A First Taste: FIT @ Theatre Three
Photo courtesy of FIT
—Martha Heimberg
Adventurous audiences take note!
Dallas’s own Festival of Independent Theatres (FIT) opened its month-long lineup this weekend with big applause from engaged audiences enjoying the laughs, the music and the fresh art in the making.
Theatre Three is a cool new venue for the festival, both style- and temp-wise. The handsome arena stage upstairs and the intimate black box theater downstairs are perfect for FIT’s revolving line-up of plays, dance, and improv. Plus, parking in the garage at the Laclede Street entrance is ample and easy.
I sampled a couple of the many plays in the lineup during the weekend, and look forward to those coming up. From energetic young actors fresh out of school to first-rate veteran Dallas actors and musicians, the onstage talent is electric. (Full casts for each show are listed on the schedule, and shows are performed multiple times.)
Thursday’s kick-off included Jeff Swearingen’s hilarious, R-rated Man: on Man in Theatre Too downstairs. The terrific six-member cast lands all the jokes, poked at a hyper-macho dude trying to beef up a hapless guy—literally trained before our eyes to be a yes-man. The 50-minute blend of sharp writing and quick-witted improv features a giant jar of cheese puffs, some dubious chicken nuggets, and a surprise guest. And I do mean surprised.
On Friday, Paul Williams’ musical Gods & Heroes gets a spirited read-through on the main stage, with a dozen solid musicians and some singers who really can sing. You need to hear this tale of a British Rip Van Rock Star, who sleeps for decades and returns to the shock of a new music scene—and the friends who rolled with the beat while he was gone. Funny, rousing, evocative score.
There’s also some late-night cabaret in the swank lobby, featuring Dallas performers you’ve always wanted to see. And more.
Thanks to Theatre Three for hosting, and to FIT Managing Director David Meglino and his team for the return of this popular festival following a pandemic-related hiatus.
For a full program, cast lists, schedule and tickets, go to: festivalofindependenttheatres.com
