AquaDance Fundraiser

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Genevieve Bernard of Voci Dance has always wanted to choreograph a water ballet. A week before the Orlando International Fringe Festival got underway, she held a fundraiser for her show titled AQUADance. The audience sat in lawn chairs on the back patio. Pam and I ended up sitting in a cactus garden in the corner of the pool enclosure. My hope was to sketch some of the audience as well as the dancers. Neighbors stopped by and brought along their lawn chairs because more people showed up that expected. A wind blew down the screen set up house left which acted as the dancers green room where they could dry of between sets. A Swam and large flamingo float acted as the background set.

AQUADance is the perfect Fringe show. It is sufficiently retro and weird while being absolutely adorable. Dancers came out wearing floral pink swimming caps while holding pink balls that they moved in undulating patterns. They all jumped in the pol gracefully and then began a Busby Berkely inspired number with kaleidoscopic patterns created as the dancers circled one and spun. When it came time to dis guard the balls they were thrown into the cactus garden where we sat.

Dancer Sarah Lockard was smiling ear to ear the whole time. Each dancer’s unique characteristics came out at various times in the show. It was clear that despite the hard work they all were having a great time. Genevieve shed a tear because she was so happy to see her dream of a Fringe Water Ballet finally become a reality. The most funny routine came when all the dancers became flamingos by holding a hand over their heads that was moved like a flamingos head. The dancers moves in distinct and quirky bird like ways, strutting and moving like a regal flock. Their facial expressions, with wide eyes and pursed lips had me laughing out loud.

This production first water ballet in the history of the Orlando Fringe! Inspired by
Esther Williams‘ classic aqua-musicals, Voci Dance presents a unique
blend of modern dance and synchronized swimming. At an off-site venue
with a pool and bar only 1 mile from the beer tent. The hand crafted bar has been in more shows than many actors. I had a coconut rum pineapple flavored tropical drink with an umbrella and I could have sipped that drink all night.

Brought to you by
the award-winning company behind 2016’s Paint Chips (Orlando Sentinel
‘Best of the Fest,’ Orlando Weekly ‘Best of Orlando’). It will be staged at Al’s home (The Aqua Venue 1314 Chichester Street Orlando, FL 32803) a few blocks north from the green lawn of faboulousness. Trust me this unique show will be worth the trek.

The show is 50 minutes and Tickets are $12 along with a Fringe button which is needed to get into any show.

9:00 PM

7:30 PM

9:30 PM 

9:00 PM 

11:00 PM 

8:00 PM 

10:00 PM

Quickies at the Orlando International Fringe Festival.

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Sold

Quickies was a series of four short plays presented at the Orlando International Fringe Festival at Breakthrough Theater ( 421 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park). Written by Tracy Jane Smith, the opening “Sex and a Story,” was about how how Scheherazade, meant to serve as a sex slave, kept her head through cunning, despite the fact that she could be beheaded if she displeased the prince.

In “Meet the Pets,” a boy brings his girlfriend home to his apartment for the first time.On the couch, his cat, Mr. Cuddles (Ryan Roberson) clearly owns the place, acting like British royalty. His self satisfaction is hilarious and a great contrast to the the dog who bounds around the scene with unlimited joy and enthusiasm. Daisy, the golden retriever, loves the new girl while Mr. Cuddles treats her with disdain.

In “Welcome to Intercourse” two female students find themselves stranded in Amish Country when the car engine gives out. They meet two young Amish men and despite their differences, things heat up. The final show, “Buried” is about a distraught young woman who wanders the stage with a shovel. her idea of eternal love involved digging a hole.

As a fan of Tracy Jane Smith’s sensual dark humor, I hope to catch a sketch of “Jim Reaper, A Play about Life Death and other Comedies.”  After
twenty years of marriage, recent divorcee Blanche flirts with an oddly
irresistible man named Jim at a party, while insurance-adjuster Bob
tries to avoid him at all costs. Knowledgeable party-goer Doris
identifies Jim as THE Jim Reaper, and the fates of his respective guests
are revealed in a card game. A score of dark metaphors comes to life in
this fun personification of death as a reasonable, friendly guy just
doing his job.

Performances at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Santos Dantin Theater (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida 32803). 

July 28, 29, & 30
August 4, 5, & 6
Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm

Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for seniors 55+, students and military with ID. Tickets may be purchased online at OrlandoAtPlay.com
or at the PRT box office at point of sale. Cash and credit card
accepted; no checks please. For seating reservations only, please
contact (407) 761-2683.

Titus and Andronicus Holiday Special at Fringe.

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Titus Andronicus is Shakespeare‘s bloodiest play. I had never seen the play but that didn’t stop me from seeing the Fringe Holiday Special based on the be headings and mutilations. Knowing nothing about the Shakespeare play was a definite drawback. I was quite honestly lost for most of the production. I sketched as the barest of set pieces were being assembled. Producer Albert Pergande whacked someone with a pole as they were setting up the makeshift fireplace. This sort of real life slapstick was also to be found in the play as several puppets with Beavis and Butthead voices raped and dismembered a female puppet. There were moments of laughter, but I suspect they came mostly from audience members who appreciated the references to the Shakespeare play.

An applause sign hinted at the desired audience response. Bloodshed was combined with Christmas Carols, but I’m not sure why. The production was so Fringe that I didn’t know what to make of it. I was happy for the opportunity to sketch people wearing togas. Now that Fringe is over, I kind of miss seeing people wearing sheets in public.

Commencement at Fringe.

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Commencement written by Clay McLeod Chapman was brought to this years Orlando International Fringe Festival by Beth Marshall Presents. Beth had wanted to bring the play to past Fringe Festivals, but it was never picked in the lottery.

The play began with the mother of the shooter (Beth Marshall) seated on stage among the ephemera of youth in the children’s wing of a hospital. A teddy bear leaned innocently against a plastic crate filled with toys. A jack-in-the-box sat on a small table next to her as she spoke. She recounted the tale of her son swallowing marbles to win the favor of a popular student. He nearly choked to death but his esophagus closed up forcing him to stop. It became clear that her son had been picked on his whole life. Beth was clearly emotionally shaken and on the verge of breaking down at any moment. She said she was sequestered away from the other moms, unable to share in their grief.

The mother of a shooting victim, (Jamie Middleton) took to the stage after Beth left. Jamie had lost a daughter. She was angry and bitter. Social workers and politicians had offered condolences but their words of comfort were not for her. She just wanted her daughter back. She had gone to the school commencement ceremonies to watch the other students graduate, she felt terror when her daughter’s name was skipped over. Her daughter had written an inspired commencement speech that she could never deliver.

In stark contrast, a student school library volunteer, (Rose Helsinger) bounced onto the stage with youthful vigor. She knew the shooter better than anyone else since he was well read. He used to write notes in the margins of books and she decided to become his friend by writing notes in response in the margins herself. They had a long clandestine conversation in the margins of multiple books throughout the shelves. It was a romantic meeting of minds, but she never acknowledged him in the halls. The thrill came from the mystery of their relationship. She recounted the fateful day when she heard a series of pops as she sat in class. It could be the drum corps but the rhythm was sporadic. She was surprised to see her mystery library pen pal enter her classroom. He wasn’t in her class. She thought he might have discovered who she was. There was an innocent thrill. But then she saw the gun and students dropped to the ground around her. She realized he didn’t know who she was and then she felt a tightness in her chest.

The young girl’s mom insisted that the shooter’s mom read her daughter’s commencement speech. In tears, Beth tried to read. This play is so powerful as it hits home in a community still recovering from the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The number of students shot was never clear but one number always came to my mind. The sadness was overwhelming. The performances stellar. A sobering show like this proves that the Fringe Festival isn’t all about fun and games, it also is a showcase for inspired serious theater.

Evacuated at Fringe.

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Erika Kate MacDonald told an unforgettable story of her time in Indonesia as an exchange student at Fringe this year. She recreated the bustle and excitement of the crowded city, often stopping to explain what some exotic word might mean. She was so well versed in the language and culture that she might forget to explain every nuance.

To explain the beauty found in the culture she decided to sing a song about a popsicle.  The song was so lyrical and moving but was only about walking with a frozen desert. 

Erika described an evening as she tried to go to sleep. In the corner of the room was a strange scraping sound; something was trying to climb the wall. it would get half way up and then collapse back down to the ground. She lay in bed terrified not sure what to do. So, she decided to research what it might be. She never found the answer but the book fell out of her hands and crushed whatever it was. 

She described an evening swimming in the pool with friends and seeing what looked like shooting stars. The flashes came at regular intervals until she finally realized that they weren’t stars at all. The flashes were actually bats flying through the spot lights. There was magic and mystery all around her.

Then came a day when all the TV stations showed news of uprisings in Jakarta. In a particularly jarring scene with flashing colored club lights, Erica recreated a plea of a woman telling everyone to get out of the country, that foreigners were not welcome. Foreigners had to be evacuated. The exchange students went to the airport as fast as they could with the help of others, but flights were booked. They returned day after day trying to escape. The uncertainty and fear of the students and parents became visceral in her telling.

This show had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This kind of straight forward storytelling is why the Fringe Festival is so magical. Personal experience can come alive when played out on the stage.

Uncertainty at Fringe.

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Eric Pinder wrote and stars in Uncertainty, in which he goes back in time to give advice to his younger self, Blake (Clark Levi). Clark has an uncanny similarity in appearance to Eric and he manages to mimic Erics every Mannerism. Blake’s demanding mother (Jessica Hoehn) is determined to see her son go to Princeton to become a lawyer but he has more artistic ambitions. The house lights flashed as Pinder returned to his past to confront his younger self in his 1960s tie die shirt. His first advice to himself was to moisturize his skin. Of course Blake doesn’t believe he is speaking to himself so Pinder had to convince him by remembering very specific  events form his past.

In a very convincing scene, Blake confides in a boy friend that he is attracted to him. The feeling is mutual and there is nothing quite like seeing young love bloom. When his mom finds out he is gay, she is confused. It doesn’t fit into her grand plan for her son. There is a lovely scene in which her husband comforts her and the love between the married couple feels tangible. That level of affection used to seem unreal but I’m starting to appreciate it. The mom as the antagonist was on stage for only brief moments, yet she must have been a huge influence on young Blake. Why did she project so many ambitions on her son?

At on half hour, the show flew by leaving me wanting more. I barely had time to get my tiny sketch on the page. I imagine that going into your past could be useful, but the only tangible message seemed to be to stay true to yourself. The visit from the future must have prompted the ability to come out to his parents. Hiding who you are must have lasting future repercussions, but they were never discussed in the play. Friends and family accepted him for who he was. Most already knew.

Black in the Box at Fringe.

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Black in the Box starring Marlon Andrew Burnlet was held in the red venue. The screen at the back of the stage flickered with static, and the actor suddenly was thrust out from behind the screen. He would recover and make his way back only to be trust our again. Audio of slave auctions and viscous bidding filled the room. Whips snapped.

Ultimately he dragged out a large wooden box wrapped in chains. It was heavy judging from his gestures and the sweat that flowed down his back. He struggled to unwrap the box from its chains and then he looked inside and froze in horror. The audience couldn’t see what was inside. He stepped inside and the screen flickered backwards the dates jumping back decades and hundreds of years at at a time. In this was he immersed us all in the world of his past ancestors, reliving the lives of those who came before.

Slaves struggled and toiled with whippings and starvation as their only reward. Families were ripped apart. Ultimately the Civil War brought with it the hope of freedom. The actor wore a tattered uniform and fired a gun at his oppressors. However this hope of idealistic freedom was short lived as racism meant that jobs weren’t much better after the war.

Just being able to wear shoes was a luxury and as soon as he put the shoes on he began to tap dance, feeling the rhythms of his past. Vaudeville offered a place to earn a buck through dance but it was grueling work. Hecklers from the audience treated him like a dancing monkey, an oddity. Between performances he took out a hip flask and sipped booze. His pants were piss stained. Throughout, the actor wore masks that were grotesque visions of how blacks were seen by their oppressors.

This was serious and strong theater. I felt uncomfortable at times, perhaps guilty of my white privilege. I glanced around the audience to see that there were no black reporters in the press preview. The actor threw himself into the rolls, sweating profusely and exerting himself in every way. Historic photos reminded me of every phase of my country’s inhumanity to man. Several hundred years later that inhumanity remains. An insane man can use an assault rifle to gun down dancing patrons a dozen at a time, blacks, whites and Latinos.  Progress is slow and painful.

The Lawn of Fabulousness at the Fringe.

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Much of the magic of the Fringe happens on the Green Lawn of Fabulousness. The beer tent is the place to go to order a beer and talk to actors and producers to find out the buzz about the top shows each year. As I was finishing up a drink and waiting for a friend, I noticed these fairy wings being created. I asked to do a sketch and she was fine with me sitting and observing. The wings made from flexible branches and light pink weave were going to be used for an interactive show happening in the evenings at the large live oak tree in front of the Mennello Museum. This wings had two battery packs which illuminated a series of tiny lights.

The wings were for Phoenix Tears Production’s Stardust After Dark immersive experience.The production company featured two immersive audio dramas at Orlando Fringe. With nothing more than a smart phone and a pair of headphones they will
transformed the area around Loch Haven Park into the magical Stardust
Kingdom. In Stardust After Dark, which takes place in the evenings, the audience encountered two characters as they invite
you to shed the mortal world and come and join them in an 18+
celebration full of pixie dust, rum, and the seductive call of a Siren.

I didn’t have a chance to catch the actual show. My only hint at the magic was this pair of light gossamer wings which were crafted with loving care.

Cows invade the Green venue at Fringe.

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We are all familiar with the cows that paint roadway billboards that read “Eat more Chikin.” The fact that cows cant spell comes across as endearing and cute. The fact that they are calling for the slaughter of countless chickens to save their own hides makes sense but might make more sense if they wanted everyone to become vegetarians or eat vegan.

This play, Now with Chikin was staged entirely on a billboard platform as two cows wrestle with the ethics of what they have been hired to do. The female cow had a pink fanny pack where her utters would be and the male cow wore a pink baseball cap. A slick advertising executive showed the audience that had a chart showing that the most successful advertising campaigns had cute animal mascots, like the Geico lizard. To sell more chicken, animal mascots were needed. The executive recruited a disgruntled female cow who was angry about the genocide of her species for burgers on Memorial Day. The other cow was concerned about raising enough money to raise his family. He did the job but had concerns about how chickens would now be murdered.

An angry chicken started throwing tomatoes at the cows as they worked. Tomatoes meant for the cows also bounced off into the audience. She had plenty of activist spunk. This was a fun premise for a show but it would have worked as a short much better than as a full length production. I started to drift as the cows discussed the ethics of their profession.

PeeVira’s SCAREavan at Fringe.

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I went to a press preview for PeeVira’s SCAREavan at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. The van pulled up in front of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. A chauffeur wearing a black cap came out and welcomed the audience. She guided us ti the back of the van and opened the doors. A blood spattered curtain welcomed  us. This felt a bit more like a kidnapping rather than a show. we piled in and wedged ourselves up against the walls of the van cabin. I started sketching the cramped quarters immediately. We lurched forward and the show was on the move.

The van was driving over cobblestones. It made sketching a real challenge. Then PeeVira opened the curtain and sate back in the cabin with us. She got a phone call from a menacing third party and was told that if the people in the van didn’t answer trivia questions, then the van would be blown up. Each of us were given a microphone and we began singing a series of 70s and 80s TV theme songs. Luckily one passenger knew her stuff. Each right answers was awarded with some smarties candy. I managed to win one round by knowing the theme song for Sex and the City.

Most pop music trivia however eluded me and I kept getting soaked with a penis water pistol being fired by PeeVira. periodically there was a loud scream and we all wondered if the chauffeur had run over a pedestrian. From my sketching vantage point, I could see that we were circling the Shakespeare parking lot. The show was an unexpected change from the usual Fringe performance. It was fun if a little unnerving.