The in-person portion of Orlando Fringe (a performing arts festival in Downtown Orlando) is over for the 2022 season, but you can still enjoy virtual shows at this year’s DigiFringe! Running June 3-17, DigiFringe offers a socially distanced way to view and support many of this year’s festival artists. There are simply too many productions to cover in a single article, but Orlando Decoded has been running a series of show reviews and Fringe-related content. In this eleventh installment, we’re learning how to Be A Pirate! with Thom Mesrobian!
Orlando Decoded was honored and thrilled to be invited to attend the last in-person showing of Be A Pirate! Thank you, Rogue Stage, for having us out!
What is Orlando Fringe?
Be A Pirate! originally played at the in-person portion of Orlando Fringe, a two-week theater festival focused on unjuried and uncensored works of performance art. While similar festivals exist all over the world, Orlando Fringe is the longest running event of its kind within the United States. Fringe Festivals are generally known for featuring alternative or experimental pieces of art, so you really never know what you’re going to find!
About Rogue Stage
Founded in 2017 by four seasoned and accomplished Central Florida performers, Rogue Stage seeks to bring theater into the Polk County and Central Florida communities. By creating original, one-of-a-kind concepts, Rogue Stage takes the performing arts out of traditional venues and transports them into more traditionally accessible areas of society. Learn more about Rogue Stage and their past work by visiting their website. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
Be A Pirate!
Written and performed by Fringe veteran Thom Mesrobian, Be A Pirate! is a semi-autobiographical piece about finding your dreams and becoming your best self. Composed during the height of the pandemic and including a mixture of original songs and engaging narratives, this inspiring show encourages audience members to summon their courage and be that pirate (or whatever “pirate” means in their own personal lives).
Be A Pirate! according to the Orlando Fringe website,
Ahoy there! Be A Pirate! written and performed by veteran fringe producer Thom Mesrobian had a rollicking world premiere at Tampa Fringe in ’21 winning the Venue Choice Award. Known for their Orlando Fringe shows, Simpleton: The Legend of President Trump and Callbacks, Rogue Stage invites you to join the crew of SharkTooth Sam, sail to the island of Bocas Del Toro and accept his challenge to Be A Pirate! because life is too short to be someone else! Pro-tip: Come to the show dressed as a pirate for a chance to win cool stuff!
An hour long production, Be A Pirate! does contain some adult language and mature themes. Though many kids won’t catch on to most of the PG-13 content.
Freaky Thoughts
© Rogue Stage
This show is exactly what I needed – an inspiring metaphor for following your dreams, listening to your gut, and knowing that it’s never too late to live your best life. I cried literal tears watching Mesrobian (as Sharktooth Sam) describe the inward struggle to balance family responsibilities with finding your purpose.
No matter your age or stage in life, I highly recommend this touching show. I’ll be watching it again as soon as I get the chance, and I’ll be bringing my entire family with me. It’s a show everyone should see at least once, and some will want to watch again and again. Thank you, Rogue Stage, for telling such an important tale in such fun packaging!
Tickets for Be A Pirate!
You can watch Be A Pirate! as part of DigiFringe – a virtual version of the Orlando Fringe Festival running from June 3-17. Online access for this show and many others is now available for purchase on the Orlando Fringe website!
