Nepa Scene

In Episode 27, we sit down with Scranton Fringe Festival co-founder and managing director Elizabeth Bohan and Fringe organizers and participants Simone Daniel and Laureen O'Handley to discuss this huge five-day festival returning to downtown Scranton on Wednesday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 1. Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers of Ouais by Une Année Brewery in Chicago, Turbo Shandy by Hoppin' Frog Brewery in Ohio, and R2 Koelschip by Draai Laag Brewing Company in Pittsburgh, provided by Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre. The Turbo Shandy ends up being the most popular, while Rich is the only one who seems to enjoy the sour beers. We talk about founding the Scranton Fringe; the purpose of fringe festivals and why this is an important addition to the local arts scene; how it has developed over the past three years; the many diverse shows coming to 13 different venues; the work Laureen does with the Lackawanna County Children's Library and what the festival will bring there; Simone’s roles as a