AT THE ST. LOU FRINGE - THE WIZARD OF OZ(ES)

Didn't get a post done yesterday. I photographed 20 of 40 shows in six days and this old body runs low on gas sooner than it used to. Anyway, this was my favorite show of The Fringe, The Wizard Of Oz(es), a mash up of all the movies and stage shows on the theme. I've only seen the original Judy Garland film so I'm sure I missed references. Eight pictures is enough for one post. I'll probaably have more tomorrow.                    

 

 

AT THE ST. LOU FRINGE - THE MOVEMENT(S)

 

Dance, drama and a bit of comedy. Na’ilah Majeed and K. Gloria Mwez, performing as That Untitled Project, spoke to friendship, community organizing, standing up for your needs against political indifference and just having fun.                      

AT THE ST. LOU FRINGE - EMPTY NIGHT

 

The scene is near an Indian village. An impoverished farmer and a proud tigress search for food for their starving children. His land has been taken for a pittance by rich industrialists. Her forest hunting grounds have greatly shrunk due to commercial development. Both have been injured in their search. The themes involve social, economic and environmental justice.                  

WOMEN OF THE FRINGE (BUT NOT ALL OF THEM)

 

Two powerful performances by women at the Fringe. Above, Toni Finch presents a cabaret act on a theme, this year the 80s Golden Girls TV show, called Thank You For Being A Friend. It is about the lives, loves and bonds of women over 50. Poignant is not a good enough word.

Below, a show called Shedding Skin. The performer does not provide her name. She is a  graceful and strong dancer, appearing on stage in skin tight, neutral colored garments, which appear to bind and restrain her. They seem to cause anguish. She slowly, gracefully, removes one piece at a time until she is completely naked. The transition appears painful but ends in liberation, as if she has revealed her true inner self. Strong stuff.                

THE ST. LOU FRINGE BEGINS

The St. Lou Fringe began its six day run last night. I'm the president of the board and house photographer. I'll shoot about 22 shows in the course of the week and editing is a  big job. This one is called "Dave Derose Can't Finish A Script." A writer has lots of ideas but he can't seem to bring any to a conclusion. A group of actors played out very funny and poignant fragments.                 

STL DPB ON THE FARM - GREEN MACHINE

 

More heavy equipment on the Kruse family farm, and once again, I do not know what it's for. The green and yellow color scheme says that it is made by John Deere, and it looks good in the late afternoon light. 

The St. Louis Fringe Festival starts tonight and runs through Sunday. I have 22 shows on my calendar to shoot, and that's not nearly all of them. We'll be seeing lots of theatrical photography for a while.                 

STL DPB ON THE FARM

 

What's a dazzling urbanite like you doing in a rustic setting like this?

                                                                - Blazing Saddles

Okay, that's a pretty broad exaggeration, but it's one of my favorite movie lines. The scene is just behind the house on the farm where my wife grew up. I'd be lying if I said I knew what the machine on the right did, except the spout on the side puts corn kernels into some kind of hopper. The corn isn't quite as high as an elephant's eye, as the old song has it, but it's getting there.