Dispatches From the Edge

As if the original version of FronteraFest, the annual performance jamboree, didn't give Austinites enough theatre to savor with five weeks of short pieces, now it also serves up two weekends of longer performance works to boot. We don't know how anyone could see everything that's done at FronteraFest, but everyone should see something. It's too much fun -- too full of theatrical surprises, too rich with anticipation, too loaded with artists pushing themselves to the edge -- not to. The 2001 crop of Long Fringe productions looked especially promising, so this past week, the Chronicle Arts team hit the fest to explore, and they offer these nine dispatches -- eight from the Long Fringe, one from the Short Fringe -- as incentive for you to seek out some festival adventure on your own. Additional information can be found in the Chronicle's Arts listings, by calling 479-PLAY, or looking at the festival Web site: www.frontera.org.