Minnesota Fringe Festival 2025: Wrap-Up and Favorites

The wonderful theatrical whirlwind that is the Minnesota Fringe Festival is over for another year, and I'm left with great memories of friends, fun, and theater, and also not a little exhaustion (I took an afternoon nap yesterday and then slept nine hours last night). I never cease to be amazed, impressed, and moved by the incredible talent in this festival, both local and touring artists. This year I saw 39 Fringe shows in 10 days, but technically I saw 42 shows within the 11 days of the festival, because I took the first day off to drive to Duluth and see Zeitgeist Theater's incredibly immersive and intimate production of my favorite musical RENT, and I took a few afternoons off to see a NEXT new works reading at Theater Latte Da and Artistry's fabulous production of the beloved classic Singin' in the Rain (continuing through August 31). But other than that, I saw a show in every timeslot that I could (not counting 10pm shows because #morningperson). And I did not see a bad show, in fact the majority of the shows I saw were excellent. Which makes narrowing my list of favorites down from 39 to something less than half of that a nearly impossible task. So here's a list of some (but not all) of the shows I loved at Minnesota Fringe this year. But Fringe is never really over; they continue activities and programming year-round, so be sure to follow them on social media and sign up for their email list (if you're not already). And most of the artists and companies in this festival do work all year round, so if you saw someone or something you really loved, check out what else they're doing this season. The 2025 Minnesota Fringe Festival is over, but #TCTheater never ends!

In alphabetical order, here are my favorite shows of the 2025 Minnesota Fringe Festival. Click on the show title for the full review, and click here to read my thoughts on all 39 shows that I saw.

• 503 by Jackdonkey Productions - an adaptation of the 1921 dystopian novel We about a totalitarian state that was brilliantly written and performed by Jeffrey Nolan and directed by Zach Christensen. I was lucky enough to see one of only two performances before the remaining three were cancelled due to illness, but I hope they will remount it someday, somewhere, because it deserves to be seen. In the meantime you can see Jackdonkey's production of Shakespeare's Henry V at Theatre in the Round, opening tomorrow (running August 14-18).
• Against My Will by Michael Quadrozzi - a beautiful and vulnerable solo storytelling show about overcoming childhood trauma and becoming one's own person, by a first-time storyteller.
• The Big Secret by NYC-based artist Brad Lawrence - a well-told and impactful story about childhood trauma and friendships, and letting go of shame.
• The Book of Mordor by Haute Dish Productions - this genius mash-up of two of my favorite things (the musical The Book of Mormon and the Lord of the Rings trilogy) was everything my heart desired - the story of Frodo and friends as told through the songs of The Book of Mormon.
• Boxcutter Harmonica by J Merrill Motz - a well-written and -performed solo show about the artistic process across centuries and artforms.
• Breach by Third Space Theater - a tightly written psychological thriller about an all female/non-binary crew of a fishing vessel that was beautifully acted, directed, and designed.
• Clown Funeral by Octoberdandy Productions - a silly and playful gathering of clowns to say goodbye to one of their own, that was also sweet and touching.
• The Gentleman's Pratfall Club by Comedy Suitcase - just two guys falling down and trying to fall down and trying not to fall down, and the hardest I laughed at the festival this year.
• In the Garden of American Heroes by Andrew Erskine Wheeler - another original historical solo show by Andrew that was thoroughly researched, thoughtfully constructed, incredibly relevant to our current times, and performed with 100% commitment (see a remount/update of his 2022 Fringe hit Whoosh! as part of History Theatre's upcoming season).
• Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA by Melancholics Anonymous - a viciously competitive beauty pageant in small town South Dakota turns into a story of female friendship with the entry of Joan of Arc in this very funny and very well written/directed/designed/produced show.
• A Sad Carousel 2: The Timely Death of Herschel Douscheburg by Sam Landman - a brilliantly meta and funny show about the current state of comedy and the arts by a longtime Fringe fave, featuring a fantastic cast and clever props.
• Songs Without Words (or, The Mendelssohn Play) by Chicago-based artist Jennifer Vosters - a brilliantly constructed solo show about famous composer Felix Mendelssohn and his less famous but no less talented sister Fanny, with Jennifer portraying both siblings in an engaging and moving way.
• The Spirit Moves You To Color The Unseen by The Winding Sheet Outfit - once again, TWSO found a little known historical figure (Swedish artist and spiritualist Hilma af Klint) and brought her right into the present with this beautifully performed, fourth-wall breaking, movement- and music- filled piece.
• The Temporary Tattoo Trio by Alleged Theatre - a simple premise (three best friends named Tyler have a temporary tattoo business and apply tattoos to the audience while working through some friendship issues) that was brilliantly executed and felt real and awkward and really funny.
• What We Wore by Gabi Jones - a solo show from the Minnesota woman behind social media star @gabis_vintage that was about so much more than clothes, talking about feminism and abuse and the male gaze and addiction and tying everything together beautifully.
• The Wickie by Chicago-based artist Richie Whitehead - a last-minute addition to my schedule in the very last timeslot, this was a charming, inventive, and delightfully interactive physical theater / clowning show about a lighthouse keeper.