My overall impression
The fringe is a great idea, but from what I saw, this version of it was mostly bogus. A bunch of bull. The Fringe is supposed to support new and experimental work – at least that’s what I was told. But most of the work was not new, and it certainly wasn’t experimental. I had already seen a number of pieces like Hot Cats months before – what’s that about? And then was it simply a coincidence that most of the highlighted shows were presented at Matt Quinn’s home space, the Theatre Asylum? I think not. The entire experience felt both chaotic and calculated. There was no aesthetic to celebrate, just an apparent free-for-all that was overseen by a few fatcats so they could line their own pockets with price-gouging theater rentals.
Personally, I’ve been making theater for 50 years, and I’ve seen many so-called “festivals” like this – which are actually slow cons to gouge money out of desperate artists – come and go. I’m sure this one will too. Hopefully it will be replaced by a celebration of truly daring and original work that LA can be proud of, instead of this scam game run by a few scam artists.
Steve Fife, playwright, Blue Kiss (seen in its world premiere at the 2013 Fringe)
