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Complete Fringe Festival lineup

More than 30 shows, 130+ performances including visual art and film – all in one guide

By Katie Clavey

Metromix
May 24, 2011

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival, produced by Know Theatre of Cincinnati, continues its eighth season this year May 31-June 11, 2011. The Festival is a collaborative organization striving to provide opportunities and exposure to artists who are willing to take a risk. Our artists push the boundaries of the “norm” and continually experiment with style and content. During the festival local, regional, national and international artists invade downtown Cincinnati for 12 days of artistic celebration in both traditional and non-traditional spaces.

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Curriculum Vitae

Groove Coffee House - 640 Main St. - Riverfront

A show about my introduction into the working world at a very young age and consequent period of underemployment, moving from one awful experience to the next. It's also a users guide as to how to get a job.

Transfringement - Circus Mojo Refudiates the Norm

Know Theatre of Cincinnati - 1120 Jackson St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Clowns since the dawn of humanity have held a special role to challenge authority. The jester’s kept everyone laughing so the King could keep everyone under his thumb. Guest stars may include teens from a prestigious arts school to kids recently out of juvenile detention. Be prepared to refudiate.

Denali

Know Theatre of Cincinnati - 1120 Jackson St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Multiple character transformations, a cave, a mystery, an award winning company, Working Group Theatre, making their Cincinnati debut.

Opal Opus: Journey to Alakazoo

Hanke 2 - 1128 Main St. - Downtown

All parts of Opal Opus interact: Writer, Characters and the Play itself. Each longs to BE – to share its own gift. This is especially challenging when none realize their gift, trust the process or one another, and when, like most of us, all are entrenched in doubt, self-sabotage and fear.

Headscarf and the Angry Bitch

ArtWorks - 20 E. Central Parkway - Downtown

Breaking down cultural stereotypes has never been so fun. The 60-minute show is hilarious, has a solid performance history, and is extremely relatable to anyone who considers themself a "hyphenated American."

White Girl

ArtWorks - 20 E. Central Parkway - Downtown

An original solo show employing found text and sound with movement and pantomime telling a story of a girl exploring these questions.

The God Blog

Art Academy of Cincinnati-Pearlman Gallery - 1212 Jackson St. - Downtown

A radio soap opera which asks musical questions.

S / M / L

Hanke Building - 1128 Main St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

S / M / L explores scale, size, and related concepts through three different choreographic pieces by three choreographers, Michelle Morano, Jeanne Mam-Luft, and Susan Honer. Each section addresses a completely different perspective, highlighting each of the three measures of size.

The Body Speaks: Captured

Venue 1411 Vine St. - 1411 Vine St. - Downtown

Debut for Golden Brown Enterprises. Through use of digital film and shadow puppetry, a house will be transformed into a living organism: one of memories, desires, and sexuality. Inspired by works by photographer Sean Dunn, take a voyeuristic look at what secrets hide behind curtains and closet...

The Body Speaks: Scripted

Venue 1411 Vine St. - 1411 Vine St. - Downtown

Presented by Veteran Fringers Performance Gallery. Part of Visual Fringe which features four unique projects: New mural on the North side of Know Theatre, an interactive food art show, The Body Speaks, and the construction of bike rack(s) for Jackson St.

The Body Speaks: Movement

Venue 1411 Vine St. - 1411 Vine St. - Downtown

Presented by local dance/movement company Pones, Inc. Pones Inc. engages cast and community in the creative process through a series of True Body Project-conducted workshops, public space performances and volunteer efforts that benefit topics explored in the show. Part of Visual Fringe which...

The Body Speaks: Calligraphic Photography Exhibit

Groove Coffee House - 640 Main St. - Riverfront

Works by Sean Dunn. Show can be viewed at 1411 Vine St. 30 minutes before and 15 minutes after any scheduled performance in the space. Part of Visual Fringe which features four unique projects: New mural on the North side of Know Theatre, an interactive food art show, The Body Speaks, and the...

Tooth and 'Nuckle

Hanke 2 - 1128 Main St. - Downtown

Part meditation. Part freak out. All righteous theatrical indignation. This improvised treatise is aimed at the intersection of the tooth and the knuckle; when the feeding hand of benevolence spreads its flesh to the mongrel tooth of freedom.

The Color of Harmony

School for Creative and Performing Arts - 108 W. Central Parkway - Downtown

This play is historical, with a world outlook and remarkable characters that will capture anyone’s interest. Part of FringeNext, which is performances produced, created, and performed by high school students.

The First Book of: The Bible

School for Creative and Performing Arts - 108 W. Central Parkway - Downtown

What do sex, violence, thunder, lighting, plagues, circumcision, death, and music all have in common? They're all in The First Book of: The Bible. Genesis, with all the white hot Holy Spirit that Jesus surely would have wanted. See Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit! Marvel at Jacob conceiving children beyond belief. Observe the stupidity of humanity. Part of FringeNext, which is performances produced, created, and performed by high school students.

Music for Newspapers and Radios

Media Bridges - 1100 Race St. - Downtown

Concert of musical compositions which make use of either newspapers or radios as the generating source of musical sounds, forms and ideas.

Missing

Know Theatre of Cincinnati - 1120 Jackson St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Magical realist detective story traces California solo performer Jessica Ferris's search for the truth about her father who disappeared when she was two, and her discovery that he is a con artist on the lam.

Darker

Know Theatre of Cincinnati - 1120 Jackson St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

One of the most absurd love stories ever told, but a love story none the less.

Peyote Business Lunch

ArtWorks - 20 E. Central Parkway - Downtown

Hallucinogenic trip in an Italian bistro nestled between slot machines and roulette tables while mad men spew forth poetry and philosophical counter-arguments in an attempt to decipher the job skills of an unemployed loser.

To and Fro and Up and Down

Art Academy of Cincinnati-Pearlman Gallery - 1212 Jackson St. - Downtown

It uses humor to provide insight into concepts and history that people might otherwise ignore. Also there might be hot chicks there.

The VindleVoss Family Circus Spectacular

Hanke Building - 1128 Main St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Old and forgotten gloves, suitcases, noise makers, roller skates, and much more are cleverly used to both recreate and reinvigorate classic circus acts. The joy and nostalgia of the circus is brought to the stage by two skilled performers trained in European clowning.

Memoir of a Mythomaniac: The True Story of a Compulsive Liar (or Tallulah Dies)

Hanke Building - 1128 Main St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Through a fusion of spoken word and dance, Tallulah Dies tells the story of a delusional but bewitching heroine. And after being fired from yet another job, her father has convinced her to see a therapist so she can get back to work and out of his basement.

Fire & Light

Neons Unplugged - 208 E. 12th St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Incendium Arts is cabaret-style fire entertainment. Dance, object manipulation and flame exhibition combine with an eclectic soundtrack and nerdy abandon to provide an outrageously fun full sensory experience. Incendium's 35-45 minute, 15 prop shows provide a few solo performances intermingled with...

Talk to the Hand

School for Creative and Performing Arts - 108 W. Central Parkway - Downtown

The “support group” aspect of the show allows for a lot of playing, because the audience members become the family and friends of the characters, and will be treated as such. Particularly at the beginning, the plot allows for audience interaction that will draw attention and heighten the experience. Part of FringeNext, which is performances produced, created, and performed by high school students.

The Beasts

Media Bridges - 1100 Race St. - Downtown

Strange mixture of post-apocalyptic horror, solo performance, and puppetry results in this politically charged and extremely dark comedy.

I Love You (We're F*****)

ArtWorks - 20 E. Central Parkway - Downtown

Unique hybrid of styles is displayed in Thornton's hilariously show about a gay man looking back over the greatest loves (and sex) of his life written by and starring Kevin J Thornton. Includes original music from Thornton's 2011 release January Dreams.

Rip in the Atmosphere

Hanke Building - 1128 Main St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Soaked in strong visuals, sensual dancers, original and popular music, this repertoire concert combines uncommon elements of flip flops, blind bodies and paper cranes.

Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl

Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati - 1127 Vine St. - Downtown

Our not-so-sad-story begins with Tilly: a banker and melancholic. Tilly flits about town spreading her sweet sorrow to everyone she meets: her psychiatrist, Lorenzo; her boyfriend, Frank; and two lesbian lovers, Frances and Joan....so of course they fall in love with her.

OTR 2081

MOTR Pub - 1345 Main St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

OTR 2081 is about OTR 2011, a historical re-enactment resort of the future that takes audiences back to the present. In other words, it’s the Colonial Williamsburg of the future that recreates our lives right now. Shyer Fringers will be happy to know that audience participation is optional and...

The Lydia Etudes - About Loving Anton Chekhov

Media Bridges - 1100 Race St. - Downtown

Earthquakes happen when no one is looking. The controversial love between Anton Chekhov and a woman named Lydia comes alive on stage in The Lydia Etudes. An intimate look at the master storyteller, Anton Chekhov, told through the eyes of the woman who might have been his one true love.

Miss Magnolia Beaumont Goes to Provincetown

Groove Coffee House - 640 Main St. - Riverfront

Not a typical one-man show, but, rather, a solo play. The characters, plot, and action of the piece are very real and the audience is consistently surprised to be taken on a complete theatrical journey.

Recurrence Plot

Hanke Building - 1128 Main St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Offers the best of all dance worlds: innovative, thoughtful images blended with physical, highly skilled movement.

You Only Live Forever Once

Groove Coffee House - 640 Main St. - Riverfront

Four Humors Theater strives to create art that celebrates the humor, stupidity, and beauty of our world by letting the artist connect with the audience in a vulnerable and honest way.

101 Rules for Dating

Art Academy of Cincinnati-Pearlman Gallery - 1212 Jackson St. - Downtown

The show is an instruction manual on the dos, don’ts, and things to watch for in the ever-changing world of dating.

The Masculinity Index

Groove Coffee House - 640 Main St. - Riverfront

Patchwork of theatre, spoken word poetry, narrative, movement and music, both instrumental and vocal. It's a story that everyone may find familiar with the visceral feel and rough edges that make it real.

Music from The Proof: A Workshop

Hanke Building - 1128 Main St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Special Fringe workshop performance from The Bengsons.

The Queen City Underground Tour

Cincy Haus Gift Shop - 1218 Vine Street - Downtown

Tours last 90 minutes to 2 hours. Descend below city streets to reveal hidden burial vault and newly discovered tunnels vital to Cincinnati's heritage. Visit buildings that were home to over 130 saloons, bars and beer gardens, and theaters that hosted iconic entertainers Charlie Chaplin and Buffalo...

Yes You Can Eat It – Interactive Food Art Show

With Chef Joshua Campbell introduces a creative way to look at what you eat. Experience food with an inventive twist on appearance, taste, and smell of many familiar foods, with the help of new styles and techniques for cooking. Three seatings. Part of Visual Fringe which features four unique...

Fringe Documented

Art Academy of Cincinnati-Pearlman Gallery - 1212 Jackson St. - Downtown

The past few years Film Fringe has explored what it means to be on the fringe of film through a wide variety of viewpoints from around the world. This year, we’re looking at what it means to bring the fringe to Cincinnati - specifically, we want to know what it is like to stage a Cincinnati...

The Canterbury Tales: A Workshop

Know Theatre of Cincinnati - 1120 Jackson St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

Geoffrey Chaucer’s established literary classic “The Canterbury Tales” comes to life in an exciting new adaptation presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. It's an unfinished epic poem that depicts a storytelling competition within a diverse group of pilgrims as they attempt to entertain...

trueFRINGE

Know Theatre of Cincinnati - 1120 Jackson St. - Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton

“True stories told by real people.” Their themed shows (trueFEAR, trueBEGINNINGS and trueFOOLISHNESS) have drawn storytellers from all walks of life. Features five storytellers (all artists in this year’s fringe festival) sharing true, personal stories. This time, about life in-and-around the theatre.

There is EVEN a Cincinnati Fringe Festival countdown ticker...nice...

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