This year marks 9 years of Indy Fringe taking over the theatre scene in Indianapolis. Over the years, the Fringe has expanded, added more acts, gotten more daring and inclusive at the same time — and attracted larger crowds. Last year’s Indy Fringe broke all records for attendance, and organizers are confident that this year’s numbers will equal or surpass last year’s.
This year there will be 64 shows over the 10 year period, Aug. 15-25. Indy Fringe has also added a new venue, the BABECA Theatre at 919 N. East St., which within walking distance of ComedySportz, Theatre on the Square, The Phoenix, and IndyFringe Basile Theatre along Mass Ave. and East St. Clair (there is a shuttle to the Cook Theatre at Indiana Landmarks). Shows begin at 6 p.m. on weekdays, and at 1:30 p.m. on weekends for the two weeks. Revenues from the shows goes directly back to the performers, helping to support independent theatre in Indianapolis.
Indy Fringe features music, theatre, dance, cabaret, comedy, magic acts, multimedia, drama and much more over the 10 day period. Buy a Backer Button for $5 (a one-time purchase) and tickets are only $10 per person for each one hour show (students are $8 and kids under 12 are $5 per ticket). There are also specials and passes available, and Fringe-goers can buy tickets online up to 2 hours before each show by visiting www.indyfringe.org. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by calling 869-6660.
This year, the eastside theatre group Q Artistry is following up their smash hit BOT with a decidedly more adult show, De Sade, a musical based on the writings of the Marquis de Sade (over 16 only). EclecticPond will be presenting Shakespeare Wrote What . . .? which features five of the Bard’s lesser-known works in fast-paced parody style. Both eastside groups will be performing at the Phoenix Theatre Mainstage at various times.
Other noteworthy local acts include Welcome to the Monkeyhouse, based on Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, presented by Shadowape, local magician Ryan Siebert’s show, The Con, at the Cook Theatre; Danny Russel in Abraham Lincoln: Hoosier Hero, and Shakespeare’s Follies, both at Theatre on the Square; NoExit Performance is presenting The Beast, The Lady, and the Sanguine Man.
For trailers of most of the shows, visit the Indy Fringe Facebook page or visit their Web site.
