Minnesota Fringe Festival 2026: "1 Hour Left to Live: A One Puppet Show by That Felt Good"

Day: 8

Show: 28

Title: 1 Hour Left to Live: A One Puppet Show by That Felt Good

Category: Comedy / Improv / Musical Theater / Original Music / Puppetry / Storytelling / Audience participation / LGBTQIA+ Content / Religious content

By: Sockpop

Directed by: Phoebe Bottoms and Matt Olson

Location: Southern Theater

Summary: A puppet named Pal has one hour left to live tells his life story to a priest in the form of improvised scenes.

Highlights: I don't think I've ever seen puppet improv before, and it's pretty adorable. But also weird and funny. The furry pale blue puppet Pal is puppeteered by Jim Hensen Co. trained Pheobe Bottoms, and expresses an amazing array of emotions, making him very human-like and endearing. On his deathbed, Pal tells his life story to a priest (Victor Gonzalez), which we see play out in improvised scenes based on a few audience prompts, telling us about his childhood and failed relationships (performed by improvisors Eric Heiberg, James Moore, Philip Simondet, Meg Trowbridge, Zelia Gonzales, Chris Rodriguez, Steph Callaghan, and Patrick McIntyre). There's also a stand-up set, I'm not sure why, but the guest stand-up at the performance I attended, Jamie Carbone, was very funny. Finally, after Pal breathes his last puppet breath, the audience votes on where he goes next, and the sadistic audience voted for hell. So then we got to follow Pal into hell, with more improvised scenes and some of the characters from his life coming back. It's a unique premise for an improv show, and a fun twist. Last show Saturday at 7, and That Felt Good also performs Friday nights at Bryant Lake Bowl.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here. 

"Wish You Were Here" at Strike Theater

For one weekend only, Strike Theater is bringing back their improvised dramedy show Wish You Were Here, in which a talented cast of improvisors explore the ideas of grief and loss as a normal part of life. But not in too heavy or sad of a way. It's still very funny and a little goofy, but with a tinge of melancholy and nostalgia as this group of pretend (but maybe also real) friends mourn the pretend death of one of their group. There are only two more performances, so head to Strike in Northeast Minneapolis tonight or tomorrow night for this bittersweet, funny, and original show. Visit their website for info on all of the comedy, storytelling, and spoken word shows and classes they offer, and mark your calendars for the return of my favorite Strike Theater show - The Great Strike Theater Improvised Bake Off - on April 21 (yes, they actually bake live in front of you!).

Minnesota Fringe Festival: 2018: "Self-Titled Debut Album"

Day: 7

Show: 26

Title: Self-Titled Debut Album

Category: Comedy / Drama / Musical Theater

By: Philip Simondet

Written by: Philip Simondet

Location: Mixed Blood Theatre

Summary: A band called The Cautious Opti-Mystics gathers in the studio to record their first album in just four days.

Highlights: I found this show to be really charming, with a simple premise that works well. We watch one hour of day two of their recording session, and in that time the band goes through a whole range of emotions and relationship changes. Lead vocalist Philip (Simondet) has a strict plan, and doesn't want to let his kickstarter supporters down. Producer T-Bone (Eric Heiberg) is enthusiastic if a bit clueless on how the tech works. Each band member gets their own song to tell us who they are, Philip's "One Man Band," drummer Alexis (Erin Kennedy) singing about the job of a drummer while accompanying herself on drums, guitarist John (Genz) lamenting being a third wheel in the band, and bassist Scooter (Will Roberts) shares what it's like to be taken for granted. We also get a duet (with plenty of not-so-subtle "do-it" euphemisms) from Alexis and John, who not only used to date but also played in a band together, which makes Philip jealous. But eventually they all make up and realize they're "Better Together." The show almost has a Flight of the Conchords vibe to it, with a band played by actual musicians with funny, clever songs that spoof the band. It's awkward and fun and silly and sweet, all in one.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.