Soho Playhouse Announces Slate for the 2018 FRINGE ENCORE SERIES
By: A.A. Cristi Nov. 13, 2018
Darren Lee Cole, producing director of the not-for-profit, SoHo Playhouse (15 Van Dam Street) is proud to announce this year's selections for this year's Fringe Encore Series, featuring the "Best of the Fests" from around the globe. This year's selections come from Fringe Festivals at Brighton, Edinburgh, Hollywood, Limerick, Orlando, Toronto and New York (to be announced soon) and will take place between November 6 - December 16, 2018. Tickets are $39/$25 and can be purchased by visiting www.fringeencores.org.
Soho Playhouse, Artistic Director Darren Cole explains "My team and I have traveled the globe to find the very best performances at Fringe Festivals around the world, and I have to say I am so excited to present these shows to our New York City audience. There is something for everyone: comedy, drama, family musicals, cabaret shows. I hope everyone gets a chance to take in some of this year's global offerings at the International Fringe Encore Series at the Soho Playhouse."
This year's selections include (please check www.fringeencores.org for updated schedule):
13 DEAD DREAMS OF "EUGENE" written and directed by Paul Strickland and Erika Kate MacDonald
November 6th, 2018 - November 17th, 2018
Genre: Drama / Shadow Puppetry / Storytelling / Music
13 Dead Dreams of 'Eugene is a dandy little ghost story. It's X-Files meets the Twilight Zone... in the dark! This award-winning shadow and flashlight reenactment of nightmares won "Best Show" at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival 2018.A body was found and placed on display in hopes of identification. That's when the Dead Dreams began. Experience the shared recurring nightmares that haunted one sleepy Ohio town, and the stranger-than-fiction story of "Eugene." Cast: Erika Kate MacDonald, Paul Strickland
13 Dead Dreams of "Eugene" was featured at the Orlando Fringe Festival where it won "BEST SHOW" - Critics' Choice Awards. Critics raved: "Seriously creepy fun" - Cincinnati CityBeat; "There was not a peep during this spellbinding performance - even when all the lights went out. Here's hoping my dreams tonight are as entertaining as this show. Did I mention I'll be sleeping with the lights on?" -Orlando Sentinel.
A SOLO FROM THE PIT written by Keren Klimovsky & Elias Faingersh; directed by Elias Faingersh
Music by: Georges Bizet, Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Christoph Gluck and Elias Faingersh
November 7th, 2018 - November 16th, 2018
Genre: Musical Comedy
Connecting stories from his life to the operas he was playing at time, Faingersh plays us through a comedic crash course in finding operatic (and personal) meaning, as he recounts his decision to leave a coveted position at the Metropolitan Opera.
Faingersh's musical style is unique. He taps, blows and sings into the brass, adroitly flipping it to use a microphone mounted on the back for operatic vocals and hitting foot pedals to loop sound effects.
Called "Delightfully entertaining" and "Best of the Fest" by the Orlando Sentinel it garnered the Critic's Choice Award Best Solo Show Musical/Orlando Fringe
THIS BOY TOM written and directed by Natalie Sexton
November 9th, 2018 - November 23rd, 2018
Genre: Musical, Drama
A new musical This Boy Tom, is a life-affirming story of acceptance, courage and friendship. Tom starts at a new school and is met with bullying, but, with new girl Flora's arrival is it time for something new?
Called "Another 'Matilda' in the making" ***** Gscene; "This production buzzes with energy from beginning to end, the show oozes talent from the young cast, the music is original, and the choreography is tight." Broadway Baby
THE DAY I BECAME BLACK written and performed by Bill Posley
November 9th, 2018 - November 18th, 2018
Genre: Comedy
Bi-racial comedian Bill Posley grew up happily identifying as both black and white. But at age 10, he learned the world does, in fact, judge a book by its color and, even though he's half white, he's labeled 100% black. Does a young comedian have to get rid of his whiteness in order to be the color he's "supposed" to be? Hear Posley weigh in on the modern-day conversation about race from a unique perspective.
HAMLET: AN EXPERIENCE¸ created by the Brite Theater, directed by Kolbrun Bjort Sigfusdottir,
November 12th, 2018 - November 18th, 2018
Genre: Interactive Shakespeare
After breaking new ground with their award-winning Richard III (A One Woman Show), Brite Theater are once again reinventing Shakespearean performance with this new production of Hamlet directed by Kolbrun Bjort Sigfusdottir. Emily Carding plays Hamlet and you, the audience, are the players arriving at Elsinore. Hamlet needs your help to take on the roles of his friends and family and resolve the great questions of life. Journey through the play together and become immersed in the story like never before. Hamlet has the questions. Do you have the answers? "Carding is fearless, her grasp of the material flawless and her energy boundless, a compelling telling of one of Shakespeare's best-known plays." FringeReview; "Brite Theatre are once again reinventing Shakespearian performance." lgbtqarts.com
BUTT KAPINSKY: A FILM NOIR created by and starring Deanna Fleysher
November 16th, 2018 - November 30th, 2018
Genre: Adult Comedy
Think it's a solo show? Think again. Private eye Butt Kapinski invites you to co-star in a film noir murder mystery. Join Butt in a seedy world of sex, sin, shadows and subterfuge as you take the ride of a full-on interactive comedic experience. Kick reality to the curb! Play in a world of dark dreams and bad similes. ADULTS ONLY." "* * * * * ... a tour de force of character comedy and clowning." -The UK Independent;
"* * * * * Ludicrous, racy and entertaining immersive comedy at its finest." -Edinburgh Festivals Magazine; "Butt Kapinski is not just a show; nor is it just the name of the main character; it could very well be the name of a new type of theatre/comedy style." -Glamadelaide; "the kind of 'make believe' joy rarely encountered since childhood." -Fritz Magazine, Adelaide; "Completely unique, brilliant, insane, surprising and funny." - Graham Norton
INESCAPABLE: written by Martin Dockery; directed by Vanessa Quesnelle
November 20th, 2018 - November 30th, 2018
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rapid-fire comedy mixes with slow-boiling tension in this riveting, mind-bending, two-handed thriller. As two friends attempt to escape an annual holiday party, a puzzle slowly reveals itself, exposing the betrayals and deceits that go hand-in-hand with a lifetime of friendship. "The Twilight Zone" meets Waiting for Godot meets TJ & Dave.
Inescapable has been featured at Toronto Fringe, Minnesota Fringe, Orlando Fringe, Edmonton Fringe, Winnipeg Fringe, Ottawa Fringe and has been called "4 STARS: Inescapable is a hilarious non-stop, high-energy, rapid-fire. A sort of Groundhog Day meets No Exit meets Waiting for Godot meets..."-Edmonton Sun; "let your brain run wild and crazy for an hour." -CBC; "Comic timing at its best... An impeccable acting duo, with twists and turns in sharp dialogue that glistens with humorous mystery." -Lavender Magazine. Cast: Martin Dockery & Jon Paterson
LOVE SONG TO LAVENDER MENACE written by James Ley, directed by Rosalind Philips
November 23rd, 2018 - December 4th, 2018
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama, Gay
After a sell-out run at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Scotland's 80s gay romantic comedy hit is back!Described by The Guardian as claiming "a piece of recent history with zest, compassion and due reverence to the power of the printed word", Love Song to Lavender Menace explores the relationship between literature and censorship, between LGBT+ communities and political activism and, at the centre of it all, the burgeoning relationship between two sales assistants; passionate and political Lewis and party boy Glen.
Featured at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the play stars Matthew McVarish, Pierce Reid and has been called 'A stunningly beautiful play' ***** -TheReviewsHub.com; ""hilarious, heartfelt and provocative...shedding light on queer experience with humour, warmth, passion and complexity. A play for our time that speaks volumes about cities and change. ' **** -Scotsman; 'A thoroughly entertaining and important piece of LGBT social history' **** -Stage.
WE NEED THIS MUSICAL TO STOP US FROM KILLING OURSELVES: The Musical Music, Book, Lyrics, & Performed by Jeff Rosick ("Friday Night Lights") & Glasgow Lyman, also starring Adyn Wood!
November 27 - December 2, 2018
Genre: Musical Comedy
WNTMTSUFKO is an irreverent musical comedy about a frustrated therapist who is strong-armed into creating a musical with two of his suicidal patients, Sarah, a struggling singer, and Mitchell, a failing actor. Nothing seems to go quite right for them, however, and their aspirations for success must take a backseat to their newfound friendship. "a wickedly wonderful work" (Tvolution.com); "Silly to the core and totally satisfying... a home run for first time musical theater playwrights... succeeds in every way" (GiaOnTheMove)
Direct from the Hollywood Fringe festival after winning the Producers Encore Award &
The Top 10 Best of Fringe.
DIETRICH: NATURAL DUTY written by Peter Groom & Oliver Gully, directed by Oliver Gully
November 27, 2018 - December 8th, 2018
Genre: Music, Cabaret, Drag
An intoxicating one-(wo)man show revealing the life of a legend. It is 1942. On the battlefields of North Africa in a gold sequin gown, Marlene Dietrich takes to the stage to fight the war her way; with an irresistible mix of songs, sequins, sex and sympathy. Starring Peter Groom as Marlene Dietrich, this breathtaking mixture of theatre, cabaret and drag comes straight from a London run at Wilton's Music Hall, via Amsterdam, Liverpool, a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival and a complete sell out at the VAULT Festival.Fall in love again with this Hollywood icon and her extraordinary commitment to duty.
'An absolute tour de force, breathtaking' ***** -TheGayUK.com; 'Exudes class and excellence, it's funny, charming - not to be missed!' ***** -BroadwayWorld.com; 'Not to be missed!' ***** TheSpyInStalls.com; 'Peter Groom's respectful and deferential re-creation can't be faulted - don't miss it!' ***** - MusicalTheatreReview.com. 'Poignant and provocative, this show oozes passion' ***** -LondonTheatre1.com
TJ Dawe: A CANADIAN BARTENDER AT BUTLINS
December 2nd, 2018 - December 13th, 2018
Genre: Standup, Comedy
An autobiographical tale about pouring pints at Butlin's Holiday Camp - the McDonald's of resorts - a British cultural institution - and an absolute shithole.
Critics have said "This guy's headed for the stand-up hall of fame" - Georgia Straight; "If Jerry Seinfeld and George Carlin has a baby, it'd be TJ Dawe" - Winnipeg Sun; "A flawless performer" -Charleston City Paper; "A master storyteller" - Orlando Weekly
WOUNDED written by Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm, directed by Liz Lanier
December 4th, 2018 - December 16th, 2018
Genre: Drama
A highlight of the Hollywood Fringe, WOUNDED tells the story of a woman in the role of caregiver to her husband after he has been severely mentally and physically injured in the Iraq war. After five years of full-time caregiving, she's for the first time considering having a romantic relationship with someone new while still taking care of her husband.
A completely sold-out run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, Wounded was the winner of the Female Director of Distinction Award and the Better Lemons Critics' Choice Award. Cast includes Kyle Felts, Tanya Gorlow, Scott Kuza
DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE written and performed by Burt Grinstead and Anna Stromberg
December 6th, 2018 - December 15th, 2018
Genre: Comedy
This Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is bare-bones, but fully engaging. The sets are made entirely of black, stackable stairs with hidden compartments that open for embellishments. The costumes are also all black, with minimal accessories to help the audience with the character changes. The staging/direction (also by Stromberg) is smart and sharp to fully maximize the humor of the production. Blanket Fort's version of the classic story is an amazing time at the theater, and a must-see for Fringe! Absolutely fantastic! This genre-bending thriller made its world premiere at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Based on the classic novella, this original adaptation takes you to the dismal streets of London in the 1860s, where societal pressures silence a gentle doctor's questions about the nature of morality. As the pressure intensifies, Dr. Jekyll takes matters into his own hands. However, things take an eerie turn when his experiment takes on a life of its own. Will his efforts save the world, or will they destroy all that he holds dear? After all, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
"It never lets down, keeping us on the edge of our seats in horror or laughter" - BroadwayWorld.com; "Absolutely fantastic! A clever mix of the original gothic story and their own brand of witty, nuanced humor. An amazing time at the theater, and a must-see" -Media-Geeks
TAMAR BROADBENT: BEST LIFE written by Tamar Broadbent, directed by Sara Joyce
December 7th, 2018 - December 16th, 2018
Genre: Comedy, Music
'Is it too much to ask for everything?!' she shouted drunkenly at a bin. This was the plan: 1) Find dream job. 2) Change the world. 3) Go for brunch. Now she's broke, overwhelmed by options and in a complicated relationship with Netflix. Award-winning musical comedy about ambition, anxiety and avocados that asks, how do you know if you are living your best life? 'A genuine triple threat' ****- Fest; 'Brings the house down' ****- Skinny; Writer for "Sketchtopia" and "The Now Show" (BBC Radio 4). As seen on Comedy Central Online's Ones to Watch.
BEOWULF created by Autojeu Theatre, starring Sam Gibbs and Pete Buffery
December 11th, 2018 - December 16th, 2018
Genre: Musical Comedy
Autojeu Theatre bring to life one of history's most famous tales. Beowulf, the hero of the Geats comes to the aid of the King of the Danes. See him stride, swim, fight and flounder in this physical, musical performance. Beowulf as you have never seen him. Riotously funny. Autojeu go Scandinavian."...despite some dazzling other shows at Prague Fringe this year, this is easily one of the best." -Prague Post; "...a great piece of theatre...A wealth of theatrical and musical talent coupled with a sense of playfulness on the stage makes this performance immensely entertaining. "Fringe; "Beowulf is an imaginative comic romp through the tulips that edge alongside and around the footsteps left by vaudeville. It defies categorisation, and not in a bad way. At its heart is an unlikely, but genuinely remarkable, comic duo."
SoHo Playhouse's FRINGE ENCORE Series
November 6 - December 16, 2018
The SoHo Playhouse is located at 15 Van Dam Street
Tickets are $39, for more information and a full schedule please visit www.fringeencores.org
For more information about the SoHo Playhouse please visit www.sohoplayhouse.com
Shadow Puppetry / Storytelling / Music
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