August 22-31 — IndyFringe 2008!
“53 performers. 270 shows. Six stages. And 10 days of splashy spectacle, provocative pageantry and outrageous outbursts of off-beat theatrical fun.” But which does Provocate recommend?
When: Friday August 22 to Sunday August 31
Where: 
Starting August 22, IndyFringe will transform the Massachusetts Avenue District into a colorful, open-air showcase of traditional (and not-so!) theatre, dance, music, improvisation and a wide range of other performance and visual arts, all performed and created by local, national and international artists. The festival centers on six stages at five venues—the American Cabaret Theatre, the Auditorium at the Athenaeum, Theatre on the Square (Main Stage and Stage II), ComedySportz Indianapolis, and the Phoenix Theatre. But the fun also spills out onto the streets with street buskers, performing poets and visual art exhibitions among other fringy festivities. New to IndyFringe is FringeFilm, in association with the Indianapolis International Film Festival, located in the sanctuary of Lockerbie United Methodist Church.
Fringe shows run 60 minutes or less. Admission is $10.00 per person, per show at the door, first-come, first-served ($7.00 students). Advance tickets are available for $11.00 per person, per show (until half the house for each show is sold). Festival-goers also buy a one-time festival badge for $3.00 onsite, good for all 10 days of the festival. Kids 12 and younger are free.
Why does Provocate think you should attend this event?
Every city around the world., it seems, has a friunge theatre festival … that’s all right that Indianapolis is not original, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. By plugging into the global fringe network, our festival quickly has become as big as most others. What ought to be the goal is to use this August eruption of theatre — ranging form polished professionals to good-natured amatuers — to build up support for the many companies and theatres that work and create in Indy year round.
Know before you go:
Read some of the blogs writing about IndyFringe to hear how the arts and theatre world is viewing the event.
Provocate Picks — They may be great or they may be lousy, they may be funny or deadly earnest … but these are the plays that piqued the interest of Provocatrix Laura Stoesz and John Clark:
“My Friend Hitler” by Zehra Fazal
A solo performance inspired by the play by Yukio Mishima. Original translation by Hiroaki Sato. Adapted by Zehra Fazal. A provocative view of Adolf Hitler at the dawn of his rise to power. Acclaimed DC area actor Zehra Fazal portrays contemporary Japanese novelist and playwright Yukio Mishima’s vision of Adolf Hitler in this compelling one-woman show. Originally written by Mishima in 1969, the play explores the historical friendship between Hitler and leader of the Sturm Ateilburg Army, Ernst Roehm, and the events that led to “The Night of Long Knives” when hundreds of SA officers were executed in order for Hitler to complete his ascent to power.
“Peace on Terror” by Theatre of the People, Word of Mouth Productions
Peace on Terror, a war story in nine chapters, is a realistic view of humanity’s struggle to overcome perpetual cycles of violence. This nonspecific representation of neighborhood turmoil and neighbor-to-neighbor peacemaking criss-crosses all geopolitical boundaries and persuasions, while addressing basic human fears and the universal human desire for peace.
“Squashamole! The True Cost of Things” by In Forma Theatre
This original ensemble production is a hilarious and thought provoking audience interactive Forum theater show about global warming. We invite you to join us to explore how we as individuals and communities can act in the face of our current climate crisis. Laugh, question, collaborate and try out your idea on stage!
“Improscaping” by Carter Productions
A sexy, funny and original extravaganza performed by Susanne Carter. Obsession with weight, bad hair days, and fear of bikinis, tracks Susanne’s body image through time. At odds with herself, Susanne creates six dance improvisations from the hilarious to the sublime. Unusual props and costumes underscore recorded interviews with Susanne’s chiropractor, hair dresser, photographer and more. Ridiculous antics and a strong physicality highlight this edgy and whimsical 60 minute production.
“Good Grief, Sidney” by Sidney Unlimited
Walter’s got pain enough in his life, but now along comes Sidney. Sidney and Walter fight about everything, but mainly about whether, when, and with whom to get laid. Sometimes having an alter-ego can be a real pain in the ass.
“Potpourri Potluck Kitchen Sink Meatloaf” by Shantz Theatre Co.
An evening of short works by Matt Fotis from the company that brought you Burying Mom, A Year in the Life…, and “that chess table play” comes an evening of short works for the ADD Generation.
