Fringe 2025 - Returning Favorites - Philip Simondet - Fall of the High School Valedictorian

Fall of the High School Valedictorian
Philip Simondet
Venue: Rarig Xperimental
 
Show Description:
A multimedia solo show that looks at the American education system through the eyes of the artist's mental illness. Raw and honest, Simondet weaves stories together with pictures, videos, and songs. TRIGGER WARNINGS: child sexual abuse, self harm, suicide.

Since speaking as Valedictorian at his High School commencement, Philip Simondet has spent a couple of decades converting his once limitless potential into opportunities missed. Luckily, he got this show written before there was no potential left. He's an improviser, musician, podcaster, teacher, and writer... and still doesn't like himself. 
Past Fringe productions: 
Demo Tape (musical)
Self-Titled Debut Album (musical) 
The Local Music Scene (improv) 
PhilipSimondet.com - website 
TireFires.com - band's website
 
Genre & Content:
Original Music, Storytelling, Solo Show, Political Content, Religious Content
Warnings:
Adult Language, Blood, Abuse/Physical Violence, Mental Illness, Sexual Content, Sexual Violence, Suicidal Ideation/Self-Harm
 
Skipping right to the point, I will go see anything Philip Simondet does at the Fringe.

His first three shows, two original musical comedies (Demo Tape [#3 on my pre-Fringe Top 10 list that year], and the 5-star show Self-Titled Debut Album) and one improv comedy (The Local Music Scene), all centered around local band culture in one way or another, were all fantastic and smart and funny and entertaining, each in their own entirely original ways.

Though the subject matter here is darker, Simondet so completely inverted, subverted and reinvented the concept of an original Fringe musical in his previous outings that I can’t wait to see what he does to the genre of the solo show, again bringing his musical talents to bear in the mix.

Very excited for this one.

 

Here’s some handy links to my Fringe Top 10, Top 11 to 20 and Returning Favorites lists for this year, as well as all the coverage of this year’s Minnesota Fringe Festival.