Hy on the Fringe:

The Big Picture: Saturday, August 26th at 8:45 pm.

www.TheTroupeTheatre.org
Blue Balls—In & Out Of Uniform With The NYPD: Friday, August 25th at 9:00 pm.

www.BroadwayClubhouse.com

Broken Hands: Saturday, August 12th at 5:45 pm and Sunday, August 27th at noon.

www.myspace.com/brokenhandsfringenyc
A Collapse: Sunday, August 13th at 7:15 pm.

www.acollapse.com
Confessions: Saturday, August 12th at 7:15 pm.

www.x-plormentals.com
Danny Boy: Tuesday, August 15th at 8:30 pm and Saturday, August 19th at 6:45.

www.dannyboytheplay.com
Diving Normal: All performances sold out.

www.divingnormal.com
Fay Lindsay-Jones Story: Friday, August 11th at 8:45 pm.

minorapocalypse.com/FAY.html
Flying on the Wing: All performances sold out.

www.flyingonthewing.com
Henry Kissinger—A Romantic Comedy: Saturday, August 26th at 2:45 pm.
Here. This. Now.: Friday, August 18th at 6:15 pm.

www.youthcomm.org/fringenyc2006
Hermanas: Saturday, August 12th at 4:45 pm and Thursday, August 24th at 6:15 pm.

www.hermanastheplay.com
Hot Black/Asian Action: Saturday, August 12th at 1:45 pm.

www.samiracompany.org
I Come in Peace: Wednesday, August 16th at 8:15 pm.

www.arabcomedy.org/icomeinpeace
I Was Tom Cruise: All performances sold out.

www.reduxproductions.com
In Transit: Friday, August 11th at 9:30 pm.

matthoverman.com/intransit
The Infliction of Cruelty: Saturday, August 26th at 9:30 pm.

www.theinflictionofcruelty.com
Lulu: Saturday, August 26th at 8:00 pm.

www.silenttheatre.com
A Man's a Man: Wednesday, August 23rd at 7:45 pm.

www.giantsquidproductions.org
Mrs. Darling's Bed 'n' Board: Tuesday, August 22nd at 9:15 pm; Friday, August 25th at 7:00 pm; and Saturday, August 26th at 3:45 pm.

www.skintproductions.com
Never Swim Alone: Saturday, August 26th at 7:00 pm.

www.neverswimalone.com
The Onion Lovers: Friday, August 11th at 6:45 pm.
Open House: All performances sold out.

www.partialcomfort.org
The Penguin Tango: Saturday, August 19th at 7:00 pm.

www.frescotheater.com
The Pool with Five Porches: Wednesday, August 23rd at 5:15 pm.

www.thepoolwithfiveporches.com
Puppet Government: All performances sold out.

www.chrishumphrey.org/puppetgov
Rainy Days & Mondays: All performances sold out.

ramtalent.com/rainy_days.htm
Rapunzel: Saturday, August 26th at 2:45 pm.

www.rapunzelthemusical.com
Red Herring: Wednesday, August 23rd at 7:45 pm and Saturday, August 26th at 2:45.

www.redherringplay.com
Sax & Dixon: This Plane Is Definitely Crashing: Friday, August 25th at 10:15 pm.

www.saxanddixon.com
A Time To Be Born—A 1940's New York Musical: Monday, August 21st at 7:30 pm.

www.aTimeToBeBornMusical.com
Vice Girl Confidential: Wednesday, August 16th at 5:45; Thursday, August 24th at 1:45 pm; and Saturday, August 26th at 3:45 pm.

www.vicegirlconfidential.com

Return to top

Shows That Were Canceled

The following three shows were canceled—i.e., the production's company was for some reason unable to come to the festival and/or perform the show:

Crazy

www.thirdstorywindow.com
Soledad.es

www.fringenyc.org/basic_page.asp?ltr=s
Fitz & Walloughs Get It In The End!

www.fitzandwalloughs.com

There was reason to believe this production would be among the very best of the festival. Unfortunately, its wonderful star, Micah Bucey, was struck by a serious illness during tech rehearsals and immediately had to be hospitalized—for a full week. Therefore, there was no choice but to cancel this very physically demanding show.

On doctor's orders, Micah will have to stay away from the stage for 2-3 months to give himself the time to fully recover. Because he and his superb creative team put so much work into their show, however, it's likely that it will eventually be performed at some commercial NYC venue post-Fringe. When this happens, details will appear on the HyReviews.com home page.

Return to top

FringeNYC Encore Series

The festival ended on August 27th, but life continued for 15 FringeNYC 2006 shows. That's how many were extended for runs during September 5-24, with the performances taking place in the midtown Manhattan theatre The Lion and the downtown Manhattan theatre The Hypothetical.

Tickets were $20 each ($18 plus a $2 service charge) via online service Ticket Central, or by calling (212) 279-4200 between noon and 8:00 pm seven days a week.

The titles, venues, and showtimes for the shows selected for extension in September 2006 were as follows:

Billy the Mime: Playing at The Lion on Friday 9/22 at 4:00 pm and at 7:00 pm (i.e., both afternoon and evening performances); on Saturday 9/23 at 2:00 pm and at 7:00 pm (i.e., both afternoon and evening performances); and Sunday 9/24 at 2:00 pm.
The Blue Martini: Playing at The Lion on Tuesday 9/19 at 3:30 pm; Wednesday 9/20 at 4:00 pm and at 9:30 pm (i.e., both afternoon and evening performances); Thursday 9/21 at 4:00 pm; and Saturday 9/23 at 9:00 pm.
Broken Hands: Playing at The Lion on Monday 9/11 at 9:30 pm; Monday 9/18 at 4:30 pm; Tuesday 9/19 at 6:30 pm; and Thursday 9/21 at 6:30 pm.
Danny Boy: Playing at The Hypothetical on Friday 9/15 at 9:30 pm; Sunday 9/17 at 2:00 pm; Monday 9/18 at 9:30 pm; and Thursday 9/21 at 9:30 pm.
The Deepest Play Ever—The Catharsis of Pathos: Playing at The Hypothetical on Saturday 9/9 at 4:00 pm and at 9:30 pm (i.e., both afternoon and evening performances); Monday 9/11 at 8:30 pm; and Sunday 9/17 at 9:30 pm.
Diving Normal: Playing at The Hypothetical on Tuesday 9/5 at 9:00 pm; Wednesday 9/6 at 7:00 pm; Thursday 9/7 at 9:30 pm; Friday 9/8 at 9:15 pm; Saturday 9/9 at 7:00 pm; Sunday 9/10 at 4:30 pm; Tuesday 9/12 at 7:00 pm; and Sunday 9/24 at 4:00 pm.
Hermanas: Playing at The Lion on Wednesday 9/6 at 9:00 pm; Thursday 9/7 at 5:00 pm; Friday 9/8 at 7:00 pm; Saturday 9/9 at 4:30 pm; Monday 9/11 at 7:00 pm; and Tuesday 9/12 at 4:30 pm.
I Was Tom Cruise: Playing at The Hypothetical on Tuesday 9/5 at 7:00 pm; Thursday 9/7 at 7:00 pm; Friday 9/8 at 4:30 pm; Sunday 9/10 at 8:00 pm; Monday 9/11 at 6:30 pm; Friday 9/15 at 7:00 pm; Monday 9/18 at 7:00 pm; and Friday 9/22 at 7:00 pm.
The Infliction of Cruelty: Playing at The Hypothetical on Wednesday 9/6 at 9:30 pm; Friday 9/8 at 7:00 pm; Sunday 9/10 at 10:30 pm; Tuesday 9/12 at 4:30 pm and at 9:30 pm (i.e., both afternoon and evening performances).
Never Swim Alone: Playing at The Lion on Tuesday 9/5 at 7:30 pm; Wednesday 9/6 at 7:00 pm; Thursday 9/7 at 7:30 pm; Friday 9/8 at 9:30 pm; Saturday 9/9 at 10:00 pm; Sunday 9/10 at 5:00 pm; Tuesday 9/12 at 9:30 pm; Friday 9/15 at 7:00 pm; Saturday 9/16 at 4:30 pm; Sunday 9/17 at 5:00 pm; and Monday 9/18 at 9:30 pm.
Open House: Playing at The Lion on Tuesday 9/12 at 7:00 pm; Thursday 9/14 at 6:45 pm; Saturday 9/16 at 2:00 pm; and Monday 9/18 at 7:00 pm.
The Penguin Tango: Playing at The Lion on Tuesday 9/5 at 9:00 pm; Wednesday 9/6 at 4:30 pm; Thursday 9/7 at 9:15 pm; Friday 9/8 at 5:00 pm; Saturday 9/9 at 7:00 pm; Sunday 9/10 at 7:00 pm; Thursday 9/14 at 9:15 pm; Friday 9/15 at 9:00 pm; and Saturday 9/16 at 6:30 pm.
Perfect Harmony: Playing at The Hypothetical on Thursday 9/21 at 9:30 pm; Friday 9/22 at 9:15 pm; Saturday 9/23 at 7:45 pm and at 11:00 pm (i.e., two evening performances on 9/23); and Sunday 9/24 at 6:30 pm.
Rainy Days & Mondays: Playing at The Lion on Wednesday 9/13 at 9:15 pm; Saturday 9/16 at 9:00 pm; Sunday 9/17 at 9:15 pm; Tuesday 9/19 at 9:00 pm; Wednesday 9/20 at 6:30 pm; Thursday 9/21 at 7:00 pm; Friday 9/22 at 9:00 pm; Saturday 9/23 at 4:00 pm; and Sunday 9/24 at 5:00 pm.
Walmartopia: Playing at The Hypothetical on Friday 9/15 at 4:00 pm; Sunday 9/17 at 5:00 pm; Monday 9/18 at 4:00 pm; Tuesday 9/19 at 6:30 pm; Friday, 9/22 at 4:00 pm; and Saturday 9/23 at 2:00 pm and at 5:00 pm (i.e., two afternoon performances on 9/23).

I've reviewed all 15 shows in the FringeNYC Encore Series. If you click the title of any show listed above, you'll be moved to my write-up of the production.

Of these 15 shows, the best were Never Swim Alone (great script and amazing cast), Billy the Mime (a dozen smartly crafted and often brilliantly executed silent mini-stories), Broken Hands (very sharp production, with one of the best dramatic casts in the festival), and Danny Boy (smart, funny comedy about a four foot tall Jew seeking love in New York).

Also interesting, albeit more problematic, were I Was Tom Cruise (doesn't dig deep enough, but Faustian premise and fine Tom Cruise impersonation are major pluses), The Infliction of Cruelty (talky, overly conceptual play that nonetheless makes an impact by its end), The Deepest Play Ever: The Catharsis of Pathos (funny if you're already familiar with Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage, otherwise might be a bit tough to follow), Penguin Tango (starts out strong, but is overlong), Walmartopia (propagandist script, but terrific band and music), and Diving Normal (jarring ending, but fine cast).

The one-man show Mike's Incredible Indian Adventure was initially part of the FringeNYC 2006 extensions. However, LA-based writer/performer Michael Schlitt recently informed me "I had to bow out...due to scheduling conflicts." Therefore, what was originally 16 shows in the series became 15. Schlitt indicated that he hopes to have another run in NYC at some later date. If this occurs, the information will appear on this site.

The two Manhattan theatres where the FringeNYC Encore Series shows were performed are:

The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row: 410 West 42nd Street (slightly west of 9th Avenue). Seats 88. Take the A, C, or E subway to 42nd Street; or the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, or S subway to Times Square-42nd Street.

Shows at The Lion: Billy the Mime, The Blue Martini, Broken Hands, Hermanas, Never Swim Alone, Open House, The Penguin Tango, Rainy Days & Mondays.

The Hypothetical Theatre at the 14th Street Y: 344 East 14th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues). Seats 99. Take the L subway to 1st Avenue; or the 4, 5, 6, N, R, Q, or W subway to Union Square-14th Street.

Shows at The Hypothetical: Danny Boy, The Deepest Play Ever—The Catharsis of Pathos, Diving Normal, I Was Tom Cruise, The Infliction of Cruelty, Perfect Harmony, Walmartopia.

Please note that these extra performances were not organized by the folks who run FringeNYC, but by John Pinckard and Britt Lafield (whose productions include the FringeNYC hit Never Swim Alone). To learn more, please visit FringeNYC-Encores.com and click the About Us option.

The FringeNYC extensions were a great chance to catch shows missed in August; and also an opportunity to drag friends to productions that you loved. Here's hoping this first Encore Series becomes an annual post-Fringe event.

Return to top

Useful FringeNYC Links

The primary source of information about the festival is the official Web site at FringeNYC.org. More specifically:

For descriptions of the 200+ shows ordered alphabetically, please click here.

To search for a show based on its title, company, writer, director, choreographer, category, date, time, venue, neighborhood, or place of origin, please click here.
For a list of returning Alumni productions from previous years (in celebration of the festival's 10th anniversary), please click here. For links to all Alumni events, please click here.

For a guide to the 21 venues playing host to FringeNYC shows, please click here.

For answers to frequently asked questions, please click here.
To download the 2006 FringeNYC program guide (a 133MB PDF/Adobe Acrobat file), please click here.
To read about the free panels and workshops, please click here.

Another great source of information is nytheatre.com, which organizes the festival's shows by category (Solo, Musical, Comedy, Puppetry, etc.), and lets each theatre company describe its show more fully than is allowed on the FringeNYC site. To access these show descriptions, please click here.

Return to top

Fast Food Recommendations

Opinions about fast food are way more subjective than theatre reviews. That said, if you're seeking quick nourishment before racing to your next Fringe show, my personal favorite West Village eatery is Bleecker Street Pizza, which is at 69 7th Avenue South (off Bleecker Street; 212/924-4466; typically open until 2:00 am). Not only is this place better than both John's and Joe's (the two other pizza giants in the neighborhood), I feel it's the best thin-crust pizza in Manhattan.

Then again, if you're on the Lower East Side to catch a production at one of the three Henry Street Settlement venues, you'll find some of the best jelly donuts in the city at the Donut Plant, 379 Grand Street (between Essex and Norfolk Streets). The store is additionally a Village Voice pick for its churros (elongated Mexican donuts sprinkled with granular sugar). Donut Plant is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 7:00 am until it sells out its hard-to-resist wares.

Another favorite—which just happens to be on the same block—is Kossar's, a NYC institution for its authentic Jewish bagels and wonderful giant bialys. It's mere seconds away from Donut Plant at 367 Grand Street (phone: 877-4-BIALYS). Kossar's is open Monday-Thursday, 6:00 am - 8:00 pm; and Friday, 6:00 am - 5:00 pm (at which point it closes for the Sabbath).

None of these stores have any idea I'm saying this, by the way; but if you're hunting for the best shows, you might as well consume the best fast food while you're at it...

Return to top

Please click the links below to jump directly to what you're after:

Introduction to FringeNYC

Shows That Sold Out Performances

Shows That Were Canceled

FringeNYC Encore Series

Useful FringeNYC Links

Fast Food Recommendations