Episode #147-Indie Theater Now: FringeNYC Edition #3
This is the third in our three-part series giving you a snippet and synopsis from selected shows at this year’s New York International Fringe Festival. Hosted by the delicious Trav S.D., it features scenes, interviews, and even songs from eight unique shows.
Having heard many of the nytheatrecasts, I was equally excited to observe the process first hand as a member of the studio audience. I’m Sarah Congress and was invited to observe the cast. The room was full of diverse and talented artists from all walks of theatre life. From Japanese puppets, to evocative poems, it was certainly an eventful evening!
Sara Asselin and Nat Cassidy performed an entertaining excerpt from The Rise and Fall of Miles and Milo, followed by an interview with Sara (the playwright as well as performer) and director Melissa Firlit.
Mark Weiser sings the villian’s song from Kiss and Makeup, accompanied by musical director, Justin Hatchimonji — a musical comedy farce with book by Kevin Hammonds and composed by Weiser. After the musical number, an interview with Weiser.
A soundtrack from Japanese puppet show Monkey Moo plays, while Monkey
Moo herself (Yoko Myoi) tells us the basic story of her show. Myoi and director Kanako Hiyama describe Kuruma Ningyo, the puppetry used in their production, in an enticing interview.
Playwright Jarrod Jabre in a Q&A interview gives us the details on The Life and Times of Martin Luther (Reformed).
A sensual Anne Sexton poem is read by Hannah Wolfe, star of Her Kind: The Life and Poetry of Anne Sexton. A Q&A with Hannah and assistant producer Bricken Sparacino follows.
Playwright Mac Rogers sparks audience interest in Hail, Satan during a Q&A.
Excerpt from the one-man-show Rise Like a Penis from the Flame, written and performed by FringeNYC alumnus Antonio Sacre, as well as a brief interview.
Writer and performer Paul Rajeckas performs an excerpt from his show Notes to the Motherland.
It was truly an exceptional evening at the nytheatre.com headquarters, and I wish best of luck to all the shows.
Episode Links:
- FringeNYC website (go here to read about shows and buy tickets)
- FringeNYC Previews on nytheatre.com (info about more than 140 shows in the festival)
- Interactive FringeNYC venue map
- Rise Like a Penis From the Flames website
- Notes to the Motherland website
- The Life & Times of Martin Luther website
- The Rise & Fall of Miles and Milo website
- The Monkey Moo website
- Hail Satan website
- Her Kind website
- Kiss & Make-up website
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