Weekend Top 6 Fringe Picks for May 21st and 22nd.

Posted on May 20, 2016February 7, 2022 by Thor

Saturday May 21, 2016

Noon to 1pm $11 Plus a Fringe button $10 good for all shows. Phantasmagoria: Wicked Little Tales. Orange Venue in the Shakespeare Theater 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL. The show thunders into the Fringe with its
evocative, haunting and whimsical tales of horror, Phantastical dance,
music, explosive stage combat, large scale puppetry and enthralling
storytelling.

5pm to 6:10pm $11 Livingroom Theater. Pergande home, 1314 Chichester St Orlando, FL Paths of absurdity, raw truth and love intersect as Bear, Otter and Dog
invite you into a living room to share vignettes reflecting on our
humanity. Through pensive to comical conversations, experimental
performance pieces and live instrumentals a story emerges. “A primal,
playful joy in the moment…” – analogartistdigitalworld.com

7pm to 7:15 pm $7. 21 Chump Street. Purple venue in the Shakespeare Theater 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL. A high schooler falls in love with an undercover cop. 21 Chump St. An
action packed, 15 minute musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Creator of
‘Hamilton’ and ‘In The Heights’ and from NPR’s This American Life.

Sunday May 22, 2016

12:45pm to 1:45pm $10. A long Time Ago: The 80s Strike Back. Orange Venue in the Shakespeare Theater 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL. The show is a retelling of the Original
Star Wars Trilogy blended with the Neon-nougat center of the 1980’s.
Classic characters are skewered by 80’s archetypes and all the moments
are captured in 80’s song parodies. Relive the only three Star Wars
movies in a whole new way.

3:30pm to 4:10pm $10. O.K.: Physicality of Mentality. Pink Venue in the Shakespeare Theater 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL. Close to 1 in 5 adults suffers from a diagnosable mental health issue,
yet the subject remains taboo. In effort to raise awareness and
encourage understanding, members of Red Right Return delve into their
personal experiences with mental illness. Through contemporary dance and
spoken word, “O.K.: physicality of mentality” offers audiences glimpses
into life with depression, anxiety, OCD and addiction.

10:30pm to 11:30pm $10. Douchbags. Yellow Venue in the Shakespeare Theater 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL. The show is a bold new powerhouse production with bravado to spare: Step inside the
cringe-worthy lives of three American males as we explore the
inner-workings of the 21st century douchebag in their native habitat. A
shocking commentary on modern relationships, “Douchebags” is sure to
raise eyebrows and bring the laughs.

A Long Time Ago: The Eighties Strike Back.

Posted on May 19, 2016February 7, 2022 by Thor

It is time to Fringe! The 2015 24nd Annual Orlando Fringe Theatre Festival
takes place May 13th-25th in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park. Venue locations
are within Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Rep (corner of Princeton
and Mills)-812 East Rollins Street, The Venue (Virginia Dr.), and
several site-specific location in the area. Kid’s Fringe is located at
the Menello Museum (across Princeton from Loch Haven).

100% UNCENSORED

100% UNJURIED

100% ACCESSIBLE

100% of $ from ticket sales go directly to the ARTISTS

There are more productions than can be seen, so pick your poisons wisely. Of the productions I saw in the first few days, the Star Wars music at parody written and co directed by Simon MacDonald called A Long Time Ago: The Eighties Strike Back, was my laugh out loud favorite. The classic Star War characters are re-imagined as 1980’s pop stars, and movie stars. For instance Artoo (Melina Smart) is portrayed as Olivia Newton John in Xanadu and Threepio (Lauren Anne Anderson) is portrayed as Madonna with her golden ice cream cone bra.

Singing performances by Lauren Culver as princess Leia and Melinda Smart as Artoo were particularly outstanding. The Chewbacca themed song Was hilarious and Joseph Fabian did an amazing job replicating the throaty roar. If you are a fan of the original two Star Wars movies, and you old enough to have lived through the 1980’s you will love this show. I still have “Hoth is a Battle Field” running through m head, set to y music of “Love is a Battle Field” by Pat Benatar.

The plot and characters are deeply en-grained in our minds, but this musical parody is absolutely hilarious. Don’t miss it!

Orange Venue – Orlando Shakespeare Theater 812 E. Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803.Shows are on May 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, and 28. Tickets are $10.

No Button = No show entry (no exceptions). The button costs $10 and is a one-time purchase. Button proceeds go to support Orlando Fringe.
No Late Entry to shows (no exceptions).
No refunds given for any reason other than show cancellation (no exceptions).
No ticket exchanges made (no exceptions).
No outside food or beverage is allowed inside any venue.
Alcoholic beverage purchased in the Green Lawn may not leave the fenced lawn area.
No food or drink allowed inside the Orlando REP (GREEN, SILVER, and TEEN Venues).
Beverages are allowed in our Lowndes Shakespeare Center venues
(PINK, BROWN, RED, PURPLE, YELLOW, ORANGE, and BLUE) and may be
purchased in the Darden Courtyard. Beverages are sold and allowed at the
Venue (BLACK) and many other BYOV locations.

Sugar Crash Kids and the Forgotten Island offers family friendly fun at Fringe.

Posted on May 18, 2016February 7, 2022 by Thor

Based on the World and Characters of Sugar Crash Kids created by Jeremiah Dunlap and Joshua Pearson, this original family friendly musical will bring a spark of fun to the Orange Venue. Imagination,
discovery, and wonder take flight when a cynical young girl, Mai (Kennedy Mason) is suddenly
thrust into a fantastic, whimsical adventure in a world she never
thought was possible.

I went to the final rehearsal at City Beautiful Church on Alden Road in Ivanhoe Village. Blue illuminated orbs were placed on the stage. Director and choreographer Holly Harris explained that they represent hope, wonder, and imagination. Mai has reached an age where anything that isn’t tangible isn’t real. She discovers that the world of the imagination is very much real.

The ensemble picked up the orbs and danced and interacted with them with fluid graceful movements. The cast must have a blast at each performance. Much of the movement is pure joyful play. Actors did somersaults, rolled over, and bumped into each other and genially had plenty of immature fun. Cole Nesmith sang an exuberant song titled, “You’re here!” “But where’s here?” Mai asked. “Why it’s here of course!”

The show features original music, lyrics, and characters, from The Cramazingly Incredifun Sugar Crash Kids Podcast which comes to life on stage for the first time ever. The musical brings to
life a fantastic, whimsical adventure through music, movement, and large
scale puppetry.

I didn’t see the full show, but the songs I heard were amazing, and the scenes were filled with playful joy. I have no doubt that this is a must see Fringe show. Bring the whole family!!

Tickets are $10.

Location: ORANGE Venue – Lowndes Shakespeare Center – Margeson Theater 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL

Performances:

Thursday, May 19 – 6:15 PM

Saturday, May 21 – 3:45 PM

Sunday, May 22 – 2:30 PM

Tuesday, May 24 – 7:15 PM

Wednesday, May 25 – 5:30 PM

Saturday, May 28 – 1:30 PM

Sunday, May 29 – 11:45 AM

In the Black, A Tax Day Burlesque.

Posted on April 13, 2016February 7, 2022 by Thor

Blacklist Babes Cabaret, and Black Garter Dolls will present In the Black, A Tax Day Burlesque at The Venue (511 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL) on April 15th. The doors open at 9pm and the show start at 10pm. Marisa Ashley Risque invited me to sketch a dress rehearsal. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door (cash), and $25 VIP.

When I arrived, actors and actresses were busy getting into costume and putting on make up. Marisa was at a mobile costume rack. She welcomed me with h warm hug. Each performer is in multiple routines and sometimes costume changes have to happen at a breakneck pace. Getting garters tightened and hitched or latching a leather belt just right can be tricky. A fellow with a long beard who looks like the Monopoly guy will be welcoming patrons at the door. He was deep in conversation with one of the performers. For once, I felt right at home. So many of the performers, I have sketched in the past.

Marisa did a hilarious routine as a thrift store addict who then showcased her cheap ass erotic side. Her twerking had every performer on the sidelines hooting and hollering. A more classical burlesque was set to Frank Sinatra‘s , Luck be a Lady Tonight. The diaphanous green ball gown flowed beautifully as if a Fred Astaire movie dance scene. This modern take on a classic made me wonder, what best rhymes with luck? A male dancer had all the lady performers screaming when he stripped down to his thong. Even more impressive than the bounties of flesh, was the incredible singing talent on display. These performers know how to belt out a tune with gusto. A large group number with plenty of leather whips was a show stopper.

If you are due a tax refund, then this is the place to use these throw away bills. I laughed until I cried. If you miss Tax Day Burlesque, some of the same routines will appear 4 times at the Fringe in the Black Venue which will also showcase some new numbers.

Bikini Ad Space turned heads at Fringe.

Posted on June 29, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

Katie Thayer, an attractive local actress and comedian, came up with the idea of Bikini Ad Space at the Orlando International Fringe Festival several years ago. The idea is pure genius and simple. She wears a sexy bikini and you can body paint your message on any of her prime body parts. Her lower shins, and her upper or lower arms, front and back go for $5 each. $10 gets prime exposure on her upper calves, front and back, and her belly. You can “get cheeky” by purchasing ad space on both butt cheeks for $15. Of course the most expensive ad space is the $20 chest ad which can nestle in her cleavage.

We bumped into Katie on the first day of the Fringe Sketch Tour and arranged to sketch her the next day. She works inside the Shakespeare Theater lobby which is always crowded with people buying tickets and waiting for shows. She had her leg propped up on a table covered with show flyer’s. The layer of flyer’s was an inch thick which meant you often had to dig down to find a flyer for the show you were interested in. Usually clients had the opportunity to paint their ad on Katy’s flesh. In this rare instance Katy was painting her own ad to get people to vote for Bikini Ad Space as the best “Bring Your Own Venue” in The Daily City Audience Choice Awards. I don’t know if she won that honor.

Cootie Catcher in the red venue had purchased the prime cleavage ad space while Valence had invested in belly ad space. I saw valance, an introspective dance performance that inspected touch in human interactions, but I never saw Cootie Catcher. My sketch protege sketched me sketching Katy and I’m sure photos were shot which made it a very “Meta” performance. The day before, Katy had left her kit of brushed behind and it vanished. Luckily she found a loose brush in the bottom of her bag, but it was a rather blunt brush which meant she couldn’t add any refined touches. I offered her one of my brushes but she was too proud to take it. I hope that the ads she sold will help pay for a new set of brushes because quality brushes are expensive. Her palette was a clear plastic plate. Friends stopped to ask her advice on the best shows to see. Katy had seen tons of shows, so she was a great resource.

Tears of a Tyrant performed on the outdoor stage at Fringe.

Posted on June 27, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

On the Fringe Sketch Tour we stopped to sketch Tears of a Tyrant on the outdoor stage. They had a colorful tie-die banner as a backdrop. Danielle Dart was the lead singer with a purple floral garland in her hair. She had a dreamy way of closing her eyes as she sang that was quite endearing. Jester Cordell accompanied her on acoustic guitar. There are usually two other members in the band, but I guess they couldn’t make it out to this pro bono gig. They classify their music as Groovy Classic Rock and Southern Rock.

To me this adorable couple personified the young Central Florida hipster . ideal with their flip flops and ultra casual attire. This casual attire is something I love about Orlando. No matter what event you go to in O-town there will be people in tee shirts and flip flops. If you went to a similar event in NYC, everyone would be dressed in black and wearing designer names in an effort to impress. Orlando has plenty of raw care free talent.

Well perhaps not care free. It is hard to make a living as an artist in Orlando. There is a constant exodus out of this town to other cities that are more supportive of the arts. As the 2015 Tallahassee Legislative Special Session came to a close, the film, TV
and digital media industry was excluded from the budget again this
year. This marks 3 straight years this program has gone without funding.
Additionally the proposed budget includes a staff and budget reduction
to the State Office of Film and Entertainment. This is why many actors and film makers go out of state to create films.

Grim and Fisher was part mime, part puppetry and pure magic.

Posted on June 25, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

Grim and Fisher produced by Wonderheads from Portland Oregon was in the Silver Venue at this years Orlando International Fringe Festival. They were the creators of last years Fringe hit Loon, so my expectations were high.

Grim and Fisher was an epic showdown between a dour faced Grim Reaper and a lively and determined granny. The set consisted of a simple rocking chair and a side table with a tiny box on top of it. Much of the first act consisted of the Granny messing with a repairman who came to her apartment to repair her TV. When he needed to use the bathroom, he was surprised because every time he touched the door, loud farts would emanate from inside. I guess this established the granny as an “old fart” but when she came out holding a whoopee cushion is also established her as having a sense of humor.

When Grim comes for the old lady, she doesn’t go willingly. When she gives him the tiny box, he is won over when he discovers it is a music box. He forgets his job and shows his more human side for a moment. It reminded me of the food critic’s scene when he tastes the rats sumptuous food for the first time. The granny puts her former husband’s coat on Grim and they dance.

When Grim realizes he has a job to do, the old lady battles for her life. In the end she does walk towards the light perhaps finally reunited with her long lost husband. The show for me wasn’t as magical as Loon. I knew from the start that death always wins. It made the battle to live a little sad.

Serafina’s belly dance at Fringe.

Posted on June 24, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

Although Phantasmagoria didn’t have a stage show, they were listed in the Fringe program as Bring Your Own Venue. On the first day of my Sketch Tour they seemed to be everywhere at once. While we were waiting in line for Grim and Fisher at the Rep Theater, Phantasmagoria swept into the lobby to entertain everyone waiting in line. For those who don’t know, (where have you been) Phantasmagoria is a Gothic Steampunk storytelling group that blends dance, aerial work, fire performance and combat into the mix as they weave their horrific tales.

Serafina Schiano began an exotic belly dance. I agonized about how much time I might need to catch the dance. The line started to inch forward and I kept adding watercolor washes to the sketch as we moved towards the entrance. When Serafina was done, I followed her with my eyes to try and catch details of her costume. This is why some sketches can seem rushed and unfinished, because life and performance rushes by. It is a challenge to catch the flash of a moment. That is what makes sketching on location fun, exciting and challenging. Even if unfinished in my mind, I have to accept what I can accomplish in the time that I have and move on. That is a fair analogy to life in general.

The lobby of the Rep is always full of art by school children during Fringe. Most of the work is tight and struggling towards realism. None of the art seems rushed or hurried. This is the problem I have when painting digitally. Since it is all new to me I’m far to cautious and what results has too much polish. I’ve started carrying my tablet out on location with me but it is seldom used. In a dark theater, its glow would distract others and outside in the Florida sun the screen isn’t bright enough. I wish the screen were larger but the market trend it towards smaller tablets. It is like carrying a hot brick.

Of course the Kids Fringe had a Unicorn Bounce House.

Posted on June 23, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

On each morning of the Fringe Sketch Tour, we would start at Kids Fringe, warming up by sketching the kids stretching under the supervision of a Voci Dancer. After that, we would start the hunt for another subject. This Unicorn Bounce House was in the shade of a huge Live Oak Tree. There was always a line of parents escorting their children to the entrance. Oddly the Unicorn had a sand bag on her head. At first I thought it might be an icepack since the Unicorn might have partied too hard the night before. If that was the case, then having those children bouncing inside couldn’t have helped her unsettled stomach.

I did this sketch to demonstrate the idea of covering the sketch with as few large washes as possible. The Unicorn and all of the foreground was covered with a blue wash for shadows and the local color of the bounce house. I encouraged Gay to leave the lightest areas at the window where you see a child bouncing and around the Unicorn’s head. The eye is attracted to the areas where there is the most contrast. I put a yellow band across the middle of the sketch to symbolize bright sunlight. Distant trees were treated with the lightest blue-green wash to imply aerial perspective. I also taught Gay to remove objects that over complicated the scene. For instance there were branches and moss directly behind the unicorn’s head, but I removed those in the sketch to give the Unicorn head a clean silhouette.