Review: New Jersey's First FRINGE FESTIVAL

"Jersey Fringe" as it is called took place in Downtown Hammonton, NJ on August 5, 6, and 7th, 2016. For those not familiar with these events here's what took place. Jersey Fringe was a 3-day event featuring multiple theatrical productions at a variety of venues within walking distance of the central location and ticket hub, The Eagle Theatre. 15 Producing Organizations offered eclectic, unique selections for festival goers throughout the entire weekend. This one also featured a Beer and Wine Garden, Pop-Up Art, Food and Art Vendors, Live Music and More!

Here's a lineup of just a few of the live presentation we had the pleasure of enjoying.
ANTIHERO, presented by The Tribe of Fools: A comedy about how seriously we take superheroes and how we often default to violence as a way to solve problems. We experienced close-quarters stage combat as a way to have fun with unrealistic fight scenes in superhero video games and movies. Eventually the piece turns somber as we investigate the real effects that violence has on conflict. The stage fighting was some of the best I've seen on any stage and the show presents the farce of some of our comic book heroes and their fans at their best ...and worst; while the content and language is a bit too raw for children; still it's an entertaining look at how people view their heroes.

IT GIRL: presented by Amanda Schoonover, Brenna Geffers and Anthony Crosby.

IT GIRL opens our obsession with the Next Big Thing when it comes to women in the entertainment industry. Looking through the lens of the original "It Girl" Clara Bow and her tumultuous raise and fall in the Silent Film Industry, this original piece becomes the actress' nightmare for contemporary women. A fantasia of silent film, clown, tap, ballroom, boxing, vintage gags, and innovative storytelling, IT GIRL pits an actress in a dance to the death against Show Biz to find out if anyone can really have It all? IT GIRL is presented in complete pantomime accompanied by vintage music. Amanda Schoonover and Anthony Crosby have mastered this form of art with not one moment of guessing what was happening in each dramatic scene; Simply a delightful presentation.

At the helm of the Festival, which was months in the making, is a devoted team of dedicated volunteers many involved directly with Hammonton's Eagle Theater, New Jersey's only year round professional theater. Among the Fringe orange- clad volunteers were Eagle's own Managing Director Jim Donio, Artistic Directors Ed Corsi and Ted Wioncek II, several Eagle staff members and actors all putting in their best effort to welcome everyone to the Festival and assure that the 3 day event went smoothly and was enjoyed by all.

NOIR- Conceived & Directed by Ted Wioncek III - Screenplay by Tim Rinehart - Cinematography by Brian Morris.

Innovations Factory is the core of themeing artists responsible for many of Eagle Theatre's special effects featured in their mainstage productions, including; mechanical walls, rotating stages, walk-through exhibits, and sensory experiences. Their latest project; a satire on film noir, seamlessly blends live-action with three dimensional cinematography, using up-to-the minute technology and theatrical techniques to immerse the audience. As the vision came into focus, Actor/Writer Tim Rinehart was brought on staff to write a treatment of dialogue for the screenplay. Rinehart's snappy wit turned out to be a perfect fit for what Wioncek had in mind.

Wioncek, Eagle Theatre's Co-Artistic Director and a Founding Member of Innovations Factory, explains, ""Tim wrote the script with no theatrics in mind. We intentionally kept him out of the loop on concept, handed him little to no information regarding our desire to incorporate stage illusions and sensory effects. Our hunch was that a stronger script would arise should it be written straight, with no outside influences. The experiential storytelling aspects would come later, long after the plot and characters had been developed. This approach allowed the writer to write, and remain honest to his intent. NOIR will continue to be developed in this fashion, as we continue to make plans to bring it to the mainstage."

Wioncek concluded, "What patrons experienced at NOIR's debut was simply a small sample of live concept art. Our dynamic team of creative and technical professionals is constantly working to pioneer new forms of entertainment and push the medium of Live Theatre forward. Our greatest reward is being afforded the opportunity to share what we have discovered with our audience."

Everyone went home fully entertained and the buzz is when will the next New Jersey Fringe Festival take place? For more information about the New Jersey Fringe Festival visit the website www.jerseyfringe.com for more information about the Eagle Theater visit www.eagletheatre.com

Photos: Courtesy NJ Fringe Festival and The Eagle Theatre

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