On Oct. 30, over 200 patrons attended "Young Fringenstein," the Orlando Fringe Festival's first Halloween event in several years. The event, which was held in Orlando Shakes' Margeson Theater, featured five local troupes – Wanzie Presents/D Squared Productions, Phantasmagoria, Gromalot Theatre Factory, Central Florida Vocal Arts and Lil Theatre Company – recreating Mel Brooks' classic comedy Young Frankenstein in their own unique style. Highlights included Eric Pinder's operatic take on Gene Wilder's title character, and Brandon Roberts' silent slapstick tribute to Marty Feldman's Igor. Tickets are on sale now at orlandofringe.org for Fringe's next event, January's 2nd Annual Winter Mini-Fest of fan favorites like Mike Delamont, Paul Strickland, Rob Gee, and the Coldhearts. And if you're reading this on Nov. 15, you still have until 5 p.m. today to submit your lottery application for the 2018 Festival.
Just as last week's coverage of Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical at Parliament House went to press, Tim Evanicki announced his resignation a producer of the resort's Footlight Theatre. Shows scheduled through Jan. 6 (including The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Balls Dropped: New Year's Eve with Julie Goldman, and the Gay Spelling Bee Fundraiser) will continue as planned, but all performances after that date are canceled, except for The Bitch Is Back, Porn To Be A Star, and Seven Campy Sins. "After two years of working hard at building a theatre program, I was unable to bring in a regular audience that was large enough to support the shows I wanted to produce there," Evanicki posted on Facebook. "This was a very tough decision, after pouring my heart and soul into that theatre for two years ... there comes a time when you have to admit defeat and move on."
NOW PLAYING
Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical, through Nov. 18 at Parliament House ... An Octoroon, through Nov. 19 at UCF ... Gone Country: The Musical, through Nov. 19 at Gateway Center for the Arts ... Grounded, through Nov. 19 at Mad Cow ... Double Jeopardy, through Nov. 19 at CFCArts ... Hound of the Baskervilles, through Nov. 19 at Orlando Shakes ... Dupont, Mississippi, through Nov. 20 at Breakthrough Theatre ... Orphans, through Nov. 26 at Theater on the Edge
UPCOMING
Leading Ladies: Showstoppers, Nov. 17 at CFCArts ... Daddy Long Legs, Nov. 17-Dec. 17 at Winter Park Playhouse ... Born Yesterday, Nov. 15-Dec. 17 at Mad Cow ... Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns, Nov. 21-26 at Dr. Phillips ... Opera Wars, Nov. 24-25 at The Abbey