By Ernest Kearney — Hollywood Fringe 2023 has without a doubt the most intriguing line-up of any of the years I’ve attended.
Yes, there are solo shows, as to be expected, but you want Victorian magic? H.P. Lovecraft? Naughty words? You want shows by clowns, fighter pilots, poets Flamenco dancers, Zombies, Sinatra and a singing iceberg?
Well, enough jabber, let’s get into it:
SOLO SHOWS
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Right out of the gate one that I, for sure, will not be missing:
SHAGADELIC: THE ORIGINS OF SLANG WORDS FOR DOING IT
Professor Richard Fondler, author of the seminal academic lucubration “Spanking the Monkey; The Etymology of Onanistic Euphemisms,” praised as “A genuinely fascinating and academic information-packed discourse” by peer reviews from the hallowed hall of the Edinburgh Fringe, brings his latest cyclopedia compendium chronicling a plethora of catchwords, colloquialisms and naughty slang delineating that ever popular primal pastime (aka “coitus,” “horizontal barn-dancing,” “exercising the ferret,” etc.) Sure to be educational and entertaining for the logophile, sesquipedalian and profligate. Featuring Michael Blaha, produced by Nigel Miles Thomas.
Learn More at fringemanagement.com
SMOTE THIS, A COMEDY ABOUT GOD…AND OTHER SERIOUS $H*T.
“Comedian and recovering Shakespearean actor” Rodney Gardiner presents his tale of an undocumented black boy growing up in Miami of the 1980s.
CHRIS GRACE: AS SCARLETT JOHANSSON
Chris Grace, “America’s 88th-most beloved Chinese actor” and Jerry from the NBC series Superstore, “celebrates the life of the greatest Asian-American actor of all time: Scarlett Johansson.” Grace promises comedy, stage combat and the songs of Tom Waits.
GETTING THERE!
Rebecca O’Brien is an award winning actress who has appeared in over 39 productions in Los Angeles, including Meat Market by one of my favorite playwrights. She is also a cancer survivor. In Getting There O’Brien portrays over a dozen characters as she recounts the hope and healing she encountered among the strangers she and her service dog met on buses when travelling down Fairfax Avenue to and from her treatments at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Cameron Watson Directs. PAY WHAT YOU CAN
CRIMINAL DEFENCE – A COMEDY
Defense lawyer Murray Meyer treats us to an insider’s look of “the actual life of a lawyer in LA courtrooms and jails.” Probably a must see for fans of Judge Judy, and Law and Order; promises “a mix of anger, laughter, and tears oftentimes at the same time.”
ROTTEN APPLE
A 14-year-old “faces sexual assault and condemnation from her church by creating a painted portal to a new world,” in which she meets her future self and wrestles with God. Written and performed by Mariela Castillo, directed by Debra De Liso.
HEART OF GOLDEN TAR
The story of a tale-telling heart that leads a man in his hunt for his wife. Written and performed by Drew Petriello and directed by Miles Berman, an Escape Recluse Production.
TWO CATS ON A DATE
A mixed media show by Griffin Kelly and Andrew Okada about two cats on a date (Hence the title I guess.) They promise the evening to be “tragically weird” and “unnecessarily sexual” and I, for one, plan on holding them to their word.
DILLIS
Brianna Ahlmark promises us an R-rated clown show they she assures us “is the dumbest hour of all time.” But what does it matter, the price is right. A FREE SHOW.
A RETROSPECTION
Clown Claire Woolner promises “a retrospective of her ‘greatest,’ most ‘moving,’ and ‘important’ performance art pieces; work made up of surrealist clown bits, absurdist performance pieces, and absolute vulnerable breakdowns.” Frankly, she had me at “clown.”
THE QUEEN OF BITCOIN: THE RISE AND FALL
Writer, Performer Margaux Avedisian assures us we need to know nothing about the economic maelstrom that is the Bitcoin reality to appreciate her tale of how a broken arm lead to her first startup, Burning Man, absurd celebrity encounters, the bacchanalian heights of Silicon Valley and pissing off a US President. Sounds like an evening worth investing in.
BLACK WHEN I WAS A BOY – PART II BLACKED OUT
Cooper Bates returns with a sequel to his 2018 Black When I Was A Boy(Producer Award and TVO honoree.) The saga of the young man with the big ambitions continues. Directed by Frankie Louise.
I FEEL THE NEED
“Top Gun meets Fleabag.” Former naval aviator with ten years’ service, Loree “Rowdy” Draude, tells the story of her historic deployment on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln as one of the first women to fly a United States jet in combat.
THE PORTABLE DOROTHY PARKER
“I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” Dorothy Parker (1893-1967)
Wit, poet, writer, founding member of the Algonquin Round Table, screenwriter on the original A Star is Born (1937) and Alfred Hitchcock’s Saboteur (1940) if you don’t know Dorothy Parker then your education is incomplete. Here’s a chance to remedy that. It’s 1943 and Parker (actress Margot Avery) is reminiscing about her life and loves. Lee Costello directs the play by Annie Lux.
BARRY’S “GARDENING” SERVICE
Have you ever longed to experience a one-on-one immersive show where you meet a strange puppet named Barry on a dark street corner in Hollywood to buy your “gardening supplies?” Well, here you go. Jeff Heimbuch will also be on hand.
THE LAST DANCE FROM A FIREBIRD
Vaslav Nijinsky (1890-1950) was one of history’s greatest ballet dancers, who leaps were so prodigious that it was rumored his teachers had chained him with heavy weights as a child to strengthen his legs. Described as “a Celebration of Art and the artist against the backdrop of war, revolution,” and an examination of “the frail line between madness and genius.” Featuring Victor Mcallister as Nijinsky, produced by Josh Cariela.
HYPOMANIC
Stephanie Matsuba’s “equally comedic and tragic story” of a bipolar woman attempting to conceal her illness from her friends and family. PAY WHAT YOU CAN
5 YEARS OR 5 MINUTES
A young traveler journeys to Spain where he finds himself reduced to living on the streets where he learns what survival demands of him. Based on a true story, written, and performed by Jonatan Pinke. A FREE SHOW
GROWN UP ORPHAN ANNIE
Little Orphan Annie, Harold Gray’s cartoon heroine and former Broadway child star re-imagined as Norma Desmond searching for a new “sidekick” and trying to save the world from being run by Billionaires. Created and performed by Katherine Bourne Taylor, produced by DJ Taylor
Content Warning: Death, Animal Cruelty (Oh no, not Sandy!!)
AMERICAN DIRECT
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Pasadena born Gary Hemming was an enigmatic, world-class mountain climber who made the first ascent of the “unclimbable” south face of the French Alps’ Alguille du Dru (the “Needle,”) using a route known thereafter as the “American Direct.” J.B. Waterman presents the life and tragic death of the man nicknamed “The Beatnik of the Alps.”
WAITING FOR A SHOW
Blake Beckett takes audiences on a “comedic journey through the altruistic and unknown world of theater history.” With some help from Miles Berman, directed by that demigod of the Fringe Scott Golden.
COFFEE, TEA AND GIN
What would the Fringe be without a show about Howard Philip Lovecraft (1890-1937) the “Father of Cosmic Horror.” Writer\performer Casey Alcoser explores the life, impact and flaming racism of H.P. Lovecraft, “a story of legacy and intention, of context and consequences, and of how much we’re willing to swallow.”
INTERNATIONAL
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THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER
By Rena Kaneta and Hiroshi Hosokawa, a martial art, mixed media dance performance featuring a cast of five actresses exploring the clash between traditional and contemporary Japan. Expect swords and firearms. From Japan’s Alice In Project produced by Masahiro Suzuki and the Fringe’s own Matthew Quinn. A live staging of the online production from HFF 2021.
WINONA
This two person show from Australia describes itself as:
“Equal parts soul crushing and absurdly ridiculous, wrapped up with too much sticky tape to disguise shoddy wrapping skills. A love letter to our neurodiverse and disabled bodies, brains and hearts.”
‘Nuff said. With Joseph Robinson and Ebony Rattle as the hyphenated threat or treat of “writer-director-performer.”
WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT HANTU-HANTU
From Singapore. Chomel, a Malay-Muslim woman, must face the hantu-hantu (ghosts) of her mother, her aunt and her grandma and earn the right to tell her own story. written and performed by Suzana Selamat, directed by Larry Mayorquin
SECOND NATURE
A young Israeli girl fights to regain charge of her own destiny.
“I get the opportunity to combine all of my passions in the hope of inspiring people to follow their dreams…” Features Lian Ben Porat, directed by Kimleigh Smith
A SCAR IS BORN
From France, Lorelei Zarifian offers a cabaret of her adventures in Marseille,
Paris, New York and Florida and the most important audition of her life. Arriving with awards from the San Diego, San Francisco and Tucson Fringes.
BRAVE FACE
From across the pond Everleigh Brenner brings her “multi-media, pitch-black comedy solo show about sex, trauma and a woman’s experience.”Winner of Best Overall Show & Best New Writing at the 2021 Edinburgh Fringe. Directed by Maria Cristina Petitti. Learn More at hoohah.house
REFUGE
Singapore-based, Malaysian actor and theatre artist Pavan J Singh recounts the perilous journey of a refugee and his family forced from a homeland under threat.
DRAG THERAPY: HOW 2 PREPARE 4 LOVE
A two person one man\one woman multi-media solo staring Indie Niles in a “conversation with the self” blending spoken word and pop music; a prize winner at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival.
SINATRA: RAW
From the United Kingdom, Richard Shelton takes us to 1971 and Sinatra’s last pre-retirement concert at Palms Springs’ Purple Room. Expect songs and reminiscences in this award winning show from the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringes. Directed by Andrew Lynford.BRIAN ‘N BRONWYN
L.A. based Kiwi Millen Baird presents an absurd black comedy about a disgraced race caller and fugitive dog whisperer ending their days and perhaps their relationship as wanna be swingers running a naughty B and B.
SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE LAST ACT
Nigel Miles-Thomas portrays Sherlock Holmes and thirteen other characters in a script by author, editor of The Sherlock Holmes Gazette and Conan Doyle expert David Stuart Davies. Directed by Gareth Armstrong. Produced by HFF pillar Michael Blaha.
BIRDS AND THE CURIOSITY
Chinese playwright Olivia Xing and ensemble engage in dance, puppetry, and experimental animation in presenting this “not your regular coming-of-age story” where origami cranes will fly and a pet hamster will croon.
TAKE ME AS I AM: A JONI MITCHELL TRIBUTE
From Australia, Rainee Blake’s one-woman show is a tribute to the 60’s icon singer-songwriter and will feature Joni Mitchell’s most memorable songs and the stories that inspired them.
DANCE AND MUSIC
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WHITEFOLKS WEBER – A COLORFUL TALE OF THE DISTRICT
2023 is seeing the return of a TVO favorite, musician\performer Esquizito, aka Ep Perez with another installment from Danny Barker’s The Last Days of Storyville. Barker (1909-1994) one of the jazz greats from New Orleans’ Golden Age was also a prolific writer. Drawing from Barker’s writing Esquizito will entertain Fringe audiences with the story of Whitefolks Weber “one of New Orleans’ most noted gamblers and ladies’ men.”
POE-ETIC LICENSE
Well doesn’t this one sound intriguing; the comedic side of Edgar Allan Poe that promises to be a parody of Poe and a tribute to Bob Dylan. (“Like a Raven on A Wire?”) Featuring Dr. Bradley Bobbs as Poe, with clown dancers Alayha Aquarian and Catherine Allison and music by Paul Zollo.
RHYTHM DELIVERED
DrumatiX is making its West Coast Debut with a production full of humor, audience interaction, tap dance, body percussion, barrels, buckets, enticing rhythms and retro gadgets; created and choreographed by Israeli artist Noa Barankin and featuring James Larose, Carina York, Tara Lauritsen, Alex Duran, Sara Leigelshon, Mikah Ramirez and Dylan Johmeyer.
FLAMENCODANZA
The TVO platinum medal winner and the “Best show of dance and physical theatre” from HFF22 returns! Featuring the artistry of dancer Aylin Bayaz and guitarist Raul Mannola. This is Flamenco at its best – treat yourself!
LOSING YOUR HUMANITY (A ZOMBIE MUSICAL)
Just what you were waiting for, World War Z the Musical!*
Spencer Johnson producer\co-writer and Ariella Fiore director\co-writer present their tale of the zombie-apocalypse striking a small town! Warning: The show contains zombie violence, violence against zombies, sexual assault, graphic language, gunshots, and toe tapping tunes too. Choreography by Luke Smith
(* Not affiliated with Appian Way, Plan B Entertainment, Paramount, Skydance, Brad Pitt or Max Brooks – but there’s Zombies!)
TITANICAL THE MUSICAL
Written and directed by Madeleine Lemay and starring Matthew Stock as Europe, Sarah Thiele as Ireland, Kyle Harding as the Titanic and Morningstar Dickson as the Iceberg. “A story of love and loss, the mourning process, and lots of dancing.”
THE JASON HELFGOTT EXPERIENCE
Movement artist Jason Helfgott presents an evening of choreographed routines based on the music of the the Deftones, Dead Can Dance the Australian neoclassical darkwave band, superstar Diana Ross, the LA alternative rock band Silversun Pickups, Metallica, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. The musical palette he’s presenting is certainly impressive! FREE SHOW\PAY WHAT YOU WANT
PRINCE HARRY: LIVE! AT COACHELLA
Writer-composer Christopher Chianesi offers a musical exploration of the royal mind of Meghan Markle’s husband (also known as Mister Fifth-From-The-Throne.) Based on his Royalist’s bell-selling memoir Spare. Directed and choreographed by Meg Buzza. Learn More at seriouslychris.com
QUEEN MAB’S ALARMINGLY MANDATORY BRIDAL SHOWER
Elise Dewsberry offers up some tuneful enchantment as Ireland’s Queen of the fairies from the musical team of Scott Guy and Jacques Offenbach.
THE REST
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BUGS!
Bugs! Offers “hilarious songs and sketches performed by some of LA’s funniest comedians.” However, I wouldn’t expect David Attenborough to show up.
I don’t know about you, but personally, I find pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates a laff riot! And if you get me around the order Coleoptera I come close to wetting myself!
THE SENTENCE
A dead husband, two women, one killer in this dark comedy by Ainsley Ferrell and Hannah Moore.
DIME STORE DETECTIVE STORIES
Theatre Unleashed presents a series of late-night original mysteries told in the style of the old dime-store pulp magazines.
Featuring the talents of Fringe heavy-hitters Gregory Crafts, Matt Ritchey, Jamie Robledo, Joe Luis Cedillo and Ben Rock.
CHIPS
Four actor\wirters – Xinyao Lin, Sean Cowhig, Nicole Versteeg and Niek Versteeg (TVO Best Actor award winner for HFF 2022 “Tommy Cooper: I Didn’t Let You Down, Did I?”) explores the fun as a Brit settles into his new digs in an L.A. apartment complex. The question is “it Chips or Crisps?”
THE HO WHO GOT A BAD REVIEW &
TRACKED DOWN THE JOHN TO KICK HIS ASS PLAY
One of the six plays writer\director Chambers Stevens has opening at this year’s Fringe, developed by the Son of Semele Company. Featuring Melissa Cindric.
THE LADY’S NOT FOR BURNING
Christopher Fry’s pun-filled verse play set in the Middle Ages is re-imagined for a post-Covid world thanks to Jenny Leonhardt and World Stage Theatre.
DOWN TO EARTH
“What if Christ returned and we all missed it?” Drew Descourouez as Gene Christ, veteran park ranger and Son of God. PAY WHAT YOU CAN
INAPPROPRIATE!
NEO Ensemble Theatre celebrates its 25th year as a creative community of writers and performers with five short pieces dealing with such inappropriate topics as sex and healthcare. Featuring a cast of thousands! (Okay, thirteen but close enough.)
THIS OR THAT
A NEW CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN-ADVENTURE
SKETCH COMEDY SHOW
A sketch show from the minds behind Scoopty Boopty’s and The Garden Comedy Hour. Featuring comics Max Castillo, Sam Skolnik, Cecil Jennings, Oscar Lemus, Josh Vasquez and two easels.
L.A. POETS
Promises a “word-conjuring hour of live vocal stage magic” by L.A. poets Nicelle Davis (In the Circus,) Bill Ratner (Parenting for the Digital Age: The Truth Behind Media’s Effect on Children and What to Do About It – Eric Hoffer Award,) and Hanna Pachman.
WOUNDED
Described as “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf played out between hummingbirds. And a pussy eating dog.” (Honest!) A two character “darkest of comedies.” In other words leave the kids locked in the car trunk for this one.
Written by Jiggs burgess, featuring Craig Taggart and Shaw Jones. Directed by Fringe’s favorite son Spencer Frankeberger.
THE SEAGULL
FutureHome Productions presents an unconventional and highly poetic adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece adapted by Anya Reiss, directed by Josh Sobel. PAY WHAT YOU CAN
STUCK
From Flat Tire Theatre Company, trapped on their least favorite ride, a pair of amusement park aficionados re-examine their relationship with the help of some of the park’s animatronic characters. By playwright Lindsay Kelly.
BILLBOARD
Two friends in the grip of writer’s block climb a billboard for inspiration and learn the real meaning of “friendship, weed, and the power of Jesus f**king Christ.” A show by Haley Long and Asher Wolf. PAY WHAT YOU CAN
MADE ONSTAGE
Artist Jenna Wadsworth McCarty, a favorite from HFF 2022, is back with her easel and a blank canvas for some audience participation, improvisational co-creative art.
TEATRO OSCURO
“Theatre of the dark” presents three short plays “The Seductive Lure of Despair” by Rocio Sullivan, “La Maldita Temblorina” and “El Circulo” by Javier Martinez Cabrera. Not suitable for children
JOLLY PLAYTIME
Oh no! Jace and Molly forgot to bring toys to their playdate! But wait, they have an audience to play with! Featuring the clowning of Molly Renze and Jace Ceyanes.
SOIRÉES FANTASTIQUE – AN HOUR OF VICTORIAN ENCHANTMENT
An evening of Victorian mind-reading and conjuring , featuring magician, mentalist, mystic, and medium Victor Ian Élan with the help of Cathy Kutz.
NOT SO FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM: A CABARET
Marzipan Sparkles a unicorn in need of anger management, Roy Biv a depressed rainbow and a delusional sloth named Michaelangelo S? The puppets bring the issues, ventriloquist Hannah Leskosky provides the voices.
A DEFINITIVE RANKING OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS
A one-act comedy about a toxic group of friends. Written by Jay Stalder, directed by Leanne Velednitsky.
DISROBED – LIVE ON STAGE!
It wouldn’t be the HFF without an immersive nudist theatre experience. Fringe veteran Steven Vlasak (co-writer) and Troy Peterson (co-writer, director, producer) restage Brian Knudson’s 2019 fringe comedy “Disrobed: Why so clothes-minded.” Audiences, like the performers, will be expected to embrace the “naturalist” code. Audience members will be permitted to keep on their shoes and COVID face masks (optional.) Clothing bags and towels are required.
Sponsored by the Southern Californian Naturist Association and the American Association For Nude Recreation.
THERE YOU HAVE JUST A FEW OF THE 300 SOME SHOWS AT HFF 2023, CHECK OUT (THE WEB SITE) FOR THE REST…
