Orlando Fringe presented WTF Fringe Cabaret which was a late-night show that was free to all Fringe artists and Fringe Volunteers. Fringe guest performers would spin the wheel of fate to determine what they would be performing. It was a variety, improv, cabaret with unexpected hilarious results.
Marisa Ashley Risque, a talented actress and burlesque dancer was the hostess although in the ensuing chaos it grew hard to tell who was running the show. When Disney Princesses from Once Upon A Traitor: Faithfully Ever After came on stage, I started sketching furiously. The evil queen, Theresa Smith-Levin, had to wear a big inflatable orange jumpsuit that made her look like a blimp. Despite the inflated weight gain she sang with gusto. I also caught Danielle Ziss who plays Alice In Once Upon a Traitor.
Sarah Hester Ross is a powerhouse singer from Las Vegas and she was asked to wear a strap on penis. Why on earth did they give Sarah such a flaccid looking strap on. Maybe she just put it on upside down. This is what I love about Fringe. Even the most accomplished performers join in with the crazy hi-jinks in this late night cabaret.
This was a chaotic sketch opportunity since each performer was only on stage for a few minutes. I did my best to try and capture just a fraction of the insanity. There were songs, sonnets and plenty of silliness.
I had never sketched these late-night shows before, but the unexpected chaos of this show was such a joy to witness. I was laughing the whole night. It felt good to drive back late at night to my Air BnB and collapse after a long day of sketching at the Fringe.