IndyFringe 2008 launches this week with a kick-off party Thursday and performances
beginning on Friday.
This year's lineup includes 270 performances of 53 shows--including one-act plays, improvisational comedy, dance pieces, magic acts, confessional one-person shows and difficult-to-describe oddities.
As in the past, the shows aren't vetted. For an act to be included in the festival, it merely has to sign up on time and pay an entry fee. The acts themselves get the ticket proceeds, so they have a vested interest in getting you through the door.
Does the format work for you? Are you comfortable dropping $10 on a 50-minute show that could be rank amateur or startlingly original?
If you haven't attended, what's keeping you away?
If you are a fringe vet, what do you think can be improved? Do you like to jump in during opening weekend or wait for word of mouth to help advise you on what's worth your time? And what do you think the impact has been of IndyFringe on the overall theater scene in town?
Whatever the case, expect Mass Ave. to liven up considerably over the next two weeks.
Your thoughts?
This year's lineup includes 270 performances of 53 shows--including one-act plays, improvisational comedy, dance pieces, magic acts, confessional one-person shows and difficult-to-describe oddities.
As in the past, the shows aren't vetted. For an act to be included in the festival, it merely has to sign up on time and pay an entry fee. The acts themselves get the ticket proceeds, so they have a vested interest in getting you through the door.
Does the format work for you? Are you comfortable dropping $10 on a 50-minute show that could be rank amateur or startlingly original?
If you haven't attended, what's keeping you away?
If you are a fringe vet, what do you think can be improved? Do you like to jump in during opening weekend or wait for word of mouth to help advise you on what's worth your time? And what do you think the impact has been of IndyFringe on the overall theater scene in town?
Whatever the case, expect Mass Ave. to liven up considerably over the next two weeks.
Your thoughts?
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The first review I ever read of yours, Lou, was of a couple of Fringe shows last summer, here at the IBJ. (laughing) So I guess you can either thank or curse the Fringe for bringing me into your readership.
Hope Baugh
www.IndyTheatreHabit.com
Who else is hitting the festival from the beginning?
Lou
I will say that I've heard some people complaining about the excess one-man shows and magic shows. Can't say I blame them as Magic shows are not my fave and I think any more than one in the festival is too many. In addition, some one-man (or woman) shows can abe good, but again, it's not all I want to see. I'm mostly looking forward to the original plays and maybe an improv. Those are my favorite types of shows to see. I also enjoy the street scenes and hanging out on my fave ave in the city Mass.
Or read Lou's reveiws I agree with Hope's assessment. I was at the same show as Lou last year. In one sentence he summed up that show many in the audience were laughing and we didn't know why - brilliant!
Or read Lou's - I agree with Hope. They are very funny! I was at one last year when Lou was there - he summed it up in one brilliant sentence (I paraphrase): we were laughing and didn't know why
If you are shy like me, don't worry: it is not a stand around with a drink in your hand wondering what to say to people kind of party. That's what I thought it would be last year, and I almost didn't go. But last year, it was like being in an audience. You get to see a sampler of the shows being offered in the coming week.
And then, afterwards, if you want to push yourself out of your comfort zone a bit, you can stand around and schmooze a while.
Oh, I can't WAIT for the live theatre portion of the Indy Fringe Festival to begin!
Hope Baugh
www.IndyTheatreHabit.com
You can usually find parking on the street. Metered parking is free after 6:00 during the week.
Hope Baugh
www.IndyTheatreHabit.com
There are FOUR shows by Australians this year, which I find intriguing just because.
There will be six shows, total, from other countries, I think - the four from Australia, plus Monkey Poet returning from England and someone else, I think, from Canada.
Hope Baugh
www.IndyTheatreHabit.com