Living on the Fringe

Being an average middle class, culturally enriched, baby boomer (formerly a euphemism for middle aged but now just a way to say older) white male, I like theater as much as the next guy of similar background and demographic. When I was a kid, my parents took me to see Hello Dolly on Broadway (sans Pearl Bailey—she was sick) and I even got to see a Noël Coward play which, by the way, was terrible. My mom said it was his only flop. I know, who the hell is Noël Coward? (First rate example as to why Google was invented). And finally, at Centennial Hall, I saw Jersey Boys the summer, which anyone can tell you was great (whether they’ve seen it or not).

So, I was excited when my editor gave me the assignment of doing a theater piece — Tucson’s fourth annual Fringe Festival. Say what? Oh, you know, the local version of a semi obscure international theater phenomenon that produces various performance and performance art pieces where anyone can do virtually anything, provided they get their application in on time and pay the nominal application fee.

“Burlesque Vanguard–Advice from a Homeless Stripper/Clown” by Paco Fish.
Photo by Stereovision Photography

Seriously, it’s that easy. No complex juried application processes to sweat through where you have to hope someone will really get your vision and inspiration, or understand your bizarre sense of humor or unique take on the world. Instead artists have the freedom to be as creative as their imagination and resources will take them. In a world of reality TV where we are constantly judging or being judged, it’s both freeing and refreshing to have an institutional platform that will support the creative spirit in this way.

How creative and how freeing? Hah! Well, non-juried also means uncensored which also means anything goes. And before your mind goes to that place that equates uncensored with some kind of inappropriate video montage, allow yourself to consider the following brief synopses of performance pieces which are being offered up in this year’s Tucson Fringe Theater Festival.

“In a cinematic collage weaving storytelling, painting, music, and dance, Jeanmarie Simpson reflects upon the death of her father in this one-woman show.” Multi-dimensional, heartfelt – nice; and then this, courtesy Maryann Green: “Four old college friends reunite for a wedding. Over drinks they discover that what they think they want may not in fact be what they need. Irrevocable choices are made and bombs are dropped. Turns out The Rolling Stones were right.” An ensemble performance and good use of the Stones as a cultural metaphor. And then my favorite blurb…”Crazy Standup By a Grownup, by Hillary Pursehouse. 10 minutes of hand written strange realities of life in Southern Arizona.” Best part about this, perhaps, is that it’s short and it’s free (unlike all the other Fringe performances, which require a mere $5 cover).

Other offerings will include a performance of Slideshow Fairytales where returning Fringe performer Catfish Baruni adapts The Facts in the Case of the Great Beef Contract by Mark Twain. It has something to do with Civil War General William T. Sherman, 30 barrels of delivered beef and a bill that still has yet to be paid.

Catfish Baruni presents “Slideshow Fairytales” adapting Mark Twain’s “The Facts in the Case of the Great Beef Contract” at this year’s festival.
Image courtesy Tucson Fringe Theater Festival

Another performance is an experiential and partially improvised one act play by Hilary Bluestein-Lyons about a boy with severe ADHD who uses computer games to cope; then there’s comedy from the four members of the Christopher Walken Club who will take impersonating Walken to a whole different level. There’s even a show by the venerable performance artist/musician Fish Karma sub-titled, “A musical celebration of the end of human civilization.” And there is more, nine pieces in all, none of which will be like anything anyone has ever seen before.

For the record, Fringe is not a fly by night anomaly but a festival and concept with roots overseas that date back to the mid-1940s. Co-organizer Sara Tiffany says she and Yasmine Jahanmir, her friend and co-producer of Fringe, are excited to think that the festival can be a part of the ever evolving face of Downtown. “Art history and performance art give us an opportunity to take something we are passionate about and connect that with the community.”

All performances are limited to 60 minutes (or less) with discounts available for viewing of multiple shows. If you like performance art and theater you will undoubtedly find something here that will tweak your fancy. But just so you know, Jersey Boys this ain’t.

The Tucson Fringe Theater Festival is Friday, Sept. 12–Sunday, Sept. 14 with multiple performances at various times at Club Congress (311 E. Congress St.) and Fluxx Studio (414 E. 9th St.). For a complete schedule visit the festival website at TucsonFringe.org.

The Christopher Walken Club presents “Walken in his Shoes” at the Fringe Fest. From left to right: Brandon Howell, Michael Howell, Stephanie Howell, Ruben Rosthenhauler, Luke Howell.
photo courtesy Tucson Fringe Theater Festival

Category: Arts, DOWNTOWN / UNIVERSITY / 4TH AVE, Entertainment