BY BROGAN SCOTCH, STAFF WRITER
Experience entertainment on the fringe as internationally renowned musicians, artists and performers from near and far converge for the 2019 Scranton Fringe Festival.
Going into its fifth year, the festival — which will open on Friday, Sept. 27, and complete on Sunday, Oct. 6 — promises to continue to provide audiences with all the boundary-pushing art and diverse performances that they have come to expect.
“With ten full days of performances and special events, this is the biggest it has ever been,” festival co-founder and executive director Conor Kelly O’Brien said. “We have a larger array of performances than ever before. … We are really excited to be introducing new programming and new venue spaces.”
Featuring over 50 productions across a variety of new and returning venue spaces, the festival is meant to appeal to audiences of all tastes and preferences.
“You can expect to see everything from classic, professional-level productions and new works by regional students to experimental and quirky takes on adaptations,” O’Brien said.
Also included will be cabaret-style events, family-friendly programs and a game show event, just to name a few types of experiences that will be offered.
New this year for all audience members is the requirement of an official Scranton Fringe Button. Priced at $5, these buttons allow potential audience members to purchase tickets for the events of their choosing. The button will remain valid for the entirety of the festival, but the benefits will continue. Patrons can present their buttons at participating restaurants, vendors and boutiques across Scranton to benefit from exclusive discounts for the rest of the year. Tickets cost $10 for each performance after purchasing the required Fringe Button. For a list of Fringe Button partners and more information on the festival, visit scrantonfringe.org.
In addition, the new, official Scranton Fringe app is free to download on all smartphones and will help audience members navigate the various acts and venues with helpful filtering options, descriptions and maps. This will be a valuable tool for anyone hoping to make the most of their festival experience.
“The Scranton Fringe Festival is not only an incredible opportunity for us to celebrate and nurture the arts and culture of our region, but it also provides an incredible amount of economic stimulus in Lackawanna County,” O’Brien said.
Scranton Fringe Festival schedule of events
518 Lackawanna, 518 Lackawanna Ave.
“A Sunday To Ourselves”: Saturday, Oct. 5, 6 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 5 p.m.; theater, written and directed by Will Krisanda; rated PG-13; 45 minutes.
“Invisible Joe”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m.; theater, written and directed by Ted LoRusso; rated R; 60 minutes.
“What Is Sacred: A One Human Show”: Thursday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 3:30 p.m.; theater, created and performed by Anne Wolfe; rated PG-13; 90 minutes.
Fringe Karaoke: Friday, Oct. 4, 5 to 8 p.m.; music, presented by LB Entertainment & Scranton Fringe; 90 minutes.
AFA Gallery, 514 Lackawanna Ave.
“Tiramisu”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 5 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 5 p.m.; theater/solo, written, directed, and performed by Michael Burgos, rated PG, 60 minutes.
“Stan & Stella: The Poetry Comment Line Callers Didn’t Know They Were Writing”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 and 5 p.m.; theater/poetry/spoken word, by David Parmelee; rated G; 45 minutes.
“Stoner Morning Show”: Thursday, Oct. 3, through Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 p.m.; theater/improv, presented by Bad Theater Fest; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“Singing (And Dancing) through the Decades”: Sunday, Sept. 29, 5 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 3 p.m.; theater/musical, presented by Act Out Theater Group; rated PG; 60 minutes.
“Ye Merry Gentlemen”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 3 and 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 29, 3 p.m.; theater, written by Rick Staron; rated PG; 45 minutes.
“Yoga in the Gallery”: Monday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m.; yoga for all levels.
“Marketing 101: Storyselling”: Sunday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; workshop, presented by Cristin Powers and Chrissy Manuel.
Madame Jenny’s, 126 Franklin Ave.
Fringe Cabaret: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 p.m.; doors at 9:30 p.m.; theater, hosted by Carmel Clavin; rated R; 90 minutes.
“Temptress!”: Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 5 p.m.; theater/interdisciplinary, written and performed by Ms. Foxy V; Rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“The Marvelous Mechanical Musical Maiden”: Thursday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 3 p.m.; interdisciplinary/solo, created and performed by Carmel Clavin; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
Lackawanna County Children’s Library, 520 Vine St.
“The Bug Play”: Friday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 2:30 p.m.; children’s theater, created and presented by The New Collectives; rated G; 45 minutes.
“History Time Henry”: Saturday, Oct. 5, noon and 4 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m.; children’s theater; rated PG; 60 minutes.
Open Mic Night at the Children’s Library: Thursday, Oct. 3, 6 to 8 p.m.; children’s theater; rated PG; 90 minutes.
“Petit Afrique”: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 3, 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct 6, 4 p.m.; children’s theater, presented by NeWave Studios; rated G; 45 minutes.
“Shakespeare’s World: A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.; workshop/children’s theater, presented by The Young Collectives, The Education Division of The New Collectives; rated G; 60 minutes.
Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple: Junior Ballroom, 420 N. Washington Ave.
“Next Round”: Thursday, Oct 3, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 3:30 p.m.; theater, presented by Scranton Shakespeare Festival; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“The Singularity”: Saturday, Oct. 5, 5 and 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 5 p.m.; theater/musical, written by Little Star Run Music; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“Malum in Se”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 5 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m.; theater, created by Nicole Nicholas, Ember Duke and Thomas Kennedy; rated PG-13; 45 minutes.
“Quark!”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m.; musical/theater, written and directed by Conor McGuigan; rated PG-13; 45 minutes. “Not Without Her Stories”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2 and 8:30 p.m.; theater/interdisciplinary, presented by The Collective Mic Productions; rated R; 45 minutes.
Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple: Shopland Hall, 420 N. Washington Ave.
“Big Gay Storyslam”: Friday, Sept. 27, 8 p.m.; theater; rated R; 90 minutes.
“North Star Alley”: Sunday, Sept. 29, 5 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 5 p.m.; musical/theater, presented by PATAsphere; rated G; 90 minutes.
“Our Town”: Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 3 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 3 p.m.; theater, presented by The New Vintage Ensemble; rated NA.
“Silent Disco”: Friday, Oct. 4, 10 p.m.; dance/movement; rated N/A; 90 minutes.
Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave
“Underground Microphone: Fringe Takeover!”: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 6 to 8 p.m.; presented by the Scranton Cultural Center and Scranton Fringe.
“Wake Up with the Arts Breakfast”: Friday, Oct. 4, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; presented by the Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Department (call 570-963-6590 x106 to register).
The Space at Olive, 541 Wyoming Ave.
“Crave”: Thursday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 3:30 p.m.; dance/movement, presented by Starr Foster Dance; rated PG; 60 minutes.
“Feast”: Friday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 3:30 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m.; dance/movement/interdisciplinary, created and choreographed by Polanco Jones, Jr.; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“I Know It Was the Blood: The Totally True Adventures of a Newfangled Black Woman”: Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 5 p.m.; solo/theater, written and performed by Tara Lake; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“The Investigation: A Search for Truth in Ten Acts”: Sunday, Sept. 29, 3 and 7 p.m.; theater/special event/community event, presented by Common Play Factory in association with the Scranton Fringe Festival; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“Malarkey!”: Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 p.m.; game show, presented by Scranton Fringe and The New Vintage Ensemble; rated N/A; 60 minutes.
The Space at Olive (Garage), 541 Wyoming Ave.
“All Right Show”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 6:30 p.m.; interdisciplinary/musical, presented by Bedlam Street Productions; rated PG-13; 60 minutes.
“Here We Are in Spain and Friends”: Saturday, September 28, 9 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 5:30 p.m.; improv/theater; presented by, directed by, performed by, written by, created by, and featuring Here We Are in Spain; rated R; 60 minutes.
“She the People”: Saturday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 6, 3:30 p.m.; improv/theater, presented by Make Your Own Damn Sandwich – An All Female Improv and Sketch Troupe; rated PG-13; 45 minutes.
“All You Can Laugh!”: Sunday, Sept. 29, 5 p.m. (60 minutes); Thursday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. (60 minutes) and 8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 5 and 7 p.m.; improv/theater, presented by Scranton Improv & Comedy; rated R; 90 minutes.
“The Mighty Improv Mash-up”: Sunday, Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 p.m. (60 minutes); improv/theater, presented by Scranton Improv & Comedy; rated R; 90 minutes.
Fidelity Bank, 338 North Washington Ave.
“Art, Smiles, and Ice Cream”: Friday, Oct. 4, 6 to 8 p.m.; presented by Change Playground and hosted by Fidelity Bank
The Recovery Bank, 120 Wyoming Ave.
“Real-life Drama”: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 and 5 p.m.; drama, directed by Paige Balitski of Diva Productions
The Bog, 341 Adams Ave.
“Fringe on the Red Carpet! A Hollywood Style Electric City Boogie”: Thursday, Oct. 3, 9 p.m.; dance/movement; 21 to enter; 90 minutes.
Fringe HQ, 516 Lackawanna Ave.
“On the Fringe Party!”: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m.; all are welcome; rated N/A; 90 minutes.
“Scranton Fringe Festival Wrap Party”: Sunday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m.; all are welcome; 90 minutes.
Contact the writer: bscotch@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127
