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Getting FIT

With the heat comes fine independent theater

A A A Comments By Merritt Martin Thursday, Jul 13 2006

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When it comes to summertime, the words "unleashed" and "unhinged" don't sound so good. I immediately think of mangy, dehydrated dogs roaming hot streets. Then my thought process goes something like this: "Unhinged, eh? Off the hinges. Door off hinges, open. Air conditioning is getting out. Too hot outside. Must get door back on hinges." But, when you add the words "drama" and "comedy" to the aforementioned "un"s, things start to sound a bit cooler. The slogan for the 2006 Festival of Independent Theatres is "Drama Unleashed. Comedy Unhinged," and the festival has eight theater companies ready and willing to prove just how entertaining, impressive and not boring modern theater can get. From Bootstraps Comedy Theater's Sunny & Eddie Sitting in a Tree (a tale of love by laughter) to Theater Fusion's The Dreamer Examines His Pillow(a couple finds each other repellent despite being completely in love) to Theatre Quorum's take on John Sayles' New Hope for the Dead (a philosophical throw-down between two unlikely sparring partners), the festival doesn't shy away from the comical or the tragic. Which is good. That means we can shy away from the sweltering heat and take in some quality, temperature-controlled performances at the Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive. Festival passes are $49, with individual tickets ranging from $12 to $18. Call 214-528-5576 or visit bathhousecultural.com for show dates and times.
Thursdays-Sundays; Wed., July 26; Wed., Aug. 2. Starts: July 14. Continues through Aug. 5