News Summary

The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is set to feature ‘Naughty Bits: A Modest Proposal for Banning Shakespeare,’ a satirical performance by HudsonWerks Theater. Running from May 17 to May 25, this engaging show explores Shakespeare’s risqué content with humor and modern critique, highlighting contemporary issues of censorship. A diverse range of other performances will also be showcased at the festival.

Orlando International Fringe Festival Features Irreverent Shakespearean Satire “Naughty Bits”

The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival will showcase the satirical performance “Naughty Bits: A Modest Proposal for Banning Shakespeare” presented by HudsonWerks Theater. This engaging production runs from May 17 to May 25 at The Orlando Family Stage Black Box Theater in the Green Venue.

In this bold interpretation, the characters navigate a humorous exploration of Shakespeare’s risqué content, delivering some of the playwright’s most bawdy lines with a unique blend of Elizabethan flair and modern comedic elements. An esteemed Shakespearean scholar serves as a guide, helping the audience to discover the scandalous and often overlooked aspects of Shakespeare’s works.

The cast features a vibrant array of characters, including a smug Governor, a drag-obsessed Congressman, and a pearl-clutching member of “Moms For Liberty.” These characters exemplify the show’s critique of contemporary moral panics and book bans, particularly in light of new laws in Florida that make it illegal to teach or distribute classic literature.

Exploration of Shakespeare’s “Naughty” Content

The performance invites audiences to reconsider the forgotten or hidden elements of Shakespeare’s plays, encouraging a dialogue about censorship and artistic freedom. The humor found in the production highlights the relevance of these historical narratives in today’s societal context.

Additional Performances at the Orlando International Fringe Festival

Beyond “Naughty Bits,” the Orlando International Fringe Festival is also presenting a diverse range of performances, including the Florida premiere of Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha.” This opera will be showcased by Opera Orlando from May 16 to May 18 at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater located at the Dr. Phillips Center.

Another noteworthy production at the festival is “AQUILA: Pole Dance X Prometheus Bound,” produced by Project no.19 Performance Company, which runs on select dates: May 14, 17, 21, 23, and 24.

Theatre Season Highlights

In addition to the festival’s offerings, the Titusville Playhouse is presenting “Altar Boyz” from May 2 to 25. This musical chronicles the journey of five small-town boys on their mission to save the world through the power of music.

Looking ahead, Significant Productions will present “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” as part of their summer series at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol starting in May 2025. This production promises to focus on the complexities of relationships and the twists and turns of love.

Conclusion

The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is currently featuring a variety of performances, demonstrating the vibrancy of the local arts scene. The inclusion of “Naughty Bits” stands out, both for its humorous take on Shakespeare and its timely commentary on contemporary societal issues surrounding censorship and literature.

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AQUILA: Pole Dance X Prometheus Bound Premieres at Fringe Festival
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Additional Resources

• Broadway World: Naughty Bits
• Orlando Sentinel: Dr. Phillips Center News
• Orlando Date Night Guide: Broadway in Orlando
• Orlando Weekly: A Beautiful Noise Review
• Click Orlando: The Lion King Coming to Orlando
• Wikipedia: Shakespearean Scholarship
• Google Search: Shakespeare
• Google Scholar: Shakespeare
• Encyclopedia Britannica: William Shakespeare
• Google News: Shakespeare Censorship