New Fringe Festival Brings Week of Theater to Beverly

“Festivals like this are so important because it gives more people the chance to make art.””

What do Shakespeare, stand-up comedy, improv musicals, and community theater have in common?

For one week in June, they all found a home at the inaugural Beverly Fringe Festival, a new North Shore arts event that drew performers and audiences together in celebration of live theater.  The live comedy shows, one-acts, and staged readings took place in The Bower at the Montserrat College of Art, drawing audiences from around the North Shore and beyond came and enjoyed a night of entertainment.

Bradley Tucker and Chloe Olwell organized the festival. The theater enthusiasts met in 2024 when Tucker directed a production of “Red,” an award-winning two-character play by John Logan.

After a positive experience, the pair wanted to work together again, which evolved into the Beverly Fringe Festival.

Olwell said that planning started in December with finding accommodations and selecting applicants from a wide range of submissions.

In all, 30 applicants submitted, according to Tucker.

“Ultimately, it came down to what we thought we could handle as a first-time fringe festival,” Olwell said. Five applicants were chosen.

For the festival, Montserrat College partnered with them.

“We couldn’t have done it without them,” Olwell said. “(Montserrat) has such a strong presence in the North Shore art world, and it was a no-brainer to partner with them.”

The festival featured a diverse lineup that included scripted theater, improv, music, and experimental performances.

One production was “Popcorn Falls,” written by James Hindman and directed by Lynnfield resident Michael Gravante. The 90-minute one-act follows Mayor Trundle, who brings theater to a struggling town and attempts to save Popcorn Falls from financial ruin.

Since April, Gravante had rehearsed three times per week with his cast, focusing on blocking, character work, and comedic timing.

“I love how different theater is and can be,” Gravante said. “Festivals like this are so important because it gives more people the chance to make art.”

The show consisted of only two actors, who played a variety of characters onstage.

Kellie Tropeano, who played Mayor Trundle, praised the collaborative atmosphere that surrounded both the show and the festival.

“I love the idea of artists and performers of all kinds having the chance to not only show off their art - but to share it, collaborate, learn from it, and just be entertained,” said Tropeano.

Another festival highlight was “Bar(d) Crawl,” an improvisational Shakespeare show, organized by Salem resident Lydia Brendel. It took place at Gentle Brewing in Beverly.

With only one day of rehearsal, 24 hours before the show, the group created a Shakespeare experience for attendees.

“You can’t make theater alone,” said Brendel.  “We want theatre to be accessible to everyone.”

A night was also set aside for comedy, featuring stand-up comedians and improv groups.

Beverly resident Anne Pofcher said she started comedy late in life, but stuck with it for a decade.  She admitted that it all came together during this period.

“I try to lift people up through laughter,” she said. “I am thrilled Beverly did this festival.”

The festival also welcomed “The Sound of (Improvised) Music,” an entirely improvised musical performance inspired by the Golden Age period.

Performers Ella McGaunn Geiger and Devereux Geiger created a full musical on-the-spot with the help of audience suggestions.  It was the first time the married team had ever done the improv musical.

“We’ve both done a lot of improv,” said Ella Geiger, who said that she has been doing improv since she was eight years old.

She said they came across interesting challenges in their process.  The first was studying the Golden Age of musical theater, and then creating a show with just two people.

“We hope this festival connects audiences to the joy and beauty that is possible when people come together to experience live theater,” Ella Geiger said.

The festival was well-attended throughout the week.  Audiences applauded, laughed, and had conversations following Jessica Algard’s staged reading for her work-in-progress, “(Start) Over.”

John Perry came from New Hampshire to see his first comedy show in Beverly.  He said he didn’t know what to expect when watching the improv musical and had a great time.

“It’s important to support local artists. The best kind of art is one you can interact with and be immersed in,” Perry said.

Olwell and Tucker said they were happy with the turnouts, especially with the positive impact the festival had on artists and the audience.

“We made it a point for theatre at this festival to be accessible - physically and financially,” Olwell said.

Tucker agreed, recounting their favorite part of the festival.

“My favorite part about this event was seeing people succeed,” Tucker recounted in the week’s conclusion. “They’re making what they’re good at.”

As the curtain closes on its first season, the organizers look forward to bringing the Beverly Fringe Festival back.

“Theatre is important for so many reasons,” Owell said. “Art is good for the soul, the way exercise is good for the body.”