Paul Strickland (who is HERE at 2011 Fringe!!) from Any Title That Works

Venue: Patron Room ? Length: 60 minutes

Synopsis: "A new show from the creator of 'A Brighter Shade of Blue.' 'Strickland has terrific timing and a way with words...' -- Elizabeth Maupin"

Sarah Carey from The Booyah

Venue: Green Venue

Synopsis: From the group that brought previous fringe hits Reefer Madness The Musical and Debbie Does Dallas The Musical comes this hilarious new comedy of a party gone horribly wrong.

Chase Padgett from Superman Drinks

Venue: Orange Venue ? Length: 60 minutes

Synopsis: What makes a hero a hero? Is it super strength or telekinesis or something more? Find out in this heartwarming and hilarious look and what "super" really is.

Cody Bush from Squatters

Venue: Brown Venue ? Length: 30 minutes

Synopsis: Imagine the kids from Growing Pains or Family Ties growing up, becoming successful and losing everything. It's Arrested Development meets Noises Off meets Curb Your Enthusiasm with 7 different episodes!

Kevin Sigman from Pandemonium

Venue: Yellow Venue ? Length: 60 minutes

Synopsis: A modern musical theatre mash up based on the epic poem, Paradise Lost, including improvisational dance and visual art. You may think you know the story but, you don't!

George is the General Manager for the 2011 Orlando Fringe

Mike is the Director of a show called Suckers: A Freaky Little Musical

Tod Kimbro wrote and plays his piano in Suckers: a Freaky Little Musical as well as Blue and Tod's Big Queer Hootinany

At the closing party, Beth announced this would be her last year at Fringe.

• Elizabeth Maupin's post about Beth's resignation
• Matt Palm's post about Beth's resignation

This year is the first time Blogging Fringe gave out an award for Fringe Crush, and our first winner was Mikaela from Dying Hard. http://www.mikaeladyke.com

Originally from Newfoundland, Mikaela is a writer and performer who now makes her home in Toronto. An improviser for over a decade, Mikaela has training in solo improvisation, mask, Commedia dell'Arte, clown, storytelling and Alexander technique.

Having performed with companies all over Canada and the U.S., her recent theatre credits include: Arm's Length (Summerworks festival); A Rustling (Playwrights of Spring Festival); Sky (Rabbittown Theatre Productions); Buried Child (Beothuck Street Players); Comedy of Errors (SBTS); My Name is Rachel Corrie (Forest Productions) and Reflections on Giving Birth to a Squid (Parent Productions).

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Brian was a volunteer at the Fringe this year.

This is Anna's last year as the director of Visual Fringe. We wish her the best.

Adrian and Lisa are two volunteers (and artists) at the Visual Fringe in 2011. They show us their art and tell us about their Fringe Crushes.

Mike Besaw from Onomatopoeia tells us how they got involved with the Mud Flappers.

Live music propels the flights of fancy and down-to-earth peregrinations of a hardscrabble hobo. You'll giggle, squeal, and sniffle. Featuring The Mud Flapper Band. Onomatopoeia: sounds like fun.

Two remaining shows in the Red Venue -- http://orlandofringe.org/node/926
5/27 FRI 11:55PM
5/28 SAT 8:50PM

Curtis is in the Poetry Vending Machine, Poetry Smackdown, and in collaboration with Emotions Dance on the Outdoor Stage

The Poetry Smackdown is at 9PM on Saturday nights during Fringe.

Vanessa stars in Oh That Wily Snake

Oh, That Wily Snake
A man and woman take off on a wild, fantastical adventure of temptation, seduction, and betrayal in this original play starring Ontario’s Vanessa Quesnelle and Brooklyn’s Martin Dockery.

Last show in Orange Venue -- http://orlandofringe.org/node/905
5/28 SAT 7:40PM

Martin wrote and stars in The Holy Land Experience and Oh That Wily Snake

The Holy Land Eperience
Debuting a hilarious and heartbreaking new monologue, Martin Dockery (WANDERLUST & THE BIKE TRIP, 2009 & 2010 Best-of-Fringe, The Orlando Sentinel) journeys from Orlando to Bethlehem, making a faithless pilgrimage through the land of the faithful.

Last 2 shows in Orange Venue -- http://orlandofringe.org/node/906
5/28 SAT 9:20PM
5/29 SUN 1:00PM

Oh, That Wily Snake
A man and woman take off on a wild, fantastical adventure of temptation, seduction, and betrayal in this original play starring Ontario’s Vanessa Quesnelle and Brooklyn’s Martin Dockery.

Last show in Orange Venue -- http://orlandofringe.org/node/905
5/28 SAT 7:40PM

Jimmy Hogg stars in Wisdom: Part One

Pink Venue -- http://orlandofringe.org/node/919
5/20 FRI 6:15PM
5/21 SAT 8:35PM
5/22 SUN 11:25AM
5/23 MON 7:45PM
5/25 WED 6:10PM
5/27 FRI 9:20PM
5/28 SAT 2:50PM

Fringe favourite Jimmy Hogg (Curriculum Vitae, A Brief History of Petty Crime, Like A Virgin) brings you a show about what we know, what we don’t know and what we think we don’t know. Equal parts stand-up, storytelling and tangential nonsense. Hogg challenges our belief systems by asking, “Why do we believe the things that we believe? Some people believe that the Earth is only 6,000 years old, some people believe that we were put here by aliens and some people believe that Paul McCartney died a long time ago and was replaced by a doppelganger- which goes some way to explaining why all the music he’s produced in the last 20 years has been utter shit.”

Chasmin is on the Fringe Staff as Beth's Assistant this year.

David Lee stars in Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno -- http://orlandofringe.org/node/936

Edinburgh Fringe First Award Winner and finalist for The Pulitzer Prize starring 20 year Orlando Fringe veteran David Lee. “…Samuel Beckett for The John Stewart generation…a small masterpiece.” –NY Times

5/20 FRI 10:40PM
5/21 SAT 4:20PM
5/22 SUN 1:40PM
5/23 MON 6:00PM
5/25 WED 9:10PM
5/26 THU 9:30PM
5/28 SAT 1:40PM

David Lee has been involved with The Orlando Fringe from the very first festival twenty years ago. He has either directed or starred in such projects as Ant Vanya, 7 Blowjobs, The Book of Liz, Mr Charles, Currently of Palm Beach, When Pigs Fly, The Dream Express and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

John stars in The Road to Nowhere this year, in the Pink Venue -- http://www.johnhefner.com/

http://orlandofringe.org/node/918
The Great American Road Trip: Route 66. A man. His mother’s minivan. His anarchist girlfriend on another coast. And his dead father’s along for the ride. Jack Kerouac this ain’t

5/20 FRI 9:35PM
5/21 SAT 11:55PM
5/22 SUN 5:00PM
5/24 TUE 7:40PM
5/26 THU 6:20PM
5/28 SAT 11:30AM
5/29 SUN 8:00PM

"I know no way to adequately describe how good this show is...I love John Hefner." -Audience Review, IndyFringe.org
The Great American Road Trip: Route 66. A man. His mother’s minivan. His anarchist girlfriend on another coast. Oh, and his dead father’s along for the ride. Jack Kerouac this ain’t. John Hefner of THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES (2008) and the sold-out HOW HEFNERIAN (2009) returns to Orlando with a brand new show.

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Melanie stars in My Pal Izzie, featuring the music of Irving Berlin -- http://www.melaniegall.com/Izzy

http://orlandofringe.org/node/900
Irving Berlin, well-known as the composer of 'White Christmas', is one of America's most famous composers. However, not many people know of Berlin's early life and of his struggle to succeed. From a young immigrant just off the boat from Russia to one of the shining lights of Tin Pan Alley, Irving's story is fascinating. This show contains some of Berlin's best early songs, from 'Don't Take Your Beau to the Seashore' to 'If You Don't Want My Peaches'.

Sisterscene is a theatre company from Alberta, Canada and New York, NY. They will be presenting shows at 7 Fringe festivals this year, including Toronto, London and Vancouver.

Orange Venue
5/19 THU 6:00PM
5/21 SAT 1:30PM
5/22 SUN 7:40PM
5/23 MON 10:30PM
5/24 TUE 9:05PM

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Poetry Vending Machine allows you to buy a poem for $5, ora haiku for $1. Proceeds go to the fringe. Please see http:///burrowpress.com for more about Ryan.

About the Smackdown: Returning for a fifth year, host Tod Caviness brings Fringe-style slam poetry back. A dream team of Orlando's best spoken word artists put their poetry and their dignity on the line against Beth Marshall and a boozy bevy of Fringe celebrity judges.

5/21 SAT 10:00PM
5/28 SAT 10:00PM

Genevieve Bernard is the Artistic Director of Voci Dance . Voci's one show will be Sunday, May 29th at 9:20pm

Loch Haven Park by the Big Blue Sculpture

Voci Dance brings yet another site specific piece to the Orlando Fringe.

Join the urban explorers of Voci Dance in a site specific dance installation in Loch Haven Park!

Show begins at 9:20 pm, right before the Fringe Fabby awards.
$5 cash donation in the park!

Movement * Music * Light * Sculpture

One night only!

Jeff is in "archy and mehitabel", about a cockroach and a cat who are best friends, based on the work of Don Marquis

Meet Archy, a cockroach with a critical eye on humanity, and Mehitabel, a bohemian alley cat with an unbreakable spirit. “A pure delight” (Ottawa Citizen), “vivid and unforgettable” (CBC Manitoba)

The script for archy and mehitabel was devised from the writings of American poet, humorist and folk philosopher Don Marquis, who created the characters in 1916 for his New York newspaper column and wrote about their adventures for the next twenty years. Archy the Cockroach and Mehitabel the Cat are the main players, but a wide variety of secondary creatures make appearances as well.

Yellow Venue
5/19 THU 9:00PM

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Rob Gee wrote the poetry for and performs in Smart Arse in the Green Venue this year:

An exhilarating story of several childhoods from the creator of Fruitcake. “The kind of performer you pray you’ll discover ... awe-inspiring!” Orlando Sentinel “Humor-filled ... disturbing ... wonderful!” Elizabeth Maupin

5/19 THU 9:40PM
5/21 SAT 6:00PM
5/22 SUN 4:20PM
5/24 TUE 10:05PM
5/27 FRI 8:10PM
5/28 SAT 2:55PM
5/29 SUN 6:15PM

Don Fowler and Blue from Intersellarific on the Outdoor Stage

Don is one of the hosts of Radio Rickshaw

Chris wrote "I'm just not that Gay" and is playing piano for "Robby Pigott tries something new"

A humorous look at one man's attempt to find his place in the gay world. Chris shares stories and songs about coming out, dating, activism, stereotypes and more.

I'm just not that gay
Red Venue
5/19 THU 9:50PM
5/21 SAT 11:30PM
5/22 SUN 9:30PM
5/24 TUE 7:10PM
5/26 THU 8:10PM
5/27 FRI 10:20PM
5/29 SUN 6:30PM

Chris is offering a discount if you are a fan of his facebook page for the show.

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Mikaela performs in Dying Hard, a play created from the real life stories (and words) of people in a mining town.

Mikaela comes from Newfoundland in Canada, and her show is in the Patron's Room this year.

A powerful exploration of the plight of fluorspar miners in St.Lawrence, Newfoundland in the 1960's. Through these true stories, Dying Hard brings to the forefront the human cost of industry.

5/19 THU 7:40PM
5/20 FRI 10:20PM
5/22 SUN 12:00PM
5/23 MON 5:15PM
5/27 FRI 7:00PM
5/28 SAT 10:30PM
5/29 SUN 2:50PM

Mike Maples plays the bar owner in Big Swingin' Dick's Topless Bar presents the Naked Drag Queen Farting.

A comedy that isn’t quite a musical.

Discounts for anyone in drag.

"I'm not sure we can print that." Matt Palm, Orlando Sentinel

5/20 FRI 9:25PM
5/22 SUN 12:00PM
5/24 TUE 6:45PM
5/28 SAT 8:25PM

Elizabeth Maupin has been reviewing arts and culture in Orlando since 1983, and now she is doing it just for fun!

"Betsy" always has great reviews during Fringe, and her new independent site, Elizabeth Maupin on Theater, is better than ever.

Here is her 2011 Fringe home page, About the Fringe. She has also posted reviews of 5 shows as of the first day!

• Fringe review: ‘archy and mehitabel’

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Here is a brief conversation with Tim Evanecki of Starving Artist Studios.

Tim tells me they will be setting up shop in a 2-story building across the street that was once an Animal Hospital. Be on the lookout for this new Orlando Arts Scene citizen soon!

We caught Fringe Veteran John DiDonna on the Green Lawn of Fabulousness taping flyers to the tables... while they were still being set up!

A bit about his show...
GRAND GUIGNOL PUPPET THEATRE - Punch and Judy Presents at the FRINGE

What do Medussa, Charlie Sheen, and Lady Gaga have in common?
They’ll all have someone’s hand up their ass in this OUTRAGEOUSLY ADULT puppet show!

“Ladies and gentlemen we heartily welcome you,
To the 20th annual Fringe Orlando!
Where Punch and Judy again grace the stage
To pleasure, disgust, and to grossly outrage.”

THE GRAND GUIGNOL PUPPET THEATRE
PUNCH AND JUDY PRESENTS!
In a Punch and Judy Tragic-Comedy-Histoire!

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Many people are familiar with Improv - last year's Fringe Festival featured a long-form improvised show called "Is This Seat Taken?" by the iconic David Charles and Jay Hopkins. SAK has been doing a late-night show called "The Early Show" long after their regular programming on certain weekends for a number of years now. The Orlando Improv Festival is now trying to help long form become more visible with this event.

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Matt Palm form the Orlando Sentinel has posted a blog recap of the Fringe preview, which was staged as a Pep Rally this year to fit with the 20-year high school reunion theme.

Orlando Fringe Festival: Pep Rally Preview gives us a peek

There was even extra applause for an act that finished right on time as the cheerleaders joined them.

There’s always much merriment at the annual preview, which raises funds for the Fringe Festival as well as anticipation. Co-host Beth Marshall, the Fringe producing artistic director, started out proudly saying, “I am vertical this year,”

The festival tickets are now on sale, and they were very proud to announce that the preview was successful for them, raising a surplus of $3000 over their goal.

I have been looking for video shot during the event, but Google is returning some weird results - the official Orlando Fringe website doesn't even show up in most search results. I ended up locating several videos on YouTube. If you are reading this and you have a YouTube video that is not on this list, I will be happy to add it. My YT username is "liberatr". I will be adding new video to this playlist throughout the season.

This year's festival is going to be exciting. More experimentation, lots of returning artists, lots of past Patron's Pick artists, and lots of visiting and International artists, who are the real icing on the cake. I love that local artists have such a great outlet for their work, but the fact that this festival brings in so much original material from outside of our state and country is one of the real selling points for me.

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ArtsFest is a celebration of Central Florida arts and culture that takes place for 10 days over four counties. Presented by Bank of America, ArtsFest includes hundreds of FREE arts and culture events held in various locations throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. ArtsFest provides you with a taste of everything the arts community has to offer in your own backyard!

http://www.artsfestfl.com/

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This will be the 20th year of Orlando Fringe, so apparently the theme this year is a 20 year reunion. Fringe is hoping to have people come in past Fringe t-shirts to the Shakes to get a massive group photo. They did something similar a few years ago for the "protest" theme, and the shots came out great.

From Beth Marshall:

We will be taking a long shot group photo in front of Orlando Shakespeare Theatre (812 East Rollins St.) on Mon. Feb. 7th at 4:30pm.
The look of this shot will be that of a group class photo in a highschool yearbook.
We want YOU to be a part of this event!

Here's how you can help...
Bring yourself, your friends, kids, spouse, partner, pets etc... and pose for this shot.
Come dressed in either past Fringe T-shirts, past show t-shirts OR a highschool archtype such as (Goth, punk, geek, jock, teacher, prep, etc...)

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Once you pay your $99 (plus a $7.50 online tix fee), you will be snail-mailed a voucher for each organization on the list. Each voucher is good for one ticket to one show or exhibit this season. You generally call them or go to their box office to pick up the tickets – each org has a slightly different system for redeeming the tickets.

The organizations participating are:

1. Mad Cow Theatre Company
2. Orlando Museum of Art
3. Orlando Shakespeare Theater, In Partnership w/ UCF
4. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
   Orlando Ballet
5. FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America – Orlando
6. Festival of Orchestras
7. Orlando Repertory Theatre
8. Bach Festival Society

For a full list of events and details, as well as online or phone purchases, visit the Red Chair Project website.

There’s almost a Vegetarian Indian District in the OBT/Florida Mall area, topped off with an Indian grocery in the same area. I have yet to try them all, but I’ve heard it’s certainly worth checking out. Two bonus reviews for you too, one by I-Drive and Kirkman and the other in East Orlando near UCF.

Indian Food

What's this?

1. Woodlands Indian Cuisine

I often go for a sampler, about $16, which features small bowls of different sauces, soups and even a dessert, along with a bit of rice, some flat bread and a few appetizers – including a veggie and potato Somosa, yum! The other popular choice for us are called Dosas, which are giant pancakes/crepes with some filling, normally potato, rolled inside. They always bring a pitcher of water to the table, and be ready for some spicy food. You can request different levels of heat for some dishes.

I first heard about Woodlands from some vegetarian/vegan friends of mine. I have been seeking out veggie places lately, because it lets me know I have a city that is tolerant of different lifestyles, and it proves I don’t have to move somewhere else to get access to other cultures. This restaurant is not decorated very lavishly, unless you count the lemon and chili peppers hanging by the front door. Right off of north OBT, easy to get to, and always good service, and a staff who is used to helping us Americans figure out what we should order.

2. Udipi Café

Head here for the lunch buffet. Completely worth your time. They even have a dish on the buffet that resembles “Sloppy Joe”, but it’s made with some meat substitute, and still served on a plain hamburger bun. Every buffet comes with a giant Dosa pancake/crepe filled with potato and vegetable – delicious. The food is all vegetarian. (hint: Udipi is a region of India that is known for vegetarian food) Would definitely come here again, despite the fact that it’s almost up in Longwood, which is not close to my home. Hopefully I’ll have a good excuse to go again soon!

3. Khasiyat Indian Restaurant

The interior (and exterior) is not all that interesting, but they do have a a few things going for them. The service was pretty delightful. We saw a large family who must have been visiting the theme parks, and made the trip all the way out to this neighborhood for a taste of home. I’m also going to assume they might have been vegetarian, which can be a challenge at the local theme parks, unless you like salad. After having been to a few other vegetarian places in town, Khasiyat held few surprises, but they did sport a television with music videos and other Bollywood gems.