Some National Press for Fringe

The Orlando Fringe Festival, got a little press in a national magazine/web site recently. Advocate magazine published their yearly list of "Gayest Cities in America". In the article, which lists Orlando as #2 (moving up from #4 last year), the advocate cited one of the reason's for Orlando's ranking was "For non-Mickeyphiles, there’s oodles of homo content each year at the annual Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival"

You can see the full list here: The Advocate

Orlando Fringe to Expand Monthly Happy Hours

We are expanding our Happy Hours and are including entertainment as well as a cash bar and a monthly chance to enter to win a 2012 Super Pass. We will be debuting our all new 2012 Fringe merchandise and buttons as well at these events. Each month will feature an all new and exciting line-up! Tickets are only $10 and support the Orlando Fringe. Mark your calendars now for THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH!

Reservations are stongly encoraged, as seating is limited to 100 per show! Simply e-mail Nicole@OrlandoFringe.org. Make sure you let her know which monthly shows you will be attending.

HERE IS OUR EXCITING LINE-UP THROUGH APRIL!

February

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Fringe and get Screwed!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Lady Winifred, 'Winifred, That Bitch!', and Miss Didi Panache, 3 time Patron's Pick Award Recepient 'The Screw You Revue', are joining forces to make love connections for desperate Whimsicals. Using the classic Dating Game format Winifred and Didi will assist one lucky gay bachelor on his quest to find "love" from three suitable suitors the twosome have found. Joining the dynamic Divas on stage will be singer, songwriter, and ukelele protogé Scott Whittemore. Scott makes his Orlando Fringe debut in 2012 with his original show 'Dance for Grandma'. If you would like to be the lucky gay bachelor or one of the three suitable suitors please email Douglas McGeoch at douglas.mcgeoch@gmail.com.

• What: Fringe First Friday featuring Lady Winifred & Miss Didi Panache
• When: Friday, February 3--Showtime 6 PM
• Where: Studio Theatre, 398 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Tickets are $10 cash at door. Reservations are strongly encouraged by e-mailing Nicole@OrlandoFringe.org

March

See the talented youth of Orlando Youth Theatre!

OYT will present an evening of your favorite Broadway tunes! The talented group who won Patrons Pick last year with 13; The Musical will showcase numbers from various musicals from shows past and present!

• What: Fringe First Friday featuring OYT
• When: Friday, March 2--Showtime 6 PM
• Where: Studio Theatre, 398 W. Amelia Street, Orlando

Tickets are $10 cash at door. Reservations are strongly encouraged by e-mailing Nicole@OrlandoFringe.org

April

Witness the one and only Janine Klein!

As you may know, Adele recently cancelled her concert in Orlando. Fear not, Adele fans. Janine Klein will present an evening of Adele songs--ONE NIGHT ONLY for Fringe Friday! Come roll in Janine's deep! You may know Janine from her most recent Fringe hit, "Gay Bar Star". Adele sold out in 10 minutes. Don't wait to get your tickets..this too will sell out!

• What: Fringe First Friday
• When: April 6-Showtime at 6 PM
• Where: Studio Theatre, 398 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Tickets are $10 cash at door. Reservations are strongly encoraged by e-mailing Nicole@OrlandoFringe.org

New Fringe Producer

The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is proud to announce the hire of new Festival Producer, Michael Marinaccio.

Micheal is no stranger to Orlando Fringe. He is a veteran actor, director, producer, and volunteer through the last 15 Fringes. "I am thrilled, humbled, and honored to have the opportunity to serve this community as the next Festival Producer of the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. As Producer, I look forward to working with the board of directors, staff, artists and the Central Florida community to continue to grow the Festival. My vision for the coming years is to attract and include more local, national, and international artists and to reach new audiences with one of the most eclectic offerings of live entertainment in the world. Most of all, I hope to pay it forward by helping other artists find their voices, and witness the art of their dreams become reality" said Marinaccio.

"I am extremely excited to have Mike on board the Fringe team, and I look forward to working together to present the best Fringe Festival in the United States" said George Wallace, General Manager. "He is well known in the arts community and an outstanding choice".

The Orlando Fringe Board of Directors took great care in this hiring process. An advisory panel representing many faces of the Fringe - volunteers, staff, artists and audience members - was recruited to help develop the role of the next producer. Then, a search committee, comprised of six community arts leaders and two members of the Board of Directors was tasked with finding the right person for the job to recommend to the Board. A final decision was made by the Board of Directors with the help of feedback of the committee.

"I am very proud of the community's involvement in this search process. I cannot say thank you enough for their commitment and guidance in helping us fill this very important role" said President, David F. Baldree. "Michael is a wonderful addition to the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival team. We are excited for him to get started."

Orlando Fringe is Getting a New Look!

The Orlandoo Fringe is getting a makeover and we want to officially welcome Adam McCabe to the Orlando Fringe family. Adam will be in charge of all creative marketing; including our branding, logo, poster designs, web design and the official 2012 Orlando Fringe program. We are excited to be working with Adam. You see Adam full Bio on the Staff page.

2011 Visual Fringe Sells 31 Works

Through the last regular day of the 2011 Fringe Festival, the Visual Fringe has sold 31 (out of 128) works of art! Pretty Fringetabulous. If you happen to see the Visual Fringe producer, Anna McCambridge-Thomas give her some kudos (and hugs) for the nine years of service to Orlando Fringe and making the Visual part of the Fringe as big of a success as the theater portion.

(See the complete list of works and items sold on the "Visual Fringe" page.

Final(?) Sellout Report

Here's the latest report of sellout shows at Fringe 20. This list includes Patrons Picks that have sold out thus far (five of which have already sold out.) So if you are still on the fence about getting in your lat Fringe at Patrons' Pick, get your tickets soon. The number in "()" indicated number of sellouts.

• Blue and Tods Big Queer Hootenanny (1)
• Suckers (1)
• Trash Cinema 101 (1)
• Cabaret Noir (1)
• I'm Just Not that Gay (1)
• Anne Frank Superstar (1)
• Don't Make Fun of Jesus (1)
• Robby Pigott Tries Something New (1)
• War on Terriers (2)
• Lot O’Shakespeare (2)
• Dog Powered Robot (4)
• Doctor WHOse Line is it Anyway (5)
• Bitches of the Kingdom (5)
• Onomatopoeia (5)
• My Monster (6)

Opening Night

Fringe 20, High School Reunion got off to a fabulous start Wednesday nite (5/18) with the ribbon-cutting and the opening Gala hosted by the Oops Guys!

Outdoor stage host, Pepe and the Fringe Cheerleaders welcome all!

Official 2011 Fringe Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

THE OOPS GUYS host Fringe Gala Show

BEST OF ORLANDO 2011!

Orlando Fringe has been named "BEST FESTIVAL" by the readers of Orlando Weekly for the last 8 consecutive years! We would love a 9th! Also, for the first time ever, Fringe has it's own category! Please vote for your favorite Fringe Show. Voting is open through June 15th. Please vote here: http://orlandoweekly.com/boo/poll

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....and get daily updates!