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FRINGE FILE #2: John’s Guide to Day 2

by John Anderson -

A mashup of promotional images for shows playing on the second day of the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

How to “do” the Minnesota Fringe Festival is a question of preference. I come from the “see everything you can” mindset. My colleague Amy prefers to mix it in with other entertainments and off days (she’s off to see Opera on the Lake tonight, then back to the Fringe tomorrow.) Our erstwhile editor produced and directed shows in-between seeing anything that those obligations allowed.

Either way you do it, some of the most exciting things about Fringe-ing are learning what shows have sold out, what new names are drawing attention, and what returning favorites you missed are on the schedule. (Sometimes added at the very last minute.)

According to the Fringe Festival, today’s sell-out risk is:

Speaking of selling out, Transatlantic Love Affair’s 5×5 sold out its opening night show on Thursday. This 14-year-old devised theatre ensemble got its start at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in 2010, and has gone on to become one of the most consistently compelling and innovative show producers in the Twin Cities.

“This year we’re trying something a little different, which can feel risky as a producer,” said TLA producer and ensemble member Allison Vincent. “But, we were blown away, yet again, by the support of this amazing community of artists and audiences. We love the Fringe, it’s where we got our start, and it feels good to be back after so many years away.”

 

A selection of drinks at Nico’s Taco and Tequila Bar, a beloved mainstay of dining in Minneapolis’ East Isles neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Nico’s.

Here’s my personal starter schedule for Day 2 (Friday, 8/2) of the Minnesota Fringe Festival:

  • 4 PM: Grab off-street parking in the East Isles neighborhood of Minneapolis and walk to Nico’s Taco and Tequila Bar. Menu suggestions: start with a plate of barbacoa, pastor, and birria tacos (veggie, mixed mushroom, and nopales if you lean vegetarian), chased with some elote (roasted corn with cream, chiles, and cheese) and one of Nico’s famous cocktails topped with a slice of dragonfruit. Leave some room for later dining.
  • 5:15 PM: Stroll to the Phoenix Theater to buy a ticket for nayXnay productions[sic]’s Francis Grey and the Case of His Dead Boyfriend: a One-Man Whodunnit.
    • Show Description: Francis Grey & the Case of His Dead Boyfriend explores family, love, and revenge. How far will Francis go to get justice? Anything could happen. Everyone is a suspect.
  • 5:30-6:30 PM: Watch Francis Grey & the Case of His Dead Boyfriend.
  • 6:30-7 PM: Hang out in the Phoenix Theater lobby, possibly with a brew or two. Exchange notes on yesterday’s shows and people’s hot tips for today’s. Buy a ticket for Trompe l’Oeil’s hotly anticipated drama Gasthaus.
    • Show Description: In this historical fictional drama set in 1952, citizens of East and West Germany navigate the tensions and complexities created within a GASTHAUS that sits on the fault line of a Cold War inner German border. 
  • 7-8 PM: Watch Gasthaus.
  • 8 PM: Decision time – Stay for Theatre On the Rocks’ A Horse Walks Out Onto the Stage and Dies, or hustle to Bryant Lake Bowl to see Tenacious Tarts’ Everything Matters!!!? (This sort of existential dilemma gets easier as word-of-mouth spreads after the first 2 days of the festival.
    • Show Description 1: Taken from the perspective of a life not worth living, but not worth losing, a dying horse climbs through his lack of value to find purpose in the world around him before it’s too late.
    • Show Description 2: Fate, luck and kismet. A humorous look at how our choices, decisions and circumstances determine our direction in life. The people, the places…how much of this is destiny or is it all just a big coincidence?
  • 8:30-9:30 PM: See one of the above shows.
  • 9:30 PM: Second decision time – early night, or late night out? If I’m staying out, I’m walking to HUGE Theater to see Smartmouth Comedy Company’s In Our Sketch Era, a sketch comedy show riffing off Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. I might not get all the jokes, but if it has a few laughs and some things to share with my Swiftie grandkids, that will be more than enough.
    • Show Description: Are you a Swifty? Are you a hater? Do you not care at all? This show is for all of you! Hilarious T-Swift inspired sketches written, produced, & performed by a predominantly femme team, loaded with Easter eggs!
  • 10 PM: Watch In Our Sketch Era.
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