Indy Theatre Habit

 

Last night when I sat down at a table at the 2009 Indy Fringe Festival Preview Party, the man sitting diagonally across from me said, “Hey, are you the one that writes that theatre blog?”  I think he had seen me handing my blog card to someone.

Anyway, I admitted to it and he said he enjoyed reading it.  Yay!

Just as he and I and his girlfriend started to chat, I remembered my new video project.  I asked if I could video them.  They said yes, and so now I have video #3 in my Fringe video journal.  (See above.)  Thanks again, Patrick and Jessica!

In the video, Jessica mentions wanting to do a little more research before she decides which shows she wants to see.  I need to do that, too. 

Have I mentioned that I have a media pass to the whole 2009 Indy Fringe Festival?   There is nothing like the thrill of having a media pass, of knowing that someone takes you seriously as a writer and observer, especially when the pass is to a festival that is overflowing with exciting theatrical possibilities.

However, it also presents a dilemma: how do I decide which shows to see and write about?

If I didn’t have the responsibility and financial freedom that comes with a media pass, I would just put a small handful of ten dollar bills plus three singles in my pocket, drive to Massachusettes Avenue in downtown Indianapolis, and go where the spirit led me in terms of seeing and writing about shows.  Each of the Fringe shows costs $10, cash only.  At whatever show you go to first, you have to pay an additional, one-time-only fee of $3, cash, to get your Fringe Backer Button, which you keep and wear from show to show.

But since I do have a media pass for the Fringe, I need to do a little planning and decision-making up front.

There are 40 regular shows this year and 12 FringeNext (youth theatre) shows.  I am not available to see shows on Monday or Thursday this year and I won’t be able to see anything in the 1:30 slot on the first Saturday or the first two slots on the second Saturday.

This means that even if I see a show in every possible slot, barring no obstacles such as story overload or physical exhaustion or desire to take in a sampling of the multitude of other Fringe events, attractions, parties, exhibits, and impromptu conversations, I will, at most, only be able to see 39 shows.

But that’s not figuring in writing time.

So really, I need to pare down my choices to around 15 shows. 

IMPOSSIBLE!

Well, let’s not worry about that right now. For now, let’s just go down the list in the program booklet and consider each show again based on what I saw and heard at the Fringe Preview Party last night.

55 Minutes of Sex, Drugs and Audience Participation – This is a must-see for me because I have known and admired storyteller Loren Niemi a long time.  His storytelling partner, Howard Lieberman, is equally intense and provocative.  They are storytellers who are about as far removed from little kid “storytime” as it possible to get. 

At the Preview Party last night, they said their show this year would have audience participation.  I believe that pure storytelling, if it is good, is completely participatory even when it appears as if the audience is just sitting still and listening; the participation is going on in their minds.  However, I am also intrigued by what Loren and Howard said last night: They said that this year they would be asking audience members to draw something from a fish bowl which would then give the audience member the opportunity to either physically become part of the story or to ask the tellers a question to influence where the story will go next.  If I am chosen to go up on stage with them, I wonder which option I will choose.  Which would you choose?

7 (x1) Samurai – David Gaines’s preview snippet from his solo piece was hilarious.  He incorporates costume pieces, mimed movements, and vocalizations to re-tell the whole classic story of the “Seven Samurai” in under an hour.  This is on my “try very hard to see” list.

America’s Next Top Bottom – This show did not do a preview at the party last night but they have had, I think, a very successful run leading up to the Fringe at the Theatre on the Square (TOTS).  It is a take-off on the TV show, “America’s Next Top Model.”   I admire the creative risk-taking of the artists at TOTS,  but I am not particularly drawn to this show because I don’t watch TV any more and even when I did, I did not get the appeal of “reality” shows.  However, I will look forward to reading what the citizen reviewers on SmallerIndiana.com write about this show.

Andrea Merlyn’s Greatest Hits (and missus!) – Magician Taylor Martin said he was just off the plane from a trip to Los Angeles where he got to work with Penn and Teller.  For the Fringe preview, therefore, he was not dressed up in a glamorous drag gown the way he usually is.  However, he did have a leprechaun and another interesting-looking man performing card tricks behind him while he talked about his new Fringe show. 

His wife happened to sit down next to me during this part.  I asked her if she was in the show again this year because she is Taylor’s “missus” but she said no, that the “missus” refers to the many different female characters that Taylor embodies during his show.  Then Taylor mentioned that there were four costume changes in his Fringe show this year. 

Taylor has performed at the Indy Fringe for each of the five years that it has been in existence.  His wacky drag magic shows are unique.  If I don’t get to his Fringe show this year, it will only be because I know I can see him at his monthly magic show at Theatre on the Square during the year and I have to make some hard choices.  If you have never seen one of Taylor’s Andrea Merlin shows, though, you should definitely consider it.

Another Classic of Western Literature – Oh, my.  During this show’s preview, director Michael Shelton came on stage dressed like…an FBI guy?  All black and severe.  A few moments later, playwright Matthew Roland came on dressed as a giant (I mean GIANT) hand giving us the finger. Now I want to see this show simply for its costumes!

I’m afraid the content of this show might go over my head because it is about the “current ****ing Econolypse” and I haven’t checked the current events articles in my Google reader in months, but this is on my “must-see” list because it is a production of the Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre and I have always been glad whenever I have attended a HART show.

The Attack of the Big Angry Booty – Storyteller/stand-up comedian Les Kurkendaal is back in Indy from his home in Los Angeles.  I enjoyed his show in last year’s Indy Fringe and I was delighted to see him in person again at the Preview Party.  I like him a lot.  The thing is, his show this year seems to be about weight gain and weight loss and dieting and a bunch of other subjects that have zero interest for me.  If I didn’t already know Les, I wouldn’t even have to think about not going to this show because it just bores me to tears to hear people talking about their weight.  I guess I also hate it when people look at me and assume they know anything about me just because they can see that I’m fat.  However, I know I am in the minority for this in America, so I bet Les will get lots of people in his audiences this year.  I hope so!  I wish him well for this year’s Fringe.  And I will look forward to reading what my reviewer colleagues on SmallerIndiana.com and other places have to say about his show.

Blunder Construction – It is easy to recommend Brent McCoy’s show to anyone.  I mean, anyone.  He is sexy in a non-threatening way, so adults who would normally never be caught dead at a clown show are drawn to him.  He is hilarious on many levels and infectiously joyful, so again, adults are drawn to him but so are little kids and families.  He has a finely-honed, almost psychic ability to read and respond to an audience and just go with the flow of whatever happens, which is a treat for the audience but which also draws other performance artists to him to see what they can learn from him.

AND he is a master juggler. 

I may not treat myself to this show until later in the week, but it is definitely on my “must see” list.

Broken Fragile Mind – Hmm.  I don’t remember seeing a preview of this piece at the party last night, but several of the shows were only announced by their number rather than their title, which was unfortunate.  However, my program says that this piece is produced by the Motus Dance Theatre.  I have admired their work in past Fringes, so this is on my “try to see” list.  If I am not able to catch their 2009 Fringe show, I will still look forward to seeing their work in the new space they are opening in the Fountain Square area of Indianapolis.

The Cast of Amontillado – I don’t remember a preview of this last night, either, but this is on my “try to see” list because it’s opera.  I have never seen a Fringe opera show before.

Cool Table – These guys were not at the Preview Party last night either, but I have caught their comedy improv shows at the last two Indy Fringes. They are based in Chicago, and last year I got the feeling that they thought they were slumming by coming down here to Indianapolis.  Their show was very, very short and rushed.  On the other hand, the year before they offered a show filled with a wide variety of funny comedy sketches, so maybe I just caught them on an off night last year.  I probably won’t see them this year because there are so many other shows I want to see more, but if you like sketch comedy, you will probably enjoy this group’s work.

Crossing the Bridge – This is at the Earth House, where all of the dance shows are this year.  I happened to tell the man that handed me a card from this group that I didn’t think I would be able to see many of the dance shows this year because I focus on the theatre shows.  He said that their show is “theatre dance fusion.”  I laughed out loud at that particular “f” word: it always immediately makes me think of Los Angeles for some reason and that’s where this group is from.  I mean, I know New Yorkers use the word “fusion” and so do Hoosiers, for that matter, but it shouts “west coast” to me.  That is neither here nor there, however.  I enjoyed their preview – and it was, indeed, a mixture of dance and comic theatre, about being in a doctor’s office, of all things – so this is on my “try very hard to see” list.

A Cynic Tells Love Stories – I don’t know Katherine Glover’s work.  The program says she is a storyteller out of Minnesota.  Her preview was a part of a story about a time in her life when she enjoyed being called a slut, even though she had only slept with one woman.  (I may have that wrong; it was hard for me to hear.)  You know me: I’m a sucker for storytellers, so this is on my “try to see” list.

An Evening of Stories and Song with Kevin Kling and Simone Perrin – This storytelling duo was not at the Preview Party but they are a “try very hard to see” for me because I love Kevin Kling’s storytelling, both live and on NPR.

Gone, Gone, Gone – This dance duo out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was on my “try to see” list anyway but their preview piece pushed them over on to my “must see” list.  Monica Rodero prefaced their preview by saying something like, “Since this is a tiny stage, this is a tiny dance piece.”  She and her partner, Daniel Schuchart, started out at opposite corners holding a long piece of masking tape.  When the music started, they sort of rolled together and tied themselves together through their movements.  But then, for almost the rest of the piece, they stayed put and communicated volumes through movements of just their heads, necks, shoulders and toes.  Towards the end, they danced apart a bit, breaking the tape that held them together, but coming back together anyway, and continuing their partnered dance by choice.

It was delightful and profound wordless statement about relationships.  I want to see more.

Groundwork Suites – Kenyatta’ Dance Company makes me weep almost every time I see them, so this is a “must-see” for me.  I could only catch glimpses of their preview because of where I was sitting, so my eyes stayed dry, but from what I could see, choreographer Nick Owens and the dancers have created another core-shaker.

The Hefner Monologues – This solo performer out of Washington, D.C. with an apparently burdensome name (John Hefner) is on my “try very hard to see” list because his preview snippet last night about what it was like to do his first nude role on stage was hilarious, full of energy and timed well.  Plus, he’s cute.  Maybe he will take his clothes off for real when there are no kids in the audience.

Humanature – Hmm.  Was this the belly dancer in blue jeans at the Preview Party?  She was hypnotic.  I mean, drool-producing trance hypnotic.  My program says that the “(Re)Collective Company had the “#2 show at the Indy Fringe 2008,” but I don’t remember them at all.  Oh!  Unless they were the people who did the piece called “Moved” last year.  I somehow missed them completely, but I learned later that several of their performances sold out.  Okay, I ‘d better put this on my “try very hard to see” list.

(Update 8/23/09: Actually, the belly dancer was not from Humanature.  Please see Indy Fringe administrator Justin Brady’s comment, which I also inserted into the blog post under New Vaudeville.)

Hypothetically Stupid – From the program notes, this did not sound like my kind of show at all but at Preview Night, two guys got up on stage to riff about a mustache and I thought, “Hey!  I know these guys from Three Dollar Bill Comedy Company!  I love these guys!”  So now John Patrick Coan’s and Matt Kramer’s show is on my “try to see” list.

I Do, I Do in Delhi Or How to Survive an Indian Wedding – This storyteller out of New York City is on my “try to see” list because she said in her preview that she has the audience doing yoga wiggles as she tells.  After sitting for a few hours in other shows, yoga wiggles may be just what I need.

Love Me Tender – This Fringe performer, Randy Strand, was not at the Preview Party and even though the program says he is based in Indianapolis, I don’t think I know him.  I really only know a fraction of the vocalists in this town, though, so that doesn’t mean anything.  His program description says that he sings “sappy love songs…plenty of cuddle tunes” and that he is “not responsible for what happens after.”  I’ve had my heart broken at the last two Fringes.  I’m not really up for sitting in a romantic show by myself this year, surrounded by cuddling lovers.  ‘Sorry, Randy.  But if my single status changes suddenly, I’ll put this on my “try to see” list.  I do like Elvis songs.

Mr. Charles, Currently of Palm Beach – This show about a man “judged too gay for New York” sounds funny but the main reason it is on my “try very hard to see” list is because it stars Theatre on the Square artistic director Ron Spencer.   I admire Ron’s acting ability very much, and I don’t get the chance to see it nearly enough.

murder, hope – This tiny solo performer out of New York City, Becky Poole, had us all singing “Rainbow Connection” with her as she played it on her musical saw while wearing a BatMan mask and cape.   This promises to be a quintessential Fringe show.  I’m there.

New Vaudeville – I don’t remember this show being at the Preview Party, either.  I have heard good things about the Blue Monkey Show, though, and the MC for this show is also the MC for that.  This is on my “maybe” list.

Update 8/22/09 – Fringe administrator Justin Brady left a clarifying comment which I’d like to insert here, too, with a “see also” for Humanature, above (am I librarian in my day job or what!):

Sorry for the lack of clarity on who was performing at the Opening. The belly dancer was New Vaudeville not Humannature. The others you guessed were correct. It was a hectic night and we were trying to keep things moving.

In actuality the numbers matched the nos in the program schedule at a glance, and we planned to hand out copies of this to everyone so you could mark the nos you liked. Sadly between coordinating the parade, the mayor and Paul Poteet this somehow got overlooked!

But man were there some great shows. Hope to see you around!

Phi Alpha Gamma – This solo piece about how a fraternity reacts to an accusation of gay-bashing is on my “must-see” list because the performer, Dan Bernitt, told me when he was at the Indy Fringe two years ago that he was working on it.  It sounded good then, and I am delighted that he completed it.   This is not a world premiere, but that’s okay, too, because it means that other audiences have already helped him hone it for us.

Phil the Void: the Great Brain Robbery – I learned last night that Phil is the only other performer besides Taylor Martin, the magician, who has had a show for all five years that the Indy Fringe has been in existence.  Phil’s stand-up cerebral comedy show is always a “must-see” for me.

The Rise of General Arthur – This solo performer from Minnesota was not at the Preview Party and I don’t know anything about his work except what I have already shared here on my blog, but even if I didn’t find his show intriguing on its own I would have it on my “must-see” list because he is the first ever, I think, Fringe performer to send me a full-fledged press release out of the blue, based solely on the fact that he had read my blog.  Press releases make me feel almost as important as media passes do.

Sex/Death – As far as I know, the Bloomington Playwrights Project was not at the Preview Party, but if I can, I would like to catch their showcase of short new plays.  I loved the variety in it last year.

Sex, Dreams and Self Control – This is the guy that got up on stage last night, looked at the number of children sitting with their parents, and said something like, “My show is too x-rated for this audience, and I’m not just saying that to be provocative, so I’m giving out free t-shirts from my band instead. Oh, and would anyone like a vinyl record?”  I still don’t know much about his show, but he made me laugh, so his show is on my “try to see” list.

Simple Joys - I thought I could skip this one based on the program description, but there was creativity in the sweetness of this couple’s preview, so this is now on my “try to see” list.

Selections from the Spoon River Anthology - I don’t remember this Bloomington company being at Preview Night, but there were a couple of dramatic excerpts that I could not hear very well and, as I mentioned earlier, the MCs unfortunately usually only called out the acts’ numbers instead of their names.  Hmm.  I’ll have to see what else I can find out about this one.  They asked to be my friend on Facebook, but I haven’t had a chance to read their profile, or even respond to the invitation.

The Stetson Manifesto – I couldn’t hear this preview at all, either, since there was only one microphone, but it will be much easier to hear all of the shows when they are in indoor theatre spaces.  I have already shared with you almost everything I know about this show earlier on my blog.  I’ll just add that I have seen at least one of the actors, Bill Becker, in two or three non-Fringe shows before and admired his work every time.

Thurgoode – Hmm.  I don’t think this show was at the Preview Party either.  I’ll have to see what else I can find out about it before I make a decision.

Tortillo! – This comedy is on my “see with Adrienne on the 29^th” list.  She wants to see it because she has friends in the cast.  I like a lot of the cast, too, but the main reason I want to see it is because the playwright, Casey Ross, wrote the first Indy Fringe show I ever saw – a piece called “Gallery” in the 2007 Indy Fringe. 

The Tragical Ballad of Black Bonnet – This show was not at the Preview Party and I have to confess that I am not, as a rule, drawn to puppet shows.  But c’mon: a puppet operetta.  For adults. From New Orleans.  I have to at least put this on my “try to see” list.

True Identity – Was this the woman dancing in a yellow dress at the Preview Party?  Again, I’m wishing that the MCs at the Preview Party were just a teeny bit more concerned with announcing the shows rather than whipping up the crowd to call out the next number.  Ah, well.  I’ll see what else I can find out about this show.

Waiting with M’Godot – This comedy is also on my “see with Adrienne on the 29^th” list.  One of the actors, Kurt Owens, is a very good friend of hers.  I don’t know him that well personally, but he has been riveting every time I’ve seen him on stage in non-Fringe shows.

Wanda & Rhonda’s Bitchin’ Bingo Bash!- Actors Tony McDonald and Adam O. Crowe came on stage as themselves and pretended to be looking for Wanda and Rhonda who were, they said, just running late in getting there.  I’m looking forward to seeing them in drag.

Welcome to Blanksville: An Improvised Tribute to Choose Your Own Adventure – This comedy improv show was not at the Preview Party but it is on my “must-see” list because I like road trip stories and I like the idea of doing a live choose-your-own-adventure.

The Worst Show in the Fringe – This show’s preview included a guest appearance by Indianapolis Business Journal arts editor Lou Harry. I couldn’t resist filming the whole thing on my iPhone but I was too far away for you to be able to really see anything.  Lou played the reviewer who had trashed someone’s Fringe show, causing that performer to snap mentally.  The now deranged performer kidnaps the reviewer and ties him to a chair.  I think he is preparing to torture and kill him, but somehow it’s funny.  Even if you’re a reviewer.  Lou, you are a good sport for letting them tie you up! 

I am almost out of writing time, so I’ll just add that several of the FringeNext shows looked very interesting, too. 

In fact, the one 5-minute preview that actually made me cry, suddenly and unexpectedly, was the slam poetry piece by FringeNext performer Mat Davis.  His show is called “Ready for the Future.”  At first I was just enjoying his word choices and his presentation skills, and then I was half-admiring him and half-judging him for balancing just on the edge between arrogance and confidence.

And then, suddenly, his poem that I had thought was all about him was all about me, too, and I was fighting back tears.

If I don’t make it to his FringeNext show, I am definitely making time to get to one of the open mike events that he said he hosts every Friday night at the Earth House.

But so what am I going to see TONIGHT?!  I still don’t know.  Maybe I’ll just take it time slot by time slot and when I see a show that is on my “must-see” list, I’ll see it, and if there’s nothing on my “must-see” list during that time slot, I’ll just go wherever else the spirit of the Fringe leads me to see.

Some of my “must-see” reasons are as much personal as artistic, so you should, as always, figure out your own list and go to whatever calls to you, no matter what I think.  I will always love to hear your comments on whatever you see (as long as you, you know, share them in a civilized way.)

But if you’re curious, now I have figured out my “Must See” list:

• 55 Minutes of Sex, Drugs and Audience Participation
• Another Classic of Western Literature
• Blunder Construction
• Gone, Gone, Gone
• Groundwork Suites
• murder, hope
• Phi Alpha Gamma
• Phil the Void
• The Rise of General Arthur
• Tortillo!
• Waiting for M’Godot
• Wanda and Rhonda…
• Welcome to Blanksville
• The Worst Show in the Fringe

Hope Baugh

www.IndyTheatreHabit.com and @IndyTheatre on Twitter.com and IndyTheatreHabit on YouTube.com.