Balagan Theatre: Trout Stanley

I think that I have found a love for the performing arts and it begins with the phrase "fringe theatre". Fringe theatre is for those who seek more than just happy ending plays or booming, on the verge of slightly annoying, huge Broadway musicals. Fringe theatre is for the weird.. for the dark.. and for the hilariously twisted. It's where actors work for free in spaces that can house only about 30-40 people at a time and where you have to know someone in association with a fringe theatre house to even get a heads up when and what is playing.

Luckily for me and you, I now have the Balagan Theatre. This theatre is "committed to creating a diverse body of work that engages its audience with passionate, thought-provoking productions of the highest artistic quality". You can find this theatre wedged between Boom Noodle house and an art gallery of some sort in Capitol Hill on E Pike st. Currently the theatre is showing a play written by Claudia Dey and directed by David Gassner, who is making his directing debut at Balagan and in my opinion is one hell of a guy. Trout Stanley is what I would call a dark comedy telling the story about two twins: anxiety riddin Suga (Angela DiMarco) and "lion queen" Grace Ducharme (Sarah Budge) and their interaction with a animalistic traveler with a foot fetish, Trout Stanley played by Ryan Higgins.

I thought that the play was intense, hilarious, crazy, and super intimate. I can't really say more about the story without spilling the beans but believe me, this is one play that you don't want to miss. The last showing is March 6th so get your tickets!! I'm really excited to see what else Balagan has to offer the off-off-off-way off broadway followers and whatever it is you know you will see your girl there sitting front row.

For tickets, future play information, or anything else to do with Balagan click below:
411 on Balagan Theatre

And just for something extra, check out the promotional posters that are produced by Nick Perleros for all Balagan plays. These are not your average theatre promotion but show an awesome eye for patterns influenced by simple graphics. Good job Nick!