Orlando Fringe’s Winter Mini-Fest reveals new name, ’24 shows
Orlando Fringe’s annual Winter Mini-Fest will return in January, but will sport a new name.
The curated theater festival will be known as FestN4, Orlando Fringe announced Oct. 16; the nonprofit stylizes the name with all capital letters.
Although the name will be new, the vision of the festival will be the same, Fringe officials said in their announcement.
The winter festival was inaugurated in 2017 as a way to present a more manageable and higher-quality version of the Fringe experience in hopes of attracting newcomers. Unlike the main Fringe festival, which takes place over two weeks in May and boasts more than 100 short shows in multiple locations, the smaller winter version consists of about 20 shows over four days in one spot.
There’s another key difference between the two events: While the May Fringe is unjuried — anyone drawn in a lottery can stage a show — the winter version is curated. Shows are favorites from past festivals or productions that have won critical acclaim. National and international artists from the Fringe touring circuit are invited to perform, as well as up-and-coming artists that Fringe leaders think will be popular.
“FestN4 is not just another Orlando Fringe Festival,” said festival producer Tempestt Halstead. “It’s a dynamic and curated celebration of the arts. We’re absolutely thrilled to reintroduce fan favorites, highlight award-winning performances scouted from other Fringe Festivals, and welcome new voices that embody the true spirit of Fringe.”
This year’s festival will be Jan. 11-14 at Fringe ArtSpace, 54 W. Church St. in Orlando.
Returning shows that received Critics’ Choice Awards at past festivals include “The Family Crow: A Murder Mystery,” a one-man comic whodunit featuring puppetry; “Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative,” an emotional storytelling show about a father and son; “My Grandmother’s Eyepatch,” a fun-in-funeral comic romp; “Shifted,” a goofily good-natured sci-fi comedy; “The City Beautiful,” an engaging Orlando-centric burlesque show with catchy original songs; and “The Vast of Darkness,” a thriller set in outer space.
Other shows with local connections include “One-Woman Titanic Parody in 59 Minutes or Less,” by Katie Thayer, a fan of the James Cameron film who has worked at the Titanic attraction on I-Drive; “Becoming Grandma Kat,” a cross-dressing comedy by Florida Deaf Theatre Project; “Rat Man Happy Place,” a post-apocalyptic Disney World-inspired tale; “Lights Up,” an improvised rock opera by Orlando’s Sak Comedy Lab; and “The Complete Works of Stephen Sondheim (Abridged),” a fast-moving comic homage to the late, great composer by Orlando Artist Guild.
Orlando Fringe Festival 2023 Critics’ Choice Award winners
This year’s FestN4 will also feature two children’s shows, both on Jan. 13. “Standley the Lemonade Stand” offers free admission, and the bilingual “El Mago Astronauta” costs $5.
An art exhibition will be on view, with artworks offered for purchase, and food and drink will be available. A special after-hours production is also scheduled.
All shows are 70 minutes or less and cost $15 each (except for the previously mentioned children’s shows). A one-time purchase of a $3 festival button is also required. A preview show, in which the performers present snippets of their productions to help potential audience members what to see, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Fringe ArtSpace.
Tickets go on sale to the public Nov. 17; find more information at orlandofringe.org.
“FestN4 is a perfect way to experience the arts from artists of all walks and perspectives,” said Fringe artistic and marketing director Desiree Montes, “to support and uplift our artistic community, local and beyond, and to take a chance on works audiences may not be familiar with, all under the roof of one venue.”
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