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As LAist slowly makes its way through a number of the nearly 300 productions of this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, which runs through June 29, our decisions on what to see are based on a number of factors. We look at the actors, directors and playwrights involved. Theater company history. Schedules. But sometimes it’s simply the descriptions that’ll hook us.
After browsing the Fringe listings and press releases, we’ve picked six of the most fun- and/or Fringiest-sounding productions being staged during the next two weeks.
The True Life Adventures of Barbie and G.I. Joe
The world’s iconic toy soldiers and the famous blonde star in a “steamy true story of media terrorism and the fleecing of families worldwide.” Directed by Sydney Walsh, The True Life Adventures of Barbie and G.I. Joe was written by and stars nine-time Moth Story Slam Winner Bill Ratner and veteran actor Clay Wilcox. The play begins its run on June 18 and runs several times at the Complex Theatres (Ruby Theatre). Tickets: $10.
Zombies from the Beyond
The Visceral Company presents the musical comedy satire Zombies from the Beyond, a sendup of 1950s sci-fi B movies. The James Valco musical was an Off-Broadway hit in 1995, and it now makes its L.A. premiere at the Fringe. It takes on the American ideals of the Eisenhower era, space race paranoia and the Cold War with aliens and music mixed in for pleasure. Zombies at the Fringe begins on Friday and continues through June 29 at The Lex Theatre (Mainstage). Tickets: $32.
Thumbs Wars
Sean Boring, the creator of Funny or Die’s Disney Couples Therapy, brings Thumb Wars to the Fringe. It’s a crass one-act comedy about a 20-something couple after their first date and re-hashing the night before with friends. Of course, messages get misconstrued. Thumb Wars is an absurd take on the dating scene and how we’re more likely to communicate through our thumbs than actual conversation. The play begins its Fringe run on June 14 (through June 22) at the Actor’s Company. Tickets: $5.
Bronies: The Musical
The musical about three outsiders who find friendship and purpose in life thanks to cartoon ponies has its world premiere at the Lounge Theater during the Fringe. The creative team behind The Real Housekeepers of Studio City culls stories from true fan experiences for Bronies: The Musical. Bronies runs on June 13 through June 28 at various dates and times. Tickets: $15 online, $20 at the door.
And She Bakes, Live
The YouTube series And She Bakes is live onstage at the Fringe for its West Coast premiere. Daliya Karnofsky stars as “The Bakeress” who dishes up baking tips and sex advice at the same time in And She Bakes, Live. The interactive, one-woman show features the audience is in the kitchen, where the Bakeress answers life questions while whipping together a (vegan and gluten-free) treat for the crowd. The show’s run at The Elephant Studio at Theatre Asylum begins on June 13 through June 28. Tickets: $10.
The Best of Craigslist: Live!
The live stage show The Best of Craigslist, mines the infamous message board for material to be recited, performed or re-enacted live onstage or on video. The production runs at the Hudson Theatres (Backstage) on June 13 to June 28. Each show also features a different house band playing every night, including The Coals, Kate Brown and Doran Danoff. Tickets: $15.
