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The Philly Fringe and Live Arts Festival are back with a slew of fresh talent from the area.

By Caitlin Meals

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Aug. 21, 2008

August marks, for many, the end of summer. Along with those last few trips to the Shore and back-to-school shopping, each year the month also brings the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

Now in its 12th year, the 16 days of dance, theater and comedy begin Aug. 29. Performers come from around the world and as close as your neighborhood -- with many making their debuts this season.

In the first of a two-part series, the Review will highlight the local musicians, writers, actors, singers and dancers that will grace the stages of this year's festival.

Among many acts new to the Fringe is Anthology Project, a theater company whose German expressionistic play "Gas" opens Sept. 4.

The 70-minute show's plot centers around a factory that produces the entire world's only power source. Anthology Project is using the 90-year-old work to relate to rising gas prices.

Rehearsals and performances will take place at Mew Gallery, Ninth and Christian streets, a space director Thomas Choinacky said offered a unique opportunity.

"I think there is a lot of development and growth available for the artistic scene in South Philly and being able to be a part of that is great," the resident of 21st and Christian streets said.

Added actress Erin Read of Ninth and Ritner streets: "So much entertainment is geared toward Center City and I think the location of 'Gas' ... is a great opportunity to offer an evening of theater to people right in their own neighborhood."

Comic Energy Sketch Comedy Troupe is all South Philly in "A Night To Remember," its Fringe debut set for Aug. 30. Its leads call the area home: James Daly is from 21st and Jackson streets; Mike Ford hangs his hat at Second Street and Snyder Avenue; and Frank Fral is of Fifth and Fairhill streets.

During the hour, the audience takes a journey with several brothers from a dysfunctional fraternity that accidentally drink a scientific concoction they believe to be alcohol.

Daly founded Comic Energy in 1999. Early performances took place in bars along Passyunk Avenue. Almost a decade later, it's still important for him to bring sketch comedy to the area.

"I believe most people from South Philadelphia who are interested in getting involved in theater tend to overlook the area. [It's important to] get together as a community and see how we can change the private nature of theater in the area."

Bringing two years of Fringe experience to the stage Sept. 2 is The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium with "A Streetcar Named Durang: Two Burlesques and a Nightmare."

Described as "70 minutes of silliness," the show, under the artistic direction of Tina Brock, encompasses three short works by playwright Christopher Durang. Brock, a resident of the 800 block of Kimball Street, draws inspiration from her surroundings and is looking for a local space to convert into a theater.

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