Fringe Awards Ceremony 2013

As a first time fringe participant I didn't know what to expect. What I do know is that after we pay for the registration, an ad, our space,etc. etc.!! I really don't understand why we have to BUY a T-SHIRT!!! For $15?? Really??? And why was OUR after party so crowded and hot without any air circulation?? You mean to tell me you couldn't afford to rope off a block where all the theaters were on Lillian and have an outdoor party where people would be COMFORTABLE??!! So we go outside to breath and there are NO CHAIRS!!! You mean with all the money we paid out, you couldn't rent extra chairs for people to sit in??? FRINGE CENTRAL was a BAD place to have the closing party. There was not enough room to accommodate everyone and no one see... full review

Ok... So I've been reading some of these reviews of the fringe award party and I am pretty sad. I usually wouldnt dignify this stuff with a response but I can't help myself. So they didn't have fans! I think the freakish heat took everyone by surprise and once all those people got in the seats it got hotter. We didn't need fans in the same space last year so how could they know? Also, are you going to begrudge them for not giving a special shout out to you for doing an opera?! I'm sorry but that sounds unfair and entitled. I mean there was a real life prostitute who had to be the first to go on stage and talk about her profession, that was groundbreaking. Did she deserve a special shout out? Heck no. And as much as you prob h... full review

Last night was the perfect end to the incredible adventure. Thank you to the Fringe staff for your tireless efforts. Y'all rock. We'll see you when you wake up in August. ... full review

I had a blast at this party. As someone that's been here since year one, I can't even begin to describe how thrilling it was to see wall-to-wall-to-wall Fringers. To say that we've grown as a community would be a gross understatement. I don't think anyone expected the turnout we got, and I think those of you complaining about the heat don't realize the significance of that turnout, or why that's cause to celebrate by itself. We are LEGION. Thank you to the companies that sponsored awards. You guys went out of your way to offer more opportunities for artists to be acknowledged and their work honored. Thank you to the producers behind Best of Fringe, who saw an incredible amount of shows, looking for deserving work. Thank you to t... full review

Super cool party. Loved it!... full review

P.S. just to say I had a great time doing my show and met lots of great people and was glad to see so many folks excited by theater. But this Fringe was NOT as advertised, and there was little to celebrate in the way of new or daring work. It was mainly just a cynical marketing strategy. Which is really a shame.... full review

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. Per... full review

Retraction & Apology. I am removing my original review, as I apparently offended people by offering my honest opinion about the awards ceremony, which was just "not my thing". I still believe that the inclusion of information about some of the productions not nominated, or highlights of what made this particular festival unique(beyond the huge number of entries) might have been a nice touch and of interest to the audience. I truly had fun at the Fringe. I had a great time meeting other Fringers and attended many enjoyable productions. I just didn't really enjoy the awards ceremony. Again, I sincerely apologize for offending anyone. ... full review

I'm right there with Michael Shaw Fisher. Normally, I'd just let the negativity roll off my back, but these detractors were so personally vindictive, that I can't stay quiet. I have been a part of the Fringe since the first year in 2010. I have personally seen more than 200 shows, and have written reviews on every one, both here on the Fringe website and on Examiner.com. As a member of the press, I wasn't sure how much the community of actors and technicians would accept me, but accept me they have. This year alone I added almost 200 new followers to my Twitter, and made friends with alot of actors, directors and companies. Although one actor did almost ruin my community spirit this year (not surprising she's in the same producti... full review