27th Fringe Festival celebrates collaboration in the arts across Boston University College of Fine Arts
27th Fringe Festival celebrates new works and collaboration in the arts
The decades-long collaboration between BU School of Theatre and Opera Institute expands to uplift new and unique works in music and visual arts in addition to producing new and rarely performed works of opera and theatre
Boston University College of Fine Arts (CFA) announces the Fall 2023 Fringe Festival lineup, featuring works produced by Boston University School of Music: Opera Institute and School of Theatre. Spurred by the dynamic and diverse programs within BU College of Fine Arts, this year’s Fringe features additional programming from BU School of Visual Arts and School of Music. For nearly three decades, the Fringe Festival at Boston University has celebrated and amplified new works, shown in spare and minimal productions. The festival’s mission historically has brought new and rarely performed significant works in the opera and theatre repertoire, to audiences in unique theatrical settings. Find a complete list of events below.
“The 2023 Fringe Festival establishes BU College of Fine Arts’ enduring commitment to the creation of original and innovative work by our artistic community,” according to Susan Mickey, Director of BU School of Theatre, and William Lumpkin, artistic director of BU Opera Institute.
Launching Fringe this year are the Next Stage Workshops, presented by the School of Theatre’s New Play Initiative and curated by playwright Kirsten Greenidge, Associate Professor and head of BU School of Theatre’s Playwriting program. This “on-its-feet” workshop play experience focuses on different areas of the writing process and projects in development.
“The Next Stage Workshops offer a glimpse into work establishing an identity,” says Mickey. “Marcus or the Secret of Sweet allows us a chance to explore a beautiful play created specifically for a BU audience. We are proud to kick off the 2023 school year by celebrating the artist’s voice.”
The play Marcus, or the Secret of Sweet by Tarell Alvin McCraney comes to the stage of the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre, October 20 – 22, 2023. Directed by Roz Bevan (CFA’19), Marcus is a poignant and fiercely humorous coming-of-age story of a young gay man in the South, days before Hurricane Katrina strikes the projects of Louisiana.
Boston University Opera Institute, in collaboration with the School of Theatre, presents its first opera productions of the academic year in Studio ONE: Alice Tierney (music director: Allison Voth, stage director: Claire Choquette) and Hydrogen Jukebox (music director: Matthew Larson, stage director, Sarah Dahnke).
The opera productions part of the 27th Fringe at BU “give our students the opportunity to explore new and compelling theatrical works with young and upcoming stage directors,” say Lumpkin and Oshin Gregorian, managing director of the Opera Institute. “This is a particularly student-forward experience, with the inclusion of student conductors in the graduate conducting program.”
Alice Tierney, with music by Melissa Dunphy and libretto by Jacqueline Goldfinger, explores the mythic stories surrounding the death of the real-life 19th-century “dissipated woman” Alice Tierney, who was found hanging by her own petticoats on a fence in a seedy Philadelphia neighborhood in 1880. Despite suspicious circumstances, the death was ruled accidental and never investigated by police. But who was Alice? Find out October 13 – 15, 2023.
Hydrogen Jukebox, with music by Philip Glass and libretto by Allen Ginsburg, was created as a portrait of America from the 1950s through the 1980s, composed after a chance meeting between composer, Philip Glass, and Beat poet, Allen Ginsberg. Through Glass’ minimalist style, and Ginsberg’s poetry on topics ranging from the anti-war movement to the environment, the opera touches on many of America’s enduring social issues. It comes to Studio ONE as part of Fringe Festival October 27 – 29, 2023.
Also included in the Fringe lineup is “The Gutter,” an exhibition presented by BU School of Visual Arts and its MFA Visual Narrative Class of 2024, on view from September 15 – October 2 in the CFA Commonwealth Gallery. BU’s Visual Narrative MFA program explores sequential art storytelling practices, allowing students the opportunity to craft stories in the medium of comics, long form graphic novels, picture books and other media that integrate written and visual language.
Boston University School of Music presents BRUSH|REED, a collaboration between artist and musician to explore the parallels of painting and sound through live performance, in 808 Gallery on Wednesday, September 27. Dr. Jennifer Bill (saxophone) and Linnea Maas (visual artist) will engage the audience through color, pitch, representational lines, rhythm, intensity, and expression for an aural visual experience.
Sutasoma: The Tale of a Buddhist Prince will be presented by the Balinese Shadow Play Music Ensemble at Boston University in the CFA Concert Hall on Saturday, September 30. Professor Brita Heimarck directs the Balinese Music Ensemble in this adaptation of the 14th century kakawin (Old Javanese) text from Indonesia.
Next Stage Workshops
The School of Theatre New Play Initiative presents a series of Next Stage workshops, scenes, and plays. These Next Stage pieces are directed by undergraduate directors and will flower as the next step in the fruition of these new plays by BU students. The nature of the presentation and the work is determined by the needs of the play. Curated by playwright Kirsten Greenidge, this “on-its-feet” workshop or play experience focuses on different areas of the writing or specific parts of a project in the process of development. The Next Stage Workshops offer free admission.
Visit bu.edu/cfa/theatre/season, or contact theatre@bu.edu for more information.
Like Flies: A Rage Play is written & directed by Maggie Kearnan (CAS’25)
September 22 – 23, 2023
CFA 354 • 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Presented by the Boston University School of Theatre New Play Initiative in association with Boston Playwrights’ Theatre.
When a mysterious new midwife comes to town, a group of women think she might have solutions for more than just childbirth. She might also have something to solve an epidemic of cruel men. Like Flies: A Rage Play is a witchy thriller with movement, sound, murder, secrets, and an ensemble of women claiming the freedom they are due.
Priscilla, by Edward Sturm (CFA’24) is directed by Emma Cahoon (CFA’24)
September 23 – 24, 2023
Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre • 820 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline
Down Neck, written by Tina Esper (CAS’25) and directed by Gregg Wiggans (CFA’25)
September 29 – 30, 2023
CFA 354 • 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Presented by the Boston University School of Theatre New Play Initiative in association with Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. Inspired by a short story by Brazilian novelist, Clarice Lispector, Down Neck explores the meaning of womanhood and its ripple effect on an immigrant family in Newark, New Jersey.
Cars, Candy, and Other Colorful Things by Gaby Tovar (CFA’25)
September 30 – October 1, 2023
Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre • 820 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline
broke (not broken), lost n found is written by Isabelle Sanatdar Stevens (CAS’25). Directed by Madeline Riddick-Seals
October 6 – 7, 2023
CFA 354 • 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Presented by the Boston University School of Theatre New Play Initiative in association with Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. College is hard, and being a low-income, first-gen American student can make it even harder, but when the highest paying job on-campus is as an RA, you do what you gotta do to try and bridge the gap. Four students bond over their shared role in the campus community, and the shared aspects of their backgrounds. Challenges arise as they navigate the high demands of the job while balancing schoolwork and the ever-evolving nature of their personal lives. They may be broke, but they’re definitely not broken—especially now that they have each other.
Delinquents Never Stay for Long, by JoJo (CFA’24) and directed by Charlie Berger (CFA’24)
October 7 – 8, 2023
Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre • 820 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline
Ginkgo Express, written by Brandon Zang (CAS’25) and directed by Terri McMahon
October 13 – 14, 2023
CFA 354 • 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Presented by the Boston University School of Theatre New Play Initiative in association with Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. As the world comes to an end in 2099, a teenager boards a train across the Pacific Ocean to reunite the last two ginkgo trees. On the other side, in the ancient Chinese village of Tianmushan, a jaded college grad has returned to take over as chief and preserve her father’s final legacy. With each day that brings them closer, relationships rekindle and bridges are burned. As the prospect of saving the ginkgo tree becomes less and less plausible, both must decide if their earnest—or futile—attempt to save their history is worth the price of a future shrouded in the ashes of their mistakes.
Alice Tierney
A co-production of BU Opera Institute and School of Theatre
OCTOBER 13 – 15, 2023
Music by Melissa Dunphy
Libretto by Jacqueline Goldfinger
Music Director • Allison Voth
Stage Director • Claire Choquette
Studio ONE • 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Alice Tierney explores the mythic stories surrounding the death of the real-life 19th-Century “dissipated woman” Alice Tierney. Tierney was found hanging by her own petticoats on a fence in a seedy Philadelphia neighborhood early one morning in 1880. Despite suspicious circumstances, the death was ruled accidental and never investigated by police. But who was Alice? Can four grad students investigating the site discover the truth? – melissadunphy.com
Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet
Presented by Boston University School of Theatre
October 20 – 22, 2023
By Tarell Alvin McCraney
Directed by Roz Bevan (CFA’19)
Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre • 820 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline
Marcus is sixteen and “sweet.” Days before Hurricane Katrina strikes the projects of Louisiana, Marcus keeps having dreams about a mysterious man and a ton of rain. The currents of his life converge, overflowing into his close-knit community and launching the search for his sexual and personal identity on a cultural landscape infused with mysterious family creeds. The poignant and fiercely humorous coming-of-age story of a young gay man in the South, Marcus is the stirring conclusion of The Brother/Sister Plays.
Hydrogen Jukebox
A co-production of BU Opera Institute and School of Theatre
Music by Philip Glass
Libretto by Allen Ginsburg
Music Director • Matthew Larson
Stage Director • Sarah Dahnke
October 27 – 29, 2023
Studio ONE • 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Created as a portrait of America from the 1950s through the 1980s, Hydrogen Jukebox was composed after a chance meeting between composer, Philip Glass, and Beat poet, Allen Ginsberg. Through Glass’ minimalist style, and Ginsberg’s poetry on topics ranging from the anti-war movement to the environment, the opera touches on many of America’s enduring social issues.
The Gutter
The Gutter is presented by BU School of Visual Arts and its MFA Visual Narrative Class of 2024.
On view from September 15 – October 2, 2023
CFA Commonwealth Gallery, 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston (first floor)
Reception • Friday, September 29, 7pm, Commonwealth Gallery
“Although most of the action happens inside the panels, all of the rhythm and flow of storytelling happens in the gutter,” say curators and MFA Visual Narrative students Sadie Sauders (CFA’24) and Ella Scheuerell (CFA’24). “When a drawing protrudes into the gutter, it can be dramatic. When a page has no gutters or too many gutters, it can be overwhelming. When the gutters are evenly spaced and clear, it can provide readers with a sense of order and tranquility. The gutter has the power to influence the reader without their even knowing. In all its meanings, the gutter is a necessity, despite its sometimes-negative connotation. Without it, rainwater would damage our homes, and bowling balls would become wrecking balls. Comics might not make sense. So perhaps next time you meet a cartoonist, instead of telling them to get their minds out the gutter, perhaps encourage them to get their minds into the gutter, because that is where all the magic happens.”
BRUSH|REED
Presented by the BU College of Fine Arts School of Music
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Noon performance followed by an open discussion with the artists
808 Gallery, 808 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline
Featuring Dr. Jennifer Bill (saxophone) and Linnea Maas (visual artist), BRUSH|REED is a collaboration between artist and musician to explore the parallels of painting and sound through live performance. BRUSH|REED engages an audience through color, pitch, representational lines, rhythm, intensity, and expression: an aural visual experience. The artists come together to explore the parallels between painting and music via live performances. Jennifer transforms the printed notes of her musical score into lush soundscapes, Linnea further interprets the music into visual color and form on her fresh canvas. The live art that blooms at every BRUSH|REED performance captivates and resonates with the audiences. The paintings that emerge establish a visual memory of the sights, sounds, and emotions of each intimate affair, impressing upon each audience member a feeling of symbiosis between the two disciplines presented to them. Learn more at brushreed.com.
Sutasoma: The Tale of a Buddhist Prince
Presented by the BU College of Fine Arts School of Music
Directed by Associate Professor Brita Heimarck
Saturday, September 30, 2023
CFA Concert Hall • 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
The Balinese Shadow Play Music Ensemble at Boston University presents Sutasoma: The Tale of a Buddhist Prince, directed by Associate Professor Brita Heimarck. We will present an adaptation of this 14th century kakawin (Old Javanese) text from Indonesia. The story follows Buddha, reincarnated as Sutasoma, the son of the King of Hastina. Pious Sutasoma had no desire to marry and become a king, so one night he fled the palace, sought refuge in the forest, and found his way to a monastery in the mountains. Through meditation his spiritual power grew, and many kings urged him to fight a demon king (Purusada or Kalmasapada) who was ravaging the land and killing many people. Nymphs and a god disguised as a goddess tried to tempt Sutasoma into marrying and taking his rightful place as a warrior of peace. But Sutasoma transformed his enemies into disciples seeking the spiritual path. Finally, he agreed to marry the beautiful daughter of King Dasabahu, and he discovered that she too had achieved an exalted level of spiritual insight.”