by Louie Crowder

November 11-15
Tickets: $7, $30 for 5 day pass
504-941-3640
www.nofringe.org

The Fringe is a well-run, economically and artistically supportive agency bringing community together in celebration of diversity and zeitgeist. It is representative of rare and critical positive change in the city. At a time when the city is once again in crisis with a resurgence of suicides and violent crimes, there is the calling of the bombastic, ridiculous, and poignant to the less sought after, and non-cost prohibitive stages. Not as malevolent as the circus from “Something Wicked This Way Comes” but maybe just as audacious and certainly just as loud – all in a benevolent, thought-provoking kind of way: The Fringe This Way Returns.  
Their Mission Statement reads “The Festival nurtures emerging and established performing artists by presenting fun, fearless, and affordable theater to the community and creating ties between artists, audiences, businesses, and local organizations. We bring fearless performers to fearless audiences.”
There are two types of venues in the festival: Fringe-sponsored and Bring Your Own Venue (BYOV). The Fringe-sponsored venues include grassroots theatres and spaces throughout the downtown areas of Marigny and Bywater. Those include the Marigny Theatre, Sidearm Gallery, Hi-Ho Lounge, Skull Club, Backyard Ballroom, Peter’s Piano Place, and the Church of the Fringe on St. Ferdinand. BYOV venues are spaces throughout the city that individual productions seek out independently of the Fringe, organize, and have included in the festival. You’ll have to check the Fringe website and individual theatre websites to learn of the BYOV spaces. There aren’t quality or exclusionary issues differentiating between the two. They are just two different options in an effort to be inclusive and user-friendly.
The dates are November 11-15. Tickets are refreshingly affordable: 7 bucks, baby – one ticket equals one show; 30 bucks will get you a 5 day pass.
If you are interested in volunteering and being a part of the action (and remember, whatever deity you hold sacred likes volunteers), contact Ben Moren at
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    One more thing about these Fringe folks – so you’re local and want to get involved after the festival but you don’t fit into the usual molds and intimidating programs for the nobody who wants to do theatre. The Fringe Alternative Theatre Incubator (FATI) is in the works. FATI is about both remounting Fringe shows throughout the year, and providing training workshops for Fringe artists as well as birthing new talent. You gotta dig it. 
Life’s too damned hard. Go to the theatre.

November Listings

Anthony Bean Community Theatre
1333 S. Carrollton Ave.
862-7529
www.anthonybeantheatre.com
A Raisin in the Sun
by Lorraine Hansberry
October 30 - November 22
Starring Anthony Bean
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the award winning, groundbreaking 1959 classic.

The Backyard Ballroom
3519 St. Claude Ave.
473-6819
Fringe Festival
November 11 - 15

Le Chat Noir
715 St. Charles Ave.
518-5812
www.cabaretlechatnoir.com
Dorian Rush is…
Livin’ Janis
November 27, 28, 29 by popular demand.
The life and songs of Janis Joplin.

Le Petite Theatre
616 St. Peter St.
504-522-2081
www.lepetittheatre.com
Damn Yankees
October 15 - November 1

Marigny Theatre
2240 St. Claude Ave.
504-218-5778
www.marignytheatre.org
Fringe Festival
November 11 - 15
Southern Repertory
365 Canal St., 3rd Floor
504-522-6545
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
I am My Own Wife
November 4 - December 6
A German transvestite who successfully outwitted not only the Nazis and Communists, but could also spot a priceless antique at 100 yards.

Westwego Performing Arts Theatre
177 Sala Ave., Westwego, La
885-2000
www.jpas.org
Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Octtober 23 – November 7
Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Costumes Encouraged!
The story of an ordinary couple and one unforgettable night at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad-scientist from the planet Transexual.