Originally published on WTHR.com Aug. 21, 2016.
The 2016 Indianapolis Fringe Festival got off to a somewhat soggy start this weekend as storms dumped buckets of rain on Mass. Ave. Saturday afternoon. The skies were clear in time for the evening shows, though – with some sold out.
Let’s review the numbers: the 11-day festival features 64 groups or artists performing at eight different venues, along or near Mass. Ave. Eighty percent of ticket revenue goes to the performers, and this year it costs $15 per ticket (or 5 for $50) – there are no more backer buttons.
Some early fan favorites to check out: Nerdgasm VI by Angel Burlesque was sold out Saturday night. And longtime favorite Phil the Void performs next weekend. Those shows are a likely sellout, along with Davis Workshop by Dance Kaleidoscope.
Little Butchie Sings at the Indy Fringe Basile Theatre takes us through one man’s path to self-acceptance. James Solomon Benn is a self-confessed “fat, black and gay” man – and a preacher’s son. Through spoken word and song – some originals, some showtune covers – Benn expertly showcases his struggles growing up. The results are frequently hilarious and at times, deeply moving. Benn’s impressive vocals and capable back-up singers grant this performance a professional polish. “Superman didn’t turn me gay, but he sure did help,” Benn says. It turns out he is the true hero of this story – along with his dad, who responds to his son’s coming out not with the feared rejection but with love.
At the opposite end of the musical spectrum is 10 Simple Steps to Bromance at the Phoenix Mainstage. Presented by the Gentlemen Callers from Wabash College, ten “bros” proceed to explain the intricacies of the bromance relationship. Their number is somewhat overwhelming, and they bring their own enthusiasm, so the overall effect is not unlike rolling on the floor with very enthusiastic puppies. (There is even a segment where they display puppies on a screen, but I digress.) My trouble with this show is that it didn’t feel like quite enough of the parody it intends to be. The execution is fun but rambling and rough around the edges (like many fringe shows, admittedly.)
What Is This Place – IndyFringe Basile Theatre
Four women are seemingly trapped in a room wondering how they got there. Angry and confused, despairing and funny, they lash out at each other and work their way through their emotions until they reach an ugly truth – a devastating loss that they all have in common. While the premise is somewhat abstract, the drama builds as each character reveals her story. This is a heavy-going drama with convincing performances from each actor – although it’s challenging to develop characters in such a limited amount of time.
Sara K. Galer 