Along the Way at the Orlando Fringe Festival

Posted on by Thor

Mertz Productions, of Orlando, FL presents Along the Way at this year’s Orlando International Fringe Festival. The musical takes a glimpse into the lives of 8 people and how they are intertwined through travel. Each of them travel for different reasons, but along the way, all are faced with the question of what spurs them towards adventure and what those journeys mean to them. An original story featuring popular and contemporary pop music. Featuring lovable characters, comedy, romance and some powerful singing.

Set in an airport, the stage is set when a flight is delayed. Passengers must pass the time resulting in new friendships and some romance. The airport janitor breaks into a dream sequence in which everyone has a mop to dance with. The stewardess checking passengers in at the gate was Michelle Knight who performed as Snow White in Disenchanted, a Fringe show that made it all the way to off Broadway in the Big Apple. She brought the same saucy delivery to this role creating a character who could face down the most distraught crowd of passengers. A one point she broke into song, and cut the scene short apologizing, saying, “I forgot we cut that one.”

A holistic healer fell for a business traveler, and serenades him with her Ukulele. A stewardess wife wants to get on the flight so she could be with her husband, the pilot, for their anniversary. Some numbers hit home with absolute delight and others were just stirred into the mix not yet forwarding the story or serving a purpose. There was some real singing talent in the cast. Overall however the show had me bobbing my head as I sketched, a pleasant way to spend 55 minutes at the Fringe.

10:00 PM

1:30 PM 

6:45 PM 

6:45 PM 

8:30 PM

Red Chair Affair

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I went to the rehearsal for the Red Chair Affair at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center (401 W Livingston St, Orlando, FL) on August 23rd. John DiDonna directs this showcase of over a dozen performing arts organizations that kicks off the 2013 and 2014 seasons. With so many performers back stage, you might think there was chaos, but the rehearsal ticked along on schedule while I sketched.

The first group onstage to rehearse were the Power Chords from the Orlando Repertory Theater. Every one of these teens had personal mics hidden in their costumes, so there was a long series of sound checks. On the evening of the performance they sang “Bridge over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel.  It was a bit odd seeing this reflective song choreographed with flash and glitter. These kids do know how to belt out a tune however. The next group up was ME Dance performing “Journey“. I’ve seen them perform this high energy dance before in their loose 80’s “Flash Dance” attire. The large black wing curtains obstructed much of my view of their performance.


The performing group that took me most by surprise were the NuLook School of Performing Arts. They danced to a piece called “Okamoto High Fashion“. The dancers wore black and white checkered tights and French berets worn at roguish angles. The dance was angular and hip with crisp staccato movements. It was unexpected and inspired being performed by kids who must still be in high school. The Brass Band of Central Florida was loud and energetic. The band master apologized to me when all the band equipment was piled up in front of me. I told him it didn’t matter since I was just adding color to the sketch at that point. I considered sketching in the drums and other instruments then decided against it.


The Enzian Theater screened a short documentary called “A Brief History of John Baldessari“. One of this artist’s pieces is now hanging at the Orlando Museum of art. The ladies of Disenchanted sang several of their Disney princess inspired songs. This show, with music and lyrics by Dennis Giacino is likely headed to Broadway in NYC.


Autumn Schaefer Ames who was the Executive Director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Central Florida just recently had a baby and she is stepping down. Rae Ward has filled the position. Regardless, Amanda was back stage as the assistant stage manager helping Brittany Wine control the chaos. Once you get a taste for live theater, it is hard to let it go.

Disenchanted: Bitches of the Kingdom

Posted on by Thor

Disenchanted: Bitches of the Kingdom is having an extended run through August at Mama Mia’s because performances kept selling out. Word of mouth travels fast and these Bitches are rising fast. This hilarious production features the songs of Dennis Giacino and is directed by Fiely Matias. I have loved this production ever since I saw it at the Orlando Fringe Festival. The incredible Michelle Knight has reprised her roll as a saucy Snow White and she shines in the spot light. She started out the show belting out a note and holding it so long, the audience started screaming, laughing and clapping endlessly.

The room had a small semi circular stage big enough to hold Dennis behind the grand piano and the princesses.  The audience filled the small room seated around small tables. The cabaret style show suited the intimate space. Jenny Lee Stern began as Belle who sang Insane! Her hair was tightly pulled back and her eyes fluttered wide and bewildered as she watched the other princesses perform. As The Little Mermaid, her hair came down and she added an unexpected hard edge to the part with a biker chick attitude and tattoos. I ended up sketching her twice by mistake. This production is still in development, but it is destined to be an off Broadway hit in 2013. The show is moving to  Missouri next. Auditions are being held Friday, August 24 for its production at Stephens College in September 2012.