Frank to be Frank at Fringe.

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World-renowned! The Rat Pack’s 17th member! America’s most entertaining entertainer invites you to partake in his interactive live life retrospective. This riveting glimpse into a very special leading man is brought to you by Australian comic Emily June Newton and director Deanna Fleysher (aka Butt Kapinski). FRANK will grab you by your shoulders and make you feel nostalgia for a star you never knew!

As we entered the round patron’s room, Frank welcomed each audience member. Some were given mini flashlights. Frank is a woman dressed as a man, pretending to be a woman dressed like a man. Gender and the theatrical five o’clock shadow were all quite confusing. I had been advised to see this show thanks to one of the critics at the press preview.  Several bolts of fabric were at the front of the sage, and Frank showed them to the audience saying in a sing son voice, “beautiful fabrics!” The audience when coached sang along. Frank regaled us with his many successes and the audience was puddy in his hands.

He held a popularity contest with one member of audience and was shocked as the tide gradually turned in favor of the audience member. The theater went black an Frank hid back stage and tried to sneak out of the theater but intrepid audience members caught him in the beams of their flash lights. Frank shouted “No! Don’t shine that light on me!” Which meant, please keep me in the limelight.

Later that evening, after the show, we stood in line for Joe’s NYC Bar and there was a beautiful actress in front of us. Perhaps because I had been sketching, I recognized her as Frank. She said that our audience had been the best audience she had experienced at fringe. The whole “Beautiful fabrics” routine had been improvised and built upon because the audience was so willing to play along. There is a certain magic that happens when a performer meets just the right audience. I was glad to be a witness to some of that magic thanks to Frank.

A Drink with Country Joe at the Fringe Beer Tent.

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Joe Rosier had hopes of get in into the 2016 Fringe Festival. Unfortunately his name wasn’t picked in the Fringe Lottery. In the past, he had performed solo shows as a country doctor telling ghost tales, and Odysseys S. Grant relating Civil war stories. With his grizzled age and shaggy white beard, Joe was perfect for such historical roles.  Shortly after the lottery, one of Joe’s eyes closed up and minor age discomforts became serious health issues.

Chemo therapy resulted in hair loss and the need for a neck brace. That didn’t slow Joe down. He was at the years fringe and I got to spend some time with him at the beer tent. Joe posed for my Mennello Museum  Mural and I’ve sketched him a number of to the in costume. Producers, actors an directors greeted Joe like the celebrity he is. the last time I saw Joe was in December and I bumped in him while walking towards the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Joe was dressed as Santa Claus of course. As we walked past the Harp and Celt, a young woman seated outside shouted to Joe to come in. There was z private party and they needed Santa Clause. I regret not follow.’ Joe inside. I heard he was the life of the party, and all I young women sat in his lap to whisper their Christmas wishes.

Dino World offered yet another take on Jurassic Park at Fringe.

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The wacky love child of a certain Jurassic-themed-park, and a certain Chocolate-themed-factory, Dino World gives a one of a kind tour of the prehistoric past. When the dark secret behind these dinosaurs is revealed, it’s eat or be eaten in this original parody musical.

Although I was ready to root for the nerdy kid who loves dinosaurs, the show lost me with the coming of age song about needing to shave. It might have mad sense for the kid, but the same song uses sung by other more mature characters as well. I liked the sexy but unfeeling lawyer. Dinosaurs were portrayed by dancers dressed as if for burlesque. Although I’m very familiar with the source material the show left me confused. I steered several friends clear of the show i the large orange venue, so I felt, that I did my duty. 

Sarah Purser Performed at the Fringe Outdoor Stage.

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Sarah Purser is an incredible singer. She has performed with the Opera and she also performs more modern tunes. She sang sultry and sad Joni Mitchell covers in the Fringe Outdoor Stage.   Sarah’s husband Marco Bojorquez played the electric bass.

The out door tent was constantly active the year. Orlando’s best singers and bands set up on stage about every hour. Jessica Pawli orchestrated the incredible line up of talent. She turned the sleepy outdoor stage into a major attraction in it’s second year. I could have been happy sketching in the outdoor tent everyday but of course the lure of the odd and obscene drew me inside to the ticketed Fringe shows as well.

Robotman performed at the outdoor stage at Fringe.

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Robotman is a local jazz band that really got the outdoor tent crowd excited at this year’s Orlando International Fringe Festival. I had just heard them perform a week ago in College Park, so I was excited to hear them again. I sat in the front row to soak it all in. The band has a driving beat that caused m to rock and sway as I sketched. The music felt experiments free flowing and spontaneous. Each piece was original, written by different members o the band.

The band members are: Matt McCarthy on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, 
Jeremy Fratti on Saxophone,
Marco Bojorquez on Acoustic Bass and Electric Bass,
Jeremy Katalenic on the Drum Kit,
and John Krasula on Guitars.

It was a great afternoon of great music. Nothing feels better this letting the music inspire the lines and washes to dance.

Salvador Live at the Outdoor Fringe Tent.

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The world’s most dynamic break dancing speed painter known as “Salvador Live!” brought his talents to Fringe making a special live performance during Hop Hip Night at the free outdoor stage. Salvador wowed Fringe goers with his compelling live painting experience with the added twist of dance and theatrical elements. Using his performance expertise and incorporating a variety of special characters and themes, Salvador Live engaged, inspired and impressed his spectators delivering a truly unique, unforgettable experience.

I had to work quick to catch him in action. Prince songs inspired his creation. Within minutes Prince‘s purple face began to appear on the five foot canvas. I wondered how he could get a likeness so quickly. After watching him work, I have my theories, but prefer to simply accept it as theatrical and artistic magic. Salvador would break dance and spin on his head between songs. He spent as much time dancing and voguing as he did painting. Amazed spectators took video and or photos on their cell phone. The performancebuild up to Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Before I knew it, he us done. I had to keep adding color washes after he left the stage. I was exhausted from just watching him. While walking on Park Avenue in Winter Park, I passed an angry youth sitting on a bench shouting into his phone. “You know they killed Prince don’t you?” As conspiracy theories build, Prince’ myth lives on.

The Space Pirate Puppy Musical, at Fringe.

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I sketched at a press preview for Space Pirate Puppy Musical in the Yellow Venue at the Fringe Festival. This show presented by Tasty Monster Productions from Welborne, UK was clearly intended for younger audiences. The premise as simple take a Star Trek crew and make them all puppies. Earth has gone to the dogs, literally. After the incident humans have
gone underground and into space leaving dogs to run the planet. The Space Pirates have decided that they need to pave over Earth to put
up a parking lot for their new nightclub on the moon. The Puppies have
to join forces with their arch enemies the Ninja Kittens and with the
assistance of the Great Oracle, must seek the power of the greatest
weapon they’ve never heard of. The action and staging was constantly on the move. The music was fun, but not very memorable.

At one point a porcupine puppet appeared on house right. That got me thinking that the whole show might have been more whimsical as a puppet show. A woman in the front row did laugh out loud once. Then she said “What? I though it was a funny name.” I kind of lost interest in the plot. It all felt a bit haphazard. At least the theater was air conditioned.

Logan’s Slut Like Me was Hilarious at Fringe.

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Slut Like Me, a one man show by Logan Donahoo at the year’s Fringe was hilarious. I went to the first performance. Blue Estrella, the shows stage manager, arranged to get me in a little early to star sketch. A screen had to be hung, and the projector set up. The show was packed neatly in a small pink plastic storage box. As it got closer to the time to open the theater, Blue and director Rob Ward started to panic. Logan hadn’t arrived yet. They sent messages an phone calls, but he wasn’t answering. All actors experience some form of stage fright, or was this something far more serious? The venue tech, finally had to play the pre-show music and let the audience in. There was the usual excited conversations as everyone settled into their seats.Finally, Michael Marinaccio, the Orlando Fringe Festival Producer, had to stand in front of the audience and announce that Logan had gone missing. Every one’s tickets would be refunded and they were encouraged to return. Me sketch was only half finished. I asked Blue to keep me informed since I was as concerned as anyone. She later texted that it was probably a case of food poisoning. 

Logan bounced back and Slut Like me, went on to take the Patron’s Pick award in the Brown Venue. As the Patron’s Pick, the show was awarded an extra performance which made up for the opening performance glitch. The show must go on. I returned to watch Logan perform, and I’m very happy I did. He offered modern day dating advice that had the audience laughing the whole time.  Four audience member were pulled up and blind folded for a game of, would I put it in me? The first contestant was given a large wine bottle. She felt it with her hands and poked a finger in the bottle opening. She guessed correctly and conceded the she wouldn’t put it in her. Logan then educated u all that all bottles h seams that can cut, a being hollow, the bottle could create suction becoming impossible to dislodge. The oddest object was a musical pickle. Again, don’t put it in you. 

He discussed the plethora of dating sites, and showed his slutty contributions to each.  A practical piece of advice was offered on what to pack in a slut sack which contains all the basics needed if you have a crazy sexual encounter and find yourself going home alone for the walk of shame. Simple items like shorts, a T-Shirt and handy wipes round out the necessities. One prop barely fit into the shows storage box. It was a huge floppy purple dong the size of a man’s forearm. Logan tossed it bad in the storage bin, and it would slam down so hard is was frightening.Would I put it in me? Logan said, that wit enough time and bob any thing is possible and he raised a fist in triumph. Most slot tips we r preceded be an audio clip of a woman’s moan. Sometimes it as hard to know weather to be shocked, grossed out or laugh. Laughter usually won the day. This was without a doubt the funniest show I saw at this year’s Fringe. 

The Lines at Fringe are the key to finding good shows.

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The Fringe Festival is a well oiled machine. Shows load in and load out in close to a dozen venues every hour or so. Inside the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, lines form about a half hour before each show opens. Performers from other shows work the line, handing out flyers, and explaining why their show is a “must see”.

The people around you in line, often can tell you which shows ave worth seeing, and which shows are bombs. Standing in line is also a good time to check the Fringe program to see what might come next. With over 70 Shows, it is impossible to see every show.

I tend to limit my shows to the one’s that had good buzz in the lines or at the Beer Tent on the Lawn of Fabulousness. In this line, I bumped into Aradhana Tiwari who is directing at Mad Cow Theater now. When I first started this site, she allowed me to document every phase of a show she was co-directing. I haven’t had that here of access to a shows production since. A woman playing clarinet worked the line.  A mom tried to keep her energetic boys in line as they waited for the doors to open. Actors and actresses get to interact with theater patron one on one.

Decades Rewind played a musical review for Baby Boomers at Fringe.

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Decades Rewind performed the greatest music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It was described in the program as, a rocking extravaganza featuring a live 15 piece show-band performing medleys of your favorite hits, spanning 30 years! Take a ride through Decades of American culture, featuring a combination of sight, sound, and video! Over 50 songs in 6 medleys, with visual accompaniment on a huge video screen.

The show at tempted to be upbeat and high energy, but never quite delivered. Now this was a press preview and the huge orange venue was pretty deserted. Perhaps with a larger, livelier audience the show would be more fun. I kept hoping for some story line or structure but it never came. Some reviewers in the back of the theater left early. Since I was sketching I stayed behind to the bitter end.