Full slate of performances
Island Fringe Festival presenting eight productions this week
The Island Fringe Festival is gearing up for another exciting season with eight productions for attendees to choose from. Shows this year include P.E.I.’s own Justin Shaw performing in his premier production of “The Wrestling Play,” a piece about following your dreams and taking command of your own life. Then there is Charlottetown’s Sam MacDonald’s talk-show-style production “What’s so Funny About…” “The Run Away Game” from Montreal explores how one deals with trauma, and “Perk up, Pianist!” from Toronto is Sarah Hagen’s true story of life as a concert pianist.
There are two shows from the United States, “If I Were Me… I’d Know I Want,” a funny and poignant tale of one woman’s 50-year journey to come back to her true nature, and “Ship of Dreams,” a dance-theatre piece. Two more local productions round out the lineup: Rory Starkman’s “Just the Way It Is,” which explores one person’s journey to discover their identity beyond the gender binary, and Dana Doucette’s “Personal Philosophy,” a stand up comedy show featuring Doucette and comedian/author/retired country music DJ Mark McCue.
In addition, the festival will host Kid’s Fringe Garden Party on Friday, Aug. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Rochford Square, Charlottetown.
For night owls, there are Fringe After Dark events from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. nightly during the festival.
Bring board game skills to “Nerdy and Nice” on Thursday at Small Print Board Game Café, get your 15 minutes of fame at “Broadway Karaoke” on Friday at Marc’s Lounge or the next day, Aug. 5, try your hand at stand-up at “Comedy Central”. The festivities cap off with the Closing Party on Aug. 6 at the Haviland Club.
The Island Fringe Festival kicked off on Aug. 2 with the Poetry in the Wild event at Marc’s Lounge. For a detailed schedule of performances visit www.islandfringe.com, on social media at @islandfringe, or pick up a program located at various locations in Charlottetown.