The All New Nashville Hurricane

Posted on May 21, 2014February 7, 2022 by Thor

This Fringe show by Chase Padgett was absolute magic. Chase was originally from Orlando but he has since moved to Portland Oregon when he isn’t on the Fringe circuit. The stage was set with a single chair and a lone guitar. A spotlight illuminated Chase as he opened with an incredibly dexterous guitar performance. He warmed up the crowd by asking innocent questions. One question he shouted out was, “Who is with the love of their life?” Hands shot up. He turned to the couple to his right. “I see a problem hear” he said. “Her hand shot up like a lightning bolt, but your hand sir didn’t budge from your diet Coke.” I felt a bit guilty that my sketching prevented my hand from going up. Chase also asked a few people what their one true passion is in life. It is surprising, funny, and a bit sad that some people have no clue.

Then Chase began to relate the story of a child prodigy. This kid could repair any electronic device and he was a natural on the guitar. The prodigy’s story was related from the view points of three separate characters, his white trash mom, a conniving promoter and a kind low income southerner who was a recovering alcoholic. Chase would switch between characters or a dime propelling the plot forward. Although incredibly talented, the prodigy wasn’t as he said, “A people person.” His mind wandered in the intricacy’s of stellar dust and sub-atomic particles. He was a nerd’s nerd, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.

The promoter prayed for a ticket to the big time. His prayers were answered when he saw the boy play guitar. He saw the boy as a gold mine and he managed to steal the him away from his dead beat mom. He put sun glasses on the him and promoted him as “The Nashville Hurricane”. He bullied and forced the boy to perform, until the joy once found in playing guitar became a misery. A sunrise seen towards the end of the show made the boy realize that we are all a small part of a much bigger cosmic plan. There was no longer a need to fear the abuse and mistreatment by others. That glowing, life affirming message is what made the show resonate. Strength and inner peace replaced uncertainty and fear when the boy faced his life head on. This is my favorite show to date, but with so many talented story tellers and shows, I know there are other treasures to be mined at this year’s Fringe. Chase’s other show, Chase and Stacy Present: Joyride was a hilarious improve show that was hilarious I highly recommend show that as well.

The remaining shows for The All New Nashville Hurricane are…

Thursday May 22, 10pm to 11:15pm

Saturday May 24, 7pm to 8:15pm

Sunday May 25, 3:15pm to 4:30pm

Tickets are $11 and the show is in the Orange Venue in the Orlando Shakespeare Center (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL.)

Judy Garland: Is it Just Me or is it Just Me?

Posted on May 20, 2014February 7, 2022 by Thor

At the last minute, Clandestine ARTS had to pull out of the Fringe. Their show, Tuesday Morning, was replaced by the incomparable, Judy Garland performed by Mark Baratelli of thedailycity.com. Many of the seats in the Blue Venue had small questionnaires, asking which Judy Garland songs people might want to hear. The MC warmed up the crowd and Judy stumbled around back stage. Then she began to slur the lyrics to a song and she came out, greeted by thunderous applause. Props on the stage were covered with dark fabrics and she stripped them bare as she sang. Yellow medicine bottles hung from her necklace.

Her legs were often crossed or akimbo as she wavered in the spotlight. Her high heels caused her to stumble and fall more than once. Misplaced mascara gave her raccoon eyes and the lipstick was smeared all around her lips. The dark wig often hid her face and the baggy man’s dress shirt hid her supple figure. Judy is 93 but she still belts out those tunes with a vengeance.

The MC announced that local artist Thomas Thorspecken was in the audience drawing. He wasn’t talking about me however. Chase Padgett was in the audience posing as me. Chase did a sketch of Judy but he was supposed to imagine her nude. I couldn’t bring myself to go there. Judy’s medicated antics were laugh out loud funny. At times she was on the floor slayed out as she sang and other times she tried to escape into the shadows to avoid the spotlight. Some songs were just improvised on the spot to hilarious effect.

Don’t miss Judy! She is hilarious and the shows are selling out. The remaining show times are…

Tuesday May 20, 11:30pm to 12:15pm

Friday May 23, 10pm to 10:45pm

Saturday May 24, 1:30pm to 2:15pm

Sunday May 25, 8:15pm to 9pm

Tickets are $8 and Judy can be found in the Blue venue in the Orlando Shakespeare Center (812 E Rollins St., Orlando, FL.) If you are trying to find information about Judy in your printed Fringe program, she isn’t listed. She was a last minute replacement for Tuesday Morning.

VarieTEASE

Posted on May 19, 2014February 7, 2022 by Thor

Terry and I went to The Venue (511 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL), to see VarieTEASE on the first day I could get out to Fringe. Terry sat front and center while I sketched from a high top table. Smoke filled the space and a long prologue scrolled up the back wall of the stage. The dance followed the male protagonist who was dealing with a deranged ex-wife, his wife and a mistress. The performance began at a train station which was simply created with a projection of a fast moving train roaring by.

There is a playful mystical magic to VarieTEASE. The choreography was at times angular and hard and at other times soft and flowing. At all times life was depicted as a circus or carnivale act. The white face make up made every performer look like a mime or china doll. The protagonist was confronted by each woman in turn. They danced at times with sexual abandon to the point of exhaustion. There was one moment of female frontal nudity with polite pasties, so the show verged on burlesque.

Large free standing door frame shaped structures had rubbery vertical bars. These functioned at times as a prison and in one instance as harps. The man eventually was overcome by heart break and despair. The women returned in flowing light dresses to look over him. I suspect that he truly had cancer and all the drugs and needles were an attempt to slow the tide of the ravaging disease. Credits at the end of the show indicated that the cast was behind dear friends who were fighting for their lives. The show expressed a roller coaster of emotions from anger, despair, loneliness and absolute joy. Life is a dance, and this show captures that life and mysterious magic. This is a must see Fringe favorite.

Mark your Calendar!

Monday May 19, 10:30pm to 11:30pm

Wednesday May 21, 9pm to 10pm

Friday May 23, 9pm to 10pm

Saturday May 24, 4:20pm to 5:20pm

WTF? (What the Fringe?)

Posted on May 18, 2014February 7, 2022 by Thor

The 2014 23nd Annual Orlando Fringe Theatre Festival takes place May 14th-27th in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park. Venue locations are within Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Rep (corner of Princeton and Mills)-812 East Rollins Street, and The Venue (Virginia Dr.). Kid’s Fringe is located at the Menello Museum (across Princeton from Loch Haven).

The Fringe is…

100% UNCENSORED

100% UNJURIED

100% ACCESSIBLE

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

Fringe volunteers manned the information table inside the Orlando Shakespeare Theater while Jeff Ferree promoted his puppet show “Girl Who Fell Up a Chimney” in his bright conical Gumbyesque outfit. Jeff waved to me, and I gave him a stiff armed wave in return. At the information table you could buy the $9 buttons which are needed to get into any show as well as the Fringe program which lists all the shows. There are about 100 shows so the choices are daunting. The best way to find out what you have to see is to hang out at the beer tent and ask around to find out what people have seen and loved.

While doing this sketch, I was given two tips. Nashville Hurricane is “Frigging Amazing” according to Curtis Meyer. I was also told by Karen that Take Out the White Trash was laugh out loud funny. Actress Michelle Knight walked up to the information table. Michelle just completed a run of Disenchanted which is a take on Disney princesses who didn’t exactly live happily ever after. This hilarious musical comedy was first premiered at the Orlando Fringe several years ago as Bitches of the Kingdom, and now it is headed to off Broadway in NYC. This is a great example of how the Fringe is a great place to launch a creative concept.

If there is a show you feel I should see and sketch, please leave me a comment!

CRAIG’S LUST: a Sexploration

Posted on May 15, 2014February 7, 2022 by Thor

Ryan Price of Invisible Frisbee Productions is producing an improvisational comedy show for this year’s Fringe called Craig’s Lust. I went to a rehearsal held at Rollin’s College. When I got there Ran was at the rehearsal space waiting for a meeting to clear out. The space was a small conference room on the ground floor of the Bush Science building room 102. This improv show had a creative edge because all the comedy skits revolve around the romantic crushes that people often don’t act upon. “Meeting people is hard. Meeting sane people is harder. Meeting sane
people on Craig’s list is nearly impossible! Join us for an improvised
adventure into dating, modern romance, and missed connections. Come
see us, and who knows, maybe you’ll be someone’s missed connection…
Your suggestions fuel the scenes. From the people who brought you 2013’s
improvised version of The 39 Steps.”

Stage manager Jamie Lynn Woods sat beside me filming the rehearsal. The rehearsal began with a quick session of zip, zap, zoop in which the cast members stood in a circle and threw imaginary knives at each other. Each comedy act was improvised with the actors building off of the scenarios that were offered by the other actors. I admire this sort of high wire act performed without nets. It was of course fun to watch the female actors flaunting their sexuality when needed, however if a male role was needed they could switch genders. It was when such roles were embraced with a flourish that I found myself laughing loudest.

One skit involved a company bowling outing. An employee’s wife caught the eye of the boss as she leaned down provocatively to pick up the ball. The boss patted her on the butt and she didn’t seem to mind at first. Such uninhibited lack of personal boundaries were often the source of a laugh. The woman’s husband was up for a promotion, so he encouraged her performance while hoping it didn’t get out of hand.

Nadia Garzon‘s friend was crocheting during the whole rehearsal. I could identify with his busy act of creation. At the end of the rehearsal, he gave me what he had made. It was a 4 inch high mushroom. I wasn’t sure what to do with it, but it traveled with me on a trip to Virginia. I decided to “plant” the mushroom on a wrought iron public bench figuring someone would be happy to discover it. I like this idea of leaving tiny artistic tokens around town. I’m considering the notion of an Origami business card that I could leave behind wherever I have planted myself to sketch. What I lack is the time to create them.

Craig’s Lust is being performed at the Orange Venue, Lowndes Shakespeare Theater (812 East Rollins Street, Orlando Fl.)

Thursday, May 15th, 2014 10:30pm to 11:30pm

Sunday, May 18th, 2014 10:30pm to 9:45pm

Thursday. May 22nd, 2014 8:15pm to 9:15pm

Friday, May 23nd, 2014 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Tickets are $11 along with your $9 Fringe button which is needed to get into any show.

Fringe Lottery

Posted on January 9, 2014February 7, 2022 by Thor

On December 2nd the Fringe Lottery was held in the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E. Rollins St, Orlando, Fl). This was an opportunity to see which shows would be selected for Fringe 23. Michael Mariaccio and George “Fringe” Wallace hosted the lottery. Lottery tickets were picked from green buckets. The Fringe is a completely non-juried week of theater and any show could be selected. The theater was packed full of producers and directors who hoped their shows would be picked.

Participants were selected on a
non-juried basis, through a first-come, first served process, a lottery,
or other method approved by the Association.
The audience must have the option to
pay a ticket price, 100% of which goes directly to the artists
(government taxes notwithstanding.)
Fringe Festival producers have no
control over the artistic content of each performance. The artistic
freedom of the participants is unrestrained.
Festivals must provide an easily accessible opportunity for all audiences and all artists to participate in Fringe Festivals.

Orlando city commissioner Robert Stuart did the actual picking from the bucket.When he selected “Boylesque” from the bucket he had to hesitate before pronouncing the title. Michael Wanzie shouted out from the audience, “Your going to have to learn how to pronounce “Boylesque” if you want the gay vote!” He got quite a good laugh. Later the politician assured his votes by shaking Michael’s hand and kissing him on the cheek. The audience erupted. So, take a glance and anticipate this year’s line up.

– ORANGE –: The All New Nashville Hurricane [Chase Padgett – Burbank, CA]; Ennui [Circus Arts – Polk City, FL]; Boylesque [Sensuality N Motion / Visual EFX Productions – Orlando, FL]; Bless Me Father, For I have Danced [Yow Dance – Orlando, FL]; BARE: A Pop Opera [Penguin Point Productions – Winter Park, FL]; FLIGHT: A Crane’s Story [IBEX Puppetry – Orlando, FL]; Something’s Weird in Weeki Wachee [John Ryanand Diva Productions – Orlando, FL]

– SILVER –: Money Shot! [RUSH Theatrical Productions – New York, NY]; Grim and Fischer [Wonderheads – Portland, OR]; Oyster Boy [Haste Theatre Company – London, UK]; Under the Rainbow [Alan Gerber – Orlando, FL]; There’s No Place Like Home [Wanzie Presents / D-Squared Productions – Orlando, FL]; Smooch [PB and J Theatre Factory – Winter Park, FL]; TBD [The Downtowners – Orlando, FL]; Fifty Shades of Gay [Homicidal Orphan Productions – Orlando, FL]

– YELLOW –: Marathon [TJ Dawe – Vancouver, BC]; God Is a Scottish Drag Queen II: An All New Testament [Mike Delamont – Victoria, BC]; The Surprise [Martin Dockery – Brooklyn, NY]; Killer Quack [James Judd Entertainment – New York, NY]; Conversations with My Divorce Attorney [John Montgomery Theatre Co. – New York, NY]; Tappin and Yappin [J&J Pickle Productions: Ocoee, FL]; Pasion Flamenca [Flamenco del Sol Dance Company – Sanford, FL]; Frankenchrist! The Musical [Acting Passionate Productions – Lakeland, FL]; Professor Soap’s Musical Machine [Cadence Creative – Loughman, FL]

– PINK –: Ruby Rocket, Private Eye [Stacey Hallal – Portland, OR]; Chaotica [Christel Bartelse – Toronto, Ontario ]; House [Ribbitre Public Theatre: Edmonton, Alberta]; Black Stockings [Dangerous Theatre: Denver, CO]; Immortals [Wind Whistle Theatre – Nevada City, CA]; Donating Sperm to My Sisters Wife [Stewart Huff – Winterville, GA]; And Baby Makes Four [Utmost Productions – Orlando, FL]; The British Invasion [My Dream Tree Productions – Casselberry, FL]

– BROWN –: Jem Rolls [Big Word Performance Poetry – Surrey, UK]; TBD [Keith Brown – London, Ontario]; Train Your Man [Kirchmann Productions – Alberton, South Africa]; Taking Out the White Trash [Peemypants Productions – Savannah, GA]; Baba Yaga [It Ain’t Shakespeare – Dallas, TX]; Radio Free Fringe [RFF – Orlando, FL]; Hungry! The Musical [Madmymn Payne Prod – Kissimmee, FL]; All Shook Up: A Rockabilly Revival [Bare Ass Productions – Winter Park, FL]

– GREEN –: Roller Derby Saved My Soul [Broken Turtle Productions – Ottawa, Ontario]; The Death of Brian [A Zombie Odyssey: Theater Simple – Seattle, WA]; 40 Something Still Single [Cougar Comedy Productions – Orlando, FL]; Alice Rocks Wonderland [Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth – Champions Gate, FL]; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson [BTW Productions / Ashley Willsey – Lake Mary, FL]; Escape from Baldwin Park [Carpenter Aunt Productions – Orlando, FL]; Liquid Courage [Tobo Productions – Orlando, FL]; 20 Nothing [Last Minute Panic Productions – Winter Springs, FL]

– BLUE –: Papa Squats Store of Sorts [Ain’t True and Uncle False’s Hood – Indianapolis, IN]; My Brooklyn Hamlet: A Meshugenah True Story [Brenda Adelman – Spring Valley, CA]; Punk Grandpa [Cosmic Jello / Laura Force Scruggs – Chicago, IL]; Sperm Wars [Random Samples Collective – Toronto, ON]; Fire in the Meth Lab [2 Hoots Productions – Melbourne, Australia]; Shakespeare’s Histories: Ten Epic Plays at a Breakneck Pace [Timothy Mooney Repertory – Prospect Heights, IL]; Tuesday Mourning [Clandestine ARTS – Altamonte Springs, FL]; The Queer Diaries [Royal Entertainment – Orlando, FL]; TBD [Playwrights Round Table – Orlando, FL]; TBD [Kia Ora Productions – Kissimmee, FL]

– PURPLE –: VGL 5’4″ Top [Lucas Brooks – Brooklyn, NY]; Desperately Seeking the Exit [Peter Michael Marino – New York, NY]; Superhero’s Can’t Fly [botwot productions – Aspen, CO]; Us vs. The World [Improv Off the Grid – Orlando, FL]; The Float Boat [Comedy First CLC – Longwood, FL]; The Four Great Books of China (Condensed) [Emerson Productions – Casselberry, FL]; Battle of the Sexes: Male Surrender [John Chapman – Orlando, FL]; Tim and Spencer’s Yet Unnamed Magic Project [Corrupting the Kids – Orlando, FL]; Paisley the Clown [Paisley Productions – Orlando, FL]; TBD [JAR Productions – Orlando, FL]

– RED –: Mark Twain’s is Shakespeare Dead [Doctor Keir Co. – Montreal, Quebec ]; The Chronic Single’s Handbook [Randy Ross – Somerville, MA]; Tap Me on the Shoulder [Pack of Others – Northampton, MA]; Going On: A Inspiring True Story about Loss and Finding the Love Inside Yourself [White Rabbit – Portland, OR]; An Iliad [John Remke – West New York, NY]; Rendezvous La Petite Morte [Chloe J. Roberts – Tampa, FL]; The All-New Review [Portals Theatre – Orlando, FL]; Reincarnation Soup [Viet Nguyen – Orlando, FL]; Paranormal Stupidity [Brian Flaherty – Maitland, FL]; Helix by Tangent [Spur of the Moment – Winter Park, FL]

– BLACK –: A Brief History of Beer [Wish Experience – London, UK]; Ocean Fox [Castlereigh Theatre Project – Victoria, BC]; babyBlueStar Presents: VarieTEASE [babyBlueStar – Orlando, FL]; Exploring Her Kinkdom [Penguin Productions – Orlando, FL]; Tod Kimbro Does Everything [Tod Kimbro – Orlando, FL]; Seasons [Squeaky Wheel Theatre Project – Orlando, FL]; Home Free by Lanford Wilson [Gagne Productions – Orlando, FL]; TBD [Logan Donahoo – Orlando, FL]; Truth of Dare with Pepe [Pepe Productions – Orlando, FL]

Afterwards, some performers lamented not being picked. They are on a waiting list and sometimes shows drop out offering an opportunity for that slot to be filled. I recall laughing out loud when “Sharknado the Musical” was picked. Unfortunately I don’t see it in the listings so it must have been dropped. Thankfully “Sperm Wars” made the cut. Mark Your Calendar, there are many Fringe happenings leading up to the big event. Check the Fringe website for more details. Hey, if any local producers or directors are reading this, keep me in mind to sketch read throughs, or rehearsals.

February 07 – Loon
February 08 (2 shows) – Loon
February 09 – Loon
March 03 – Fringe at the Hard Rock
April 14 -Local Preview
May 14 – National / International Preview
Second half of May – FRINGE!

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on August 9, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Saturday August 10, 2013

9am to 2pm Junk in the Trunk Rummage Sale! Alden Road in Ivanhoe Village near The Venue. Ivanhoe Village Main Street will team up with Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival to present the Junk in the Trunk Rummage Sale! In addition to finding some bargains, you’ll be able to sip free mimosas and enjoy the cuisine of Local Yolk’l food truck. Proceeds will benefit IVMS and Orlando Fringe.

10am to 5PM $7-10 Eco Friendly Pepper Expo. Saturday and Sunday. International Palms Resort and Conference Center 6515 International Drive. Learn how to survive the apocalypse. omproinc.com

6:30pm to 10pm $150 Taste of the Nation. Orlando World Center Marriott 8701 World Center Dr. Orlando, Florida. Taste food and wine from all the best local restaurants all in one evening.

Sunday August 11, 2013

1pm to 3pm $5 Film Slam. The Enzian Theater, 1300 S Orlando Ave Maitland, FL. See films from local film makers.

4:30pm to 6:30pm $13 Roller Derby Season Closer Semoran Skateway 2670 Cassel Creek Boulevard, Casselberry, Florida. Come watch the Arkham Assailants and the Sunnyland Slammers battle it out one last time this season. The winner will take on the Serial Thrillers. Doors open at 4:30 and first jam is at 5:00.

7pm to 9pm Free White House Concert t2000 South Summerlin Orlando FL. P.J. Rohr who will play jazzical music (Claude Bolling and more) with her favorite pianist, Lee Lallance. Visual art will be by Maryse Jupillat. Doors open at 7PM and the music starts at 7:30PM.

Key of E – The Full Cast Recording of the End of the World!

Posted on August 4, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

The Key of E took the 2013 International Fringe Festival
by an apocalyptic storm. Help this award-winning apocalyptic rock musical record soundtrack come to life! You know you want it. The completely new and original apocalyptic rock musical by Andy Matchett won 11 Audience Choice Awards,
the most of any show in the history of the awards, including Best
Musical and Best of Fringe. A Kickstarter has been created to help
produce the soundtrack to the show on CD and Vinyl! The goal of the kickstarter is to raise $3,000 before August 21st at 5PM. To date, $280 have been pledged. Donate to the Kickstarter to guarantee you get your copy of the music.
For and donation of $250 or more you can get a signed archival print of the Key
of E Monster as seen on this site.

Mark your Calendar, The Key of E will be returning to the stage starting August 23rd to August 31st at The Venue (511 Virginia Drive Orlando FL). Tickets to the show are just $10. Show times are at 8PM. Seriously, this show will rock your face off!

Eating Pasta Off the Floor

Posted on June 11, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Maria Grazia Affinito shared her story of her contentious relationship she had with her mom in the red venue at this year’s Fringe. Her mother actually tries to sell Maria off in the supermarket. Maria’s imitation of her mom’s mannerisms and speech were hilarious. Once while watching a documentary about the atrocities of WWII, her mom grew silent. Maria realizes that her mom must have been raped in the war. She then recounts how the smell of cold cement could bring her right back to a horrible incident involving four boys.

The way Maria recounted and acted out every incident with her mom was heart warming and humerus. This was a mother daughter relationship that had endured many knocks. There were times when Maria literally wanted to kill her mom and it took the soothing reassurances of a relative to keep the peace. This relationship stood up to the test of time and trials. There was plenty of laughter and some sadness and when it was all told, the audience stood and applauded.

Orange Street Riders

Posted on June 10, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

I didn’t spend as much time at the Fringe outdoor stage as I usually do, but I heard Jessica Pawli did an amazing job booking local bands. There was one opportunity that happened between shows and I was waiting for Terry to arrive. The Orange Street Riders were performing and it was a great set. They performed with an energetic harmonica player, a guitar and drums. Large cans of libations were on the stage. Listening to these guys made me realize that I should make more of an effort to sketch the local music scene. Rick Lane was in the audience bobbing his head in appreciation.

Antony Bolante the writer of this years “Onomatopoeia“, met me as I was working to pick up a sketch. He thought ahead and actually had an 11 by 14 inch portfolio to slip the sketch into. I know that piece is going to an appreciative owner. Anyway two thumbs up for The Orange Street Riders. I’ll be looking to catch a longer set from them sometime in the future. Time to hit the open road.