Orlando Fringe Festival 2008

[pianojohn]

Anyone in Orlando or heading down here over the next ten days!

 

I am involved with two different shows at the Fringe Festival. Here are the details:

 

What is The Fringe?

A 12-day-festival that is founded on the concept of offering 100% unjuried, 100% uncensored, 100% accessible theatre, music, dance, art and madness to all types and ages where 100% of the box office ticket sales go directly back to the artists within The Fringe. The Orlando Fringe is the longest running US Fringe festival.

 

Where does the festival take place?

Within Loch Haven Park (MAP) at The Orlando Shakespeare Theater (812 E Rollins St.). The venues are located within these two entities and are coded by color. KIDS FRINGE activities and shows take place at The Orlando REP and in Loch Haven Park. Visual Fringe is located within the lobby and Patrons Rooms of the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. The Beer Tent, food vendors, non-food vendors and the Outdoor Stage are located in Loch Haven Park, in between The Orlando REP and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.

 

What show am I doing?

 

WHEN PIGS FLY

An exceptionally cheerful, militantly gay musical extravaganza. Phantasmagorical costumes. Lavish production numbers. Irreverent comedy. Starring David Lee, Frank McClain, Sam Singhaus, David Dorman, & Wanzie. This year’s The Lion Queen!

 

Orlando Sentinel Metromix.com Fringe Best Bets List:

"Musicals are always the best sellers of the Fringe, of course, and Wanzie’s opulent production When Pigs Fly is guaranteed to put butts in seats, no pun intended. This upbeat, militantly homosexual show features five actors, including Orlando favorites David Lee and Michael Wanzie, performing rousing musical numbers and 52 costume changes."

 

5/18 SUN 1:15PM

5/20 TUE 8:30PM

5/21 WED 11:30PM

5/24 SAT 2:10PM

5/25 SUN 2:40PM

 

Get tickets here: https://tix.extremetix.com/tix/SilverSt ... iteID=1421

 

Both shows are $10 each with a $6 Fringe button that must be purchased to get into any show. A Fringe button is required to enter ANY Fringe show within ANY venue. The button costs $6 and is a one time purchase. Button proceeds go to the Fringe. Patrons MUST have Fringe buttons on to enter the venues.

 

A Fringe button is NOT required for Visual Fringe, Kids Fringe or to hang out in the beer tent!

 

If you forget to bring your button, you will have to purchase another.

 

Fringe buttons cannot be purchased online, ONLY in person at the Fringe Box Office at Lowndes Shakespeare Center during the operating hours of the festival.

 

 

There are over 70 different shows, concerts, dance recitals, stand up, etc. Check it out!

 

More details can be found here:

 

www.orlandofringe.org

 

And here is a review for WHEN PIGS FLY:

 

There’s no tearjerker like the hit Broadway show where the author dies just before opening night. That seems to be the back story to this brilliant, over the top extravaganza of song, dance and the gayest costumes I’ve ever seen. There’s the thumbnail of a story - Howard Crabtree (Frank McClain) has run in with an evil guidance counselor (Michael Wanzie) who rejects his desire to put on splashy shows and instead recommends following a career of watch repair, gardening, plumbing or chicken farming.

 

That’s more than enough motivation to put David Lee in a topless Bette Midler-style mermaid costume, David Dorman into a purple Elvis beehive, and Sam Singhouse in a two man pantomime horse outfit. Mr. Wanzie sparkels as a larger-than-life Little Orphan Annie. There’s even a convolutes preshow announcement explaining why everyone on stage uses their own name except Mr. McClain, who by contractual agreement MUST be referred to as Howard Crabtree, even if you meet him in the beer tent.

 

The costumes are brilliant. The songs are brilliant. The finale is brilliant. The story is irrelevant. And it’s the best splash of Broadway to visit the Fringe stage ever.

 

It’s the must see show of the year!

 

This show is presented as part of the 17th Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival.

Information on times, tickets, and venue location my be found at http://www. orlandofringe. com/

The cast of WHEN PIGS FLY

The poster for WHEN PIGS FLY

Edited April 23, 2018 by pianojohn

[Erik Johnson]

Sounds like fun, I wish I did not have to work so much this next week. Maybe you should do a touring version and come on up to visit here in Gainesville.

 

Anyways, good luck!

[pianojohn]

Just got reviewed in the Orlando Sentinel for THESCREW YOU REVUE: DEJA VU!

 

Fringe review: 'The Screw You Revue: Déjà Vu'

By Matthew J. Palm

SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

 

It is a time-honored Fringe convention for comics to insult the audience members, but entertainment legend (at least in his own mind) Wayburn Sassy takes insults to a new level.

 

A ‘70s talk-show host (played brilliantly by comedian Dewey Chaffee), Sassy is now a senior-citizen curmudgeon, gratuitously railing against blacks, gays, Jews and little people, to use the politically correct term. Being the antithesis of PC, Sassy calls them midgets, usually preceded by an adjective not uttered in polite company.

 

Robyn Pedretti nearly walks away with the show as Sassy’s private nurse, Gracie. A dim bulb with a uniform cut up to there, she’s Three’s Company’s Chrissy, Will & Grace’s Karen, Marilyn Monroe and Olive Oyl rolled into one blinding ball of ditzy energy.

 

As in any improv (the show is part scripted, part audience-driven), not every joke lands. But Sassy and Gracie are such sharp comedic creations, you won’t mind. Just check your sensibilities at the door.

 

Remaining performances: 10:45 p.m. 5/20, 7:40 p.m. 5/22, 11:35 a.m. 5/24. Brown venue.