It was either 1993 or ’94 when I came to my first Fringe Festival in Orlando, pretty much by accident. A fellow math tutor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University had ambitions to be an actor and a pilot, and I tagged along with him and his friends.
Fringe has changed a lot in that time. Locations, organizers, size. But the underlying sense of exploration, community, and whimsy remains.
Now in its 26th year, it’s the oldest running Fringe in the U.S. In this episode, you’ll hear from the festival producer, Michael Marinaccio, on how the cats are herded, and what the Fringe has meant to him.
Leesa Castaneda joins the show in hour two discussing her one-woman show, “La Reina Yolanda.” Is heartwarmingbreaking a word?
And Sam and Ana Hammersley bring the dad jokes with their show, “Punslingers: A Western Wordplay Musical.” It’s the stuff dreams are made of. If dreams were plays on words.
To wrap up, the whole group plays a round of Pop Quiz, because we can. And my favorite Fringe performers of all time, the Arrogant Worms, gave permission to keep “Tokyo Love Song” in this episode. Bonus!
Don’t forget your Fringe pin, and enjoy the show!
1:50 – Michael Marinaccio plays a rousing round of Smoke or Mirrors, and we really get to see what makes him tick.
11:05 – “Smoke at night, mirrors during the day.” Sounds like a hair band song to me.
15:30 – Mike’s introduction into the Fringe back in 1997.
22:06 – Not sure what the Fringe is? Maybe thinking about volunteering? This is the part for you.
33:15 – Mike is involved in a lot of aspects of theatre including acting and directing, and he offers some advice to students in the field.
37:30 – There’s a lot to look forward to this year, get the scoop!
44:50 – Leesa Castaneda joins us in studio to discuss her one-woman show, La Reina Yolanda.
58:01 – Ana and Sam Hammersley give the gift that keeps on giving with Punslingers: A Western Wordplay Musical.
1:12:00 – A pop culture quiz for all the Fringers. Fringettes? Fringe Fries?
1:19:09 – Wrap it up! All the plugs that are fit to print.
