Yes, they have Shakespeare, But don’t
think that equals traditionalism. The new experimental theater festivals
style is best portrayed by the likes of “Tiny Ninja Theater Presents
Macbeth.” On August22 and 23 at 5PM director Don Weinstein puts a troupe
of inch-high molded plastic ninjas through the motions of the play on a
briefcase-sized stage (for an up-close audience of ten people, max).
Plus, representing plastic at its best. Mr. and Mrs. Smile have bestowed
their talents in the lead roles. Jonathan Van Gieson, the co-producer of
Tiny Ninja Theater, swears that Shakespeare himself would stage his play
like this if he had the privilege of dime-store figurines. And that’s
not all. The Woodstock Fringe’s August run-down has 23 performances on
eight days. The Fringe has full-length plays, concerts of song, a
musical, a puppet theater, storytelling, and one- person shows. “Murder,
Madness & Lady Macbeth” has solo performer Rebecca Ortese in a tangle as
her character’s love life and Lady Macbeth casting are colliding
dangerously together. Lanford Wilson’s “The Great Nebula in Orion”
follows two reunited women as they discuss their childhood reminiscence
and reveal emptiness under their elegantly veiled lives. Other shows are
the “American Songfest,” “Man of Infinite Desire,” “Mouth/Musik,” “Wake
of Essex,” and “Ordinary Occurrences.” All performances at Byrdcliffe
Theater, Woodstock. $1 81$ 15. Seniors/students $1 51$ 12. For show
dates and other information visit www.woodstockfringe.org or call (845)
679-0167.
