Arius West takes over Fringe ArtSpace
The next production at the Fringe ArtSpace in downtown Orlando sounds like a perfect fit for the venue’s mission of helping emerging artists take their craft to the next level.
“A Quarter of a Century … and then some!” is just one of the interesting events on tap for the weekend, which also finds a kooky musical in an unusual place, an a cappella performance by a Central Florida fave, a classic musical and a concert inspired by a video game.
Before we get to those, let’s dive into “A Quarter of a Century … and then some!”
It’s a 60-minute show created by local actor and theater maker Arius West that focuses on the development of an artist, as seen through West’s own experiences.
West is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he excelled in a challenging role in “The Octoroon” — a complicated play about race, stereotypes and the theater. He’s well-known around the area as a performer, teaching artist and director. Along with themepark work at Walt Disney World and SeaWorld, West has performed in “Lenox Ave.” at the Renaissance Theatre in Orlando, “Beat Bugs” at Orlando Repertory Theatre, where he also teaches, and in shows such as “A Treeful of Monkeys” and “African Tales” with MicheLee Puppets.
He’s also a founder of MAC Boys Entertainment, which specializes in increasing the presence of Black people onstage, backstage and in the audience — by telling stories about the Black experience by Black writers.
The description of his Fringe ArtSpace show intrigues: “Through brave exploration, vulnerability, self-discovery/reflection/ discipline/love/motivation, Arius has found a new hobby that we call … Growth!”
I can vouch for West’s vulnerability and openness: When speaking with him about getting MAC Boys off the ground, he freely shared how the work and feeling of responsibility had brought him to tears. His story should be an interesting one.
On a sadder note, the production will be the last Orlando-based show from Beth Marshall Presents. Marshall, the former producer of the Orlando Fringe Festival and longtime theater artist, is relocating to Colorado.
“A Quarter of a Century … and then some!” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. March 9-11 at Fringe ArtSpace, 54 W. Church St. in Orlando. Tickets are $27-$32 (obstructed-view seats $5) at orlandofringe. org/artspace.
Other weekend arts choices:
The Addams Family: New Generation Theatrical brings Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday and the rest to a pop-up theater in Orlando’s Fashion Square Mall. Audience members may be seated in the family’s dining room or elsewhere among the musical comedy’s action. Final performance is March 11; go to newgentheatrical.org/addams.
Voctave: The homegrown 11-member singing group has scored multiple No. 1 songs and albums on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify, while attracting more than 150 million views of their videos. It performs as part of the Celebration Concert Series at 7 p.m. March 11 at Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration. Go to celebrationfoundation. org/event/voctave.
Distant Worlds: Music From Final Fantasy: The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, vocalist Susan Calloway and chorus, accompanied by video projections, will perform music from the Final Fantasy franchise in honor of its 35th anniversary. Concerts are 8 p.m. March 10 and 11 in the Walt Disney Theater of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts; go to drphillipscenter.org.
Sweet Charity: Osceola Arts presents the story of relentless optimist Charity Hope Valentine, a dance-hall hostess, in the 1966 musical that gave us the immortal “Hey, Big Spender.” The production opens March 10 at the Kissimmee venue and runs through March 26. Osceola Arts’ first-ever audio-described performance for patrons who are blind or have low vision will be March 24. More info: osceolaarts.org.