Josephine: a Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play Rehearsal

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Josephine: a Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play is a one-woman musical biographical play about the iconic Josephine Baker. Created by Tymisha Harris, Michael Marinaccio and Tod Kimbro. Book and Musical Direction by Tod Kimbro, performed by Tymisha Harris. Directed and Produced by Michael Marinaccio

I went to a rehearsal just prior to the Fab Fringe 2018 Fundraiser to be held at the Plaza Live (425 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803) on March 5th. Josephine,
combines cabaret, theatre, and dance to tell the story of the iconic
Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and
one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century. Josephine
shatters stereotypes of race, gender roles, and sexuality
in this intimate, charming and haunting cabaret with a twist. Born in
St. Louis in 1906, Josephine Baker achieved only moderate success in the
United States but became an international superstar after moving to
France in the early 20s. She starred alongside white romantic leading
men in films in the 30s, had multiple interracial marriages and
homosexual relationships, and performed in men’s clothing before the
term “drag” existed in the lexicon. Her adopted country of France gave
her the opportunity to live freely without the racial oppression of her
home nation, though she never stopped yearning for acceptance in
America.

The rehearsal was in a small Orlando bungalow just south of Greenwood Cemetery. The band squeezed into the small  living room. There were drums, a guitar, Todd on Piano, a violinist and bass along with an accordion. The conversations between sets offered plenty of saucy humor and the show itself offered the same. I don’t believe I saw the entire run through so I will not venture a review. But I could tell this was going to be a very fun musical review with a serious message.

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. 

Drama erupts at Saint Mathew’s Tavern with Joe’s NYC Bar.

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I always tell people that if you sketch on location, some drama always unfolds. David Lee invited me to sketch at Saint Mathew’s Tavern (1300 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL) and there was drama in spades. I found a seat in the corner of the bar next to a large speaker and got to work. I sketch in bars all the time but I seldom get to experience this level of heart felt camaraderie and gut wrenching drama. From the outset I felt this was a bar where everybody knew my name and I was invested in these peoples lives. This was interactive theater at its best.

Joe’s NYC Bar is an interactive, improvisational, immersive theatre
experience in which the audience is transported to a bar on Manhattan’s
lower east side. Debuting as part of the 2001 Orlando International
Fringe Theatre Festival, Joe’s ran for 4 years and 76 performances. This
past March Joe’s returned from a ten year absence and was greeted with
positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The show sold out 5
of 6 shows in March and then all 4 performances at the 2015 Orlando
International Fringe Festival. Ten years later, Joe’s has proven to be a
concept and piece of theatre more relevant and popular than ever.

It was hard to tell where the play stopped and the inside jokes began. Some of the funniest moments were so topical that they had to be improvised. A straight laced Republican in a suit (Tim Williams) sat at my end of the bar and he seemed a bit out of place when everyone else was sleeveless or in T shirts. In a heated scene he confronted everyone saying “You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve been through.” This was true of everyone in the bar. What unfolded slowly, pealed away the layers to expose the inner pain that drove defensive behaviors. Much later in the evening, the Republican returned to the bar and found his recently separated wife (Anitra Pritchard-Bryant) was present. The bar went silent before the couple confronted each other.

Christian Kelty originated the idea for this interactive show. The seed was planted when he worked in a Renaissance festival show that invited the audience to participate. In this age of social media people are often interested in the endless drama that surfaces online every day. We have become a society of reality show voyeurs. In this everyday bar setting it becomes easy to let go and become part of the scene. Over the course of the evening it was possible to get to walk a mile in each character’s shoes. Even in this rehearsal, I wasn’t sure who was an actor and who just happened to be there for a drink. With a sold out show, that fourth wall must be even more blurry. Add a couple of drinks and the line is further blurred. Live local music acts fill out the evening, making it a typical night in the Mill’s 50 bar scene. Don’t just go to see a show. Be the show.


6 Performances
Running September 13th-October 18th
Sunday Matinees ONLY!
3:00pm doors 3:30 Showtime

Tickets available at:
www.wanzie.com
$17 in advance / $25 day of show

The stellar casts features: Anitra Pritchard-Bryant, Ali Flores, John Connon, Michael Marinaccio, Jenn Gannon, Simon Needham, Christian Kelty, David Lee, Tim Williams and Jodi Chase.

Musical Acts
9/20 The Smoking Jackets
9/27 and 10/4 Eugene Snowden (The Legendary JC’s) and Friends
10/11 DJ Jay Ross Barwick
10/18 TBA

The Local Fringe Pieview offered Hilarity and Drama

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On April 14th local production companies had two minutes to showcase their Fringe shows at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s Margeson Theater (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL). I go each year to get a feeling for which shows I can not miss. George Fringe Wallace and Michael Marinaccio acted as the MCs while Brandon Roberts acted as the Shepard’s hook to stop any acts that went over two minutes. Brandon was dressed in a giant fluffy diaper and had angel’s wings and a Cupid’s bow. I was hoping each act would run a bit long just to see what he would do next. He even tried to become part of the act when Enui, a circus arts acrobatic troupe took center stage. He stood tentatively on a teeter board but ran off when the acrobats bounded in.

The program had thumbs up and thumbs down symbols for easy future reference.  Acts I gave a thumbs up to, included: The Downtowner’s The Real 50 Shades of Gray (Hair). These plucky seniors aged 66 to 99 sang songs of love, lust and life with passion. A plant in the audience got up and stripped as they sang. The audience ate it up.  I liked, Camino Flamenco, The Aqua Saga and Jekyll N’ Hyde: a Rap Musical. I was saddened to hear that the the lead actor in Jekyll N’ Hyde, Carl D. Kirkmire just recently died at the age of 32. His performance at the Fringe preview was stellar and a real talent has left the stage.

Jeff Ferree introduced his puppet show, The Girl Who Fell Up the Chimney” by riding a tiny clown sized bicycle around the stage and shooting silly string at the audience. Last year he juggled spaghetti. His previews are always an inspired mess. I tried to sketch the puppet show at the Fringe. It was in a small closet which for some reason had a fire place. You had to lie on your back with your head in the fireplace to see the show. Unfortunately, the button to turn on the lights didn’t work no matter how many times I hit it. I’m sure it was a great sketch opportunity lost. Squeaky Wheel productions presented a song from Seasons which was incredibly sad. This show is my pick as the show that should go all the way to Broadway.

All together, 41 shows previewed that night offering an amazing variety of possibilities. Sometimes a preview can be alluring but that hint is lost in the final hour long production. For instance I loved the tender tall of love found in a Vietnamese karaoke bar, but Reincarnation Soup, ended up being confusing to follow since the actor jumped between so many different personalities in the final production. I felt shanghaied. Then other times it is nice to go to a show at the Fringe with no preconceptions and be pleasantly surprised. That is what the Fringe is all about, discovering something new and unexpected at every turn.

Tappin’ and Yappin’

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International superstar Cindy Starr took the Fringe audience on a whirlwind journey through her career in stage, film, TV, and more. The show featured stories, songs, and more from America’s beloved Tap Dance Queen. From her humble beginnings in Chicago to the triumph on the Silver Screen, Cindy and her accompanist, Johnnie Ivories, had the audience laughing and singing along with her best known hits.

John B. deHaas who plays Johnnie Ivories came up with the idea for the show. He was fascinated by tap legend Ann Miller and her larger than life persona. He knew Joy Anderson since 1999 and decided she would be perfect to play Cindy Starr. Johnnie Ivories seemed based on Liberace with his golden suit studded with sequins.

Cindy kept the jokes coming. An ongoing theme seemed to be that she was always pursuing men who had no interest in women. Several times she had audience members get on stage with her so she could teach them some steps. The results were hilarious. Andrea Canny directed the show, and at one point, she gave gummy bears to everyone in the audience. The pre-show announcements by Michael Marinaccio and George Fringe Wallace always ended with, “if you have any candy, Unwrap it Now!” It therefor became quite comical as Andrea struggled to open the large bags of candy in the back of the theater.

The show was fun and entertaining. As promised, there was plenty of tappin’ and yappin’ along with a couple of Swedish guests who mixed it up on stage.

Fringe Lottery

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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.

  1. Participants were selected on a
    non-juried basis, through a first-come, first served process, a lottery,
    or other method approved by the Association.
  2. The audience must have the option to
    pay a ticket price, 100% of which goes directly to the artists
    (government taxes notwithstanding.)
  3. Fringe Festival producers have no
    control over the artistic content of each performance. The artistic
    freedom of the participants is unrestrained.
  4. 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!

Fringe, dis|CONNECTED

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Larissa Humiston of Emotions Dance Company asked me if I would be up to do a cameo appearance at her Fringe show titled dis|CONNECTED. I needed to show up at the Silver Venue at 8:30PM on the first evenings performance and she would fill me in at that time.

In a world full of technology meant to bring us together, why are we
still so detached from the people around us? In dis|CONNECTED, Emotions
Dance will explore the forces that cause us to disengage and the eternal
ties that remain, pulling us back into relationship with one another
and allowing us to connect within ourselves.

Larissa greeted me and walked me back stage before the performance. I was to walk center stage about midway through the show and two dancers would dance around me.  It sounded simple enough. As I waited to go on, I sketched. The dancers only had a few minutes to stretch and warm up to perform. The venue opened and I noticed people making their way to the seats. Terry was in the audience and she reported that there were perhaps 25 people there. Fringe producer Michael Marinaccio had earlier explained that the first night of Fringe was usually the slowest. He had scheduled all local acts the first night figuring the performers could drum up an audience of friends and family via social media. The dancers lamented that it would be depressing if there were more dancers than audience members. A reviewer could be in the audience however so they needed to give it their all.

The lights blazed and the dancers were on. I could only see occasional legs and arms from my position in the wings. The black wing curtains fractured my view. Besides I was still working on the sketch of dancers stretching. The song, “Addicted to Love” came on and Larissa nudged me on stage. I walked center stage still working on my sketch. Two dancers began a high stakes cat fight over me. I raised an eyebrow shrugged and returned to my sketch as they clawed at each other and competed for attention. I heard laughter in the audience so I suspect the moment was entertaining. The dancers flew off stage still fighting leaving me still standing center stage sketching. When the lights blacked out, I walked off stage. In the wings the dancers gave me a high five.

Seeing dance from the wings is entirely different than watching as an audience member. I have a renewed sense of awe for how hard these women work. When they come off stage they are completely spent and gasping for air. They have only a few minutes to recover before they have to go right back out again. Between dance numbers dancers walked around the stage holding signs that
had life affirming notes and doubts much like the woman who announces
boxing rounds. One piece had audio of boxing and sports coaches talking about athletes who have to give their all and then push even further. That is standard practice for Emotions Dancers.

When:

Monday May 20th at 8:00PM

Thursday May 23rd at 9:15PM

Friday May 24th at 11:15PM

Saturday May 25th at 12:45AM

Sunday May 26th at 2:15PM

Where:

Silver Venue at the Rep

Tickets:

$11 plus a Fringe Button

Fringe National / International Preview

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On Wednesday May 15th the Fringe National / International Preview was held in the Orange Venue at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. 44 shows from out of town performers had two minutes to get patrons interested in their show. If and performer went beyond two minutes, Bikini Katie would get up and escort the performer off stage. Michael Marinaccio, Fringe’s producer, and Chase Padgett hosted the event.

The first performer up was Miss Hiccup, Shoshinz from Tokyo Japan, and I placed her in the sketch.  Her show is called “A Day in the Life of  Miss Hiccup“. Her loud flower covered costume was hard to resist. Her physical comedy looks like it could be a fun show. Alexa Fitzpatrick from Aspen Colorado told us about her show called “Serving Bait to Rich People.” Alexa works as a bartender at a Colorado dive in a mountain town where men outnumber women two to one. She got serious for a moment, “I’m in the middle of a break up.” She paused to let that sink in. “But I’ll  be OK, the couple was already having trouble.” I laughed out loud.

That reminds me, there was a guy seated in the front row who had the loudest guffaw of a laugh, I’ve ever heard. One performer commented, “I love your laugh, It’s like you’re hurling acceptance at me.” Oddly a woman in the audience chimed in saying she hoped it would stop. Chase was very diplomatic and stressed that different people have different laughs, and at the Fringe , laughs from all walks of life are accepted. Sadly the guy seemed to have become self conscious and didn’t laugh as loud or as often. Then again, seeing 44 previews in a row can wear an audience member down.

I was impressed by the performance of Qurrat Ann Kadwani from NYC. First off she lamented that her parents gave her a name that no one could pronounce. I can identify with that. She switched
characters often as she talked about what it was like growing up Indian
in the Bronx. I circled “They Call me Q” in my program. Jason Nettle educated us about Fetishes. He said Bronnies and Clappers are individuals who get off on “My Little Pony.” He said he could explain why Michael keeps asking George for a Blimpkin. I obviously have much to learn, so I circled “Fetish” in my program. 

Patrick Combs got one of those fake checks from publishers
Clearing House for $95,000 dollars. He thought it would be funny to
deposit it at his bank signed with a smiley face. He forgot about it and
later discovered that his Bank (Bank of America) had cashed the check
and he was $100,000 richer. When he went to the bank to straighten
things out he was greeted by armed gun men in black suits. His two
minutes were up at the mic, and the audience all went awww. Because we
all wanted to know what happened next. Bikini Katie walked him off stage
with “Man 1, Bank O” written on her thighs.

Chase Padgett and Paul Strickland teamed up to do a guitar duo.  They made up lyrics on the fly and Chase came up with lyrics about laughter that tied into the evenings ongoing theme. I circled, “Chase and Paul: Solo Shows are Hard“. Gemma Wilcox from London took us for a ride in her “Magical Mystery Detour“. She played a dog, a driver and a motorcycle side car, switching between characters in an instant. I suspect this show is a must see, although she moves so fast and so often, she might be hard to sketch.. “Little Pussy“ by John Grady isn’t about Sex, but about a little kitten named faith that he rescued from sprawling LA traffic. Martin Dockery is a master storyteller. I saw him last year and recognized his frenetic energy. I definitely want to see “The Dark Fantastic“.

Fringe Poetry Smackdown

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The Poetry Smack Down happened at the Fringe outdoor stage. Tod Caviness was the host. Judges included Beth Marshall, Michael Marinaccio, Eric Yow and several other producer-directors. Tod lead off the event with a spoken word piece about Orlando called Swamp. It makes Orlando sound like a pretty cool place to be. None of the poets at this event relied on sheets of paper or iPhones. Their words were deeply rooted in their memories and the cadence, beat and flow were well rehearsed. These were monologues from the heart, some raw and some humorous.

A heavy set woman got on stage and she knocked any preconceptions to the ground as she spoke passionately about her queef.  This is a word so seldom heard, or uttered, that my computer insists it is spelled wrong. At first the audience was in shock, but soon everyone was roaring with laughter. Beth gave high marks for this passionate poem about a woman’s right to let go. A male poet followed her with his passionate poem about how he would like to f*ck the whites from his woman’s eyes. He later spoke of religion and intolerance with insight and level headed reflection. You never know what to expect at a smack down.

My wife was covered in gold. We had been to a James Bond themed party earlier that day. With her Gold Finger, face, hands and sequined dress she fit in perfectly on the green lawn of fabulousness. She sat with her literary friends while I sketched. The face paint was starting to make her uncomfortable however so, as soon as I was done with my sketch, we had to go.

Classically Demented

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Yow Dance brought Classically Demented: A Darkened Fable of Storybook Characters You Thought You Knew to the silver venue at the Orlando Fringe Festival. Several days before the Fringe opened, I went to the Rep Theater to watch the Tech rehearsal and several run-throughs of the show. Eric Yow was half way back in the theater seating counting out the beat as dancers went through the blocking. The dance company presented classic storybook characters, like Snow White, Cinderella, Bo Peep and many others in a darkened vision of the fairy-tales.

Mother goose was spry and graceful.  In one twisted dance number, a dancer cloaked in black entered holding an egg. The egg was split open over a bassinet dripping blood inside. At the foot of the stage there was a black board that was used to keep track of the casualties. Dancers collapsed  and were dragged off stage by their feet. The death tole rose. The costuming for all the dancers was elegant and beautiful. A dancer cut her toe on an exposed nail on stage. It was hammered down and taped over.

When it came time for the full run through, Eric shouted, “Have a great run dancers, Merde.” I had never heard that term before. Apparently back in the early days of ballet, the
companies used to use live animals in performances. Well, whenever one
of the animals would dump on stage, someone would yell “MERDE!” from
stage to let the dancers know to watch out so that they wouldn’t slip!
And I suppose that they said it so much that it just came to mean good
luck! Addicted to Love  played behind one of my favorite dance numbers. Who wouldn’t want to see zombie princesses devouring each other as they hunt for love? Eric himself performed as the evil queen. Michael Marinaccio, the Fringe producer stopped over to say hello before the second run through. He had his child with him and wanted to be sure the show was family friendly. I assured him there was nothing risque. As the dance began I began to wonder if a child would be upset by this darkened fable… Nah.

Show times:

Today, Saturday May 26th at 3:00PM

Sunday May 27th at 8:45PM

The show is in the Silver Venue at the Rep. Tickets are $10.