Before diving in, full disclosure: as part of Orlando Fringe’s artist billeting program, Mark Vigeant and his producer, Charles, are staying with me during the festival. While that certainly gives me a different perspective on the Fringe experience as a whole, it also means I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand just how fully committed Vigeant is to the wonderfully strange world of OUT THERE.
Vigeant plays Larry, a burnt-out engineer who abruptly pivots into creating wilderness survival content with the confidence of a man who has absolutely watched several episodes of Man vs. Wild and perhaps misunderstood the assignment. The overall vibe feels like Bill and Ted, with Larry taking increasingly unnecessary risks in a relentless effort to go viral and look cool. That chaotic commitment to the character gives the show an infectious energy that fits perfectly within Fringe’s long tradition of joyful weirdness and clowning.
One of the cleverest elements of OUT THERE is its use of live video throughout the performance. Larry narrates his survival experience while simultaneously broadcasting his first-person perspective and reactions on screen, creating a dynamic that feels somewhere between theatrical storytelling, Blair Witch Project, and interactive sketch comedy.
Audience participation plays a huge role in the experience, but thankfully never in a way that feels intimidating. Props are distributed before the show begins, allowing audience members to become part of Larry’s wilderness world in increasingly ridiculous ways. I’m not saying my performance as Tree #14 deserved awards consideration, but I will say I felt artistically fulfilled. Vigeant also occasionally prowls the Fringe lawn in character, wielding a toy bow and arrow while “hunting” audience members, which honestly tells you almost everything you need to know.
Remaining Performances:
- May 16 at 10:30 p.m. $12
- May 17 at 5:20 p.m. $12
- May 19 at 8:00 p.m. $12
- May 20 at 8:05 p.m. $12
- May 23 at 4:50 p.m. $12
- May 24 at 12:35 p.m. $12
Event Details
Venue: Yellow Venue
Genre: Comedy, Solo Show, Theatre
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $12 ($6 artist-selected performance has passed)
Age Rating: 13 & Up
Warnings: Adult Language, Audience Interaction, Death
