Not Another Fringe List! by Russ

7/29/2015

We know, we know. Tis the season for lists upon lists of Fringe shows offered up by people and groups you know only in the politest of circumstances with the hopes that maybe, just maybe, you will grace them with your patronage and attention. It's a yearly Minnesotan tradition second only to the flood of emails and requests that choke your inbox and Facebook feed during Give to the Max Day*.

*No shade meant. GTMD is one of the most important days of the year for us Non-Profs so please, please give all you can. When you can ;)

So we're sure you're sick of seeing yet another list of potential Fringe goodies take center page of your *ahem* favorite local theatre blog. But we can't help it! The Fringe list bug! It has us!

And while your-friendly-neighborhood Savage Umbrella isn't producing a show this year we have some friends of past and present collaborations taking part in the local art making festivities. These are their stories.

*DUM-DUM*

105 Proof or The Killing of Mac "The Silencer" Klein
by Transatlantic Love Affair

Ensemble members Allison Witham and Derek Lee Miller have both collaborated with Savage Umbrella on past workshops such as Vinland and These Are the Men. Fellow ensemble member Nick Wolf performed in our workshop production of Freaks and our full production of These Are the Men.

Summary:
The creators of Ash Land and These Old Shoes return to the Fringe with a punch. Set in Prohibition, era of the Tommy gun and the speakeasy, a small-time bootlegger will discover the true cost of moonshine.

The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Buck Rogers From the 21st Century
by Crash Bandit Coup

Seth Conover, who performs the role of Buck Rogers, was one of the collaborating writers for SU's Rapture Workshop and performed in the full production of Emma Woodhouse is Not a Bitch.

Summary:
500 years into the future and humanity is on the brink of interstellar peace and unlimited free Wi-Fi... so long as one man from the past doesn't Buck it all up!

The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Confessions Of A Butter Princess or Why The Cow Jumped Over The Moon
by Little Lifeboats

Little Lifeboats is one of the many local theatre companies to take advantage of Savage Umbrella's SPACE for rehearsals. Not only that, but cast member Alana Horton worked with us on our full production of These Are The Men and was one of the collaborating artists for our latest workshop, Penelope.

Summary:
On the planet Ceres, Alex, a Cow, and a Queen are trying to escape the wrath of the Princess Kay Chorus. Butter means life or death - okay, mostly death, in this comedy full eccentric characters and dairy art.

The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Pretty Girls Make Graves
by Loudmouth Collective

Cast member Emily Dussault has worked with us many times including as a creative artist for the Leaves Workshop and performing in full productions of Emma Woodhouse is Not a Bitch and Rain Follows The Plow.

Summary:
BMX worships The Smiths. Carla is basic bitch. A dark comedy about friendship, foot fetishes, and shake weights from the writer of A Sad Carousel and the folks who brought you Kitty Kitty Kitty.

The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 18 and up.

The Sexiest Man Alive vs. The Robot Horde
by Clown Mullet Productions

Cast member Joe Halvarson is a company favorite (especially of his wife Heidi's *wink*) He was a collaborator and performer for our workshop production of These Are the Men.

Summary:
The year is THE FUTURE. Robots rule planet Earth. But when an innocent government employee from the Department of Human Affairs is deemed THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE, he learns he may be the key to saving humanity.

The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Total Eclipse of The Heart
by The Peanut Butter Factory

Another group to hold rehearsals in SPACE. Christopher Kehoe and the ensemble of Total Eclipse of the Heart have been playing under our umbrella for some weeks now and we're so excited for the show to finally take to the stage.

Summary:
Forever's gonna start tonight with this original ensemble comedy inspired by Bonnie Tyler's 1983 ballad "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Turn around, Bright Eyes, because every now and then we all fall apart.

The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Needless to say this is far from a complete list of Fringe shows created by or starring the wonderful local artists who have shared with us their time and talent. There just isn't enough space. Our umbrella is huge, but our blog and your patience are finite. So please. PLEASE! While we hope you take the time to stop at and enjoy our friends' art we urge you to also take the road less traveled. If you see a show title that intrigues you, take a chance. It's kinda what this festival is all about.

Happy Fringing!