200 shows. Hot Summer. The New York International Fringe Festival celebrates 20 years.
My journey with the Fringe began in 2001 supporting my friends’ plays. Then in 2006, my theatre company, Black Henna, produced Naughty Prep School Stories by Michael Quinones and for the last 3 years, I have been fortunate to be on the team for amazing shows.
One of the great perks is seeing shows and sharing it with you. I won’t be able to do all of them but here’s a taste:
HomoSapiens Interruptus by Carlos Dengler; Directed by Scott Wesley Slavin
If Soren Kierkegaard and Jane Goodall had a baby and that baby was raised by Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and spiritually directed by Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx, he’d grow up to be Carlos Dengler.
It is so refreshing to see a show that simply tells the story. Carlos D sits at a table and tells his compelling story of growing up a headbanger, then a philosopher and then the co-founder of the New York-based band, Interpol using the evolution of man as thread and metaphor.
As a metalhead, I was easily transported to my youth. The time when I was one of few girls who loved Metallica and Megadeth, defending it at my all girls high school, and now the woman who goes to nostalgia concerts – except Metallica because the tickets are ridiculously expensive. What a beautiful trip down memory lane under the guise of intellect which I too experienced. Open, raw, concise under the direction of Scott Slavin with light design by Leslie Smith.
Show info:
MON 8/15 @ 7:15
FRI 8/19 @ 9:30
MON 8/22 @ 2:45
THU 8/25 @ 9:30
VENUE #12: 64E4 UNDERGROUND 64 East 4th Street (Bowery & 2nd Avenue)
Click HERE for more info.
The Illusory Adventures of a Dreamer by Michael Bradley; Directed by
Chris Goodrich
Ask a dreamer the question “Who are you?” and the myriad of thoughts and feelings dance around the fine line of reality and fantasy. Michael Bradley’s clever and creative retelling of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt takes us through the maddening and sensual adventure of a young man wrestling with himself. I’ll be honest. I’m always on the fence when it comes to a retelling because it is hit or miss. This is a hit. An intense 90 minutes, this energetic and connected ensemble cast take us on Peer’s adventures. we see that sometimes wanting it all and experiencing it all is sensory overload; making a decision to want what you desire comes with rules and maybe you don’t want it; or saying you hold many values instead of living them causes disappointment to those who look up to you.
The story is told on a bare stage with movable set pieces and brilliantly choreographed by Geovanny Fischetti. The play keeps moving. Kudos to Taylor Turner for turning out a lovely portrayal of Peer Gynt, the whole cast for moving seamlessly through characters and sharing their talent on what felt like the hottest day in NYC history.
Show Info:
TUE 8/16 @ 5
MON 8/22 @ 4:45
WED 8/24 @ 7
SAT 8/27 @ 1:30
VENUE #1: Teatro SEA at the Clemente 107 Suffolk Street (between Rivington & Delancey) New York, NY
Click HERE for more info.
Malini Singh mcdonald 