[Photo by David Gaines]
Big news in the theatre community: Capital Fringe has announced an imminent move from its current base of operations east of the Convention Center to Trinidad. They've just put down an unrefundable deposit on the Connersmith Gallery and plan to convert the space into their new Fort Fringe. The transaction won't be final until 2017, but in light of this big news, Curbed decided to look at the schedule for this year's festival lineup to find out which local neighborhoods will feature strongly in the performances. From the looks of it, there aren't as many hyper locally focused plays as there were last year but if we missed something let us know in the comments.
Bethesda: Bethesda. Apparently, this is a play about the hijinks that occur in a disgraced diplomat's household upon his return to the DMV. This description makes it seem that the focus is more on family dynamics than the location thereof but if Bethesda is the title of the play, then the near-in Red Line suburb is likely the backdrop for all of the action. The first performance is July 12 at 3:45 p.m. at the Goethe Institut.
Petworth: R+J: Star-Cross'd Death Match. From the looks of it, this is an interactive performance of Romeo and Juliet that's actually taking place in Petworth watering hole DC Reynolds. Jabs about the northern Green Line neighborhood will likely be held to a minimum, but from the looks of it, audience members will be playing drinking games with the performers. The first performance is July 10 at 8:00 p.m. at DC Reynolds.
The National Mall: Secrets of the National Mall. This is the play wherein the architecture will actually take starring role. A reporter will take tour groups from the Capitol Reflecting Pool around the nation's front lawn, uncovering the secret intentions of the Freemasons' designs along the way. The first performance is July 10 at 7:00 p.m.
· D.C. Fringe Festival finds its new home in Connersmith gallery [WaPo]
· Which D.C. Neighborhoods Get the Capital Fringe Treatment? [CDC]
· Capital Fringe [Official Site]