More ‘Muppets’ and other Fringe ArtSpace updates
There will be more merry Muppet mayhem at Fringe ArtSpace in downtown Orlando this month. Orlando Artist Guild has added another performance of its tribute to “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” titled “When Love Is Found.”
The first performance, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, has a waiting list. The newly added second show will be a late-night affair, starting at 10:30 p.m. In the production, local actors pay homage to the Muppets and the way they told the story of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in their 1992 movie.
The cast includes TJ Washburn as Kermit the Frog, playing Bob Cratchit; Bryan Jager as Gonzo the Great, playing Dickens; Kelley Mauro as Rizzo the Rat, who appears as himself; and Jarrett Poore as non-Muppet Michael Caine, playing Ebenezer Scrooge.
Jager wrote the original script; he also wrote such Orlando Fringe Festival comic hits as “The Spider Queen,” “Scream Gays” and “Oh, Hi, Johnny.” “When Love is Found” is recommended for ages 7 and older.
Tickets for the 10:30 p.m. performance are $20 general admission, $18 for students and seniors. Preferred seating, which gives the ticket holder early entry to the theater, costs $23. A $40 VIP ticket includes preferred seating, two drinks and a photo opportunity with the show’s cast.
Fringe ArtSpace is at 54 W. Church St. in Orlando. For more information, go to orlandofringe.org/artspace.
In other ArtSpace news, Orlando Fringe has announced the first of the shows to be performed from one of the organizations selected to be part of The Collective initiative: A new rock musical titled “Find Me.”
The Collective is an 18-month mentoring and training program designed to help strengthen emerging arts organizations. “Find Me” comes from Without Fear Theatre, which devises collaborative works featuring local musicians and has a focus on community outreach.
Written and directed by Amanda Scheirer, “Find Me” is billed as a modern rock opera that tells “a neurodiversity-affirming story of two strangers learning to connect using more than words” with a 1970s rock flair.
The live band, led by composer and lyricist Dan Drnach, acts as a narrator and “inner voice” to the story, which stars Laura Swindoll as Allie, alongside Cat Cutenese and Jenny Ornstein, who share the role of Autumn. Micah Boyd, Aaron Bohlander and Xander Dillman-Meyers are the other musicians.
“‘Find Me’ explores our most vulnerable relationship, the one we have with ourselves,” the Fringe publicity states. The 90-minute show contains adult language and is recommended for ages 13 and older.
“Find Me” will run Feb. 23-March 2 at Fringe ArtSpace. Tickets are $22, $20 for students and seniors, $25 for preferred seating, at orlandofringe. org/artspace. Donations will be collected for the ARRE Foundation, which supports research into the genetic ASXL syndromes, as part of Without Fear Theatre’s charitable-giving initiative.
In between “When Love Is Found” and “Find Me,” keep an eye out for the one-night-only show “A Better Trip,” featuring Shane Mauss.
The 90-minute show, recommended for ages 18 and older, highlights Mauss’s personal psychedelic experiences and examines the history, science, and culture of psychedelics. It’s accompanied by visuals and custom animations from VJ Michael Strauss that provide the backdrop to the entire performance.
Mauss is an award-winning comedian, science podcaster and mentalhealth advocate, and his Comedy Central “Tales From The Trip” videos can be seen on YouTube. Strauss has has crafted psychedelic audiovisual experiences and immersive environments for nearly 20 years.
Showtimes are 6:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 24 at Fringe ArtSpace. Tickets are $20 at orlandofringe.org/artspace.