TRULY DIVINE
2018
GUIDE
+ FESTIVAL INFO + HEADLINERS + CRITICS’ PICKS
SEVENTH ANNUAL KEYBANK ROCHESTER
Fringe Festival WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 [ INTRODUCTION ] BY REBECCA RAFFERTY
No seven year itch here: Fringe, Rochester just can’t quit you. The seventh annual Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off Wednesday, September 12, and this year has expanded to a whopping 11 day stretch of more than 500 shows taking place in and around downtown Rochester. The performing arts-focused fest spans all genres and boasts shows for every taste and events that are appropriate for every age. Dig into this handy guide to preview this year’s Fringe-curated Headliners (page 6), learn more about British mass-karaoke sensation Massaoke (interview on page 8), and get a taste of a variety of shows our critics are excited to check out (starting on page 10). CITY Newspaper will offer extensive coverage of the 2018 Rochester Fringe Festival. Look out of daily blogs during the fun of the festival, with photos and reviews, at rochestercitynewspaper.com. And let us know how your Fringe is going on social media with the hashtag #fringeCITY. For a full schedule of the festival, a list of venues, maps, and other info, see the official Fringe Festival Guide, or visit rochesterfringe.com.
TAKE YOUR SHOW ON THE ROAD Rochester Fringe offers workshops for performers, Fringe enthusiasts [ WORKSHOPS ] BY KATHY LALUK
Fringe festivals around the world have become a new way for artists of all sorts to introduce audiences to their work, without restrictions of more conventional festivals that brand themselves in only one category. But getting your foot in the door can be tricky and confusing for some. For the second year in a row, Rochester Fringe has added to its events lineup two workshops that aim to help artists navigate applying to participate in Fringe festivals here and abroad. Xela Batchelder, aka “Dr. Fringe,” will lead the master classes. Batchelder has a PhD in theater from Ohio State University, where she focused her studies specifically on Fringe Festivals, including ‘the big one’: Edinburgh Fringe. “Fringe has really become my life,” Batchelder says. And she isn’t kidding — she’s also the executive director of Pittsburgh 2 CITY NEWSPAPER 2018 FRINGE FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Fringe and of Fringe University, LLC, an organization aimed at educating artists about fringe and how to approach it. That’s at the core of these two workshops. “I want performers to be able to come in and ask questions and figure out how they can utilize Fringes to get the most out of their shows,” she says. “The biggest thing I tell people is they have to know what they want to get out of it. What’s the goal? Some people want to get those ‘out of town’ reviews and workshop their shows in front of a certain audience. Some performers are looking to get an agent or something like that. Others want to network with other venues. What I try to do is help them pinpoint where they’ll be most successful about accomplishing those goals.” Batchelder says with Fringe expanding in the US, the options are limitless. “I think as peoples’ viewing habits change, so has the way we enjoy theater and art,” she says. “Fringe is kind of like the Netflix of art. It’s a way to binge-watch some really great stuff.”
PUBLISHERS: William and Mary Anna Towler EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: (themail@rochester-citynews.com) Editors: Rebecca Rafferty Contributing Writers: Kathy Laluk, Adam Lubitow, Amanda Lynn, Daniel J. Kushner, David Raymond, Leah Stacy, James Brown ART DEPARTMENT: (artdept@rochester-citynews.com) Art Director / Production Manager: Ryan Williamson Designers: Renee Heininger, Jacob Walsh ADVERTISING: (ads@rochester-citynews.com) New Sales Development: Betsy Matthews Sales: Bill Towler, David White OPERATIONS/CIRCULATION (info@rochester-citynews.com) Business Manager: Angela Scardinale Circulation Manager: Katherine Stathis FRINGE FESTIVAL GUIDE is published by WMT Publications, Inc. Copyright by WMT Publications Inc., 2018 - all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without permission of the copyright owner.
FRINGE FESTIVAL GUIDE IS PRODUCED BY CITY NEWSPAPER rochestercitynewspaper.com facebook.com/citynewspaper @roccitynews CITY NEWSPAPER 250 N. Goodman Street Rochester, NY 14607 585-244-3329
And while the options are limitless, she says doing research and connecting with the right people is key. Though Batchelder says she doesn’t expect local performers to jump immediately into the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (the “Granddaddy of Fringe,” as she puts it), she hopes to offer as much wisdom as she can to artists, venue managers, and festival organizers — the breadcrumbs they need to get there. “It can be a little intimidating, but with the right attitude and a little help, we can make Fringes everywhere truly amazing.” The “Beyond Rochester: Which Fringe Is Next?” workshop will be held on Saturday, September 22, at 10 a.m., and the “Ready for the Big One? Edinburgh Fringe” workshop will be held on Saturday, September 22, at noon. Both are 18+ and will be held at Writers & Books. Both are free, but advanced registration is required. Visit rochesterfringe.com to RSVP.
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FESTIVAL INFO The seventh annual KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival will host more than 500 performances in and around downtown Rochester. The Fringe’s official website is rochesterfringe.com, where you can find a full schedule of events, purchase tickets, and get the latest information. The Fringe also has a handy app available on Google Play and Apple App Stores.
Venues ONE FRINGE PLACE The dazzling hub of the Fringe, One Fringe Place (corner of East Main and Gibbs Streets) houses the Spiegeltent and Spiegelgarden, the Fringe box office and information booth, ATMs, food trucks, and several shows throughout the event. The Spiegelgarden will host the site-specific shows “Bushwhacked Backyard,” “Dashboard Dramas V,” and “Complimentary Heckling,” as well as the Ask Us Anything Booth, the Immersive Igloo, and the Pedestrian Drive-In. Across the street is Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, where comedian Eddie Izzard will perform Friday, September 21, at 7 p.m. Tickets are already sold out. Next door, the Gospel Sunday program will take place in Kilbourn Hall (26 Gibbs Street) on Sunday, September 16, 2 p.m. Free and appropriate for all ages.
OPEN DAILY TIL 2AM
OUTDOOR VENUES Parcel 5 (next to One East Avenue) is the location for the first weekend of Friday and Saturday on the Fringe, a free program featuring performances by Massaoke and a lot of local bands. Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
/ FOOD
The second weekend of Friday and Saturday on the Fringe, Gibbs Street (between East Avenue and East Main Street) will be filled with free music — including The Uptown Groove, acapella groups The Yellow Jackets, Vocal Point, and Proof of Purchase; Girl Named Genny, Gold Koa, and Roses & Revolutions — site-specific performances, public art, food, and an outdoor bar. Friday, September 21, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, September 22, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
4 CITY NEWSPAPER 2018 FRINGE FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Part of that second weekend, the Fringe Street Beat dance competition is back — and with a cash prize of $1,500 for the team with the best moves. Saturday, September 22. Preliminary rounds start at noon; and finals run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free to watch and appropriate for all ages. If you want to compete, registration is now open at rochesterfringe.com and costs $5 per team.
NEIGHBORHOOD VENUES Some locations host several venues, so be sure to check show information for specifics The Avyarium 274 North Goodman Street Blackfriars Theatre 795 East Main Street Central Library 115 South Avenue Eastman School of Music 26 Gibbs Street Garth Fagan Dance Studio 50 Chestnut St. Geva Theatre Center 75 Woodbury Blvd. Java’s Café 16 Gibbs Street The Little Theatre 240 East Avenue Lyric Theatre 440 East Avenue MuCCC 142 Atlantic Avenue School of the Arts 45 Prince Street Writers & Books 740 University Avenue
Tickets
Fringe shows are separately ticketed and prices vary from program to program. All tickets can be purchased online at rochesterfringe.com; by phone at 957-9837; in person at all Fringe venues starting one hour prior to the performance; and in person at the Fringe Box Office in One Fringe Place. Many performances will fill up quick, so it’s recommended you buy tickets in advance. There are also around 150 free shows at this year’s Fringe, including Friday and Saturday on the Fringe at Parcel 5, and performances on Gibbs Street during the second weekend. To explore the free performances, go to rochesterfringe.com, click “Find a show,” and look for the “Only free shows” filter option.
Parking
Convenient parking for the East End venues can be found in the East End parking garage at the corner of Scio Street and East Avenue. Additional parking can be found in the Washington Square Garage (111 Woodbury Boulevard), Court Street Garage (194 Court Street), Sister Cities Garage (28 North Fitzhugh Street), and One HSBC Plaza (100 Chestnut Street). Daily parking at each of these locations costs $7 per car. Also be on the lookout for street parking or spots in surface lots throughout the neighborhood. The Fringe is a pedestrian and bikefriendly event. There will be plenty of bike parking at One Fringe Place.
Do Fringe with CITY
For all of CITY’s Fringe information, check out rochestercitynewspaper.com to get the online version of this guide plus our daily Fringe Blog. Each day, CITY’s critics will offer up reviews and photos of the previous night’s performances, and you can post your own thoughts in the comments section. New blogs will be up by 7 a.m. each morning of the festival. We’ll also post updates on our Facebook page (facebook.com/CITYNewspaper), on Twitter (@roccitynews), and on Instagram (@roccitynews). CITY will again host Trivia CITY during Fringe on Wednesday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Spiegelgarden. The trivia night will focus on arts and culture (with rounds specifically about Rochester and the Fringe), and is free. Appropriate for ages 18 and older. There is no sign-up, but teams cannot be larger than six people. To let us know how your Fringe is going, use the hashtag #fringeCITY on social media.
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HEADLINERS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ON THE FRINGE
EDDIE IZZARD Hopefully you didn’t sleep on getting tickets, because London comedian Eddie Izzard’s performance is sold out. Izzard has performed standup comedy around the world, is known as an actor on stage and screen, and is involved in both politics and charity. And, of course, he normalized identifying as a (self-described) “straight transvestite” in performances such as “Definite Article” (1995) and “Dressed to Kill” (1998). His current touring performance, “Believe Me,” brings together all these elements of Izzard’s life in what is sure to be a side-splitting and memorable performance. Eddie Izzard performs his show “Believe Me,” in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on Friday, September 21, at 7 p.m. Tickets originally ranged in price from $27 to $79, but have sold out. The show is ages 18 and over. Learn more about Eddie Izzard at eddieizzard.com
The already established pubic performing arts center, Parcel 5, comes alive once again with Friday and Saturday on the Fringe. Celebrate downtown, performance, art, food, and everything great about Fringe and Rochester with four evenings of free entertainment. Live music is scheduled for both weekends. The first weekend of Friday and Saturday on the Fringe takes place at Parcel 5, located at 285 East Main Street, on Friday, September 14, and Saturday, September 15, from 5 to 11 p.m. The events are free, open to the public, and family-friendly. Friday, September 14, features Crooked North (5 p.m.), La Muralla (6 p.m.), and Vanishing Sun (7 p.m.). Saturday, September 15, starts with Chris Eves and the New Normal (5 p.m.), EightFingers (6 p.m.), and Cold Fronts (7 p.m.). Both Friday and Saturday evenings finish with Massaoke, the British large-scale karaoke singalong headed by a live band, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (See our interview with Massaoke on page 8 for more details). The second Friday and Saturday on the Fringe moves to the corner of Main and Gibbs Streets, and brings music to the main stage as well as the streets. Friday features The Uptown Groove (5 p.m.), The Yellow Jackets, Vocal Point, and Proof of Purchase (6 p.m.), Girl Named Genny (7 p.m.), Gold Koa (8:10 p.m.) and Roses & Revolutions (9:30 p.m.). Fringe Street Beat, a competition of hip hop and all street dance styles, returns this year on Saturday, September 22, with preliminaries at noon and finals at 3 p.m.
6 CITY NEWSPAPER 2018 FRINGE FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Saturday is also Family Day, and will feature Chalk Art, a Pedestrian Drive-In for kids, and pumpkin-carving, as well as ticketed events like Disco Kids (from $6), and a Cirque du Fringe matinee (from $30). Free musical performances include Embers (5 p.m.), Seth Faergolzia’s Multibird (6 p.m.), Rebecca and the Soul Shakers (7 p.m.), The Saplings (8:10 p.m.) and 1916 (9:30 p.m.) The second weekend of Friday and Saturday on the Fringe happens on Gibbs Street between Main Street and East Avenue on Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22. Be sure to arrive early for seating or standing room. The outdoor performances are all free and open to the public.
THE CRISTAL PALACE SPIEGELTENT The corner of Gibbs and Main Streets is renamed One Fringe Place for the duration of Fringe, and will once again be home to
[ BY AMANDA LYNN ]
the popular The Cristal Palace Spiegeltent. The tent of mirrors and glass transforms this corner of downtown with a colorful, eclectic space filled with equally wondrous events performances. Disco Kids, a pop music-fueled dance party for Rochester’s youngest generation, takes place on Saturday, September 15, at 12:30 p.m.; and Saturday, September 22, at 11 a.m. Tickets are $6. And yes, the Spiegeltent bar will have mimosas and coffee for accompanying adults to purchase. The adult dance party, Silent Disco, sells out every year, so get your tickets early (starting at $12). Put on some headphones and dance away to the music of your choice, while the rest of the attendees do the same. The 18-andover party happens on Fridays and Saturdays, September 14, 15, 21, and 22, at 11 p.m. Fringe Afternoon Tea is a less raucous, but also quick to sell out, Spiegeltent event. Visitors can enjoy a cuppa in proper china with scones and sandwiches. Sunday, September 16, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., for participants ages 13 and up. Tickets are $39. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Fringe performers themselves are the subject of “Other People’s Shows,” an improvisational comedy performance from Unleashed! Improv. In this show, performers interpret what other Fringe events are like based only on their titles and descriptions. For ages 18 and up. Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15, at 9:15 p.m. Tickets start at $21. Booze and swords go together, right? They do in “Shotspeare,” an 80-minute adaptation
a changing variety of food trucks will be available for purchase. The Speigelgarden is located at One Fringe Place, at the corner of Gibbs and Main Streets, and will be open Wednesday, September 12, and Thursday, September 13, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, September 14, 5 to 11p.m.; Saturday, September 15, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, September 16, noon to 10 p.m.; Monday, September 17 through Thursday, September 20, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, September 21, 5 to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, September 22, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The lounge and games in the Speigelgarden are free. Visit rochesterfringe.com for the daily lineup.
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CIRQUE DU FRINGE: SIDESHOW The popular Cirque du Fringe returns with a new performance, “Sideshow,” which will happen daily throughout Fringe in the Cristal Palace Spiegeltent. Inspired by the American circus, Sideshow mixes carnival midway nostalgia with modern humor and performances. “Cirque du Fringe: Sideshow” will perform in the Cristal Palace Spiegeltent on Wednesday, September 12, and Thursday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, September 14, through Saturday, September 22, with daily performances at 7 p.m., and matinee performances on Saturday, September 15 (2:30 p.m.), and Saturday, September 22 (1 p.m.). Tickets start at $30. Evening shows are appropriate for ages 13 and up. Matinee performances are appropriate for ages 5 and up.
GOSPEL SUNDAY Some of the best Rochester gospel music artists will be hosted again this year in Kilbourn Hall by Reverend Rickey Harvey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Zion Hill Mass Choir will perform under the direction of Paul Boutté, along with others who will lift their voices and your soul with song. Returning for its sixth year, this free performance is usually standing room only, so arrive early. Gospel Sunday will happen at Eastman School of Music’s Kilbourn Hall on Sunday, September 16, at 2 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before the performance begins.
PSST. Unlike Godot, we won't keep you waiting. Always fresh theater content.
ARTAWAKE
SPIEGELGARDEN Head over to Fringe’s backyard party at the Speigelgarden and relax with food, drink, art, performances, and movies during open hours. The Bushwhacked and Dashboard Dramas series have sold out, but there are still opportunities to enjoy some art in the garden. The Pedestrian Drive-In will feature popular movies on a big screen and headphones for all visitors. Adult beverages and food from
The former Changing Scene Restaurant on the top floor of the First Federal Plaza is something of a Rochester legend. This year Fringe makes use of the venue with an all-day event hosted at the space by ArtAwake, the annual student-run art and music festival. Hundreds of artworks will be on display, with live musical entertainment throughout the event. The venue is family-friendly and free, and will feature a sunset cocktail party for 21 and over guests. Enjoy a sweeping view of Rochester while taking in local talent. ArtAwake will take place from noon to midnight on Saturday, September 22, in the First Federal Plaza building. The event is free and open to the public.
/ T H E AT E R rochestercitynewspaper.com
CITY 7
Rock 'n' roll SINGALONG
[ INTERVIEW ] BY DANIEL J. KUSHNER
MASSAOKE Friday, September 14, and Saturday, September 15, at 8:30 p.m. Parcel 5, 285 East Main Street Free | rochesterfringe.com; massaoke.com Massaoke is kind of like that cover band you always wish you had started. And with the London musicians performing in America for the first time ever on back-toback nights at Parcel 5 as part of this year’s Rochester Fringe Festival, you don’t have to miss out. The premise is simple: Massaoke provides the electrifying live music, and the amped-up crowd takes the lead vocals, singalong-style with the lyrics projected on a screen for all to see. The band — consisting of Mark Nilsson on keyboards, drummer Mat Morrisroe,
guitarist Neil Winspear, Rye Eden on bass, and Ethan McClean serving as VJ — has recently released a Massaoke app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store that allows concertgoers to request certain songs in advance of the concerts. App users can make their requests in the main feed and use #rocfringe18. A Massaoke concert combines the unpredictable, boozy energy of a karaoke club with the communal catharsis of an arena rock show. And with no pressure on any one person to take the mic, it quickly becomes all about the music. The Beatles. Madonna. Queen. Britney Spears. Nirvana. Sia. The Killers. If it’s a karaoke favorite, it’s fair game for this stylistically versatile band. CITY reached across the Atlantic to talk to Nilsson and
8 CITY NEWSPAPER 2018 FRINGE FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Morrisroe about what sets them apart from regular karaoke, the band’s distinct connection with audiences, and the proper level of intoxication for Massaoke concertgoers. An edited version of the interview follows. CITY: How did the idea for Massaoke come about? Mark Nilsson: It was initially just an idea to do a singalong band show with printed song sheets. So initially, it was gigs in pub basements with printed sheets for each song, just on a very small scale. Mat Morrisroe: We started out in 2011 in a little pub basement in London. It was actually on the day of the royal wedding. And we just started out, it was 60 friends in this tiny little basement in a pub, with the band playing
some of the big anthems, and people literally with song sheets having a great old time. And yeah, it’s grown to where we are now from that point. Is the band at all a critique of karaoke, an attempt to improve on the form, or is it just a celebration? Morrisroe: It is a celebration. It’s kind of a very old-fashioned idea really, isn’t it? Of people just getting together in a social environment and singing songs. What they used to do is they’d get around a piano, maybe in a bar, and they’d whack out a few anthems. And we just do a contemporary version of that. However, I think as someone who does karaoke myself quite a lot, what I do quite like — the difference between what we do and
normal karaoke is that with Massaoke, it’s everyone singing together. So some people are quite nervous to sing and stand up in front of people. They don’t really get that many chances to stand and be part of that sort of thing. So with Massaoke, everyone can sing together. It doesn’t matter if you can sing or not because no one can really hear you in the crowds. It doesn’t matter if you’re trained or not. It doesn’t really matter if you know the words or not, to be honest, because we’re showing them to you. It’s just a really nice, informal way for people to sing. It’s not really a critique of karaoke, but it is a different take on it, yeah, definitely. Karaoke is typically about individual performance and the showmanship of it. But because you don’t have a lead vocalist per se, does it take the ego out of it for you onstage? Nilsson: I think the spotlight’s still quite on us. We really do like to put a show as much as we can. We wear spandex and sequins, and ham it up as much as possible. But it’s done in a very fun way. It’s definitely done with a kind of a wink and a nod. And it’s really done to enhance the enjoyment of the people singing. So whilst we’re mincing around and showing off like nobody’s business, it’s kind of done without that sense of, “Hey look at me, I’m wonderful,” and more with a sense of, “Let’s have fun together and enjoy this awesome guitar solo while I play it behind the back of my head.” Do you find that the camaraderie between you and the audience is different from just another rock show? Morrisroe: Absolutely, yes. We’ve all been in various different bands previously in our careers. And I know from my experience as
a drummer in various rock and indie bands, it’s a much more enjoyable experience. There is a much stronger connection between us and the audience than there would be, maybe if you’re there being quite serious about very serious songs that you take very seriously. People are much more alive and they’re much more open. And so yeah, it’s a huge, different experience for us. Definitely my favorite shows I’ve ever played have all been Massaoke shows. Nilsson: We rely very heavily on the crowds, ‘cause it doesn’t work without them, whereas a normal gig you could put on with anyone there. Morrisroe: If it’s a great, great show, that’s not just because of us, basically. It’s because the audience have been up for it, and they’ve really gone for it, and they’ve had a great time. So it’s not a passive thing, basically, like a lot of shows can be. We are making a show together. Is it possible for a Massaoke audience to be too boozy? Is there an ideal level for being buzzed at one of your shows? Nilsson: Funnily enough, we’re up in Edinburgh at the moment for Edinburgh Fringe, and we’ve booked two weekends so far. And the Friday night crowds have been just about the right amount of drunk, and the Saturday night crowds have been just slightly too drunk. Presumably they’ve been going at it since lunchtime, whereas Friday they’ve only started at 6 p.m. Yeah, so I’d say, you know, two or three, or four. Morrisroe: Merry. It’s more the energy actually. Once someone gets too drunk, their energy level goes a bit too low. Nilsson: And their ability to read the words on the screen as well.
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CRITICS' PICKS ADAM LUBITOW
“Totally Rad! An 80’s Pop Adventure”
If you could say just one fact about me, it’s that I’m always down for pop adventure. And an 80’s pop adventure? Even better! So naturally I’m pumped for this solo cabaret show created by Alma Haddock. The Nazareth College theater major performed “I Don’t Have to Be Funny All The Time” at last year’s Fringe, and this new act finds Haddock exploring some of her favorite 80’s pop and hard-rock music. Awesome to the max! (Saturday, September 15, 4 p.m. School of the Arts: Ensemble Theatre. $10. Appropriate for ages 13 and older.) “A Jazz Musician Walks into a Comics Shop”
This live multimedia experience is inspired by “Instrumental,” a graphic novel fable and accompanying soundtrack about a musician who’s gifted an old trumpet by a mysterious stranger, only to discover that great and often terrible things happen whenever he starts to play it. The story and music sprung from the mind of trumpeter and Eastman Music alumnus Dave Chisholm, who acts as author, illustrator, composer, and performer. (Wednesday, September 19, 6 p.m. Lyric Theatre: Main Stage. $10. Appropriate for ages 13 and older.) “One Frogless Evening: A Tribute to the Amphibian Artiste Michigan J. Frog”
I mean, who doesn’t have love in their heart for Michigan J. Frog, the beloved cane-andtop-hat-sporting amphibian star of several
Merrie Melodies cartoons and one-time mascot of The WB Television Network (up until his untimely death in 2005)? If you ask me, it’s high time someone gave that dapper frog the recognition he deserves. I don’t entirely know what to expect from this musical revue performed by RIT’s Flower City Lilly Pads, but I am intrigued. Sing it with me: “Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gal…” (Saturday, September 22, 5:30 p.m. The Little: Theatre 5. Free. All ages.)
AMANDA LYNN
“Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play”
After an Off-Broadway run and an international tour of Fringe festivals, “Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play” will be stopping at Rochester Fringe this year. Josephine Baker was the first African American international super-star, and Tymisha Harris will present Baker’s story through theatre, song, and burlesque in a one-woman performance. Baker led an extraordinary life: She was a spy in the French resistance, had multiple marriages (including interracial ones in a time when that was still taboo), and performed in men’s clothing before “drag” was coined as a term. (Thursday, September 13, 9 p.m.; Friday, September 14, 9 p.m.; Friday, September 21, 9 p.m.; and Saturday, September 22, 9 p.m. School of the Arts: Allen Main Stage Theatre. $18. Appropriate for ages 18 and older.)
10 CITY NEWSPAPER 2018 FRINGE FESTIVAL PREVIEW
“An Equal Right to Act: Remembering the Rochester Woman’s Rights Convention of 1848”
Center: Fielding Stage. $15. Appropriate for ages 18 and older.)
So many Rochestarians are familiar with Frederick Douglass (have you read one of his autobiographies lately? Because you should). “An Equal Right to Act: Remembering the Rochester Woman’s Rights Convention of 1848” spotlights one particular, important event in his life: the Rochester Woman’s Rights Convention of 1848. Presented by FirstLight Players, the production brings together an ensemble cast of 18 to recreate the convention at First Unitarian Church of Rochester, where Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Frederick Douglass met with others to work on the advancement of women’s rights. Written from archival transcripts and complete with period music and dress, the audience will be transported back in time while listening to words that still ring true today. (Saturday, September 15, 3 p.m.
“On The Way To Oz — a documentary film and discussion on diversity in the arts”
Lyric Theatre: Cabaret Hall. $5. Appropriate for ages 5 and older.)
The RIT/NTID community (deaf, hardof-hearing, and hearing students, faculty, and staff) has been an important part of the Rochester community for more than 50 years. The unique college experience offers students a variety of experiences, including participating in this year’s Fringe with “On The Way To Oz — a documentary film and discussion on diversity in the arts.” The film, by RIT grad Mark Knox, will take viewers behind the scenes of the creation of a theatrical production, and the event will also offer an opportunity for discussion with the cast. The original production was conceived, directed, and choreographed by 20-year RIT/ NTID Director of Dance Thomas Warfield. (Sunday, September 16, 3 p.m. The Little: Theatre 5. Free. Appropriate for ages 5 and older.) “Carrie: The Musical”
“BirthWrite”
We All Write is a dynamic community of powerful black women writers who mutually support eachothers’ craft. Reenah Golden, Tokeya C. Graham, Selena Cochran, Lu Highsmith, and Kristen Gentry form the literary powerhouse that will bring their spoken word performance “BirthWrite” to the Fringe stage. The writers, performers, educators, and artivists will offer insight about their lives to the audience using nuanced creative verse. (Saturday, September 15, 4 p.m.; and Sunday, September 16, 11 a.m. Geva Theatre
As a horror movie, the 1976 “Carrie” is a classic; as a 1988 musical, it became one of Broadway’s legendary bombs. But after its five initial performances, “Carrie: The Musical” had a surprising number of fans and an equally surprising afterlife. A revision was presented Off-Broadway in 2012, was recorded, and has been performed all over the world. Now it comes to the Fringe Festival, and no musical theater fan in Rochester will
DAVID RAYMOND
want to miss it. (Wednesday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 15, and Sunday, September 16, 9 p.m. Lyric Theatre Cabaret Hall. $6-$12. Appropriate for ages 12 and older.)
University for “The Spyglass Seven,” and the show had its off-Broadway debut last Halloween at Theatre 80 in New York City. The play includes writings of Poe and his contemporaries to enhance the narrative, and runs for 60 minutes. (Wednesday, September 19,
“The Violet Hour”
5 p.m.; Saturday, September 22, 1 p.m. School of the Arts: Black Box Theatre. $10. All ages.)
The great American soprano Leontyne Price retired in 1985, but she is still going strong at the age of 91 (you may have seen her earlier this year, reminiscing in the documentary “The Opera House”). Joelle Lamarre portrays this diva of divas, recounting her career from its beginning to her culminating Met performance in one of her signature roles, “Aida,” with the help of projections and audio — lots of audio, I hope. (Friday, September 14, 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre Main Stage. $20. All ages.) SUNY Geneseo String Quartet
In the wildly multidisciplinary world of Fringe festivals, the idea of presenting a straight-ahead, nothing-but-music concert by a string quartet seems almost revolutionary. This group of faculty members and students from SUNY Geneseo will do just that, with music by Dvoràk, Tchaikovsky, and Mendelssohn. It’s one of several Fringe performances by different SUNY Geneseo musicians. (Saturday, September 22, 11 a.m. Lyric Theatre Cabaret Hall. Free. All ages.) “Love and Information”
Theater Apparatus returns to Fringe for the third consecutive year with “Love and Information” by Caryl Churchill, which presents more than 40 short playswithin-a-play focused on secrets, data, and relationships. Headed by St. John Fisher College communications professor Jeremy Sarachan, Theater Apparatus says it seeks to “look at ideology in the eye” and focuses on productions relevant to today’s society — 2017’s production, “Home of the Brave: Stories of Life In the Trump Era,” featured eight short plays by Rochester natives, for Rochester natives about life post-election. Six actors will perform “Love and Information” in 60 minutes. (Thursday, September 13, 6 p.m.;
LEAH STACY
Friday, September 21, 5 p.m. School of the Arts: Black Box Theatre. $10. Appropriate for ages 13 and older.) “The Spyglass Seven”
In this ethereal play by Michael Seebold, the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe is brought back to earth for one night to seek his soul mate. First-time playwright Seebold won the 2012 Arts NC State Creative Artist Award for Playwriting at North Carolina State
JAMES BROWN
“Art Lobotomy: Peering Into The Creative Psyche”
TripVictory’s “Art Lobotomy: Peering Into The Creative Psyche” is a cocktail of music and comedy courtesy of Pittsburghbased musician Liss Victory (host of ThatBroadCast) and comedian Liz Tripoli. The touring duo perform their multi-dimentional, multimedia live shows in clubs and living rooms (literally). Art Lobotomy is fueled by Q&A and an interactive audience. If you’re going, don’t be shy. Liss & Liz won’t be. (Wednesday, September 12, and Thursday September 13, 9 p.m.; Saturday, September 15, 8 p.m., Writers & Books. $10. Appropriate for ages 18 and older.)
School of the Arts: Club SOTA. $10. Appropriate for ages 18 and older.) Eastman Percussion Ensemble: “Steve Reich’s Drumming”
Few living composers have done more for rhythmic innovation than Steve Reich. The 81-year old musician has influenced entire generations of composers with his intricate, interwoven textures, and the overlapping of rhythmic motives known as “phasing.” With deceptively complex approaches to seemingly repetitive music, Reich — along with fellow composer Philip Glass — became a quintessential creator of what we now call Minimalism. Reich’s works are not mere compositions, but singular and hypnotic events. Here, the Eastman Percussion Ensemble, led by Reich collaborator Russell Hartenberger, will perform an hour-long rendition of the composer’s seminal 1971 work “Drumming,” scored for voices, piccolos, and of course, percussion. This performance is not be missed by contemporary classical music fans, nor percussion aficionados. (Saturday, September, 22, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastman School of Music: Sproull Atrium at Miller Center. $10. All ages.)
Ask Us Anything Booth
Are you tired of Siri’s dad jokes? Or Alexa’s bad love advice? Don’t worry, we all are. Who needs technology to help you with your love life when you can have A Happy Accident Improv’s Ask Us Anything Booth give you a tarot card reading with a side of ukulele? Your whole career path can change with the help of old encyclopedias and road maps. And it’s free! (Wednesday, September 12, through Monday, September 17, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, September 19, through Saturday, September 22, 7 p.m. Spiegelgarden. Free. All ages.) “This Year’s Models”
Gold Koa
Though longtime Rochester musicians Kamara Robideau and Matt Battle now reside in Los Angeles, they’re still making waves in the local scene. The lockstep rhythm section —perhaps best known for their work in Aminal and Oh Manitou — has teamed up with singer-songwriter Cammy Enaharo to form the trio Gold Koa. A sultry, glossy pop project that’s also simmering with substance, the music features a top-notch production aesthetic and danceable grooves. This appearance at the festival will mark the band’s first-ever live performance. (Friday, September
If there’s one name synonymous with the Rochester comedy scene, it’s Woody Battaglia. The standup comedian, radio host, and podcaster has been a longtime host of multiple comedy open mics locally, and he’s putting together an epic, 8-day run of stand-up showcases under the title “This Year’s Models.” Each performance will feature Battaglia hosting a different set of comics plying their trade. The lineups include such artists as Malcolm Whitfield, Kara Maillie, Chris Thompson, Andrea Springer, Saunt Yübear, Penny Sterling, and others. You won’t find a clearer picture of the state of local comedy. (Thursday, September 13, through
21, 8:10 p.m. Gibbs Street Main Stage, Free. Appropriate for all ages.)
Sunday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 19, through Saturday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.
MuCCC. $3. Appropriate for ages 13 and older.)
DANIEL J. KUSHNER
The Velvet Noose
It’s not hyperbolic to say that a show by The Velvet Noose is unlike anything you’ve experienced before. The performance art duo specializes in a distinctive stew of sound collage, poetry, and contemporary dance. It’s a primal, pagan ritual, resurrected from a forgotten age for our modern times. Returning after an extended West Coast stint, Harold Taddy and Alyson Trombulak express the yearnings of the soul, but they aim right for the gut. In a festival that offers many performances with decidedly mainstream appeal, The Velvet Noose is unapologetically avant-garde. (Friday, September 21, 10 p.m.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
KATHY LALUK
For being a selfproclaimed theater geek, there’s actually a fair amount of shows that I haven’t seen, and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” happens to be one of them. The provocative rock musical played off-Broadway in the late 90’s. It was revived in 2014, starring Neil Patrick Harris as Hedwig Robinson, an East German singer who was the victim of a botched sexchange operation, leaving her with an “angry inch.” The show is part comedy, part rock concert, and part introspective reflection on culture, gender norms and sexuality. (Friday, September 14, through Sunday, September 16, 7 p.m.; Thursday, September 20, and Friday, September 21, 7 p.m. Cabaret Hall at the Lyric Theatre. $10-$13. Appropriate for ages 18 and older.) “Lost in the Shuffle”
As a lifelong hoofer, I’m always game for a good ol’ shim sham, but I’m also eager to see how the style has evolved from the days of the Nicholas Brothers, Arthur Duncan, and Gregory Hines. Cheryl Johnson has tapped alongside all of them. In her career as a tap dancer, she’s danced with travelling companies, was a pioneering dance figure behind MTV, tapped in nightclubs and stages around the world, and became an ambassador for rhythm tap, exploring the bounds of percussive dance and expressionism by mixing in other styles as she shuffles across the floor. Throw in special guests like hoofer Katherine Kramer and pianist Richard DeLaney (among others) and I’m there! (Saturday, September 15, and Sunday, September 16, 11 a.m. Cabaret Hall at the Lyric Theatre. $5. All ages.) “’Something’s afoot...’ A Literary Mystery at Central”
After putting my sleuthing skills to the test last year at the Murder Mystery at the Central Library and failing to pick the right suspect (damn those red herrings), I’m pumped to try again at the second iteration of the event: “‘Something’s afoot…’ Literary Mystery at Central.” An overwhelming turnout last year has prompted organizers to require registration for this year’s mystery (though it’s still free), which will hopefully make it easier to read clues, interview witnesses and find the culprit! (Wednesday, September 19, 6 p.m. Central Library: Harold Hacker Hall. Free (advance registration required). Appropriate for ages 5 and older.) Additional critics' picks are online at rochestercitynewspaper.com. rochestercitynewspaper.com CITY 11
12 CITY NEWSPAPER 2018 FRINGE FESTIVAL PREVIEW