fringeNYC 2016 Recap #1

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:

img_7489HomoSapiens 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.


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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.

Meet Michael Bradley Block & The Illusory Adventures of a Dreamer

Michael Block Headshot 4Name: Michael Bradley Block

What is your current project? The Illusory Adventures of a Dreamer

Where are you performing it and why is it the right fit for your piece?

The Illusory Adventures of a Dreamer will be presented as part of the 20th Annual New York International Fringe Festival! I’ve been dreaming to be a part of the festival for quite some time so getting this opportunity now is extraordinary. FringeNYC is a place where works that may not be able to see the light of day get the opportunity to experience life in front of an audience. My play is inspired by Ibsen’s Peer Gynt told through the lens of modern sexuality. The pitch is filled with buzzwords but to a regular audience, it may not be their cup of tea. Because of the structure of FringeNYC, not only are we getting friends and family to attend, we’re getting patrons of the festival which then brings word of mouth! This play at this time is important. And I’m thankful that FringeNYC will be a part of the adventure!

What’s next for you?

I am keeping up with my site Theater in the Now (theaterinthenow.com) as well as pushing for my musical, The Girls in White, to see life on its feet. So if anyone wants to produce a musical that is virtually “Orange is the New Black” meets “Chicago” with a country twang, I got the show for you!

Who is your biggest inspiration right at this moment and why?

I’ve said this a lot recently, but I truly mean it. Right now, my biggest inspiration right now is Chris Goodrich, the director of The Illusory Adventures of a Dreamer. Not only is he an amazing friend but he’s pushed me in ways that have made me a stronger person and a stronger artist. I’m not going to lie, producing a play for FringeNYC is not easy. Chris has been such a wonderful support and is the reason why this play is happening. If it weren’t for him, I’d probably have pulled all my hair out! Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like him.

WANT MORE?

Website: dreamerplay.com, theaterinthenow.com
Twitter: @dreamerplay2016 @theaterinthenow
Facebook: facebook.com/dreamerplay2016, facebook.com/michaelbblock

Michael Bradley (Playwright): originally from Mahwah, New Jersey, Michael is a theater artist based in New York City. Most recently, his musical The Girls in White, written with Artie Sievers, received a concert at Feinstein’s/54 Below featuring two-time Tony winner Michael Cerveris. As a playwright, his work as been seen and heard throughout New York including TinyRhino, Less Than Rent, Dream Up Festival at Theater for the New City, PTP/NYC, and Rhapsody Collective, to name a few. He is the founder and artistic director of Rhapsody Collective. He is also the founder and lead critic of Theater in the Now (theaterinthenow.com), a leading source of theatrical criticism in the Indie and Off Broadway theater community. As a stage manager, Michael has worked on and off Broadway including Stick Fly, produced by Alicia Keys, Signature’s revival of Angels in America, and the original productions of Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris and Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker. Michael is a graduate of Boston University and a proud member of AEA.


Show Information

WHERE: Venue #1- Teatro Sea at The Clemente (107 Suffolk St.)

WHEN: SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 @ 9:30; TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 @ 5+; MONDAY, AUGUST 22 @ 4:45; WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 @ 7; SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 @ 1:30

TICKETS: fringenyc.org

Dreamer Postcard Front