I’m halfway through my run here, and last night’s show after four days off was a hoot. A bunch of other performers came and – no surprise to me – were delighted to find that Rebel Without a Niche was far far better than they expected after reading the Canadian press. They sat in the front row and laughed throughout and enjoyed themselves. I had a good house, including a woman who laughed a hearty laugh and sounded a little like a duck. I announced that I would be taking her home with me and introduced her to the rest of the audience as the “future Mrs. Kurt Fitzpatrick.”
It was a very fun show, but I have to say that all my Vancouver shows have been clicking rather well. I was able to get some feedback from some performers afterwards. Some of it was familiar. “Lose the songs” was a new one, but appreciated.
Based on this new feedback, people want to know more about me and what I’m thinking and what I’m going through as I work these jobs. Why am I putting myself through the process of dead-end jobs? Also I should play up on the Kafkaesque elements of the play. Matthew, a fellow performer, said that if I could combine those two things and make them part of the show, it will turn a very good show into a great show. I can see how that could work, and it’s exciting to see how the show could reach a new level. It’s awesome to have performers give me those kinds of observations.
I’ve been a student of the Fringe this summer. In addition to doing my show, I’ve seen a lot of shows, ranging from big hits to shows with tiny houses. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I asked audience members how they decided what they wanted to see. I talked to performers, looked closely at the marketing for shows, and really took in the festivals. I am now a dangerous man.
I visited the Art Gallery Tuesday afternoon on pay-as-you-can day. That same day I strolled down fourth avenue and discovered a comic book store that was selling a used copy of the novelization of Oh, Heavenly Dog, which was a movie starring Chevy Chase and Benji. Well, I guess they wouldn’t have any new copies. I’m going to put it on my shelf next to A Tale of Two Cities. I love contrast, don’t you?
