IndyFringe 2021

IndyFringe: A Dry Rose’ – A Lesbian Love Story or Something Very Similar

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

A frustrated author and her best friend decide to go out for a drink (it’s 80’s night after all) and launch themselves into a journey of seeking love in this era versus the era they grew up in.

Since there are not any “Plain Old Lesbian Bars” anymore (their former “homo away from home”), they end up at Swipe Right, a place for internet dating matches to meet up in person. This leads to a hilarious game about who is with whom and whether they will last past this evening (you’ll be playing this yourselves the next time you’re at a bar, trust me).

Add to this the intrigue of a cute new neighbor in the author’s building as well as their new bartender friend and you’ve got a sweet little story unfolding.

What makes this show really work is the brilliance of the script. The dialogue is sharp, realistic and witty (it’s got great wits).

This show by Missy Koonce (last seen at Diva Fest) is pleasantly funny and uplifting, so pour yourself a glass of rose (I hear it’s making a comeback) and settle in for a whirlwind of romantic comedy. You’ll have to wait for tomorrow (Aug. 29) for a taste, but a good wine ages well.

IndyFringe: Simon Ferocious (Improvised Music Legend)

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

“What is ‘read the room’ in French?”

This is a line from the story of forgotten music legend Simon Ferocious that was uttered on stage, but might never be said again. This is because Simon is an etherial being, a dream within a fantasy — the product of some goofy people doing long-form improv.

Stroopwafel Improv prepares you for the story of this person (we heard David Bowie once met backstage, allegedly) with some fun little improvisation exercises. The audience doesn’t have to do much, just shout some words when asked, and this silly gang provides the weirdness. 

Then, we get to the Behind the Music episode that somehow MTV and VH-1 never got around to airing. Perhaps its because they needed you — yes you, who will go to see this on the District Theater stage — to tell the world what exactly was Simon Ferocious’ band name, or the title of his breakthrough hit.

Given only some opening audience cues, the Stroopwafels get stretched to their limits of invention, throwing in various band members, estranged family, and music “experts” to explain the rise and fall of this absurdly famous musician. As the show changes from performance to performance, all I can say is: Go see these local comics scramble to entertain you in a documentary that will be far more funny than enlightening.

“Oklahoma is the worst place for breakfast.”

Really, Simon? I bet you won’t say that at the next show.

IndyFringe: Deadpan Jan – My Life is Not a Sex Party, Or Is It?

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

Jan Gudaitis is quite the enigma. She speaks in a monotone voice, she makes sharply hilarious observations, and her etomology of the English language is sublime.

Her flat vocal cadence is reminiscent of the great comedian Stephen Wright, and like him, her content is exceptionally funny.

Here you will learn why Bhutan is the happiest country in the world; how to kill your husband with a business card; who is on her list of people she’d “like to pull the plug on;” as well as which topics are not permissible when doing comedy at a nursing home.

If you search on Urban Dictionary, you will discover that her last name is defined as a “sex party”. This is due to a drunken posting by a nephew. But does she live up to that description? That is for you to decide. I can guarantee that there will be some intercourse during the performance, as well as a strong possibility of ejaculation.

Performances are on the Indy Eleven stage of the IndyFringe Theater.

IndyFringe: Do Jokes Still Work?

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

“I saw a homeless guy with a laminated sign,” Stewart Huff says, “he put money back into the business!”

Huff is full of funny and off-the-wall observances, such as: It amuses him to no end that the replica of Noah’s Ark in Kentucky has a “No Animals” sign.

His show, “Do Jokes Still Work?” includes bits of storytelling, memories, and observances of the stupidity of fellow humans – “You can’t hate science, and love NASCAR!”

But he has a generally optimistic outlook, noting that noisy anti-science people are nothing new – relating various historical events in hilarious fashion. Huff believes that “all human beings are artists,” that the pinata is among our greatest inventions, and if Bigfoot is real, it’s better if we don’t find him.

When you see him take the District Theater stage, it’s a little surprising, as IndyFringe publicity materials have an old clean-shaven photo. With his salt-and-pepper beard and aging-hippie ponytail, Huff looks like your cool uncle who can tell you one hell of a story.

And he does.

Huff’s show is not for the easily offended – either by language or opinions – but otherwise an essential visit for any Fringe-goer.

IndyFringe: Pixel the Cat Does Shakespeare

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

To The Rescue Theater and Monroe County Civic Theater have combined their efforts to bring this charming tale to the Fringe.

Lawrence (Jason Lopez) is a tiger-striped tabby who is the protector of his territory, prowling regularly to keep out danger. Tabitha (Robin Lea Pyle) is a rambunctious kitten who doesn’t understand why her desire to climb the fence makes her a “Bad Kitty”.

Enter a Persian interloper, Pixel (Roy Sillings), who quotes feline-inspired Shakespearean variants expressing his desire to become part of their home.

Because the show is meant to be light and whimsical, it is an excellent choice for families and small children. Note as well that all moneys received from the performances here go to a local Indianapolis feline charity, Cats Haven.

Performances are in the District Theatre.

IndyFringe: Rocket in Your Pocket! Father Ned in Space – The Musical

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

The wacky group from Perpendicular Island are back again and this time they have a divine mission to assist the Vatican (and Ned’s mortal enemies, the Jesuits) in beating the Lutherans into space.

General Jesuit (David Molloy) and Captain Jesuit (Manny Castillas) must endure the ever-suffering Father Ned (John Lindley) and questionable housekeeper Mrs. O’Boyle (Kate Duffy), because Ned’s imbecilic Priest-in-training Father Dermott McDermott (Blake Mellencamp) is the nephew of the regional Bishop. Luckily, the perverted sot Father Finn Flannagan (David Whicker) has been left back at the Parish – or has he?

Add to this group May Anne Mathews as a Cosmic Otter, Krysten Lyster as a very “Random” Alien as well as Shari Grinnell as the Voice of the Vatican, who keeps trying to keep this mission in check.

Needless to say, things go hilariously awry. Plus, there are several fun songs punctuating the story (wait until you hear Ned’s!).

So strap in and launch into a galaxy of silliness that pokes fun not only at the British sitcom “Father Ted,” but also Star Trek, Star Wars, Monty Python, and others. Launchpad is the District Theatre.

IndyFringe: Copyright/Safe

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson and John L. Belden

Playwright Casey Ross has brought to the Fringe her love letter to the comics industry, particularly Marvel and its X-Men franchise.

In “Copyright/Safe,” the characters are members of a superhero team who are self-aware in a manner much like professional wrestlers — they know their lives are scripted, but it still hurts when they fall.

The show begins with Badger (Dave Pelsue) and Creature (Doug Powers) graveside, mourning the loss of their creator. With his passing, the team’s future seems to be in limbo, adding to the tension among team members. Eyepatch (Zach Stonerock), the ersatz leader, is missing and while their final issue is at the printer, no one seems to know what the future holds.

Badger deals with the situation by drinking heavily and expressing his feelings through music (songs written by Pelsue) at his small club. He also tolerates sharing his apartment with Mask (Taylor Cox) a fan-fiction character who appeared in an episode of the Z-Men cartoon, which makes him an official part of the world.

Whether or not you are familiar with comic books, the very real dynamic of a group of people wondering about their futures is indentifiable to all. Ross is brilliant at tense and relatable dialogue, even in a setting such as this. For fans of “sequential art,” note that atmospherically this play brings the style of a graphic novel to life better than most superhero films.

This touching drama is also comic in the sense of having truly hilarious moments.

One important note, however: though comic books are traditionally for children, the language in this show is quite “Rated M for Mature.”

Performances are in the IndyFringe Theatre.

IndyFringe: Transitory State

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

Fledgling theater group Theatre Unchained brings a spooky sort of offering to this year’s Fringe, “Transitory State” by Vic Rodriguez.

Best friends Bee and Hudson meet in a graveyard with sentimental offerings to their dearly departed friend and former roommate, Riley, in order to try to connect with his spirit. Since it is obvious that Bee is not really all that serious about this, their attempt fails but they do spend hours upon end talking and reminiscing about the past.

The next day as Bee and her partner Karla are headed out to Karla’s improv show, they call Hudson to come along and although he reluctantly agrees, he ends up alone at home remembering happier times past. It is also obvious that he has never gotten over Riley’s death.

Later, Hudson is sitting alone in his apartment once again when Riley’s ghost suddenly appears. Needless to say, this is a shock. He tries to convince Bee this is real but even though Karla believes, Bee just won’t accept it.

Bee feels that since she and Karla are moving away to Chicago and Riley’s parents have decided to move his body to their new home in Paris, Hudson is just trying to cope with these changes.

Is Riley really back or just a figment of Hudson’s imagination? You will have to check out the show, playing at the IndyFringe Theatre, to see.

IndyFringe: The Breakfast Clue

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

Defiance Comedy brings us annother hilarious Fringe show. Blending the movies “The Breakfast Club” and “Clue” with about a half a dozen song parodies, they give us a delightful sendup of ’80s comedies.

It turns out that all of the charcters are in detention because they were being blackmailed. Someone is going to die, and they group must solve the mystey before they end up in detention forever,

Shelby Myers delights as Allison P. Cock, the weird and kind of sexy basket case. Emily Schaab sparkles as Claire Scarlett, the Princess doing whatever it takes to keep herself on top, Pat Mullen seems perfectly cast as the nerdy Anthony Michael Mustard. John Kern brings an endearing fragility to his character of Jock Estevez. While Clay Mabbitt’s portrayal of John Jacob JingleHeimerPlum falls a bit flat at first, it does perk up very near the end. And of course, who could forget the enimetable Rob Johansen as the zany principal trying to keep this group in line.

Come to the show to find out who was killed and why. Just remember, there’s no crying over skimmed milk. Performances at the District Theatre.

IndyFringe: small Gods/BIG Problems

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This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

Jay (Aaron Henze) used to be a Satyr; he partied with Dionysus, but now he exists merely as the God of Small Pleasures. He discovers that he is about to be de-Deified and is desperate to prevent it. His friends Sage (Courtney Peacock), a former Vestal virgin, and Nelson (Robert Webster Jr.), God of Functional Anxiety, try to help advise him on how to prevent his fate.

Devin (Trick Blanchfield), the demonic “Competition,” offers to help him out but Jay decides to try to become a member of another team.

Jay begs Inanna (Leslie Root), Goddess of Love and Justice, to allow him to join her team. She gives him a test to decide. He must make a couple (Allison Reddick and Ryan Reddick) fall in love without the help of her team, Chemistry (Case Jacobus), Shared Interests (Webster) and Timing (Marie McNelis).

Will Jay succeed, or will he lose his powers – and maybe even his horns? Come see this delightful show by Mary Karty at the IndyFringe Theatre and find out. You will truly feel blessed by its sweet sincerity and charm.