The Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival — now just called IndyFringe — returns after a year’s hiatus (y’all know why). Aside from reducing the overall number of performance sites, there are two main changes this year: First, performances are Thursday through Sunday for three weekends, extending the festival and eliminating the performers’ frustration of near-empty houses on weekdays. Second, the emphasis is mainly on local and regional acts — something the festival had been trending towards over the last several years, but now essential with travel uncertainties.
Wendy and John are taking their “Iron Fringe” approach, seeing as many of the shows as possible. This post hosts the links to the reviews. Now that ticket prices have crept up to $20 each (performers still get 80%) we feel it’s even more important to help you decide what fits your tastes, or might be worth taking that hour to see.
One show we won’t make it to, but can highly recommend, is Lear’s Shadow by Indy Bard Fest (IndyFringe Theatre), a revival of a performance from the 2019 Shakespeare festival. The play by Brian Elerding has a modern woman using the Bard’s mad king to make sense of her situation. Nan Macy “is incredible, both as (the lead) and as (Lear), as we come to learn the parallels between the two — picking favorites, pushing away a loved one, psychological trauma, and the need to rage against something that can’t be controlled.” (She may have different co-stars in this year’s production.)
We can also recommend Acts of Gratitude by Dance Kaleidoscope (Athenaeum). OK, we haven’t seen this one, but for those familiar with the world-class work of David Hochoy’s renowned company, all I have to say is: Here is nearly an hour of Dance Kal for only 20 dollars! We were lucky enough to see the DK 2018 show, but honestly, sell-outs are the rule.
LINKS TO THIS YEAR’S REVIEWS:
Abraham Lincoln: Hoosier Hero by Danny Russel
A Dry Rose’ by Missy Koonce
Being Black by OnyxFest
The Betsy-Patsy Show by Elizabeth Young-Collins
Beyond Ballet by Indianapolis Ballet
Big Gay Debutante Ball by Meg Anderson
The Breakfast Clue by Defiance Comedy
Cabaret Latino: Songs of the Americas by Magic Thread Cabaret
Chasing Temples by Betsy Murphy
Classical Collaborations by Crossroads Dance Indy
Climate Follies by Jim Poyser
Copyright/Safe by Catalyst Repertory
DadBod by Brad Hinshaw
Deadpan Jan: My Life is not a Sex Party, or is it? by Jan Gudaitis
Downtown Magic! With Jordan Rooks
Driving Kenneth and Betsy Ross by Garret Mathews
Grace and Nick – Have You Been Drinking? by Grace Bahler and Nick Polk
Honk Squawk Love by Paige Scott
How I Got My Warts Prayed Off by Mandee McKelvey
Joyous Faggotry by Ron Popp
Narnia by Agape Youth Theater
Oak Island in Concert by American Lives Theatre
The Old Man and the Old Moon by Carmel High School
Pixel the Cat Does Shakespeare by To The Rescue Theater
Radium Girls by CYT Indy
Rocket in Your Pocket! Father Ned in Space, the Musical by Clerical Error Productions
Second Annual Tap Cabernet by Circle City Tap
Shakespeare’s Histories: Ten Epic Plays at a Breakneck Pace by Tim Mooney
Shopping Network! by Betty Rage Productions
Simon Ferocious: Improvised Music Legend by Stroopwafel Improv
Small Gods/Big Problems by Mary Karty
Stewart Huff: Do Jokes Still Work?
Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind by UIndy Theatre
Transitory State by Theatre Unchained
We’ve Come a Long Way, Ladies! by Of Thee I Sing
Wife Material by Toni Smith
Win, Lose or Die! by ComedySportz Indianapolis
Plays with John & Wendy 