Shapiro and Crimmins on 2013 Fringe Festival’s Philly neighborhood focus

The 17th annual Fringe Festival begins next week in Philadelphia, featuring 150 theatrical productions in 2 1/2 weeks. We turn to critic Howie Shapiro for some details on changes to this year’s festival.

The 17th annual Fringe Festival begins next week in Philadelphia, featuring 150 theatrical productions in 2 1/2 weeks.

The festival comprises performances of all stripes — theater, dance, comedy, and music — in almost every conceivable venue, including a cemetary, an armory, and a bathtub. (Of course, it includes standard theater spaces as well, like the plush-seated Suzanne Roberts Theater and the Painted Bride.)

One anticipated space that will not be used is the new FringeArts home, a former industrial building on Race Street at the Delaware River waterfront. Renovations to the building could not be completed in time.

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WHYY’s theater critic Howie Shapiro joined reporter Peter Crimmins to talk about some changes to this year’s festival, including a new focus on neighborhood venues.

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