We've reached the dog days of summer, with a string of 90+ degree days, and devastating wildfires in Northern Minnesota and Canada that at times make our air quality here in the Twin Cities dangerous. But #TCTheater has not taken a summer hiatus; I'm busier this summer than any summer I can remember. And that will continue into early August when I attend my 16th MN Fringe. The 33rd Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival runs from August 6th through the 16th, with some 100+ shows having five performances each at venues around Minneapolis, most of them clustered around the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. After 33 years, the Festival runs like clockwork (thanks to the hard-working staff and volunteers), so it's easy to get out and see one, or a handful, or dozens of shows, those that fit your interests, and those that expand your comfort zone. Visit the Fringe website to peruse the schedule and make your plans, or keep reading for a dozen or so shows that I recommend (most of them from artists I know and love), as well as some helpful tips for Fringe newbies. See you at the Fringe!
In alphabetical order, here are the shows I'm most excited to see this year. Click on the show title to be taken to the show page with all of the details including showtimes, cast, and venue.
- A Confluence of Magical Arseholes - The Winding Sheet Outfit is a mainstay on my pre-Fringe must-see list as well as my post-Fringe favorites list, for their unique, innovative, playful, thoughtful, physical storytelling style. I don't even know what this one is about, and I don't care, but I do think it's the shortest title we've ever seen from them.
- After the End - it's been ten years since I've seen Scot Froelich (née Moore) in a solo Fringe show, and that's too long. This one looks less like the personal storytelling type and more like a scripted story, with a fascinating theme of being the sole survivor of a global pandemic. I wonder where he got that idea?
- Bay Creek - I saw this solo show written and performed by Derek Lee Miller (not coincidentally a member of the above company) at the Twin Cities Horror Festival last year, and it's so good I will see it again if my schedule allows. Combining history, crime, the supernatural, and family dynamics, I called it "a good old-fashioned ghost story."
- BE NOT AFRAID - the creators of last year's hit Breach, Third Space Theater, are back with another original play, this one about a farm in North Dakota affected by the oil boom. Which sounds like an interesting topic, but I'm banking on it purely because of the quality of last year's entry, as well as their excellent non-Fringe production of Plano.
- Bury The Leads - two individual talents, with lots of Fringe experience, join forces in this long-form improv show about two character actors. Nissa Nordland and Sam Landman have been performing this piece at other festivals and here at Bryant Lake Bowl, but I've not seen it yet, and I look forward to seeing what magic they can create together.
- Casa Bde-Maka-Ska - this adaptation of Casablanca by Fringe faves Duck Wahsington and Tim Wick already wins the prize for best title (say it out loud). It's set in Minnesota (obvi), using humor and this classic movie to explore the effects of Operation Metro Surge. (For more of artists reacting to our recent occupation, see also We Are: Stories from the Surge and Witness Loudly.)
- Empty Nest - married artists Laura Zabel and Levi Weinhagen are reprising their comedy storytelling show about recently becoming empty nesters that premiered at BLB. I missed that one, but I won't miss this.
- FAST Death of a Salesman - an alleged Theatre Company can always be counted on to do something meta and bizarre and hilarious (see last year's Temporary Tattoo Trio, or their 5th of 9 to 5 at the Fringe's annual fundraiser this spring). This time they're taking on a theater classic.
- I Hate Running / Too Fat To Run - calling all runners - this year we have not one but two solo shows about running! (The former by MN Fringe vet Chuck Beeson, the latter by Chicago-based artist Eileen Tull.) I've run over 60 races in the last 25 years, and at times I have identified with both of these titles. But I'm still running, and excited to commiserate / celebrate with other runners (and hopefully run my 29th half marathon this fall).
- Machinal - Combustible Company is always one to keep your eye on, with their inventive and often original plays performed in a very physical style. This is the first time I've seen them at the Fringe, and their shortened and adapted version of the "1928 expressionistic play about a woman trapped in a mechanical society" (which I saw in 2024 by frequent Fringe company Clevername) is sure to be intense, fascinating, and relevant.
- Silent Movie! - I love the Improv Movement Project, who do something I've never seen anyone else do - improvise silent movement-based physical theater. In this show, I guess they improvise a movie or something? Whatever it is, it's sure to be delightful.
- Tech - among my favorite shows in the last two Fringe Festivals were Mike Fotis-created long-form improv, one about a group of friends on a camping trip, one about a group of friends playing softball. This year we have Tech, about a group of friends putting on a Fringe show (so meta!). With a super talented group of local improvisors, it's sure to be hilarious and surprising, and this is a show you can see multiple times because it'll be a different show every time!
- The Importance of Living - another pair of Fringe vets, Ariel Pinkerton and Tim Uren, pair up for an original play written by the latter. With a genre mix of comedy, drama, and horror, and a theme of end-of-the-world reckoning, I'm here for it.
- The Quiet Piggy - Executive Director of the Minnesota Fringe Festival since 2017, Dawn Bentley makes her on-stage Fringe debut with this original solo (mostly) show. Whenever she's on stage for various events, she talks about how she's not good on stage, but then she's always great. And she's a violinist, so she has performance experience. She promises music, clowning, puppetry, and bodybuilding (and I know she's a runner too!), so I can't wait to see what the behind-the-scenes Fringe expert brings to the stage.
- the statue of liberty is nora in a doll's house by henrik ibsen - the title explains the concept, but the thing to know is that this show is created by Michael Torsch, the artist behind last year's bizarro meta opera lip synching All Your Shimmer Gold, as well as the recent Independence Day programming, the powerful, relevant, thoughtfully constructed In the Backroom. Enough said.
- Watership Down - Fringe darlings Melancholics Anonymous are turning literary, adapting the 1972 adventure novel about rabbits into a folk musical. I'm so there, and I'm also re-reading my copy of the book that I bought at the CSB/SJU bookstore for a class (likely before these artists were born). Because I always do my homework.
I know Fringe can be overwhelming for the uninitiated, but don't let that stop you. Just pick a few shows, or a venue, and get out there and see some shows! It's an incredibly well-run festival, which makes it easy, painless, and fun to see some adventurous art. As with most years, the U of M's Rarig Center is the hub of the festival (with three theaters in one building). All but one of the Fringe venues are walkable from there (the Barker Center, Mixed Blood, Theatre in the Round, and the Southern), and Open Eye is a pretty quick drive (depending on traffic). There are also a few independently produced venues that are in various neighborhoods in Minneapolis. I recommend making the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood your home base, and try to group shows that you want to see at other venues together and see them all on one or two days (detailed venue info here).
Here are a few Fringe tips for newbies (as always, refer to the Fringe website for the most up-to-date and correct information):
- Sign up to receive the daily Fringe File email, which has tons of info and tips about everything from weather to parking to sellouts to discounts at local businesses.
- A Fringe buttons is not required for entry, but it gets you $5 off tickets plus other discounts on food during the festival and shows year-round, so it's to your benefit. Plus it makes a fun souvenir! You can purchase them at the Fringe preview on July 27 or at any venue box office (note: box offices do not accept cash).
- If a show is particularly popular, or you really really want to see it, consider reserving a seat in advance ($5 for passholders, or included in the $25 online fee). You can also take your chances and just show up (25% of tickets are reserved for walk-up sales). I typically only make reservations for a handful of shows that look like they might be busy (you can check the show's page to see if it's in danger of selling out, and the daily Fringe File also has sellout info).
- Shows typically run just under an hour, with a half hour between shows so it's feasible to get from any theater to any other in that time. But it's good to plan to see a bunch in one location to minimize transportation time. (Note: the one-hour time limit may not apply to independently produced shows, so if you're seeing something that's not at Open Eye or in Cedar-Riverside, check the show and/or venue page.)
- All shows are general admission seating, so get there early for best choice of seating. Shows begin and end precisely on time. It's rare, but I have been at a show that reaches the hour mark, when the stage lights go down and the house lights go up - show over!
- Bring snacks, water, reading material, and sunscreen - you will be waiting in line, possibly outside. And be aware of what line you're in (box office or theater entrance). Ask one of the friendly volunteers in the Fringe shirts if you need help with anything.
- If you need more than a snack - check out the daily restaurant deals with your Fringe button. I also recommend downloading the Chipotle app to order ahead and pick up a couple of tacos to inhale in line at the Southern or Theatre in the Round.
- Each venue page has accessibility, public transportation, and parking info. My favorite parking spots are the lot at Riverside and 21st, or the 19th Ave ramp (both run by the U of M), depending on where I'll be at the end of the day.
- The Fringe website has pretty much all the info you'll need, so bookmark it on your smart phone for easy on-the-go reference! You can plan your schedule right there, or if you love spreadsheets as much as I do, you can download the full show list and schedule from the website. Just go to the FAQ page, click to open the "Printable Schedule" section, then click on "download our Sortable Schedule."
- Attend the preview shows on July 27 or August 5 at Rarig, at which you can see three-minute excerpts of 30 shows, or check out the videos posted on YouTube. You can also purchase multi-show passes at the previews, or at the info booth at Rarig during the festival (while supplies last).
- Keep an open mind - some of what you'll see is really weird. But that can be a good thing! And if you see a dud, well, that's part of the Fringe experience.
- Be adventurous! See something you normally wouldn't - that's the point of Fringe. If you don't like it - it'll be over in an hour.
- Most importantly - be adventurous, be safe, be kind to the volunteers and your fellow Fringers, have fun, and support the Minnesota Fringe Festival and the many many artists we're lucky enough to have (or have visit) in the #TCTheater community!!
