Tickets are on sale now for a unique theater event presented in the Pilsen neighborhood on Chicago’s lower west side. The third annual Chicago Fringe Festival will span the dates of Aug. 30 through Sept. 9 and will include a variety of performances at multiple neighborhood venues.
“The 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival is a rare opportunity to see an incomparable mix of performances at very affordable prices,” said Executive Director Vinnie Lacey. “From traditional theatre to solo shows to dance to performances that do not fit into any category, Fringe 2012 offers something for everyone.”
The festival begins with a free event which includes drinks and appetizers with the festival’s many organizers and performers Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. at 600 W. Cermak, followed by the opportunity to enjoy the first night’s lineup of theatre events.
The 11-day schedule includes an eclectic mix of performances, 24 of which are from the Chicagoland area and 22 of which are from elsewhere in the United States. The festival also features acts from outside of the United States, notably The Interpreters from South Korea and La Petite Famille from France and Canada. In total, the festival will feature 200 performances from 180 performers.
The fringe festival theatre movement originated in Edinburgh, Scotland as a less expensive and more accessible alternative to more prestigious or large-scale festivals. In accordance with these values, the Chicago Fringe Festival describes itself as a cultural event which seeks to, “unite daring theatergoers with emerging and boundary-pushing local, national and international performing artists while seeking to engage nontraditional audiences through a commitment to low ticket prices and outreach into artistically underserved communities.”
Multiple performances are being given each day of the festival, at 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. weekdays and from 1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. throughout the day Saturday and Sunday. A complete and updated festival schedule with venues and times is available at http://chicagofringe.org/.
Initial entrance to the festival costs $5 and each subsequent performance ticket is $10. Alternately, festival passes are available for $45 for five shows, $80 for ten shows and $175 for unlimited access to the festival.
Tickets are available in advance online at at http://chicagofringe.org/, by calling 866.441.9962, or in person at the festival box office at 600 W. Cermak. Tickets will also be available at the individual venues the day of the performance.
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