'Hollywood Fringe' :: Expression Unleashed

For its seventh outing, the Hollywood Fringe Festival is upping the ante in exploring some fresh, "out there" concepts. From a story drawing on the traditions and rituals of the Day of the Dead and a French existentialist comedy about a virgin birth to a one-man comedy that takes its audience on a revealing (and revisionist) tour through Hollywood's messy gay history (see Gay Guide next page), this year's lineup of fresh, original fare may be its "fringiest" yet.

"The festival is constantly growing and changing," says the festival's director of communications, Stacy Jones Hills. "Because participation in the festival is completely open and uncensored, it enforces our mission to be a platform for artists without the barrier of a curative body, meaning we can showcase the most diverse and cutting-edge works."

This year there are more than 300 different shows in more than 30 venues, with comedy, cabaret, burlesque and dance, solo performances and educational workshops, among other offerings, filling out the bill. Those who purchase a $5 Fringe Button will gain festivalgoers admittance to a number of events hosted at the Dragonfly Bar on Santa Monica Boulevard (aka "Fringe Central"), including a Purple Rain-themed Fringe Prom, a live-band Karaoke night called Fringe Rocks and Fringe Runway, a fringey fashion show featuring costumes worn in the festival.

Most appealing to LGBTQ audiences, however, may be the eight LGBTW-themed shows presented through the One City, One Pride partnership with the City of West Hollywood to coincide with Christopher Street West Pride celebrations. With the shows given free registration in both the Fringe festival and CSW, Hill says the partnership "not only further adds to the diverse offering of productions for audiences but also cultivates and fosters our mission of making the festival a community-derived event celebrating freedom of expression and collaboration in the performing arts community."

With so much taking place over the course of the festival's two weeks, it may sound like the organizers have bitten off more than they can chew. But, as Hills says, that's part of the fun. "We want to keep improving and serving artists and the audience," she says, noting its reach beyond traditional scripted fare. "The festival isn't just about theatre. There's really something for everyone here."

The Seventh Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival runs Thursday, June 9 through Sunday, June 26, with previews Thursday, June 2 through Tuesday, June 7. For tickets and information, go to hollywoodfringe.org/discover