Arts & Entertainment

Camilla’s ‘World’

Gay duo to premier parody musical at the Fringe

Published

13 years ago

July 5, 2012

‘Where in the World? The Untold Story of Camilla Sanfrancisco’
July 12-29
The Studio Theatre
1501 14th Street, NW
capfringe.org

Jeff Vonch (right) and Patrick English found inspiration in a video game villainess for their new work ‘Where in the World.’ (Photo courtesy Donis Zepeda)

By day, Patrick English and Jeff Vonch are patent examiners at the U.S. Patent office in Alexandria, but by night and on weekends they’re busy producing, writing and (in Vonch’s case) choreographing musical theater. When their new musical “Where in the World? The Untold Story of Camilla Sanfrancisco” premiers Thursday as part of the Capital Fringe Festival, everyone can see the result of the gay duo’s arduous efforts.

For English and Vonch, making fun of cultural touchstones from their youth is a favorite pastime. One of their preferred targets is Carmen Sandiego, the animated villainess of educational video games and TV programs popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Last year following one of their nostalgic confabs, Vonch received an uncharacteristically serious email from English suggesting that they collaborate on a musical about the red fedora-wearing Sandiego and her mysterious transformation from good to bad. What’s more, he wanted them to produce the show themselves.

“At first I thought he was crazy,” says Vonch, 26. “Neither of us had ever done anything like that before. How were we going to write a musical and produce? Then I got scared. I have aspirations to direct and do standup, but I also have big fears about putting my work out there before the public. Still, something told me to go for it.”

Soon after, collaboration began in earnest. As lyricists, the nervy twosome teamed up with established local composer Adrian Verkouteren to write an eight-song score. Prior to penning the musical’s libretto, English and Vonch researched Carmen’s backstory. She was a child genius who grew up to be an ace detective at ACME Detective Agency. Later she defected to a nasty villain league (V.I.L.E.) simply because she was bored. The novice librettists weren’t sold on Carmen’s motivation, so they decided to go a different way.

“We named our character Camilla Sanfrancisco. It’s a parody; it’s our story,” says English, 30. “Our Camilla [played by Vanessa Kinzey] is the victim of a frame-up orchestrated by a far-flung coterie of evildoers. Camilla travels the world working her way through henchman [and women] until she confronts the evil boss. It’s like a video game. Her stopping in India and Buenos Aires helps to make the show musically interesting. We’ve inserted both Bollywood and Tango numbers.”

With more than 130 shows performed in venues throughout town, the Capital Fringe Festival is D.C.’s foremost annual performing arts event. Offerings run the gamut from dance, drama and music to spoken word and puppetry. The work is often touted as edgy, offbeat and refreshing. Sometimes that’s the case, but not always.

Though both are patrons of the D.C. theater scene, Vonch and English haven’t been so involved in a theatrical production since high play days in Minooka, Ill., and Northern California, respectively.

“One of the great benefits of Fringe is that the relatively inexperienced can wear many hats. On this show, we’re co-producers, co-lyricists, co-librettists and Jeff is choreographer,” English says. “We’ve learned a lot. As co-producers we’ve put out a lot of fires and signed a lot of checks, but ultimately to see our work brought to life by such talented people is a really moving experience. It’s hard to put into the words.”

While a lot of Fringe productions cover adult terrain. English describes “Camilla” as PG-13. He says that it doesn’t focus directly on the LGBT experience, but does deal with gender and features a genderqueer character. Mostly, he adds, it’s a fun musical with good music and even better performances sung by a seven-person cast.

“Based on how we interact, people think Patrick and I have known each other forever, but it’s only been one year. Coming into this, I didn’t want our friendship to crumble or become all business and it hasn’t,” Vonch says. “Back in January, I told Patrick that however it turns out we’re going to give this show to the world. Luckily it’s going to be amazing.”

For more information about this and other shows, visit capfringe.org.

Related Topics:Fringe Festival Out & About Where in the World

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PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

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2 days ago

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Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Published

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May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].