On the Fringe

The best things to see on stage in Tulsa this month

For years June in Tulsa has meant SummerStage, and this year it brings a new festival, one that bursts through the walls of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. 

Tulsa Fringe, based on a model birthed an ocean away and the spread like wildfire all over the world, will broaden the live-entertainment offerings in our city this summer, serving up performances of various stripes and in new spaces. With events from plays and magic shows to music and a carnival, Tulsa Fringe broadens offerings as well as appeal to audiences who are looking for something more than just another stage show. Generally, Fringe festivals offer uncensored, low prices for audiences and artists, multiple venues, short shows and low tech. Tulsa Fringe is the first of its kind in Oklahoma. 

Tulsa Fringe performances will be held at one of four partner performance venues throughout downtown: including Fly Loft (117 N. Boston Avenue), Woody Guthrie Center (102 E. Brady Street), Living Arts of Tulsa (307 E. M.B. Brady), and The Comedy Parlor (328 E. 1st Street), as well as Tulsa Performing Arts Center, at 110 E. Second Street. The festival runs through July. 

In the spirit of showcasing and building the talents of local artists, Tulsa Fringe will also host a pair of workshops. The workshops, titled “Creating Original Theatrical Work,” scheduled for June 21, and “The Art of Street Performance,” on June 28, will be held at Fly Loft. The street-performance workshop will mint new buskers, or street performers who present well-orchestrated yet unconventional performances in edgy costume, for a live performance at Guthrie Green on July 11. 

Tickets are available per-show or as a festival pass, which offers entry to three or more shows at a discounted rate. The Blue Whale Comedy Festival offers an all-event pass for $80, which includes a ticket to three performances plus admission to The Comedy Parlor during the weekend of the festival and the official after-party. Tickets and workshop registration is available at tulsafringe.org. 

Tulsa FRINGE June performances include:  

The Blue Whale Comedy Festival (featuring Judah Friedlander with Josh Fadem and Matt Besser) // June 13-15 // Guthrie Green, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, The Comedy Parlor, and Dilly Deli

One-Man Star Wars // June 13 // Tulsa Performing Arts Center 

Fun & Frolic Family Magic Show// June 15 // Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Vintage Wildflowers in Concert // June 19 // Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Book of Days // June 19-22 // Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Boom // June 20-21 // Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Janet Rutland Sings the Sixties // June 20-21 // Tulsa Performing Arts Center

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown // June 26-29 // Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Real Women Have Curves // June 27-28 // Living Arts of Tulsa

Still Slouching: From Brooklyn to Bushyhead with John Wooly and Barry Friedman // June 27-28 // Woody Guthrie Center

Also see

• Wicked

Tulsa PAC // June 18-July 6
The musical phenomena chronicling the unlikely friendship between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good returns to Tulsa for its third run, courtesy of Celebrity Attractions. Hailed as one of the best contemporary musicals on Broadway, it’s one of the largest productions to ever visit our town, if not the largest.

• The Music Man

Assembly Hall, Cox Business Center // June 13, 14, 19 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. June 15, 21, 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Tulsa Project Theatre presents this classic story of trouble in River City that can only be solved with a fabulous marching band—orchestrated by a travelling con artist, of course.

• Rants, Raves, Missed Connections, and Casual Encounters

Nightingale Theater
Inspired by actual Craigslist Personals, 50 Swats Writers’ Collective created shorts to bring this often colorful forum to life. Dates and curtain times were not available at press time; check nightingaletheater.com for updates. 

• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Lawn at Philbrook Museum of Art // June 6 & 7, 13 & 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Philbrook’s historic grounds are the perfect stage for Shakespeare’s classic comedy set in an enchanted forest. Bring a blanket and provisions and enjoy the tale of lovers, fairies, and, of course, Puck. 

• Sweeney Todd, The Gondoliers, and Original Cabaret

Van Trease Theatre, Tulsa PAC
LOOK Musical Theatre’s 2014 season presents three musicals in different lights this year. The group kicks off with “Sweeney Todd,” the darkly humorous tale of the demon barber, before moving to a comedy of errors and their four original cabaret performances. Visit looktheatre.org for dates and show times.

• Clark Youth Theatre Talent Show

Henthorne PAC // June 10, 7 p.m. 

A night of song, laughter, and monologues as the Clark youth demonstrate their many skills. Tickets are $5. 

• “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse”

Tulsa Spotlight Theatre // June 20-29

Tulsa Spotlight Children’s Theatre brings this adventure of a girl and her tough choices when separated from her prized possession. Visit tulsaspotlighttheatre.org for reservations—these young actors tend to pack the house.

• Laughing Matter

Henthorne PAC // June 17, 7 p.m. 

They say it’s Tulsa’s longest running improvisational comedy program—Laughing Matter is a live comedy show that uses suggestions from the audience to create a laughable evening for the whole family. Tickets are $5.