Out of the Loop Fringe Festival

   

     If you like to be entertained, as I do, you can not miss the OUT OF THE LOOP FRINGE FESTIVAL at the Water Tower Theater (15650 Addison Road).  Held every spring, this 10-day festival features a great variety of acts at outstanding prices.  With three stages, the water tower theater hosts a series of dramatic, musical and comedic performances.  Individual ticket prices run in the $10-$15 range which is great in itself, but if you plan on attending several shows, consider a pass.  This year's pass was $60, and entitled the pass holder to see each of the roughly 20 acts one time.  Most acts do multiple shows, so there are a lot of show times to choose from as well.

    Not only do the format and pricing of the festival make it accessible, you will find parking to be easy and the staff and volunteers to be friendly and accommodating as well.  No huge theaters here either, so you have the ability to choose a seat where you can see and hear well.  We enjoyed all of the ten or so shows we attended--even the cabaret singing that we didn't think we would.  This is a great opportunity to sample different art forms you are not sure about as well.  We are partial to comedy, and thought "Miranda Sings" and "The Screw You Review" were fabulous, although definitely not PC.  If you are able to be offended, the latter show would not be for you, but it was a riot.

    For the gory details:  After we purchased the pass, we received a full program schedule.  From that schedule, we selected the performances and performance times of our choice.  Tickets were picked up at the box office prior to each performance.  Just don't show up too close to show time as they may give your seat away if it is close to show time and others are interested in purchasing tickets.  For complete details just check it out online, and hope to see you next year :)