, all he seemed to gain was some patience at stop lights where he peruses his social media.