This, the ninth year of IndyFringe, means that the festival is becoming better known (and attended). As each year passes, audiences set the bar a little higher for performances — which is great, because it keeps the folks who put on the show on their toes.
Of the shows I’ve seen so far (16), only two disappointed, and one was due to a technical problem more than anything else. The odds are good you’ll find something enjoyable/enlightening/funny/challenging to see any given night. Expect long lines at shows that have been getting good buzz, and you may not get in unless you pre-paid. Have a back-up show for that time slot if you encounter this problem.
Outstanding shows we’ve seen on the circuit include:
• Shakespeare Wrote What . . . ? — EclecticPond’s take on five of Shakespeare’s lesser-known works (Titus Andronicus, Troilus and Cressida, King John, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Cymbeline) is fast-paced and funny, giving you a taste of why these are the lesser-known works (where even English majors such as myself feared to tread). A great cast and script makes the hour fly by.
• De Sade — The Marquis de Sade’s depraved imagination and philosophy is the basis of this Q Artistry production. It starts out naughty and flirty, but takes a very dark turn at the end. The songs and costumes are a delight, and a strong cast makes the piece work. Be warned that this show is pretty graphic.
• The Beast, The Lady, and the Sanguine Man — NoExit uses 1920s silent film drama devices to tell a supernatural tale. The production is innovative and clever, with a cast that doesn’t overstate the case.
• Welcome to the Monkey House — Based on Kurt Vonnegut’s book of stories, ShadowApe takes the best of the stories and makes funny and touching theatre.
• Menagerie Macabre: A Theatre du Grand Guignol — Julie Lynn Barber’s singing is spectacular, and the Eastern European folk songs she sings weave three horror stories together. If you love gothic horror stories, this is your show.
• Electric Romeo — You will have to buy tickets in advance for this show, as the lines will be around the block. Dance Kaleidoscope’s interpretation of “Romeo in Juliet” through movement. Brilliant is the only word that comes to mind . . . just go see it.
• Underneath the Lintel — Pat O’Brien’s performance as the Librarian in Glen Berger’s play is riveting in this one-man show. Another one that you may need a pre-paid ticket for to get in.
• I Named My Penis Linda — Stewart Huff’s stand-up show last year was a sell-out at almost every performance, and it looks like this year will be no different. This year, he sets his sights on why he got pulled off the stage at the University of Kentucky, and stealing penguins. Hilarious.
Ethel Winslow/Weekly View
Street performers and IndyFringe performers drum up business along Mass Ave.
Buy a Backer Button for only $5 at the Art Bank on the corner of E. St. Clair and Mass Ave. and pick up a program. Pick your show(s), and make sure you have cash to pay for tickets ($10 per show) at the individual theaters. You can buy tickets in advance at the Art Bank (2 hours before the show). Fiver passes are a good deal; for $40 you can get into five shows (buy them at the Art Bank as well).
The best part of IndyFringe is seeing people from all walks of life enjoy real theater together. Old, young, rich, and not-so-rich, IndyFringe has something for everyone. Between shows, it makes for great people-watching as well.
