FAR FRINGE
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Pared to its simplest elements, Far Fringe is the story of six strange Chicagoans and their catastrophic coming together. The prime creator of the disaster is a manic-depressive and currently psychotic caterer (called “the girl” in the program). She has been hired by her selfish, socialite aunt to cater a huge Grant Park benefit for abused children. In the middle of the preparation, the girl hears that her favorite mass murderer, Billy McAllister–who explains that he was just having a very bad and unlucky day when he went on his rampage and that all the killings were bizarre accidents–has been executed. The girl freaks out at the news. Then Billy comes to her in a vision (out of her refrigerator) to tell her to continue his work. She comes to, poisons the food, and proceeds to Grant Park to fulfill her mission.
In the meantime, various oddities have occurred around the city that cause certain characters to meet in Grant Park. Those who show up include the “fat lady,” whose life consists of watching television–she even has a wristband TV for when she goes out–and who believes that everything on the screen is real. There’s also the nasty, high-powered aunt who bullies her own teenage daughter; and the daughter, who has contacted a drug-crazed pervert while doing a phone survey for a class project. There’s the pervert himself, who can’t wait to meet the daughter. And there’s the ghost of Billy McAllister. Added to this is the ever-present, heartless eye of the media, making news the way it sees fit.
The cast members do solid work with what they have. Lynn Baber is particularly good, showing her character’s insanity in brief, intense episodes, and playing the rest of her lines in a quiet, genuine way. She almost becomes the voice of reason. Christine Furto as the teenage daughter is also strong, being able to show the effects of her emotional battering without seeming at all abnormal. She seems to be just on the verge of standing up for herself and growing up throughout.
