The Hollywood Fringe Festival is just around the corner and this year, more than ever before, audiences will have an opportunity to see creative twists on some familiar classic plays, including some by Shakespeare. At last count, there were 8 productions scheduled to appear and, over the next few weeks, I’ll be checking in with them to get the inside scoop so you can make the most of your Fringe experience. It’s Shakespeare’s 450th birthday this year; let the games begin.
One of most anticipated Fringe offerings is from the director and co-writer of Pulp Shakespeare, which was a breakout hit in 2011 and received a Best of Fringe Award before going to the east coast and conquering the New York Fringe Festival. Jordan Monsell’s Ministers of Grace: The Unauthorized Parody of Ghostbusters will be presented as a one-night-only staged reading in preparation for a full production at a later date. It imagines what the movie Ghostbusters would be like if it was written by William Shakespeare, telling the story of three unemployed professors of the supernatural who set up shop as a unique spirit removal service. I think you’ll agree that it’s one not to miss.
Jordan, with such smart writing, it wasn’t surprising that Pulp Fiction became a Fringe favorite. How did you decide to make Ghostbusters your next project? More