I’ve been touring with one-man shows pretty much non-stop for eighteen years now. Mostly I do classical material: Shakespeare, Molière, a collection of the Greatest Speeches of all time. But in 2017, something happened which changed my life, and sent me off on a new track that I never anticipated.
A new festival is hitting Fresno next weekend-this one especially for students-Renegade: The Fresno Student Fringe Festival. We recently chatted about Renegade with Tony Sanders, who is the Event Producer/Founder and Renegade Director who oversees all aspects of the festival (scheduling, marketing, and recruitment).
Husband. Father. Wrestler. Drill sergeant. Presidential candidate. Vampire. Non-smoker. Demidicus Rex, the new satirical slice of life from Andrew Champagne and Brendon Mustaciola, examines the lighter side of populist demagogues, modern mental illness, dysfunctional sixth marriages, the increasing disregard for public well being by the media, faith, terrorism, blood sucking, live impalement, and mother in laws. All in The Family, but with dementia.
This week we interviewed the 2017 Rogue Festival Director, Heather Parish, who oversees the various aspects of the Festival's operations. "I’m very lucky that there’s a great all-volunteer team of staff and managers helping everything along."
I don’t remember much about her; she was blond, my age, and from New York. This was both of our first time visiting Kansas City, and she could have no idea of the impact she made on my life.
She said, “Where are you from?”
‘Rogueing' isn't a dance move, fad diet, or the latest hip exercise program. Simply put, it's attending performances at Fresno's Rogue Performance Festival, commonly known as just “the Rogue.” Although its popularity has continued to increase, there are still people around here who haven't heard of this showcase of independent performance. If you are a member of that group, you've been missing out on one of the most innovative events in Fresno, so keep reading. If you're a Rogue regular, you know what I'm talking about, but keep reading anyway.
When you hear the name Sophie Tucker, what comes to mind?
The eccentric older woman who appeared regularly on the Ed Sullivan Show; the real-life subject of the tribute show that launched Bette Midler’s career; the famous vaudevillian who influenced Ethel Merman, Joan Rivers, and Carol Channing?
The Rogue Festival, one of the Central Valley’s most important and fascinating cultural events, happens early each year. But for those craving another fix of the fringe festival circuit without wanting to wait until February, here is your chance.
Shadows lurk, jealousy seethes, plants talk and seeds grow in 16 time Best-of-Fest award winner, Gemma Wilcox’s Shadows in Bloom. Returning for her sixth Rogue Fest with her Hit Show that Sold-Out in 2010, this comedy-drama of the life and subconscious of a young woman on the edge of her independence is sure to touch audiences to the core.
Victory for the Recycled Virgin, a solo show written and performed by Houston Robertson, is full of surprises – including the age of the performer. Houston grabs you by the heart with all her 78 years as she romps through the fearless and funny episodes of her delayed adolescence. Her opening line “I’ve come here to tell the truth” is the truth. The show radiates with honesty and wit. This solo performance piece was developed with and directed by Mark Kenward, an icon of solo performance in the San Francisco Bay area. He says of Houston, “Houston performs with an engaging presence and riveting energy. She is a force to be enjoyed.”
