Hench Bots

Some thought it couldn't be done. Dog Powered Robot was an instant flash fire hit at last year's Fringe. Back then the show was just three minutes long. Every night it won an award that said it would make a great full length Fringe show. Tons of dedicated hard work went into making the show a runaway hit at this year's Fringe. Now there is a small army of new robots all built from cardboard yet seeming high tech on a shoe string budget. It's the simplicity that continues to give DPR it's charm. In this sketch, "No Bones" lies on his flaccid bean bag chair. His delicate inflated ego needs constant re-enforcement from his two "Hench Bots" who were programed to offer constant praise and adulation. They weren't designed with legs however so they move on simple coaster wheels using their robotic arms for propulsion.

In one magical sequence in the play, a simple overhead projector shows transparencies that animate YouTube pop cultural viral clips. I was laughing uncontrollably when "Keyboard Cat" started tickling the ivories. I laughed so hard I couldn't breath. You could see the operator's fingers as he moved the transparencies to animate the cat's paws and pink head. But this is just one example. I laughed just as hard throughout the rehearsal. These two bickering "Hench Bots" played off each other like Laurel and Hardy but with metallic voices and endless robotic charm.

When Dog Powered Robot finally appears, the epic robotic battle still has an adorable humor to it because Fisher, the dog nestled inside the chest of Dog Powered Robot, steals the show. The show is cleverly written and expertly directed yet there is a playful quality that come's out in rehearsals and is sure to hit the stage. I can imagine flash mobs across the country breaking out and doing the Dog Powered Robot Ddddance!

5/26 THU 7:40PM
5/27 FRI 6:40PM
5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Dog Powered Dreams

This was the first full run through of Dog Powered Robot that I got to see at a rehearsal. The laughs started right from the moment Lollybot came out to introduce the show. Lolly offered a lollypop to John Bateman's wife who had also come to see the rehearsal. When she sashayed up to me and offered a lollypop I was stunned. In her metallic voice she said, "You can have my sweets anytime." I swore I saw her bright pink pupils dilate and then she winked at me. I swooned. I love Lolly!

No Bones played by John Bateman is integral to the epic drama that followed. While the large cast of robots all move stiffly, John flails his limbs around like wet noodles. In the opening scene when I sketched him, his controlling manipulative ways became obvious as he played a futuristic holographic version of a video game. He isn't a villain, he is just someone who always has to win at any cost. I have had friends with a similar world view.

In a strange dream sequence, Allissa Foley came out as a slice of watermelon. She was a sinister slice who planted the seeds to a truly diabolical plot. Of course she was simply a recreation of No Bones' warped imagination and she sounded strangely like his mother with whom he had a contentious relationship. Much like the relationship between Norman Bates and his mother in Psycho.

5/24 TUE 5:15PM
5/26 THU 7:40PM
5/27 FRI 6:40PM
5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Dog Powered Rehearsal

When I arrived at the Chandler Art Market the entire Dog Powered Robot cast was gathered around a table eating pizza talking and laughing. Fisher, the dog behind the robot was dancing on his hind legs for scraps. He doesn't seem fazed by his sudden rise to fame. He still appreciates the little things in life like pizza crust. Christie Miga got things started by reading off what robot and set parts people would be responsible to get off the truck during load in. They would only have 20 minutes to get everything off the truck and get it set up in the theater.

For the first part of the rehearsal Katie Green, the stage manager,asked everyone to move all the robots, set pieces, and technological wonders from the back room to the main room. She set the stop watch on her iPhone and shouted go. The cast rushed through the narrow doorway and they scrambled like frantic worker bees to get everything in place. Once everything was in place, they then had to "suit up." Alyssa Folley who plays Lollybot squeezed into a shiny black nylon or spandex body suit with a hood. Christie was helping her slip on the glove. Center stage Doug LoCicero quickly maneuvered into his Henchbot. Fisher scrambled around until Christie picked him up. They were ready for showtime with time to spare. Of course at the Repertory Theater they would have to move everything a bit further depending on how close they could park the truck. Dog Powered Robot was ready to roll!

At the Green venue at the Rep Theater. Tickets.
5/22 SUN 9:20PM
5/24 TUE 5:15PM
5/26 THU 7:40PM
5/27 FRI 6:40PM
5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Team Dog Powered Robot

I went to some of the final rehearsals for Dog Powered Robot. Rehearsals were held at the Chandler Arts Market in Winter Park where Christie Mega works. Joey Corcoran was busy building a bot as the actors started to rehearse. The robot's skeleton was being built from pvc tubing. Joey measured his own leg and arm bones and then transferred those measurements to the PVC. He cut the PVC using a circular saw which was outside the back door. . With all the bones cut, he assembled the skeleton in minutes using PVC elbow joints and T-joints. Then the skeleton had to undergo numerous tweaks to to give the bot just the right crumpled gesture. Fisher, the dog behind Dog Powered Robot pranced around the rehearsal space inspecting all the action.

The rehearsal involved the actors practicing the choreography involved in the epic fight scenes. It felt more like elementary playtime rather than a serious rehearsal as the actors moved in slow motion pretending to be huge menacing robots. No one was "suited up" since they wanted to practice the movements without the bulky robotic limitations. Joseph Geoghagen jotted down notes whenever any improvised line seemed particularly funny. I'm sure when the actors are encased in the incredible robot suits, the scenes will become even more epic. Everyone in the room was laughing.

This is one Fringe show you do not want to miss. I predict that these shows will sell out. I would get tickets early, or you might only hear rumors of the awesomeness as you drown your sorrow at the beer tent for having missed a historic Fringe sensation.


Show times are...
5/20 FRI 7:55PM
5/21 SAT 12:00PM
5/22 SUN 9:20PM
5/24 TUE 5:15PM
5/26 THU 7:40PM
5/27 FRI 6:40PM
5/29 SUN 1:25PM

Fringe Preview

The Preview for the 20th Annual Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival was held at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Fringe is twelve days of art, music, dance and theatrical madness. Fringe begins May 18th through May 30th. I decided to sit in the mezzanine which was at the very back row right in front of the sound and lighting booth. I figured the green light issuing from the booth would give me enough light to sketch in and that theory worked out. There were 30 acts listed in the program so there is no way I can give you a taste from all of them. Each act had a thumbs up, a thumbs down and an F you hand gesture to rate the acts. Things got off to a great start when the "Downtowners" hobbled on to the stage. This singing and dancing group were all aged 70 to 95 and their rendition of "Stayin' Alive" took on a whole new meaning. The audience loved them.

The festivities were hosted by Beth Marshall and Michael Wanzie. The smallest and Fringiest venue last year took place in a closet and Jeff Ferree will once again feature puppets in this cramped walk-in theater. In the preview if any act ran over three minutes, they would be interrupted by the Fringe Cheerleaders who would shout out Gimme an "F", gimme an "R" until the audience spelled out and shouted Fringe! This kept the show moving at a fast clip. Kevin Thornton's film where he tried to explain and justify his show "I love you (we're f@#ked)" was hilarious.

I was disappointed when it was announced that "Dog Powered Robot" could not perform at the preview. Instead a show titled "Squatters" took to the stage. They set up a small cardboard shanty town and started an insipid act about hunting for Easter Eggs. They were then rudely interrupted by Dog Powered Robot sending Easter eggs flying and cardboard boxes tumbling. The audience didn't know what hit them. It was a fun evening where anything could happen, and usually did. Fringe is fast approaching like a freight train with no breaks. Order tickets for your favorite shows now or you might be left in the irreverent dust.

Dog Powered Robot Fundraiser

I arrived at Blank Space (201 East Central Boulevard) early and the DPR Army was busy setting up. They all wore custom blue Dog Powered Robot T-shirts. The cardboard city took form quickly but Evan Miga made many adjustments and then started adding cardboard billboards. The advertising was blunt and to the point like "Things", "New Stuff" and "Naked Underwear Model." Scott Wilkins, the music selector for the night, was busy setting up sound equipment and tapping at the keyboard of his Mac computers. Before the first patrons arrived I shot a photo of the whole DPR army using Douglas LoCicero's camera.

I donated a print to the auction. There were some amazing silent auction items, like digital cameras, a bottle of white wine with the label, "Wine Powered Robot" and a Robot Pizza Party! The huge DPR blue foam letters stood stoically outside the Blank Space entrances. Bob Kodzis and Christie Miga manned the entryway. Two young women who were just passing had to find out what was going on. With admission they were given a wrist stamp. My wrist still has the a blue robot on it and if I wiggle my hand side to side, I can make the robot dance. I really should wash my wrist.

Alyssa Foley, the actress who now plays Lollybot, asked me if my work had been on display at the library. It turns out her boyfriend is an artist and he pointed out my work to her. Alyssa was be very funny. Once she stepped inside the Pink Robot she was a non stop dancing and flirting machine. There were lolly pops along the length of her arm. I tried valiantly to get one for myself and Terry but Lollybot was dancing so much that I couldn't grab a pop from her waving arms. It was a bit comical as I tried again and again to get at the lolly pops. Each time I reached out she would turn or robotically walk away. Finally Lollybot walked right up to where Terry and Amanda Chadwick were sitting and Amanda quickly snatched two lolly pops. All my gallant effort was wasted, I never seem to catch the prize. I've always depended on the kindness of strangers.

Tod Kimbro performed on piano. He was later joined by Jessi Riese. They performed a fun lively set as I sketched frantically. Then came the main attraction, a recreation of the 2010 Fringe act that started it all. Darci Ricciardi stepped in and lip synced the singing of Britt Daley. As always the crowd was hollering and hooting as Dog Powered Robot Destroyed the Cardboard city. A video was then screened which had stunning special effects including lasers explosions and a burning cardboard city. Christie's silent screen debut was hilarious. I have never seen Blank Space so crowded. Swami Worldtraveler introduced me to two young German women who were visiting Orlando. This proves that DPR is already an international phenomenon. The fundraiser was an undeniable success.