If those big Broadway musicals leave you cold, why not take a chance on FRIGID New York. The annual festival, co-founded by the theater company that started the famed Fringe festival, brings together a like-minded array of international artists for a dizzying number of shows over the course of its three-week run.
When the fest once again returns to The Kraine Theater in the East Village from Feb. 14 to March 4, it’ll bring a mix of historical fiction (Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi and Bernie-esque Socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debs make appearances), magic, adaptations (an LGBTQ version of “As You Like It”) and one-person shows.
Horse Trade Theater Group, which produces the fest, just released the full lineup, below. Tickets range from $5 to $20. All proceeds go to the artists, which– despite FRIGID’s name– should make you feel warm and fuzzy.
…like nobody’s watching
By Jake Simonds
Tom Hanks had a volleyball named Wilson. Jake Simonds has a basketball named Spalding–who may or may not embody the spirit of Spalding Gray, neurotic pioneer of the autobiographical monologue. Inspired by Cast Away (2000) and other survival-in-isolation films, …like nobody’s watching explores loneliness in an ever-more-connected world.
Portland, OR USA
UNDER St Marks 55 min $12
Thu 15-Feb @ 05:30, Sat 17-Feb @ 08:50, Mon 19-Feb @ 07:10, Sat 24-Feb @ 12:30, Mon 26-Feb @ 10:30, Sat 03-Mar @ 03:50
50th & 4th
Mike Lemme
By Mike Lemme
Rick and Sue, an older married couple in Brooklyn, rent their spare bedroom on Craigslist.
Brooklyn, NY USA
UNDER St Marks 60 min $20
Wed 14-Feb @ 08:50, Sat 17-Feb @ 10:30, Tue 20-Feb @ 07:10, Fri 23-Feb @ 07:10, Wed 28-Feb @ 10:30
A Case for Magic
Robert Malissa
By Robert Malissa
Award-winning magician Robert Malissa puts the art of the trick on trial. He will lie, cheat, and smile as he presents sleight of hand, mentalism, and deceptive swindles, while making a case for the craft of deception. A fair and balanced examination of the art, for lovers of magic and their ambivalent friends.
Yardley, PA USA
The Kraine Theater 57 min $12
Wed 14-Feb @ 08:50, Thu 15-Feb @ 07:10, Mon 19-Feb @ 05:30, Tue 20-Feb @ 10:30, Wed 28-Feb @ 08:50, Fri 02-Mar @ 06:50
An Internment Camp Magic Show
Rich Kameda
By Rich Kameda
The audience perceives the injustices of World War Two through the eyes of a magician entertaining his fellow prisoners.
New York, NY USA
The Kraine Theater 35 min $12
Wed 14-Feb @ 07:10, Tue 20-Feb @ 08:50, Sat 24-Feb @ noon, Mon 26-Feb @ 07:10, Thu 01-Mar @ 07:10
Artemisia’s Intent
The Anthropologists
By The Anthropologists
A daughter. A student. A painter. Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi was destined to create art both immediate and enduring, yet her talent was overshadowed by a violent rape. Drawing from trial testimony and a rich body of work, The Anthropologists create a vivid portrait of an artist.
New York City, NY USA
UNDER St Marks 55 min $18
Wed 14-Feb @ 05:30, Sat 24-Feb @ 07:10, Mon 26-Feb @ 07:10, Thu 01-Mar @ 10:30, Sun 04-Mar @ 03:30
As He Likes It: A Shakesqueer Comedy
Sour Grapes Productions, Genny Yosco
By Genny Yosco
This LGBTQ adaptation of William Shakespeare‘s “As You Like It” follows the star-crossed lovers Ross and Orlando as they’re separated just as quickly as they fall in love. To avoid certain death, Ross must stay in disguise, but must simultaneously find a way to woo his love without drawing suspicion.
Brooklyn, NY USA
The Kraine Theater 60 min $15
Sat 17-Feb @ 03:20, Tue 20-Feb @ 07:10, Fri 23-Feb @ 06:50, Thu 01-Mar @ 08:50, Sat 03-Mar @ 08:20
Beers About Songs
GLAM – Global Arts Management
By Ryan Adam Wells
Original songs outline a tale of love, danger and drunkenness. Join singer-songwriter Ryan Adam Wells for some sad, funny and poignant true stories about alcohol and relationships. Offer up a prayer to the Beer Gods and enjoy the tunes. (non-drinkers welcome!)
Perth, Western Australia Australia
The Kraine Theater 60 min $15
Wed 14-Feb @ 05:30, Sun 18-Feb @ 05:10, Wed 21-Feb @ 08:50, Fri 23-Feb @ 08:30, Sat 24-Feb @ 01:40, Sun 25-Feb @ 05:10
BRAVO 25: Your A.I. Therapist Will See You Now
Eliza Gibson
By Eliza Gibson
Winner ENCORE! Producers Award – Hollywood Fringe Festival 2017. Amber the A.I. therapist is here. Broken hearts, addicts in recovery, a polyamorous lesbian awaits the arrival of Superintelligence, a grieving savant who likes donuts… Wait. Someone needs a piece of somebody’s liver? Maybe it’s time to return to our breath.
San Francisco, CA USA
UNDER St Marks 60 min $15
Fri 16-Feb @ 07:10, Sun 18-Feb @ 01:50, Mon 19-Feb @ 10:30, Sat 24-Feb @ 05:30, Wed 28-Feb @ 05:30, Sun 04-Mar @ 01:50
Can’t You Tell!
Kelsey Hercs
By Kelsey Hercs
It’s 1924, New York City, and Carl Van Vechten is throwing a grand soiree in honor of the visiting Marchesa Louisa Casati. This is not that party. Join William Knightly, a heartbroken painter in his Harlem studio, and the friends who gather to lighten his spirits.
New York, NY USA
The Kraine Theater 60 min $15
Sat 17-Feb @ 08:20, Thu 22-Feb @ 08:50, Sun 25-Feb @ 03:30, Tue 27-Feb @ 05:30, Sat 03-Mar @ 03:20
Dooley Manning
By Manning Jordan
Set in the late 60’s, four friends explore their deep desires and fear through a psychological board game, Dooley.
New York, NY USA
The Kraine Theater 50 min $20
Fri 16-Feb @ 05:10, Mon 19-Feb @ 08:50, Thu 22-Feb @ 07:10, Mon 26-Feb @ 10:30, Sat 03-Mar @ 01:40
I lied to Marianne Williamson
Ilsa Jule
By Ilsa Jule
My pet peeve is “white lies” and yet once in a while I’m guilty of small deceptions. Want to know why I wasn’t entirely truthful with a New York Times bestselling author and self-help guru? In “I lied to Marianne Williamson,” all will be revealed. You don’t want to miss that.
New York, NY USA
UNDER St Marks 45 min $12
Wed 14-Feb @ 10:30, Sat 17-Feb @ 03:50, Sat 24-Feb @ 02:10, Tue 27-Feb @ 07:10, Fri 02-Mar @ 08:50
It’s Sameful: A deadbeat dad’s story
By Murray Meyer
A criminal defense lawyer, feels like the worst piece of shit in the world for walking out on his wife and kids years before; worse than the gangster murderer (alleged) he’s defending. Now his kids are coming to live with him.
Los Angeles, CA USA
UNDER St Marks 45 min $5
Thu 15-Feb @ 08:50, Wed 21-Feb @ 07:10, Sun 25-Feb @ 03:30, Tue 27-Feb @ 05:30, Fri 02-Mar @ 07:10, Sat 03-Mar @ 02:10
Katharine Ferns is in Stitches
Katharine Ferns
By Katharine Ferns
Brutally funny and unflinchingly honest show from UK-based Canadian comedian Katharine Ferns (MTV). Reviewed as a “pitch perfect” comedic journey about the visible and invisible scars of surviving mental illness, domestic violence, and drug addiction with feminism for comic relief.
Manchester, Manchester United Kingdom
UNDER St Marks 60 min $20
Fri 16-Feb @ 08:50, Tue 20-Feb @ 05:30, Wed 21-Feb @ 10:30, Sun 25-Feb @ 05:10, Fri 02-Mar @ 10:30
Lenny Bruce is Not Afraid
Hub Theatricals
By Mark Levy
The world is over and the last 2 people randomly meet in a zombie-filled NYC for a first date. They head back to his place….will they or wont they in this dark rom-com
Brooklyn, NY USA
UNDER St Marks 60 min $20
Sat 17-Feb @ 06:40, Mon 19-Feb @ 07:10, Thu 22-Feb @ 05:30, Tue 27-Feb @ 07:10, Sun 04-Mar @ 12:10
Life in 60 Minutes
Stamp Brothers Productions
By Zach and Joey Stamp
A one hour rock show exploring the life of a Marine Corps Veteran. High School, Boot Camp, Afghanistan, Addiction, Recovery, and the meaning of life.
New York, New York USA
The Kraine Theater 48 min $8
Thu 15-Feb @ 08:50, Sun 18-Feb @ 03:30, Sat 24-Feb @ 06:40, Sun 25-Feb @ 12:10, Fri 02-Mar @ 08:30
Little League
Three Hares
By Jack Spagnola
On the bleachers during a little league game, parents root for their children, teenagers flirt with heartbreak, and strangers become friends. LITTLE LEAGUE explores the compassion and courage it takes to grow up.
Brooklyn, New York USA
www.jackspagnola.com AND www.noamshapiro.com
The Kraine Theater 50 min $15
Thu 15-Feb @ 10:30, Sun 18-Feb @ 01:50, Wed 21-Feb @ 07:10, Sun 25-Feb @ 06:50, Mon 26-Feb @ 05:30, Wed 28-Feb @ 10:30
Looking Backward to Now
Tethersend Productions
By Doug McLauchlan
Bernie Sanders returned the people’s voice to American politics. His muse was Eugene Debs who ran five times for President a century ago. Mr. Debs is back and he is not happy. No politician has stood against elites for the rights of the common man more eloquently or forcefully. Check it out.
Toronto, Ontario Canada
The Kraine Theater 60 min $20
Wed 28-Feb @ 05:30, Sat 17-Feb @ 05:00, Tue 20-Feb @ 05:30, Mon 26-Feb @ 08:50, Sat 03-Mar @ 06:40
Mad Cool
4th Productions
By Nick Parker & Ayo Edebiri
Mad Cool is a two-character one-act about Tina and Daniel, an interracial couple moving into a gentrifying neighborhood in Brooklyn on the hottest day of the year. With no A/C. As they set up in their new apartment, tensions (both romantic and racial) bubble up, culminating in a grisly accident. This tense dark comedy lays bare the harsh difficulties of interracial relationships between lovers, between roommates, and between New York neighbors.
Brooklyn, New York USA
The Kraine Theater 60 min $15
Sat 17-Feb @ 12:30, Sun 18-Feb @ 06:50, Mon 26-Feb @ 05:30, Thu 01-Mar @ 07:10, Sun 04-Mar @ 12:10
Margaret Nuttall
By Maggie Nuttall
Maggie is raw, manic, unpredictable, in your face, smart, funny, authentic, unapologetic, stunning, unforgettable, juggernaut of Feminist Kinison rage. At least that is how people on Facebook describe her performances. This show is filled with true stories which contain all of these elements. She is also a former smoker, so watch out and get your laugh on!
New York, NY USA
UNDER St Marks 60 min $20