Fringe 2009 - Fringe-For-All previews are upon us!

It's all downhill from here, folks.

There have been several smaller previews prior to this, of course, and there will be more. But this is the big one. Or rather, the big ones.

Monday, July 13th and Monday, July 20th

Fringe-For-All

3 minute previews from dozens of Fringe shows looking to grab your attention.

There are traffic lights at the front of the stage, where the audience can see, and at the back of the house, where the performers can see.

Green, you're fine on time

Yellow, you're down to the last 30 seconds

Red, you're done

This is the time when shows I've been looking forward to, based on a smattering of information, either live up to my expectations, or make me question my judgment.

This is the time when shows I've been curious but unsure about can win me over, or lose me.

This is the time when shows I thought I had absolutely no interest in seeing can wow me and change my mind, or confirm they're just not my cup of tea.

Three minutes.

First impressions can be lasting.

We'll see how things play out.

7pm, Gremlin Theater for the first (7/13) - 2400 University Avenue West (St. Paul), just off 94 between the Twin Cities.

$4, which is the price of your Fringe button, which you'll need for the festival anyway. 29 previews for four bucks, plus you're all set for next week's with your 2009 Fringe button.

7pm, Ritz Theater for the second (7/20) - 345 13th Avenue NE in Minneapolis (home of many a Fringe-For-All, and Fringe show, past)

Another 30 previews. Phew.

The lineups can be found on the Fringe website here, and there's a handy link from their front page there, too, just scroll down to the bottom.

The list has active links to all the previewing shows' pages on the Fringe site, for more info and some video trailers besides.

Plus, if last year's any indication, they'll be posting video clips of the Fringe-For-All previews later in the week, so keep an eye out.