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MILWAUKEE FRINGE FESTIVAL Theatre, Art, Music and Dance Festival
MKE FRINGE FESTIVAL 2019
Milwaukee Fringe Festival Is a Love Letter to the City’s Performing Artists ::BY JEAN-GABRIEL FERNANDEZ
T
he concept of a “fringe festival” was born in 1947 in Edinburgh, Scotland, when eight theater companies showed up uninvited to the Edinburgh International Festival, which featured traditionally acclaimed art performances. As the International Festival occupied the city’s main venues, these companies performed in smaller, alternative venues—literally on the fringe of the bigger festival—to take advantage of the crowd and showcase more diverse forms of artistic expression. Late-night events, unconventional venues and eclectic performances became the staples of what, in hindsight, turned out to be the world’s first fringe festival. Nowadays, Edinburgh’s fringe festival is the world’s largest arts festival, with more than 50,000 performances in about 300 venues in recent years, largely overshadowing the Edinburgh International Festival, which, of course, was the “main attraction” back in the Fringe’s infancy. This awe-inspiring success story shows that, when art is left to its own devices, without any attempt to give it respectability or make it fit into some kind of box, it can give birth to the most beautiful things.
Milwaukee’s Fringe
All art-minded cities need a fringe festival of some sort to give local artists a chance to showcase their talents, and Milwaukee is nothing if not an art-minded city. Following in the steps of cities like New York, London, England, and Sydney, Australia, and always up to the task, the Milwaukee Fringe Festival is back again for its fourth consecutive year, bigger than ever. “Milwaukee is an art city, because the art scene here has depth,” says theater professor and Shepherd Express arts and entertainment editor John Schneider. Along with marketeer Eric Engelbart, Milwaukee Comedy Festival’s Matt Kemple and dancers Karen Raymond and Katie Rhyme, Schneider founded the Milwaukee Fringe Festival as a love letter to this city. “There are many, many artists in all disciplines making wonderful work here both in and beyond our well-known institutions.” To put it another way, the Milwaukee Fringe is a playground for artists whose only commonality is that they have nothing in common. Dance, theater, music and visual art will be at the center of the event, but festivalgoers will also enjoy puppetry, storytelling, fight choreography and even a Shakespearean Scavenger Hunt. No less than 36 different acts, including six out-of-town ones, will congregate at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25. “The dreamy pleasure of the Milwaukee Fringe Festival is that you can spend a whole day—or better, two days—going from show to show, discovering artists and groups you’ve never seen and might have trouble finding during the regular season,” Schneider adds. “You’ll see professional-quality plays, dances, music performances and experimental work, each an hour long or less, all beautifully presented on the stages and grounds of the Marcus Center. There’s no other way to experience the range, depth, variety, vitality, courage and heart of Milwaukee’s art scene.”
‘The Best Lineup So Far’
Anyone who experienced the Milwaukee Fringe Festival in previous years can only be excited to hear Schneider’s assertion that this year’s program is “the best lineup so far.” He promises “lots of exciting newcomers and new works by a kind of Fringe Fest family who’ve appeared since year one—about 30 performances in all.” Each of the Fringe’s four scenes—Todd Wehr Theatre, Vogel Hall, Peck Pavilion and the “Fringe Stage”—will host up to five
performances each per day; in addition, visual artists will take advantage of Marcus Center spaces to display their creations. It’s impossible to list them all, but numerous highlights stand out. Milwaukee Fringe’s first round of performances starts strong with Makin’ Cake, the story of American exceptionalism, class and race told through the history of cake by spoken-word artist Dasha Kelly Hamilton, complete with live bakers on stage! It’s also the occasion to see Cooperative Performance’s Don Russell perform Ziggy the Clown, a homeless Ziggy Stardust impersonator exploring themes of identity and choices through music, movement and poetry. Ever heard of Harry Warren, one of the most prolific songwriters in Hollywood history? Singer-actor Bob Balderson and pianist Connie Grauer will chronicle Warren’s life and songs, so Milwaukee audiences can understand why he won three Oscars and was nominated for Academy Awards 11 times. Numerous other treats await festivalgoers, such as the unique mix of cello and percussion of musical duo NINETEEN THIRTEEN, the “French-ish” charming music of mime and accordionist Kathryn Cesarz and the visual art on canvas, linen, wood and metal made by anonymous creator The Ox. If you prefer to participate in the fun, you can do so in a public artistic workshop with The Field Milwaukee and should keep an eye out for the Mad Rogues’ Shakespearean scavenger hunt. “Watch as Juliet meets Macbeth or Petruchio tries his hand at Ophelia,” they promise. “It is up to you the audience to find our roving hero’s perfect match. All you have to do is lead one of our professional actors through the grounds.” Theater lovers will be delighted to hear about Theatre Gigante’s 32nd season, which will start with a bang as co-artistic director Mark Anderson takes over Todd Wehr Theatre with one of his “loopy, spiraling” monologues. There are also treats in store for dance aficionados; for instance, with “So You Think You Can Dance” finalist Cedric Gardner’s performance with The Valentine 5 on variations on the theme of “Death be not proud.” The young and talented actors of Voices Found Repertory will offer previews of their past and upcoming productions, as well as a fight choreography demonstration. This barely scratches the surface of all the unique performances assembled under the banner of the 2019 Milwaukee Fringe Festival. If anything struck your fancy, follow Schneider’s advice: “The best thing to do is to purchase a one- or twoday pass and bask in it!” For more information, visit mkefringe.com.
2019-20 Concert Season Full Speed Ahead! Celebrating 38 years of
Eric Segnitz & David Bloom, Co-Artistic Directors
Re:Re:Rewrite Sept 7, 2019
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The Avant-Garden Spaghetti Western of Love May 22, 2020 Feb 13 & 14, 2020
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2 | AUGUST 22, 2019
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–S AUGUST 21
EPTEMBER 1 A “luminously beautiful” and stellar play. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
by Isabelle Kralj & Mark Anderson
September 27 –
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MKE FRINGE FESTIVAL 2019
THE MKE FRINGE FEST TEAM John Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . Artistic Producer & Co-founder Katie Rhyme . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Producer & Co-founder Karen Raymond . . . . . . . . . . Programming Producer & Co-founder Matt Kemple . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operations Producer & Co-founder Eric Engelbart . . . . . . . . . . . . Coordinating Producer & Co-founder Janice Jennings . . . . . . . . . . . Accounting & Bookkeeping Kelly Coffey . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Media Don Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Website Production AJ MacDonald . . . . . . . . . . . . Communication & Press Krissy Rhyme . . . . . . . . . . . . Graphic Design Dan Flemming . . . . . . . . . . . . Graphic Design
ABOUT THE FRINGE On Aug. 27 and 28, 2016, the first ever MKE Fringe took place in Downtown Milwaukee. Following the rich tradition of Fringe Festivals, the Milwaukee Fringe Festival showcased a diverse collection of local and regional artists. From theatrical actors to painters, musicians to tap dancers, performance artists to playwrights, MKE Fringe is a joyous celebration of what makes Milwaukee’s culture vibrant and extraordinary. Now in its fourth year, the Milwaukee Fringe Festival continues to grow and bring local, regional, and national artists from a wide range of arts disciplines to the city. Join the Fringe for over 25 adventurous theatre, music, and dance performances inside the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater and Vogel Hall, check out what’s going on at the Peck Pavilion, wander along Milwaukee’s Riverwalk to view vendor tables and interact with roving artists. Are you on the Fringe?
Todd Wehr Theatre
Vogel Hall
1 p.m. Bob Balderson The Great Songs of Harry (Who?) Warren and Don Russell Ziggy the Clown
12:30 p.m. Dasha Kelly Hamilton Makin’ Cake
The Great Songs of Harry (Who?) Warren
Harry Warren was one of the most prolific songwriters from the golden age of songwriting between 1935 and 1950. After singer-actor Bob Balderson and pianist Connie Grauer chronicle Warren’s life and songs, he won’t be “Harry Who?” to you.
Ziggy the Clown
A homeless Ziggy Stardust impersonator explores themes of identity and the choices that led them to this point in their life through music, movement and poetry.
3:30 p.m. Theatre Gigante I just want to say…
Mark Anderson has been writing and performing monologues for over 30 years, playfully and poetically examining the anxieties and harmonic tremors of modern living. In I just want to say… Anderson combines excerpts from three of his witty monologues: Eighty Words for Snow, Who and White Clown.
6:30 p.m. Tyler Anthony Smith Out, Darn Spot!
Tyler Anthony Smith invites you to the tragic premiere of his new show, Out, Darn Spot! The year is 1968! The first Big Mac is served! And speaking of disasters, it’s also the year that the lost last episode of Lady Marcia Macbeth’s “I’m Not a Suppressed Homemaker! with Lady Marcia Macbeth” aired live. It was immediately banned forever from syndication. However, you’re now more than welcome to screw your curiosity to the sticking place, travel back in time and indulge in all things boys, bouffants, and blood. Directed by Stephanie Shaw.
8:30 p.m. Angry Young Men Shakespeare? I Hardly Know Her!
Shakespeare? I Hardly Know Her! takes everything you love about Shakespeare—dirty jokes, regicide, twins, graphic violence, poetry and zombies—mixes it up and spits it back out as a fine paste performed by the Full Frontal Puppets. (Not for kids!)
4 | AUGUST 22, 2019
COURTESY OF MKE FRINGE FESTIVAL
MKE FRINGE SHOW DESCRIPTIONS Saturday, August 24 Dasha Kelly Hamilton tells the American story of exceptionalism, class and race by slicing into the history of cake in vignettes and stories, digital media and live bakers. Kelly Hamilton continues to develop this production and to pursue dialogues about human and social wellness.
2:30 p.m. Water Street Dance Milwaukee Live and spacejunk dance little city Live
Water Street Dance Milwaukee artists will perform alongside some of Milwaukee’s most talented musicians, poets and composers.
little city
little city is an exercise in camaraderie in the face of exhaustion. “We want the audience to feel and experience the end-of-the-line energy that performers can muster while on the verge of collapse.”
5:30 p.m. Neville Dance Theatre Exposed and Zach Schorsch and Brett Sweeney Woofs and Other Metrics
Karl Baumann and Selena Milewski Tread Lightly
Exposed
Direct from New York City, Neville Dance Theatre, founded by choreographer and Milwaukee native Brenda R. Neville, creates culturally themed works that are a colorful tapestry of movement. Exposed is a larger-thanlife feast of towering shadow images and movement that reflects the human desire to share ourselves while also maintaining a boundary of privacy in an online world.
Woofs and Other Metrics
Calling all bears, twinks and everything in between! Zach Schorsch and Brett Sweeney are young veterans of Milwaukee theater, smartphone users and single. They join forces to consider the communities one must engage when downloading the gay dating app Scruff. Explore a language of identities through movement, sound and theater like only these two queer artists can do.
7:30 p.m. Karl Baumann and Selena Milewski Tread Lightly
Set in a dystopian future in which life on Earth is largely extinct, Tread Lightly explores the devastation of plastic and synthetic rubber pollution. When two clown-like scavengers discover the remains of a Layson Albatross, we enter a lyric fable featuring a businessman and a supernatural lady in white who give us a hint of what happened at the end of the world as we know it.
SHEPHERD EXPRESS
Lake Arts Project
Lexie Kaufmann Dance
The Field Milwaukee
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MKE FRINGE FESTIVAL
PRESENTED BY SHEPHERD EXPRESS
MKE FRINGE SHOW DESCRIPTIONS Sunday, August 25 Todd Wehr Theatre
Vogel Hall
Peck Pavilion
12 p.m. Showgirl Awakening I K(no)w
12:30 p.m. Catey Ott Dance Collective SYNAPSE and TEG and Artists Unhung Gold
1:30 p.m. Lindsey Ruenger Dance A Red Shift and Twist, Wingspan Dance Greet and Lexie Kaufmann Dance Hivemind
How do we know when we can’t “no?” Knocked flat repeatedly by ulcerative colitis, Kellita comes to know herself through burlesque, and “noes” herself into auto-immune recovery. This is not a burlesque show. Its genre? Think “intimate chat with a friend meets TED Talk meets secure attachment and auto-immune recovery lab.”
2 p.m. Outskirts Theatre Disenchanted! The Musical
Poisoned apples. Glass Slippers. Who needs ’em?! Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in the new musical comedy that’s anything but Grimm. Forget the princesses you think you know.
5 p.m. Abby Skowronski One Track Mind and La Résistance The Little Glass Slipper One Track Mind
One Track Mind is a contemporary dance work that depicts the busy-ness of everyday life and a method that many of us attempt to use in order to accomplish more: multitasking. This work also takes a look inside driving patterns and distracted driving. Is multitasking more harmful than helpful?
The Little Glass Slipper
France, 1789. We are at the Queen’s Theater attending a theatrical performance given by Marie Antoinette and her aristocratic friends. This 45-minute dramedy follows the antics of performers trying their very best to stage a production of The Little Glass Slipper as the French Revolution breaks out. The age-old saying “The show must go on” is pushed to its limits. A play in one act by Cara Johnston.
7:30 p.m. The Valentine 5: Death Be Not Proud
Five variations on the theme: death be not proud. Created and performed by guitarist Steve Peplin, dancer Cedric Gardner, composer Josh Backes and poet-clown Chad Piechocki.
F R I N G E F E S T I VA L 2 0 1 9
SYNAPSE
“SYNAPSE, an artistic impulse” is a 30-minute work that knits three premiere pieces together: “Yesterday’s Tomorrow;” a new trio and quartet entitled “Train of Thought;” and “Future Letter to My Love.”The music for this concert was composed by Randall Woolf and the set was designed by visual artist Meghan McKale.
Unhung Gold
Unhung Gold is an interdisciplinary collaborative work by writer-artist Dóri Varga, musician Joshua Sampson and mover Taylor Graham. The piece is an ongoing creation of ideas central to being at the edge of what one can think and feel.
2:30 p.m. The Field Milwaukee Demonstrate
A group of inter-disciplinary Milwaukee-based artists grapple with the theme of protest through visual, musical, movement and theatrical forms. This group of artists is linked through a shared creative process: Fieldwork is a volunteer-run workshop whose nondirectorial style of feedback ignores hierarchy and financial burden in an act of protest in itself. Whether as artist, critic or audience, we get to witness the power of showing up.
A Red Shift and Twist
Lindsey Ruenger performs a solo dance inspired by the Inhotim Museum’s “A Red Shift.” Her interpretation of this art installation explores time, space and imposition versus circumstance.
Greet
The dance explores the ways we greet others in awkward times, sifting through the gestures and words that say, “we want to connect.” This exploration of tact, ungraceful moments, frustrating annoyances and just remembering how to greet is the path we venture onto.
Hivemind
Hivemind is a personal reflection on past struggles with emotional bullying amongst female friends—specifically in regard to exclusion and confrontation. Lexie Kaufmann choreographed it as her senior project at UW-Milwaukee in 2018.
4 p.m. NINETEEN THIRTEEN Cello and Drums Forever
5:30 p.m. The Lucchesi/Kietzman Project The One Act Suit
Cellist Janet Schiff and Percussionist Victor DeLorenzo (founding drummer of Violent Femmes) create the new, dynamic sound that is NINETEEN THIRTEEN. Schiff plays a cello that was made in Romania in the year of 1913 while DeLorenzo plays a set of drums made in modern day America. Together their music suggests mystery, romance and future thought. Powered by cello layers and beat brush percussion, this awardwinning duo defies expectations and rewards listeners with their unique expression of music.
7:30 p.m. Lake Arts Project HeART of War
6 p.m. Rocket Paloma
A suite of one-act plays written by Michael Lucchesi and directed by Tim Kietzman, the plays are thematically connected by World War II experiences that are only divulged many years later.
For the last year, we’ve been busy collaborating with Feast of Crispian, DNAWorks and Alliance School to explore creative ways to utilize dance as a healing tool. We’ve brought military veterans and sophomore students from MPS Alliance School into our group to share and support one another. Lake Arts Project is honored to interpret the stories of our friends and collaborators.
Rocket Paloma is a Milwaukee indie project started by Jo Kerner with a heavy folk foundation and a progressive edge. Kerner’s soaring vocals amidst the cleverly crafted compositions can be heard regularly on 88.9 Radio Milwaukee, 91.7 WMSE and FM102.1. This is Rocket Paloma’s last performance in Milwaukee before she takes off. continued on next page >>
AUGUST 22, 2019 | 5
MKE FRINGE FESTIVAL 2019
>> continued from previous page
Roving and Visual Artists BeingNau Art
Brian Nau is a Milwaukee-born artist. His surrealistic art style is colorful and interesting. Brian is now branching out into wood carving using the natural wood grain to accentuate his surrealistic style.
Kathryn Cesarz Le Lady Accordioniste
A very sophisticated, beautiful and charming mime is here to play her accordion. Even if things don’t work out exactly as planned, she’s delighted to be here and share her dramatic music.
Mad Rogues Shakespearean Scavenger Hunt
Join a bunch of Mad Rogues on a journey through Shakespeare’s most famous cannon. Watch as Juliet meets Macbeth or Petruchio tries his hand at Ophelia. It is up to you the audience to find our roving hero’s perfect match.
Tamarind Tribal Belly Dancers
Tamarind is a group of dedicated performers who strive to give you the best in class entertainment. They perform tribal-style belly dance. They strive to provide innovative and engaging entertainment for a variety of audiences.
The Art of The Ox
The Ox uses a pseudonym only to separate his art from the other work he does as a writer. He wants only to make things that did not exist before. He creates with enthusiasm and gratitude and welcomes any statement of meaning or significance from the viewer. The Ox works on canvas, linen, wood or metal. The art of Ox is available for sale, display, and commission.
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Tum Tum Tree Studios
Visual art and painting by Kate Eternick.
Voices Found
Voices Found Repertory is a team of resourceful problem solvers interested in passionate, empathetic stagings of Shakespeare’s plays. The performance will consist of selected scenes from past shows, a fight choreography demonstration and a preview of the upcoming production of Henry V.
Warped Dance Company
Drinks On Us! Have you ordered your Cocktail Trail craft cocktail coupon book? Featuring discounts at 24 Milwaukee bars and restaurants, Cocktail Trail offers coupons for free or buy-one-get one drinks at participating establishments until May 2020. order online at shepstore.com Also available in store at MKE Home, Sparrow Collective and Beard MKE.
6 | AUGUST 22, 2019
Warped Dance Company performs aerial vignettes using silks, lyra, trapeze, spansets and music to transfigure the human form into a work of art. The performers will be presenting solo work as well as duos and trios all while highlighting their skill sets.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS, AND DONORS:
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Nice Plays Inc., the Shepherd Express, the Underground Collaborative, Willem Dafoe, Pegi Christiansen, Max Samson, John Shannon and Jan Serr Air Alaska, the Milwaukee Ballet, Michael J. Engelbart, John Hassig, George Batayias, Jim Doyle, William Rhyme, Alice Hatzenbeller, Michael Pink, Alyson Chavez, Mary Gleason, Katie Lindgren and our wonderful Fringe Fest volunteers.
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Up coming Performances
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Tim Cavanagh & Emo Philips c omedians Sept 6 & 7 • $22
bluegr ass/ ro ck/hip-hop Oct 11 • $28
Croce Plays Croce
Coco Montoya
tribu te to his father jim Oct 18 • $48
blues Oct 19 • $34
Loudon Wainwright III
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Marcia Ball
Jimmy Webb
MRS FUN hosted by Janet Planet
Barefoot Movement
Folk/Pop Oct 26 • $36
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holiday show Dec 6 • $22
Nov 29 • $22
The Alley Cats
Switchback
a midwestern ghristmas Dec 21 • $18
holiday a cappell a Dec 14 • $25
C OM I NG I N 2 0 2 0 ! Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn
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OCT. 19
CELTIC ANGELS IRELAND
DEC. 13
Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles® NAVIDAD MEXICANA
JAN. 30
Matt Vee Family & Friends Celebrate the Music of
NEIL DIAMOND I AM . . . HE SAID
FEB. 29
SHAUN BOOTHE The Unauthorized Biography Series
NOV. 16
©John David Pittman
SEPT. 21
MARK O’CONNOR BAND
Coming Home
APRIL 16
Mutts Gone Nuts:
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8 | AUGUST 22, 2019
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