Theatre

This is by far most personally intense production at Fringe. As a member of the audience you are brought in Tommy's life, his struggle to escape his demons, with a suspense filled portion of the show that if you haven't read the synopsis catches you off guard.

The closest thing Cincinnati has to a society page for the YP crowd is the weekly article usually by Pam Fisher. Today's article features Fringe, with a summary of Wednesday night's opening after-party. It even includes a nice picture of Liz Holt, Doug Borntrager and Emily Holtrop, even if two of the three names were spelled wrong.

Fantastic. Stellar. I am at a loss for words at the talent on stage. "The Kid in the Dark" is in pure musical theatre style, but with a Fringe structure. The Music ties together wonderfully, but each song can stand alone. “Kid” has great music & lyrics are wonderful, great movement on stage, and stunning voices from the entire cast. What is amazing is the cast is not from a far way city, they are students at Cincinnati's own CCM.

As a political blogger, I've come to know the standard political speak made by those who want to know about politics. It's the talk radio jargon that sounds like nails on the chalkboard to my wonkish ears. Stacey Morrison is a self-admitted sufferer of falling into the trap of the usual arguments. She represented well the thoughtfulness of people who want to know about politics, but find that the rest of their lives get in the way.

Getting down to Fringe early has a calming effect. I get to see everyone running around getting everything ready and I have to do is sit and stare at large, yet old TV screen showing the Fringe/Know slide show.

I've got my ticket for "I Take It Back," a play from Odds & Ends Productions, the folks who brought "Running My Ass Off" at last year's Fringe.

It is ironic, I think, that a guy who is known as blogger is writing about a play about the lack of connection in the modern Internet world. If you think it's so ironic that the computer screen you are reading this on will burst into flame, logoff and come down to Fringe, ASAP. Anyway..... Love is a mystery. Technology tries to remove the mystery out of everything it touches. ilove shows love both inside and outside the on-line world. This new work shows off some of the great local talent in Cincinnati

There is a god and his name is Zeus. He has provided us proof that Luke and Adam are not the same person.

It is almost 10PM and no one has taken the stage yet to sing. I'm disappointed. I think Jeff is a little ticked off too that he 's been banned from singing his favorite N'Sync song.

Jen Dalton has more courage than any playwright in Cincinnati. Putting part of her life on stage with the subject of mental illness is something few would do as openly.

I can't express in words the level of emotion put into this play. The "voices" made you feel like you know how being schizophrenic feels, but not really. I can't imagine anyone can know what it is like to have voices in your head, unless you have voices in your head.

Below is my tentative list of shows to see at this year's Fringe. It is a long list. I don't know if my ass can take sitting in uncomfortable chair that many times, so I seriously doubt I will make all of them. After the reviews start to come in, I'll be switching things in and out. Not everything is going to be good, so with time an issue, I have to trim the fat at some point.

Via the Cincy Fringe website we learn that Mr. Pitiful's is no longer a venue for the Festival and the performances of the two shows scheduled there, Contains Adult Themes & Think Fast, Go Slow, have been moved to the 1201 Jackson Street Theatre. What is that space? I think I know the building, but not sure about the space. Check out the location on Google Maps.

The Fringe Staff Blog is up and fringing

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival still has many open shifts and can really use your help. The more you volunteer, the more free tickets you can earn. It starts this Wednesday and runs through June 9th. For full details and a link to the sign up page, hit the CincyFringe Get Involved page.

The Enquirer binged on Fringe today with a big preview story. Enquirer Theatre critic Jackie Demaline also listed her three "not to miss" shows at this year's Fringe. She picked "iLove", "The Kid in the Dark", and "True + False."

Beginning at 11 p.m. every night of the Festival, the Fringe Bar Series gathers artists, producers, volunteers and audiences at The Underground to toast (or roast) all things Fringe. Join us even if you didn't make it out to shows that night.

Admission: FREE with your Official 2007 Fringe Button ($2 each at any venue)

Fringe Karaoke Wednesday, May 30
Come to hear the best and worst imitations of your favorite Fringe artists, or be a star yourself.

Pike Thursday, May 31

The old faces from Cincy Fringe festivals of the past came out for a what ended up being one of the biggest Cincinnati Fringe related events ever. Over the course of the whole day, 500 people came through the doors. What felt odd yet good at the same time were the many new faces. The art and theatre crowds were out in good numbers, but the bigger influx of people came for music and the OTR Pale from Christian Moerlein.

Just b/c a theatre permits you to bring beverages into the seating area, that doesn’t mean the production onstage should take a backseat to your drinking.

If you are going to drink during the show, please use the following guidelines:

The Enquirer has a very positive review of the New Stage Collective's production of Albee's The Goat. I've personally yet to see the play, but I did crash the after party last night and the players and theatre backers are very excited. They are of course very pleased and relieved to have the space opened. A lot of hard work went into transforming the space and it really looks great.

After Ashley at Know Theatre of Cincinnati tonight. Also, Final Friday if you want to make a night of it.