Indy Fringe is in full swing on Mass Ave. In its ninth year the festival has more new offerings for its eager crowds. For those new to the festival here's the basics...
The Fringe festival is a feast for theatre-goers. There are 384 shows produced over 11 days. They are hosted at eight local stages, including both of the Phoenix Theatre's stages. There are dramas, musicals, cabarets, comedy shows and more, truly something for everyone It's going on every night until August 25th.
Every show is between 45 and 60 minutes and each show cost $10. For the price of one normal theatre ticket you can see 5 shows in one afternoon!
Check out Hope's comprehensive guide here at the Indy Theatre Habit.
This year I was able to make it to five shows, but there's are dozens more available. Here's the run down of what I saw and a few notes on each show.
Wry
by Kim McCann
This one-woman play tells the story of Holden Caulfield's younger sister Phoebe. We see what became of her as she hits 40, gets divorced and decides to go to a therapist for the first time. Long after Catcher in the Rye has ended Phoebe is left with the consequences of Holden's actions. McCann's sarcastic vulnerability really makes the show work.
The Greatest Speech of All Time
by Timothy Mooney
From Lincoln to Frederick Douglass to Socrates, there are great speeches sprinkled through time that resonate with us as much today as they did more than a century ago. Mooney cherry picks his favorites and presents them, along with a PowerPoint, to his audience. He is a whirlwind force, orating the famous speeches with all their original gusto. Teddy Roosevelt's bit was particularly entertaining.
Underneath the Lintel
by Glen Berger, performed by Patrick O'Brien
A librarian goes on a quest to discovery the story between a book that's 123 years overdue. In the process he learns more about himself and the world around him. O'Brien's intense earnestness quickly ropes the audience in and he never slows down. He both breaks your heart and gives you hope.
Joe's Cafe
by Rupert Wates
Presented as a night of live music at a cafe, the show is comfortable and welcoming. Wates performs his own songs, ballads reminiscent of Billy Joel's in their ability to tell stories. His music offers an oral history of troubled times across America through the years. The gentle music was a welcome respite after multiple back-to-back dramas. The song "Days of Mercy" was particularly haunting.
Shakespeare Wrote What...?
Written and performed by the EclecticPond Theatre Company
This was perhaps my favorite show of the day. A madcap run through five of Shakespeare's lesser known works. This playful production introduces audiences to Troilus and Cressida, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, King John, Cymbeline, and Titus Andronicus. Referencing everything from Eddie Izzard to Frankenstein the breakneck pace reminded audiences just how funny Shakespeare truly is... even when he isn't intending to be.
More information about purchasing tickets can be found on the iNDYfRINGE site.
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