KC FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025
Performances July 17-27
Visual Art July 06-26
Film July 18-20
KC FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025
Performances July 17-27
Visual Art July 06-26
Film July 18-20
Click on the venue name above for information on parking and amenities.
Show Description
When national obscenity laws close down the last library in a small midwestern town, former librarian Kate begins distributing books out of her private collection. These laws soon escalate to arrests and government-sponsored book burnings, forcing Kate to utilize more clandestine means. She soon finds herself at the center of a book trading underground, while fighting to keeping her family safe. Written by Jen Raines with Chris Cole. Directed by Chris Cole.
Cast and Crew
Kate Fields……………………………JEN RAINES
Nick………………………JAYSON WILLIAMSON
Eddie Fields………………………….CHRIS COLE
Chairman Hawlee………….DRAKE JOHNSON
Bob………………………………..ROBERT RAINES
Written by JEN RAINES with CHRIS COLE
Directed by CHRIS COLE
Artist & Show Details:
This will be our fourth KC Fringe producing and my fourth time directing. Our last shows were King Kirby (2022), Of Monsters and Men (and Murder) (2023), and most recently Bi Spy (2024).
Nikki Taymor –
Not-so-distant future cross-pollinates with currently bannings, giving a peek into a truly terrifying uprising of un-education. The cast did a wonderful job, especially Jen and Jayson who carry a great deal of the text’s action.
Steve –
Saw the flash preview and picked this one as having an excellent premise, and the preview had the focused, tight structure that indicated a taught show.
The actual show never actually got moving or focused. I kept wondering when it would actually engage me. The script has major lag and dead spots. It almost felt like a first time improv cast. This was not helped by poor sound – not being able to clear hear the actors since they were not supplied with mics and they did not project their voices.
A general dissapointment.
R.J.S. –
I went wondering how this topical subject could be handled to give all types of fringe attendees a chance to see the big picture. I’ll reserve my own personal political views. The fringe restricts the productions to work with minimal sets. They did a great job setting the scene. The actors had some trouble being heard over some of the sound effects. Characters were believable and fit there rolls nicely. Well written and filled the expectations of the target audience. Overall enjoyable and most would go away without changing there opinions on the subject matter. The fringe is known for outrageous and over the line productions and this is definitely the opposite being a serious subject and delivers as such. I would recommend. But don’t bring your funny bone.
Karen (verified owner) –
Fantastic show on a timely topic! Crisp dialogue with more humor than I expected. Good acting, and the boy in particular was a standout young talent. Not a comedy though, and it was very hard not to cry at the final scene.
JT –
Very timely and important show with good performances. Good job setting the stakes and even showing the ridiculousness of banning books – especially Where’s Waldo. Glad I got to catch this.