PHOTOS: Orlando Fringe’s ‘F–king Men’ and ‘Arden’ big hits with Watermark readers

The cast of “Fucking Men” accept their award for Favorite LGBTQ Show at the Orlando Fringe Festival. (Photo by Danny Garcia)

ORLANDO | “Fucking Men” and “Arden” were big winners for Watermark’s fourth annual Splash Awards, announced during Orlando Fringe’s 2021 Closing Ceremonies and Awards at Loch Haven Park May 31. The Watermark Splash Awards allowed our readers to vote on their favorite LGBTQ and LGBTQ-themed shows from this year’s amazing selection.

Fucking Men,” a collection of interconnected scenes about 10 gay men and how they are all linked to one another through sexual experiences, took home three awards: Favorite LGBTQ Show, Favorite LGBTQ Director for Jamie DeHay and Favorite LGBTQ Supporting Performance for Niko Felizzola, who played college student Kyle.

Arden,” a show that takes characters from three of Shakespeare’s plays — “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “As You Like It” and “Macbeth” — and blends them up in a story set to remixed music from the ’70s and ’80s, took home two awards: Favorite LGBTQ Writer for Tyler Scott and Favorite LGBTQ Lead Performer for Ginger Minj who played Titania, the Queen of the Fairies.

Watermark also awarded its first-ever Editor’s Pick to the show “Ain’t Done Bad.” Starring and choreographed by “So You Think You Can Dance” alum Jakob Karr, “Ain’t Done Bad” tells a gay man’s coming out story through dance and is set to the music of openly gay country singer Orville Peck. The story, loosely based on the Reba McEntire song “Fancy,” follows the lead character as he leaves home, discovers this community and and falls in love.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to our readers for voting. We will see you next year for the fifth annual Watermark Splash Awards.

Photos by Danny Garcia.

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