WaterTower Theatre Announces Schedule for 2010 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival

WaterTower Theatre (WTT) is pleased to announce the artists and schedule for the 2010 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival. A 10?day celebration of theatre, dance, music and art, the Out of the Loop Fringe Festival features performances by arts organizations and artists from across the nation. The Festival will run March 4 - 14, 2010. Performances will be held at the Addison Theatre Centre, which contains three performance venues: the Festival Main Stage (seating approximately 200), the Studio Theatre (seating approximately 70), and the Stone Cottage (seating approximately 50). In 2009, The Dallas Observer named the Out of the Loop Fringe Festival Best Theatre Festival in its annual "Best of Dallas" issue.

Additionally, the 2004 Dallas/Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum awarded the Festival a special citation for providing performance opportunities to new works and new production companies. The attendance for the 2009 festival exceeded 4,700 patrons over 10 days. Headlining the 2010 festival will be the award?winning monologist Mike Daisey, Broadway maestro Seth Rudetsky and one of America's favorite musical?comedy combos The Three Redneck Tenors. Masterful monologist Mike Daisey, creator and performer of 21 Dog Years: Doing Time at Amazon.com and The Ugly American, comes to the Out of the Loop Main Stage with Great Men of Genius, a series of shows that apply his trademark wit and unique perspective to fascinating historical figures.

On consecutive nights, Mike profiles the legendary lives of P.T. Barnum, Bertolt Brecht, Nikola Tesla and L. Ron Hubbard, exploring the nature of genius and the pride, insanity and chauvinism that bind these men together. Meet one genius for an insightful and entertaining evening-or meet all four for a truly epic account of triumph and folly. Additionally, Mike's visit will include a special one?night?only performance of his critically?acclaimed and controversial How Theatre Failed America. In this acclaimed monologue about theater, failure, passion, and hope, Daisey fearlessly takes stock of the state of theater in America: a shrinking world with smaller audiences every year. He tells his own story of a life in the theater, both hilarious and heartfelt, as he challenges us to believe in the power of live theater while questioning the state of things today. From gorgeous new theaters standing empty as cathedrals, to "successful" working actors traveling like migrant farmhands, to an arts culture unwilling to speak or listen to its own nation, Daisey seeks answers to essential and dangerous questions about the art we're making, the legacy we leave the future, and who it is we believe we're speaking to. 

Immediately following this performance, we invite you to stay for a panel discussion including Mike Daisey, WTT Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin, Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty, and local actress Denise Lee. The discussion will be moderated by KERA critic and reporter Jerome Weeks. Also on the Main Stage will be Broadway maestro Seth Rudetsky with his hilarious one?man show Broadway Seth Rudetsky Style. The star of Sirius/XM Radio's daily Broadway show and the on?camera vocal coach on MTV's Legally Blonde: Search for Elle Woods, Seth explores his own private video and audio collection to show Texas audiences how to deconstruct what's vocally amazing (Patti LuPone in Evita) and what's a vocal travesty (Madonna in Evita). As a pianist, Seth has played for more than a dozen Broadway shows including Ragtime, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and The Producers. Additionally, Seth will conduct an Audition Master Class on Sunday, March 7 at 1 PM on the Festival Main Stage.

Each student will receive individual instruction as well as participate in a Q&A session with one of the most knowledgeable musicians working in New York. For information on this unique Master Class or to sign up to participate, visit Seth online at http://sethrudetsky.com/blog/see?me?live. The final weekend of the festival will bring THE THREE REDNECK TENORS to Addison. The Tenors will close the festival with their new show Broadway Bound. The boys have finally made it to the Great White Way - trailer and all - smack dab right in the middle of Times Square. Although the Colonel and the boys have finally found the perfect venue, they're now on a quest to find the perfect show! Join our 3 singing cousins as they stampede their way through Broadway's greatest hits! You'll hear them belt out tunes from such favorite shows as Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Little Orphan Annie, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line and many others. Join Billy Joe, Billy Bob and Billy Billee as they put the odd in Broadway for a roof?raising, unforgettable good time. The 2010 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival will take place March 4 - 14, 2010.

Tickets to all events go on sale February 16. Festival Passes, which include one admission to each festival event, are currently available for $60 by calling the WaterTower Theatre Box Office at 972.450.6232.

For a complete list of festival events, visit the Out of the Loop Fringe Festival website at www.watertowertheatre.org and click on Out of the Loop under the Now Playing tab. Joining the Festival Headliners will be: Audacity Theatre Lab presents the World Premiere of CHOP written and performed by Brad McEntire CHOP concerns a man devoid of ambition, with a profound sense of isolation from the busy, happy, productive people around him. Through a chance encounter with a mysterious tattooed woman he is introduced to what may be his true calling ? a subculture of unique fetishists who enjoy getting their limbs lopped off. As the guy willing to wield the axe and make the chops, he may finally develop a sense of belonging. Club 119 Productions present the Area Premiere of I Sing! music & lyrics by Sam Forman & Eli Bolin Everyone knows everyone wherever you go; New York's the biggest little town I know. Hailed as one of the best Off?Broadway scores ever written and described as bringing an Avenue Q style attitude to Sondheim?esque music, I Sing! is the tumultuous tale of love triangles, betrayal, and unrequited desire in the Prozac era. Centering around the lives of five young New Yorkers confronting their futures, I Sing! is an energetic snapshot of a lust for life in the city that never sleeps, a story of youthful sensibilities told entirely in song. 

Cyrano Players present the World Premiere of Communication Breakdown by Molly Moroney Communication Breakdown is a trilogy of one acts that look at the humor in every day experiences. The trilogy begins with Hazards At Horizons about a woman with lost luggage and an unpleasant airline employee. Next, Communication Breakdown and the late arrival of the cable guy gives his customer unexpected consequences. Finally, Futilitarian Hell has a woman caught in the bank's automated phone system where a routine call becomes a nightmare when she believes the government is involved. David Bithell presents the World Premiere of the difference engine composed and performed by David Bithell Part Rube Goldberg wizardry, part multimedia feast ? this is a performance spectacle you have to see to believe. Trained as a musician, interdisciplinary artist David Bithell takes the virtuosity of musical performance and adapts it in a captivating take on physical theater ? from invented musical instruments that have a life of their own to an intricate choreography of gadgets ? the difference engine is experimental, genre?defying, funny, and fun. David Parr presents the World Premiere of Mimi at the 44 th Parallel by David Parr At The 44th Parallel Lounge in the remote outskirts of Kingston, Ontario, a mysterious young man searching for the father who abandoned him applies for a job as a piano player. Instead of his father, however, he finds Mimi, the bright and quirky wife of the bar's alcoholic owner - who may hold the key to all of their destinies. David Parr, author of Eleanor Rigby is Waiting and Slap and Tickle, presents this World Premiere. Donald Fowler presents the World Premiere Reading of Creep (the very, very sad but unfortunately true and completely fabricated tale of Jack the Ripper) by Donald Fowler; choral arrangements by Lee Harris Award?winning actor/playwright Donald Fowler presents the world premiere staged reading of his new musical Creep (the very, very, sad but unfortunately true and completely fabricated tale of Jack the Ripper).

Forget everything you think you know about Jack the Ripper ? Donald creates his own unique take, loosely based on the facts surrounding the world's first serial killer. Creep features a haunting score and an ending that will leave you breathless. Girls Gone Weird... Comedy Gone Awry presents Girls Gone Weird: Gone Lupe! Hey, Baby...You Lookin' for a Good Time? Marisa Diotalevi and Sherry Etzel (a dynamic duo of dames) know how to please with their unique blend of song, dance, sketch and improv comedy. Girls Gone Weird puts the FUN back in funny, the HOT back in hottie, the SIL back in silly, the GUF back in guffaw, the GIG back in giggle, the TIT back in titter, the CHORT back in chortle, the BROAD back in Broadway and the HA back in hardy, har, har! Menàge à?Ha presents Menàge à?Ha! Threesomes are all the rage, and this trio of Sherry Etzel, Maria Zohar and Emily Antrainer is no exception. You've seen them on stages across the D/FW area...and in many late?night, unstaged, spur?of?the?moment performances, which they don't care to expound upon. Ménage à?Ha! is perky, quirky, jerky comedy where no subject is sacred and the ridiculous is sublime! From celebrity spoofs to tongue?in?cheek sketch and song parodies, it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on! SceneShop presents the World Premiere of Lost Beat Generation: Troika This year, SceneShop presents Lost Beat Generation, a lab project of SceneShop. LBG will be offering three short pieces: Jimmy Jim Jim and the MFM by Meron Langsner, followed by Split Pea Soup written by Steven Alan McGaw, and Morrison by Nicholas Irion. This intriguing collection of one?acts feature individuals struggling against foes and obstacles bigger than they are, caught in the maw of circumstances well beyond their control. 

Muscle Memory Dance Theatre presents the World Premiere of The Rubber Room M2DT dances the personal narratives of four NYC teachers detained in the The Rubber Room ? a place of limbo where hundreds of New York City schoolteachers are suspended each year ? their teaching privileges temporarily, indefinitely revoked. Accused of a wide range of misconduct, these fully paid NYC teachers are not allowed in the classroom. Instead, they must report to an off?campus location commonly known as "The Rubber Room". Using text from This American Life, M2DT's dance interprets situations occurring in The Rubber Room - a place where a present day Lord of the Flies meets the City Services of NYC. Rite of Passage Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Binge by Thomas Ward Binge is a dark comedy centering around an obese man as he prepares to undergo a life?changing gastric bypass surgery. As the surgery looms closer, he is forced to confront his personal motives and, ultimately, the uncomfortable truth of how he sees himself. Stuffed with humor, anger, passion, and compulsive behavior, Binge asks its audience to consider the nature of beauty, the toxicity of vanity, and to question one's own motives for so?called "self improvement."

Second Thought Theatre presents Power Lunch by Alan Ball When an egomaniacal man and an erratic woman meet over a "Power Lunch" they instantly connect, but very quickly detest one another. This combative comedy by Alan Ball, Oscar?winning screenwriter for American Beauty and the creative force behind HBO's True Blood and Six Feet Under, examines the role that gender plays in determining who really holds the power in relationships. Shane & Erica Peterman present The Glamorous Life Shane and Erica Peterman invite you into their story of life, love, marriage and parenthood. Told through some of the greatest music of all time, their tale of unconditional love is both humorous and touching. From classic standards like Someone to Watch Over Me and If I Loved You to contemporary pieces such as The Next Ten Minutes and My Stupid Mouth, both singers blend two journeys into one. If you have ever loved someone, have a child of your own or simply enjoy musical theatre ? don't miss this show. Sound Culture presents Saliendo Abierta (Emerging Open) written and performed by Tammy Gomez Acclaimed performance poet Tammy Gomez takes us into the light as she battles the darkness and isolation of solitary confinement. Her newest one?woman work Saliendo Abierta (Emerging Open) explores the internal crisis that ensued when she became trapped in her bedroom closet and the stories, memories, and zen?like focus that helped her open the door two and a half days later. Sundown Collaborative Theatre presents Videotape by Cody Lucas Left alone for 16 years with only the television as their window to the outside, Christian and Abraham attempt to make sense of the world around them. They've adapted to their habitat and created their own mythology, but when their routine is disturbed, secrets come to light and their primal nature surfaces. Videotape explores the bond between brothers and what exactly defines a family. WaterTower Theatre presents TBA WaterTower Theatre is hard at work selecting one of the most exciting and contemporary plays for festival audiences. Performance rights are still pending, so check back soon for the announcement of WTT's festival production. 

Performance Schedule (subject to change):

A = Visual Art C = Cabaret D = Dance M = Music Performance T = Theatre Performance

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 5:30PM (A) Opening of the Out of the Loop Art Exhibit - Theatre Lobby - No Charge Thursday, March 4, 2010 7:30PM (T) Great Men of Genius: P.T. Barnum - Mike Daisey - Main Stage - $15 7:30PM (T) Binge - Rite of Passage Theatre Company - Studio Theatre - $10 7:30PM (T) CHOP - Audacity Theatre Lab - Stone Cottage - $10 Friday, March 5, 2010 8:00PM (T) Great Men of Genius: Bertolt Brecht - Mike Daisey - Main Stage - $15 8:00PM (T) WaterTower Theatre - Studio Theatre - $10 8:00PM (T) Communication Breakdown - Cyrano Players - Stone Cottage - $10 10:00PM (T) Girls Gone Weird: Gone Lupe! - Girls Gone Weird - Studio Theatre - $10 Saturday, March 6, 2010 2:00PM (T) I Sing! - Club 110 Productions - Studio Theatre - $10 2:00PM (D) The Rubber Room - Muscle Memory Dance Theatre - Stone Cottage - $10 5:00PM (T) Broadway Seth Rudetsky Style - Seth Rudetsky - Main Stage - $15 5:00PM (T) WaterTower Theatre - Studio Theatre - $10 5:00PM (D) The Rubber Room - Muscle Memory Dance Theatre - Stone Cottage - $10 8:00PM (T) Great Men of Genius: Nikola Tesla - Mike Daisey - Main Stage - $15 8:00PM (T) Power Lunch - Second Thought Theatre - Studio Theatre - $10 8:00PM (D) The Rubber Room - Muscle Memory Dance Theatre - Stone Cottage - $10 10:00PM (T) Girls Gone Weird: Gone Lupe! - Girls Gone Weird - Studio Theatre - $10 Sunday, March 7, 2010 1:00PM (T) Seth Rudetsky Audition Master Class - Main Stage 2:00PM (T) Binge - Rite of Passage Theatre Company - Studio Theatre - $10 2:00PM (T) Videotape - Sundown Collaborative Theatre - Stone Cottage - $10 5:00PM (T) Great Men of Genius: L. Ron Hubbard - Mike Daisey - Main Stage - $15 5:00PM (T) The Glamorous Life - Shane & Erica Peterman - Studio Theatre - $10 5:00PM (T) CHOP - Audacity Theatre Lab - Stone Cottage - $10 7:30PM (T) Broadway Seth Rudetsky Style - Seth Rudetsky - Main Stage - $15 7:30PM (T) I Sing! - Club 110 Productions - Studio Theatre - $10 7:30PM (T) Communication Breakdown - Cyrano Players - Stone Cottage - $10 Monday, March 8, 2010 7:30PM (T) How Theatre Failed America - Mike Daisey - Main Stage - $15 (no festival passes) Tuesday, March 9, 2010 7:30PM (T) Creep (the very, very sad but unfortunately true and completely fabricated tale of Jack the Ripper) - Donald Fowler - Main Stage - $10 7:30PM (T) I Sing! - Club 110 Productions - Studio Theatre - $10 7:30PM (T) Communication Breakdown - Cyrano Players - Stone Cottage - $10 Wednesday, March 10, 2010 7:30PM (T) Broadway Bound - Three Redneck Tenors - Main Stage - $20 ($10 for festival passholders) 7:30PM (T) WaterTower Theatre - Studio Theatre - $10 7:30PM (T) Videotape - Sundown Collaborative Theatre - Stone Cottage - $10 
Thursday, March 11, 2010 7:30PM (T) Broadway Bound - Three Redneck Tenors - Main Stage - $20 ($10 for festival passholders) 7:30PM (T) the difference engine - David Bithell - Studio Theatre - $10 7:30PM (T) CHOP - Audacity Theatre Lab - Stone Cottage - $10 Friday, March 12, 2010 8:00PM (T) Broadway Bound - Three Redneck Tenors - Main Stage - $20 ($10 for festival passholders) 8:00PM (T) The Glamorous Life - Shane & Erica Peterman - Studio Theatre - $10 8:00PM (T) Mimi at the 44 th Parallel - David Parr - Stone Cottage - $10 10:00PM (T) Menàge à?Ha - Menage a?Ha - Studio Theatre - $10 Saturday, March 13, 201011:00AM (T) Power Lunch - Second Thought Theatre - Studio Theatre - $10 11:00AM (T) Communication Breakdown - Cyrano Players - Stone Cottage - $10 2:00PM (T) Broadway Bound - Three Redneck Tenors - Main Stage - $20 ($10 for festival passholders) 2:00PM (T) I Sing! - Club 110 Productions - Studio Theatre - $10 2:00PM (T) Mimi at the 44 th Parallel - David Parr - Stone Cottage - $10 5:00PM (T) the difference engine - David Bithell - Studio Theatre - $10 5:00PM (T) CHOP - Audacity Theatre Lab - Stone Cottage - $10 8:00PM (T) Broadway Bound - Three Redneck Tenors - Main Stage - $20 ($10 for festival passholders) 8:00PM (T) WaterTower Theatre - Studio Theatre - $10 8:00PM (T) Lost Beat Generation: Troika - SceneShop - Stone Cottage - $10 10:00PM (T) Menàge à?Ha - Menage a?Ha - Studio Theatre - $10 Sunday, March 14, 2010 2:00PM (T) Broadway Bound - Three Redneck Tenors - Main Stage - $20 ($10 for festival passholders) 2:00PM (T) The Glamorous Life - Shane & Erica Peterman - Studio Theatre - $10 2:00PM (T) Lost Beat Generation: Troika - SceneShop - Stone Cottage - $10 5:00PM (T) Binge - Rite of Passage Theatre Company - Studio Theatre - $10 5:00PM (T) Videotape - Sundown Collaborative Theatre - Stone Cottage - $10 7:30PM (T) Salienda Abierta (Emerging Open) - Sound Culture - Main Stage - $10 7:30PM (T) Power Lunch - Second Thought Theatre - Studio Theatre - $10 7:30PM (T) Mimi at the 44 th Parallel - David Parr - Stone Cottage - $10

Photo credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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