The Alliance for the Arts Announces Performers for Fringe Fort Myers 2024

The Alliance for the Arts Announces Performers for Fringe Fort Myers 2024 

The four-day performing arts festival will be held May 30-June 2, 2023

Fort Myers, FL (April 22, 2024)- The Alliance for the Arts and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents Fringe Fort Myers 2024 performing arts festival May 30-June 2, 2024. Fringe Fort Myers 2024 features a wide variety of performances, from one-person shows, to dance and music, to stand-up comedy, and much more.

Fringe Fort Myers 2024 is the newest member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF), and the first to come to Southwest Florida. Fringe Fort Myers 2024 follows the long-standing Fringe traditions of being 100 percent independent, 100 percent inclusive and 100 percent unique, with 100 percent of ticket sales going directly to the artists.

Fringe Fort Myers 2024 kicks off Thursday, May 30 at 5:00 p.m. with a “Flamingle with the Artists” Reception in the Alliance Gallery, giving patrons a chance to meet the artists, followed by the Preview show at 6:30 p.m.. At the preview, each performer has three minutes to sell the audience on why they should see their show. “They can perform a scene from their show, talk about the show or just burp for three minutes,” said Bill Taylor, producing artistic director at the Alliance for the Arts. “Whatever they think will get you to buy a ticket!” This event is open to the public, and more information is available at artinlee.org/fringe. Following the Preview Show there will be one performance in each venue. Most shows are 60 minutes long. 

In addition to the performances, there will be a Kids Fringe Fest happening Saturday June 1. 

Mad Libs Live!– Foulds Theatre, Alliance for the Arts. 

Mad Libs Live is energetic, original and fast-paced. It captures the essence of the classic word game, and watching it can help kids distinguish between nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. In the one-hour musical, you meet four students from Blankville Central High School: Gogo the jock, Virtuosa the diva, shy and artsy Merrily and Geyser the nerd.

This show is suitable for all ages. 

Showtimes: Saturday June 1 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 or $5 for 12 and under. 

Presented by Sears Studio Performing Arts Academy.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Abridged)–Alliance for the Arts Green Market stage.

In William Shakespeare’s stage classic; love, magic, betrayal, truth and desires take center stage. Hermia has a decision to make, Lysander or Demetrius. She loves Lysander but Demetrius has a better standing in court, more money, though he’s not so nice. Hermia’s best friend Helena only has eyes for Demetrius and will do anything to have him. Including selling out Hermia and Lysander as they plan to elope. The four lovers end up lost in the forest trying to find their way out. However, what they encounter will change the course of their lives.

Showtimes: Saturday June 1 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 or $5 for students with valid ID.

Presented by Cypress Lake Center for the Arts High School drama department.

Fringe Fort Myers 2024 continues through June 2, 2024 with additional programming to be announced. All of the shows are $16, and patrons can buy multiple shows for a discount: 3 shows for $45 or 6 shows for $80. All shows are included in the discount except the Carousel of Burlesque. There are no refunds, no exchanges, and no exceptions. Please note that all Fringe Fort Myers shows begin at the time stated on your reservation and that we cannot guarantee late seating. Please arrive 5 to 15 minutes before show time.There will be no late seating for any of the Fringe shows. Tickets may be purchased online at artinlee.org/fringe or by calling the box office at (239) 939-2787. 

Nine acts have been selected for Fringe Fort Myers 2024, running the gamut from burlesque, to magic, to stand-up comedy and more. Please note that due to adult language, content and themes, some of the performances are not suitable for those under the age of 18:

In the Foulds Theatre at the Alliance:

Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life – from Vancouver, BC

When faced with a cancer battle, Keith Alessi’s lifelong dream becomes the key to saving his life.

This show is suitable for all ages. 

Showtimes: Thursday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 2:30 p.m.

The Carousel of Burlesque: Behind the Curtain – from Fort Myers, FL

The Carousel of Burlesque premiered last year with the history of burlesque in the US . Now it’s time to take a look behind the curtain.

This show contains nudity and is not suitable for those under the age of 18.

Showtimes: Friday, May 31 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 8:45 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 4:00 p.m.

TransMasculine Cabaret, Starring Vulva Va-Voom – from Tampa, FL

“TragiComic transgender-identifying true confessional” and “obscene, maniacal burlesque headliner” seem like incompatible elements…but this gritty song-and-dance nightclub comedian has combined stranger, stickier things onstage. Nine-time Fringe honoree Vulva Va-Voom asks of queer identity: “Who gets to define whether someone is a drag queen, king, or an in-between?” Hardships, meet hilarity.

This show contains adult language and content and is not suitable for those under the age of 18.

Showtimes: Friday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m.

Fringe Classroom Stage at the Alliance:

The Other Side – from Orlando, FL

The Other Side is a story of survival, an experience of magic, and a message of hope. Magician Sebastian Gerhardt was 22 years old when he was diagnosed with an inoperable, malignant brain tumor and told he had six months to live. It was time to say goodbye to his family, friends, and loved ones. This show is his story; combining magic and storytelling to express his newfound appreciation for life and inspire others to do the same.

This show is suitable for those 12+.

Showtimes: Friday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m.

Cock Talk – from Fort Myers, FL

A male version of the play ‘Vagina Monologues’. Four men explain, discuss, and debate the trials and tribulations of the “member.”

This show contains adult language and content and is not suitable for those under the age of 18.

Showtimes: Friday, May 31 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 7:15 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 2:30 p.m.

LOVE LETTERS TO HUMANITY – from Floyd, VA

This one-woman show weaves dance, theatre and stand-up comedy to reveal both the dark and the light on the search for inner peace. From movement poetry to grotesque play, this piece holds satire with compassion in a hilarious depiction of the wild reality of being human.

This show contains adult language and is rated PG-13. 

Showtimes: Thursday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 8:45 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 4:00 p.m.

Off Broadway Palm at Broadway Palm:

The Chase: A Light Bringer Story– from Lutz, FL

A sequel to The Light Bringer, The Chase is another true-life storytelling show, written and performed by Laila Lee, who weaves a tale of mystery, intrigue, and survival that begins with a rude awakening to being stuck between a virtual rock and a hard place.

This show is suitable for those 16+.

Showtimes: Friday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m. Held at Off Broadway Palm located at 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Stabilized Not Controlled – from Naples, FL

Evil landlord “Killer” Joe goes to war on the tenants of his five-floor, stabilized apartment building in Manhattan. Septuagenarian sex addict Lorna Breedlove, the “mother” of them all, guides her eccentric neighbors to keep up the good fight in this biting comedy that ran for two years at Manhattan’s Stage Left Studio.

This show contains adult language and content and is not suitable for those under the age of 18.

Showtimes: Thursday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 4:00 p.m. Held at Off Broadway Palm located at 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Runaway Princess: A Hopeful Tale of Heroin, Hooking and Happiness – from Bronx, NY

Former New York City call girl Mary Goggin shares the true, award-winning story of her traumatic Irish Catholic upbringing, alcoholism, drug addiction and prostitution. Fortunately, like all fables, there is a happy ending. As we peel away the last layer of a broken woman who never felt she fit in, we find the princess, reunited at last with her most precious treasures.

This show contains adult language and content and is rated PG-13. 

Showtimes: Friday, May 31 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at 2:30 p.m. Held at Off Broadway Palm located at 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Full show descriptions, graphics and tickets are available now at ArtInLee.org/Fringe. Please note that all Fringe Fort Myers shows begin at the time stated on your reservation and that we cannot guarantee late seating. Please arrive 5 to 15 minutes before show time. Fringe Fort Myers prides itself on returning all box office sales to its artists.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Bill Taylor at [email protected]. 

About Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts. The Alliance campus and galleries are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. For more information, please call 239-939-2787, visit us at www.ArtInLee.org, find us on Facebook and  Instagram.