TOP PICKS FOR FRINGE FESTIVAL
HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THE EXPERIMENTAL THEATER EVENT, WHICH IS RUNNING NOW THROUGH MAY 28
The San Diego International Fringe Festival opened Thursday. But with 19 shows in three different venues, it can be a challenge to navigate. To help Fringe fans better plan their schedules, performers from a dozen of the shows gave a free sneak peek on Tuesday night. Here are some highlights from that event. The full Fringe schedule and show details can be found at sdfringe.org.
‘Mark Pleases You’
Actor Mark Vigeant honed his comic skills onstage for 10 years in New York City, so his new solo show has the polish and easy humor that were missing from many of the other homespun previews Tuesday. Using his vocal skills to inhabit two sides of his personality — the timid Earthly people-pleaser Mark and the gruff, wildeyed devilish Mark (who surfaces after Mark dies and goes to hell) — Vigeant has good stage presence and is a funny, engaging physical comedian. 60 minutes. Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater. PG-13. 4 p.m. today; 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday; 9 p.m. May 26.
‘Choice Words’
Former KUSI newscaster Sasha Foo has spent the past year writing this play, subtitled “Monologues About the Fight for Reproductive Freedom.” She has penned 13 monologues by women fighting for control of their own bodies. A brief snippet of one of the eight monologues that will be presented at Fringe this month was well-crafted and well-acted. 60 minutes. PG-13. Centro Cultural de la Raza. 7:30 p.m. today; 9 p.m. Saturday.
‘How to be Japanese: Your Normal Is Not My Normal’
Miyo Yamauchi of Los Angeles is a natural and very funny storyteller in this solo play about her move from Japan to Orange County to become a programmer. After arriving, she realized “how weird Japan is” to Californians, and how difficult it is to pronounce words like Irvine. From the brief preview, I was intrigued. 60 minutes. G. Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater. 6 p.m. today; 4 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday and May 27; 4 p.m. May 28.
‘1996: A blink-182 Musical’
Playwright Daniel Durston is presenting a staged reading of his new jukebox musical featuring songs by the San Diego-born band blink-182. From the script snippet performed, it’s about a struggling L.A. pop-punk band finally getting its big break as an opening act on a 1996 No Doubt tour. It seems funny, and the music should be memorable. 60 minutes. PG-13. Centro Cultural de la Raza. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday;
San Diego International Fringe Festival
When: Runs through May 28
Where: Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, 2130 Pan American Road, San Diego; Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., San Diego;
Les Girls Theater, 3970 Riley St., San Diego
Tickets: $10 per show; $5 one-time badge fee
Online: sdfringe.org
9 p.m. May 26; 6 p.m. May 27; 4 p.m. May 28.
‘Arson 101: A Choose Your Own Adventure’
Although it’s hard to tell much from the preview, this interactive piece by multitalented San Diego artists Levani Korganashvili and Kaylin Saur has potential. At 17 places in the story of a relationship, the audience will choose what happens next, and the duo will use acting, dancing, singing, acrobatics, drag and circus skills to reach one of six endings. 40 minutes. PG-13. Centro Cultural de la Raza. 1 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 6 p.m. Thursday; 9 p.m. May 27.
Also worth checking out?
“Normal Heights” The latest horror-infused work from local playwright Christian St. Croix takes a look at the darker side of this San Diego neighborhood and its weird and creepy welcoming committee. I like St. Croix’s writing, so I’m going to catch this show. 50 minutes. PG-13. Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater. 6 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Monday; 9 p.m. Tuesday; 6 p.m. May 27.
“105 Miles From Home” Local playwright Alexis Hernandez based this play on her grandparents’ experience as child refugees from Cuba arriving alone in the U.S. in the early 1960s. 45 minutes. PG. Centro Cultural de la Raza. 4 p.m. Saturday; 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 1 p.m. May 27.
“79 Ways to Die” L.A. playwrght Veronica Rosas offers a funny and feminist take on five character death scenes in the works of William Shakespeare. 50 minutes. PG-13. Centro Cultural de la Raza. 6 p.m. today; 2:30 p.m. Saturday; 9 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. May 26; 11:30 a.m. May 27.
“The Coffee Plays” Kent Brisby’s latest historical play with music features five true stories on how popular and famous coffees came to be. Audience members get a free sample of each fresh-roasted brew. Who doesn’t love that? 50 minutes. PG. Centro Cultural de la Raza. 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday; 9 p.m. Tuesday; 6 p.m. May 26.