How to pick from the 20 productions from five states that will be featured during the 4th Atlanta Fringe Festival, June 4-7 at 7 Stages and four other nearby sites?
Just the titles alone sound so intriguing, among them: “Woody vs. Mia vs. Gwyneth vs. Coldplay,” “BBQ or Mildew,” “The Next Year People: A Dust Bowl Comedy” and “Flying Without Feathers.”
Per the festival’s tradition, the 20 shows were selected via random, unjuried lottery — literally pulled out of a hat — so there’s an element of unapologetic happenstance to the undertaking. This year’s productions, including 10 from the metro area, run a gamut from family-friendly cabaret to puppetry and modern dance to aerial acrobatics.
Credit: hpousner
Credit: hpousner
The fest does offer a sampler platter of sorts, a free preview party at 7:30 p.m. June 3 at 7 Stages where every act will perform a three-minute excerpt. It's first-come, first-seat, and doors open at 7.
Organizers are pleased about a new aspect: cash prizes ranging from $150 to $500 for favorite shows as selected by the audience, staff and a panel of judges from the Atlanta arts community.
“Our top priority has always been taking care of our artists however we can, so being in a place where we can put more dollar bills in their pockets really feels like an accomplishment,” festival executive director Diana Brown said.
Festival button (required for every patron), $3. Single-show tickets, $10. Passes: six shows, $40; 10 shows, $60; all-access, $99, available from www.brownpapertickets.com.
Information: 678-281-1816, www.AtlantaFringe.org, www.facebook.com/atlantafringe.
Also through June 7, Atlanta Fringe Audio offers free podcasts of storytelling and radio theater, many of the works world premieres, submitted by local and national artists. Find them at www.atlantafringe.org/fringe-audio.
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