PortFringe 2015 Summary

Holy wow. It was an exhausting week filled to the brim with great new plays.

Standouts include Dolphinephilia, a trippy farce based on the true story of Margaret Howe Lovatt. It was presented by the mysterious Marine Mammal Communication Project. Also in the realm of the absurd was Aliens vs. Beckett, a spin on the classic Waiting For Godot, and presented by the always slimy Crowbait Club. And The Green Room, a hilarious one-man show featuring a man arguing with his sock puppet.

And those were only from the shows that I saw. The festival featured dozens of acts, and after soldiering through this week, I commend all who gave the effort for their art.

Megan, as per her usual mode, outdid herself. She acted in three plays, and wrote/directed one as well.  I really enjoyed the perky conversations of Take the Long Way home, and the excellent set designed by Carl Currie.  And Megan’s performance in the poetic Boy Come Home was perhaps the best of her career.

I also acted in my first PortFringe show. I shared the stage with my wife, as well as the talented Adam Ferguson and Kristina Balboa in Allie Munier’s comedy I Can’t Take You Anywhere. It was an honor to act in such a well-written and humorous play. I hope Allie submits it to more festivals.

I shaved my beard for my art. Most people liked it, while others, myself included, found it strange to see my bald face. One person said that I looked like a creepy pedophile, and that hurt a bit. I’ve never quite understood that comment. How does one look like a pedophile? Perhaps it says more of the describer than it does of the described.

I’m glad the week is over and that we can get a break. Enjoy some photos.

The slimy facehugger from “Aliens vs Beckett”

Cleaning up after “Boy Come Home”

My shiny new, bald face.

The cast of “Take the Long Way Home”

The set of “Take the Long Way Home”