It's Rogue Festival week, and to get you in the mood, I'm going to be recommending shows all week. We'll start with Barry Smith, who is bringing his "Jesus in Montana" show back for a Fresno encore this year.
Smith is a Rogue Festival veteran, and arguably the most popular Rogue act year-in and year-out. His shows are a mixture of stand-up comedy, surreal storytelling and irreverent lecture. The past two years, the Colorado-based performer's "American Squatter" and "Barry Smith's Baby Book" have both been hot tickets.
But "Jesus in Montana" was the first show he brought to Fresno in 2007. If you missed it then (like I did), then you're probably itching to see it. It's a true story, full of religious mockery, about Smith's experience with a cult in Montana. Donald reviewed the show the first time it was here and called it, "an energetic, zippy and funny show. 'Jesus in Montana' isn't a mere comedy routine; it's a fascinating character sketch and journey into a cult-susceptible mind."
SHOW INFO: "Jesus in Montana" shows at 7 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on March 13 at Severance Theatre. Admission costs $9.
9 bucks?! Are shows always this expensive? I thought they capped shows at $7. Wow.
It's at Severance, which is a BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue, aka not one of the official Rogue venues). Last year, a few Severance shows were $10. So, no, this isn't anything new. The Rogue Main Stage shows (Starline, Diana's, etc) have a $7 cap.
For what it's worth: I'd say at this point in his Rogue career, Barry Smith is worth it.
Live entertainment is well worth $9. The $2 different is not much and I think it is a slap in the face to the performer and their artistry. This is an ENTERTAINMENT! A cheap DVD is $9 at the local 'Target' and is hardly comparable to person putting their heart and soul into something for your enjoyment. Show some appreciation! Just my opinion!
I looked up his website and checked out some of his short previews on Youtube here http://www.youtube.com/Bsmiff Seems like it's a really interesting show. From what I can tell he's been touring other fringe festivals with the show as well. Should be a well polished act.
And speaking of polishing, theres also Captain Scurvey's Apocalypse Hoedown Revival. Only $5 gets you miracle healings, fire, whirling blades of death and the terror of live banjo music. Give 'em a looksee http://roguefestival.com/rogue2010/?p=117
I LOVE Barry Smith. His shows are always contagious, fun, funny and he's charming and delivers his stories really well.
Having said that: This year he's milking the cash cow. Go if you've never seen it and you want to pay the big bucks.
"At this point in his Rogue career" Barry Smith can keep coming up with new stuff. This "Hey, they LOVE me in Fresno, let's go to a place I don't have to pay a mainstage application fee and charge $3 bucks more than ever before" stuff?
Doesn't sound very Rogue-ish to me.
Stephen, perhaps finding out the facts before spouting off would be more beneficial all around.
The fact that Barry wants to do the Rogue even if he couldn't secure a mainstage slot speaks oodles for both him and the festival. (Yeah, remember... that first come first served thing?)
Fact 2... BYO's can (and do) charge performers/groups for their slots (dude, nothings for free)... and Severance does charge. It is a private agreement between the performer/group and the venue (which I'm not privy to) but yeah, I'm pretty sure he is not getting those slots for free.
I happen to know that Barry and many of the out of town performers are some of the best and direct spokespeople for the Rogue out on the Fringe circuit resulting in many of them wanting to do the Rogue.
I think all of that is pretty darn Rogue-ish.
Thanks, Marcel! Severance has been a BYOV since 2006, and we love being part of the festival. All of the groups that perform in the Rogue pay to play, basically, and it is the best deal in town for anyone who wants to produce a show at a rock-bottom cost. For Rogue mainstage, artists pay application/processing/premium fees that total up to $325. After that up-front cost, all money collected at the door goes to the artists.
That's how we work it at Severance, too, and the fees we charge are comparable. Almost half of it goes to the Rogue for participating as a BYOV and advertising in the Rogue Map, which they do a fantastic job on. The rest of the fees we spend on everything involved in hosting 32 performances over two weekends, and 100% of the door goes to the artists. We encourage the artists at Severance to follow the Rogue mainstage guidelines, but as BYOV participants they get to do what they want!
Like Mike, I missed Barry Smith's show the year he did Jesus in Montana, so I can't wait to see it myself. Go Rogue!
Marcel, KING of the Rogue, we have to disagree on a coupla things:
1. Monies exchanged between Barry and Severance don't fill the Rogue coffers. That's what I meant by that.
2. I have equal disdain for others that I adore. The Rogue is a place for new fringe-worthy works, for innovation and talent and fresh ideas. For audience members to adore talented people no matter what they might bring to the stage. For Fresno audiences and performers from everywhere to come together in art and harmony.
So when I criticize Barry here, I'm also criticizing Abigail Nolte (who I would take a bullet for), and Merlinda Espinosa, another fave of mine.
They are doing the Rogue but are bringing old material with them. I'd be essentially paying money for what I could see at any other time or something I've already seen before.
When BabaforNow re-did their Highway 99 thing, I had the same concerns, but it turned out it was a re-imagining of the piece, not the same thing. When Lisa Kao (who performs all the time) did her Rogue show, she made it a unique Rogue-only performance of french songs.
Debi Ruud did her jazz thing and I'd seen it before and felt ripped off. Then she did a co-thing with Karen Marguth and it was something I could only see fresh at da Rogue!
I'm not disdaining Barry Smith, his talent, his shows or his wonderfulness as a goodwill ambassador for the Rogue festival. But I saw the show a few years ago for $5 dollars and you can't tell me it's worth $10 now.
Rogue = Fresh talent on the fringe. Repeats? Not-so-much.
oops...Barry's show is just $9, not $10. My bad.
And I DO love Severance as a BYOV. You'd think it was a mainstage the way they run it...same formats, flyers all over for other Rogue shows, etc.
Still so fond of seeing RENT there...
Stephen, point 1 is debatable (see Julie Ann's response above).
I do agree (and strongly) with you on point 2. Even though part of the Rogue thrust generally says that a group/performer can produce just about anything at the Rogue... I too much prefer the bold and new. Even if it is flawed... this is so much more exciting (for me) than watching a previously produced or published work. (Yeah, I'm funny that way.)
The Rogue is and has always been the perfect event to take a risk or two. (This goes for performers and audiences.) In the history of the Rogue it was only in year 4 that some locals began to stretch in that direction. From a local theatre standpoint year 6 and 7 were the most exciting for me with the (then) growing number of local "originals" in the fest.
So, yeah... I agree with you on point number 2. That being said, many of the touring Fringe performers continue honing their performances and their shows on the circuit. (Yes, in a way it is the new vaudeville.) Some of it takes form in smoother shifts in the material and sometimes those shifts are more radical.
So, as you stated in the case of the Baba For Now Show... Barry's version of the show this year may not be the exact same one you saw 3 years ago.
Stephan, Thank you for the good comments about our Severance venue. I do want to clarify that we do pay both registration and advertising to the Rogue so its coffers are enriched something like $1200 this year by our participation--and we save them the burden of managing another big venue. We think the festival is great and we try to be full participants in every way. As you say, we follow the format and we do accept any type of Rogue passes for admission to any show. So if you don't want to pay the "big bucks" for the two shows at Severance who chose to charge a bit more, support the Rogue by purchasing a Rogue pass and its taken care of.
Mm-hm. Nine bucks for a re-run.
Donald also said the show is a touch too long and makes a point about 2/3 through.
I saw it the first time. It's perfect for those people who were once Christian fanatics but now find spirituality in counter-culture... like fringe festivals.
He has his niche. zzzzzz...
Everyone chill out! I say we all go over to Mike Briggs this Friday, 8pm (only $4) and watch Rogue Film (where we will so happen to be screening our film "Clean Up")followed by a Beer Summit after wards to talk all this hostility out :)
I'm diggin on being able to see Jesus in Montana as I missed it years back; one of the unfortunate downsides of performing in Rogue is that you don't always get a chance to see the shows you would like.
As far as the price goes, I understand the sweat and late nights that it takes to not only write original material but perform it as well. I saw Baby book last year and it was one hell of a road polished act. I'll pay $9 to get into a bar I like on Saturday night even if I don't watch the bands, so it's a small price to pay for a sharp live show.
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for sharing with everyone what material I will be performing in my Rogue show. Funny though, that you have no idea what is involved in my performance this year considering that you haven't been to a show yet...
I appreciate that you would take a bullet for me but maybe we can just settle with you taking my name out of your vocabulary.
Love,
Abigail Nolte
Sorry, whats-your-name, but you told me you had prepared nothing new for your show this year.
I took you at your word.
Love back,
Steph