Sarah Taurchini

Sarah Taurchini aptly describes her visit to the Fringe Festival’s Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar tent on Saturday afternoon as “a social call.”

Enjoying a beer at one of the oversized picnic table on the Baldacchino’s patio, Sarah often puts her conversation on hold to call out to friends she recognizes in the crowd.

A local actress who has performed for Synetic Theater, Rorschach Theatre, Forum Theatre, and most recently with Signature Theater, Sarah has been coming to Fringe for years.

“My favorite thing about Fringe is that it gives theater companies a chance to put on shows that no one else in town is doing,” Sarah says. “Like Me and the Devil Blues.” The play, a late-night talk show hosted by the Devil, is written by local playwright Seamus Sullivan (and recently earned a four out of five from DC Theatre Scene).

“You see plays here you won’t see anywhere else,” Sarah says. “Especially puppetry.” Sarah begins to elaborate, but a friend she has not seen in a while approaches her table, and she stops to greet him with an enthusiastic “Hello!” Soon they are talking theatre, comparing notes about Fringe shows, laughing and enjoying the afternoon. Sarah will explain about the puppetry later, when her busy social call allows.