Fringe 2026 Top 11-20 - #19 - Local 574 - Hell on Wheels: The Winter Strike of 1934

Hell on Wheels: The Winter Strike of 1934

Description
The true story of the families and truckers in Minneapolis who organized in order to survive the Great Depression. This first strike of 1934 led to the transformation of the North Star State.
Venue – Barker Center
Content Warnings – Adult Language, Loud Noises, Mental Illness, Violence, Other Divisive Content
Genre and Content – Comedy, Drama, Physical Theater, Historical Content, Political Content, Religious Content, Audience Participation
Ages 12 to 15 and Up

Some of you already know this, but for those I haven’t told yet, I was part of organizing a new union at the Guthrie Theater, representing the front-facing staff of Box Office, Guest Services, Housekeeping and Ushers, and was part of the team that sat across the table from management for the 15 months it took to negotiate the first contract, which went into effect this past April 20th (because IATSE Local 13 has a sense of humor).  I also sort of stumbled sideways into being a union steward for my department.

All of which is to say, I will likely be a sucker for union stories for the rest of my life.

Also, the press packet materials for this one include the alternate synopsis of:

“Minnesotans banding together to fight their oppressors in the bleak mid-winter.”

Hmmm, where have I encountered that situation before… sounds familiar but I can’t quite place it? :)

This show covers the first of three strikes in the year 1934, the Winter Strike that started it all.

The More Information tab on the show page for this one is crammed full of fun stuff:

“There were three Minneapolis strikes in 1934. By August 2nd, Governor Floyd Olson had ordered the National Guard to raid both the Teamsters’ and the wealthy owners’ Citizens Alliance strike headquarters, arresting the leaders of both sides of the class conflict. Two strikers had been shot and killed in cold blood by the police a week before. They were already calling it Bloody Friday, and had no idea that it would continue to be commemorated 92 years later at the very spot.

By the third Summer Strike, an all out war broke out across Minneapolis that changed the social fabric and identity of Minnesota. Before that, all the truckers in the Spring Strike took on the powerful Citizens Alliance directly for the first time, and held their ground.

None of it was possible without the Coal Drivers’ Strike in the Winter of 1934 first. By building a small movement in the rank and file coal drivers, the radical Dunne brothers were able to chart a path towards an industrial union that led the Midwest through the rest of the Great Depression.”

The glossary included there contains the definition:

“Scab - someone who crosses a picket line and works during a strike. Don’t be a scab.”

As well as some new information that I probably should have been able to figure out for myself if I’d stopped to think for a minute:

“Teamster - a worker, usually in a union, involved in transport of any kind, originally referencing a “team” of horses.”

There will, of course, be music, which you can catch snippets of on the company’s Instagram page here.

The Director and Playwright/Dramaturg’s notes also intrigue me:

Director, Libby Wasylik - The stories we tell matter. They build our broader narratives, develop our beliefs and ultimately shape our behavior. This story invites us to question hierarchy. It encourages us to expand our definition of us and narrow our definition of them. Most of all this story demands that we accept the limits of self reliance. As Marvel says, “we must seek each other to find ourselves.

Playwright/Dramaturg, Theo Barb - It is difficult to think about the world like it’s 1934. Much is familiar, but other parts are so deeply changed. Minneapolis was less than one hundred years old in the 1930s, a time of disaster. This was also fertile ground to organize the masses of people required to keep the system running. We still benefit from the bravery of those who survived the Great Depression. This speaks to the fluid nature of our present moment, as we collectively write the first draft of history.

And I appreciate a theater company with a clear, specific mission statement:

“Local 574 is a company of artists committed to telling stories of radical struggle in Minnesota. They believe in theatrical work rooted in economic justice, historical optimism, and universal equality for all.”

So, naturally, in solidarity, I feel drawn to be in the audience of this one. 

 

Interested in hearing about other artists I recommend based on past outings in the Fringe? Here's a link to a list of all the coverage of returning favorite artists from past pre-Fringe Top 20 lists of mine that are part of this year's Minnesota Fringe Festival. And here's links to the 2026 versions of my pre-Fringe Top 10 list and Top 11 through 20 for the 2026 festival as we ramp up toward the start of the Fringe on August 6th.  

 

  

Fringe 2026 Top 10 - #9 - Lethan Candlish - Who Am I, Again?

Who Am I, Again?

Description
One man's journey to discover identity after trauma, as told by brain injury survivor and master storyteller Lethan Candlish. Sharing a common journey of recovery from multiple perspectives.
Venue – Mixed Blood
Content Warnings – Adult Language, Drug Content, Mental Illness, Suicidal Ideation/Self-Harm, No Late Seating Allowed
Genre and Content – Solo Show, Drama, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Audience Participation
Ages 16 and Up

This show grabbed me almost immediately as being a very compelling idea.  And the more I researched it, the more compelling it became.

Heads up on the scheduling with this one.  The guy is front loaded opening weekend (Friday, Sunday) and then just weeknights (Monday, Wednesday), and doesn’t have anything scheduled for closing weekend (last show’s on Thursday, 8/13).  So catch him early and spread the word.

The press packet materials expand on the synopsis:

“Who Am I, Again? – One Man’s journey to discover identity after trauma. A verbal collage of stories about surviving Traumatic Brain Injury from multiple perspectives – survivors, friends, family. Told by Brain Injury survivor and master storyteller Lethan Candlish, this piece explores a common journey of surviving trauma, navigating loneliness, and finding strength in community.”

The video trailer gives you a taste of the show as well:

Lethan’s bio lays out pretty much everything you need to know:

“Lethan Candlish is a storyteller, author, and Brain Injury survivor, bringing his experiential insight and expertise to share the story of self-acceptance and self-appreciation after brain trauma. Whilst in the maze of recovery after his Traumatic Brain Injury, Lethan discovered his unique voice in storytelling and eventually earned a graduate degree in the art from East Tennessee State University. His thesis project, "Who Am I, Again? a verbal collage of stories about Brain Injury" has been appreciated at select events throughout the country, including performances at The International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN; the Lab Theater at Bloomsburg University, PA; keynote speaker at the Wisconsin Brain Injury Alliance annual conference, and as the initiating project for TBIvoices - performing at the Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI. 

This work eventually inspired his book "Who Am I, Now? Using Storytelling to Accept and Appreciate Self-Identity after Brain Injury" - this book of well-researched inspirational philosophy has been appreciated by survivors and medical professionals around the world.

In 2012, Lethan took a break from his focus on storytelling and began to work as an English and Drama teacher in both South Korea and China. He has had the privilege and the pleasure of living in multiple cities in both countries and is currently finishing his contract as a drama teacher in the Foreign Studies department at Beijing Public School No.80. While his time abroad has been exquisite and life-changing, he feels it is time to return to the United States and renew his focus on establishing a career in Brain Injury Activism. 

[Blogger note - this is the artist mentioned earlier in the post about the clowns from Berlin who’s coming from a bit further away - Beijing to Minneapolis is a heck of a commute.]

Lethan's most current project is a film adaptation of his storytelling piece - this is "Telling: the film (www.tellingthefilm.com)" and is being directed by Nathan Williams. The film is a new way of looking at Lethan's established performance by adding a full cast of talented actors and using innovative techniques to traverse the line between film and live performance. This is a film about the importance of Telling Your Story. If you would like to learn more and perhaps be a part of this film project, please speak with Lethan after the performance.”

There’s also more insight on his personal website, as well as the site for the film (warning there for recovery photos that go with the story of his 1999 car accident and the journey afterward, and a concept trailer for the film that takes some sharp turns of its own - which is why I’m not posting it here.)

If you need further convincing, there’s words of praise from other Fringes, doctors and brain injury survivors on the More Information tab for the show.

Really went down the rabbit hole on this one, which is normally a good sign.

 

Interested in hearing about other artists I recommend based on past outings in the Fringe? Here's a link to a list of all the coverage of returning favorite artists from past pre-Fringe Top 20 lists of mine that are part of this year's Minnesota Fringe Festival. And here's links to the 2026 versions of my pre-Fringe Top 10 list and Top 11 through 20 for the 2026 festival as we ramp up toward the start of the Fringe on August 6th.  

 

 

 

Fringe 2026 - Returning Favorites - Twin Cities Trapeze - Tapeze - a la seconde

Every year when I draft up a Top 20 list, inevitably I miss a couple.  Last year, Tapeze was one of them.

But here they are again, with a second show built off the same concept - combining tap dancers and trapeze artists in the same show.

Tapeze -  a la seconde

Description: 
An joyful spectacle where every step defies gravity. A circus of rhythm and movement - join us where tap dancing meets the sky.
Venue - Southern Theater
Content Warnings - None
Genre and Content - Dance, Physical Theater, Kid Friendly, Non-Verbal
Ages 7 to 11 and Up

They also threw in a mime while they were at it.  Fringe (and Twin Cities theater community in general) veteran performer Kirsten Stephens has been added to this year’s ensemble, which just makes this whole thing even more intriguing.

The show’s More Information tab on the Fringe site has an additional pitch for us:

“Tap plus Trapeze = Tapeze!
Building on last year's successful Fringe Run, Tapeze is back with a bigger rig, bigger feels, and similar shenanigans. 
Do you like Flight?  Do you like Rhythm?  Tapeze is for you!”

Big rigs, feels and shenanigans.  There you have it.

  

Interested in hearing about other artists I recommend based on past outings in the Fringe? Here's a link to a list of all the coverage of returning favorite artists from past pre-Fringe Top 20 lists of mine that are part of this year's Minnesota Fringe Festival. And here's links to the 2026 versions of my pre-Fringe Top 10 list and Top 11 through 20 for the 2026 festival as we ramp up toward the start of the Fringe on August 6th.  

 

  

Fringe 2026 - Returning Favorites from Years Past

Here's a list of links to all the posts about returning favorites in the 2026 Minnesota Fringe Festival (alphabetical by show title):

After the End - One T Productions (Scot Froelich, Sheree Froelich)

Following a devastating global pandemic, Jeff is left to fend for himself. Twelve years later, he’s built a farm, a solar array, and – to pass the time - a hobby of playing guitar for the audience in his head. 

 

Apologies for the Late Reply - Ben San Del

Stand-up comedy about salvaging sanity in our age of crazy presented by four-time Minnesota Fringe encore winning producer and Acme Comedy Co.'s Funniest Person in the Twin Cities title holder Ben San Del. 

 

 

Bay Creek - Derek Lee Miller

Four generations of smugglers from the river bottoms of Pike County, IL deal with their legacy of violence and crime, and the terrifying entity they accidentally smuggled over the veil from the other side.

 

 

 

Be Not Afraid - Third Space Theater (Alex Church)

2012. A struggling farm in a northwestern North Dakota town transformed by the oil boom is given a warning. A savior is coming.

 

 

Buckeroohaiku's Reverse Armando - Button Productions (Ryan Klima)

True stories. Masterful improvisation. Kate Button spills the stories, while the Twin Cities top improvisors weave them into comedy gold! Brace yourself for an evening of raw, unfiltered hilarity!

 

 

Bury The Leads - Special When Lit (Nissa Nordland, Sam Landman)

Meet Clyde & Faye, two character actors navigating an industry of auditions, rejections, bit parts and false starts. Sometimes funny, sometimes melancholy, it's improv so grounded, it seems scripted.

 

 

Casa Bde-Maka-Ska - Snikt! Bamf! Thwip!

Everyone comes to Rick's. Even in the middle of a hostile occupation. Even in a world where lovers who have been torn apart by circumstance can bond over some well chosen Prince music. 

 

 

A Confluence of Magical Arseholes - The Winding Sheet Outfit 

The feckin' story and singy-song of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. There be the famous supper club for some bored c*nts and dilettantes, and this be that time W. B. Yeats kicked Aleister Crowley's arse. 

 

 

 

Cyrano - Small Waves

A queer heroic comedy in five acts. The story you never knew you already know, like you've never seen it before. An adaptation of Edmond Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac."

 

 

 

 

 

Doozy - Dolly Who (Destiny Davison)

A good friend never forgets. Too bad, Dolly did. But no worries, it's her day off! No agenda, no script, no work...and all the time in the world for a little sweet, sweet revenge.

 

 

 

Empty Nest - Zabel Weinhagen 

Through a mix of sharp stories, absurd sketches, and knowing winks at the audience, Empty Nest dives into life’s big transitions — aging, shifting identities, long-term partnership — and finds the humor in the awkward, poignant, and downright ridiculous moments along the way. 

FAST Death of a Salesman - an alleged Theatre Company (Jake Mierva)

Dr. Duke Didier is putting on a production of Death of a Salesman, in order to prove to his nephew that the play is still relevant in 2026. Too bad his nephew, Braedyn, couldn't give a shit. 

 

 

Fighting Unicorns - Angela Fox Productions

A girl and her unicorn sidekick go on a hero’s journey through a fantastical world of puppets to find her lost story. A powerful show about healing and moving forward. Adventure, wonder, humor, heart. Part of the Social Butterfly Project. 120 min 

 

Glengarry Glen Elvis - Michael Shaeffer

Elvis Presley stirs up trouble at an unscrupulous real-estate agency. Jumpsuits jitter and F-bombs fly as a post-Vegas career suddenly involves the temptations of grand theft and a fever for the rock 'n' roll. 

 

 

I Will Become The Silver Surfer. I Will Protect You - Jake Mierva

Galactus has chosen Earth as his next target. But don't worry. I will stop him. I will save you all. I will become The Silver Surfer.

 

 

I'm Afraid, I Have To Leave - Joking Apart Theater

Time to leave, but your hosts have other plans. Sinister agenda? Hostage situation? Or just another visit with your folks? Minnesota Goodbye meets The Twilight Zone. Grab a snickerdoodle, it might be your last! 

 

 

 The Importance of Living - Mermaid Productions (Ariel Pinkerton, Tim Uren)

Samuel and Louise really know how to live; no morals, no regrets, no limits, no future. It's the night before their reckoning day and they've come to crack a bottle of wine, swap tales, and have a little fun.

 

 

Improvised Love Is Blind: Minnesota Fringe Edition - DallaDanna Productions

The improvised version of the hit Netflix dating show, Love Is Blind. All of the fun. None of the toxicity. 

 

 

 

Latin Papi - CuerpoxCuerpo - Gabriel Mata

Latin Papi is a bold, playful, and provocative contemporary dance performance blending sensual movement, voice, humor, and theatrical flair created by Armani Rey Colón and Gabriel Mata of CuerpoxCuerpo.

 

 

The Local Music Scene - JimJam Media (Philip Simondet)

Improv inspired by local music. Local musicians perform original songs live. Between songs the Local Music Scene cast improvise scenes inspired by the lyrics. LOCAL MUSIC; improvised SCENEs

   

 M - The World Crime League

A massive manhunt is underway in Berlin. Police have spent months searching for a prolific serial killer with no success. As fear and suspicion spread, the city’s criminal underground decides to take matters into their own hands and hunt the murderer themselves in this new adaptation of Fritz Lang’s classic film noir "M – Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder." 

 

 

More Better Stories - American School of Storytelling

Storytellers Jon Carlson, Vianna Isbister, Bernadine Joselyn, Hank Roubicek - each tell three times, and Erin Ferdinand, Kory May, Christopher Nelson, Laura Packer, and Anne Wiborg do "one off's" with stories for adults.

 

 

Muskie - New Endeavors

It's Fishing Opener on Lake Mille Lacs, but some of the residents of Garrison, Minnesota have started disappearing. Could it be the work of the terrifying, mythical Muskie? Find out in this Minnesota-based parody of "Jaws." 

 

 

Quadrilogy, a Sabathani Benefit Game Show Extravaganza! (Mahmoud Hakima)

A game show in three rounds with audience participation. Answer questions, build Lego, have fun, win prizes! A different theme every night. Artist proceeds go to benefit the Sabathani Community Center.

 

 

A Revolution Highly Favorable - Maximum Verbosity - phillip andrew bennett low

On the 250th anniversary of American Independence, listen to the words of those who were there! Adapting for the first time 18th-century combat medic, historian, and POW David Ramsay, this fully AI-illustrated show features a different collection of readings each night.

 

Road Trip! - Chris Davis

Too expensive to go on a road trip? Then join two improv comedians as they take a ROAD TRIP without ever leaving the theater! You don’t need to pitch in for gas, just pitch in suggestions for destinations and leave the “driving” and comedy to them. Where will there journey take them? That’s for you to know and us to find out!

Silent Movie! - The Improv Movement Project (Mark Benzel, Sean Dillon, Victoria Pyan)

What happens when you get a group of physical improvisers to make a movie – but without the sets, lights, costumes, props, crew, dialogue . . . or movie. A new genre-smashing cinematic epic each performance.

Small Minded - Tyler West

When Tyler was a little boy he wanted to grow up and be a clown. Come to find out it was a lot harder to achieve the former, than the latter. 'Small Minded' features magic, juggling, clowning, and much more! Is being a dwarf clown REALLY half the size, but double the fun? Or is Tyler West just Small Minded? Either way, this show features juggling, magic, Shakespeare, story-telling, and some Ha-Ha's! from the heart.

 

So Bright, The Night - Hey Rube!

So Bright the Night is a hard-boiled historical drama about the Mexican Repatriation of the 1930's. A woman boards a train in hopes to rescue her husband from deportation or worse. History is repeating itself. 

 

Soap Prov: Show of 10,000 Secrets (Jex Arzayus, Mahmoud Hakima)

An improvised soap opera inspired by audience suggestions. Our cast will create a show filled with your favorite soap opera tropes: steamy affairs, family betrayals, love triangles, seduction, and so much more!

 

Sound and Noise and Bodies - Octoberdandy Productions (Jen Scott)

Fringe veteran Jen Scott presents a one-person storytelling show, a music-show, a bit of a clown show, all about being human and maybe being heard.

 

 

the statue of liberty is nora in a doll's house by henrik ibsen - SUPERMOON (Caleb Matthew Byers, Claudia Errickson, Mads Plonski, Michael Torsch

The Statue of Liberty prepares for and performs Nora in A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen. This performance is about doors, lies, and the morphed American definition/concept of liberty. It's an Americana kaleidoscopic ritual praying for a miracle.

 

Stories from the Trauma Dump (Jex Arzayus, Allison Broeren, Shanan Custer, Mahmoud Hakima, Rev. Matt Kessen, Nissa Nordland, Ariel Pinkerton, Duck Washington)

A collective storytelling show featuring local artists sharing humorous tales around mental health. Personal or fantastical, these stories aim to share experience and possibly find catharsis through comedy.

 

Tapeze: a la seconde - Twin Cities Trapeze

An joyful spectacle where every step defies gravity. A circus of rhythm and movement - join us where tap dancing meets the sky. 

 

 

Tech - Mike Fotis

This year's Fringe show opens tomorrow. The props are assembled. The actors have memorized (most of) their lines. The director has blocked the show. There’s only one thing left to do…TECH THE SHOW.

 

 

Witness Loudly - Kyle B. Dekker

Operation Metro Surge pitted armed ICE agents against the residents of Minnesota. Kyle B. Dekker recreates a live rapid response call on stage based on his own experiences as a constitutional observer, also  discussing the impact of the event on him and his neighbors. 

And here's links to the 2026 versions of my pre-Fringe Top 10 list and Top 11 through 20 for the 2026 festival as we ramp up toward the start of the Fringe on August 6th.  

Fringe 2026 - Top 11 to 20

Here's a list of links to the full write-ups on each of my pre-Fringe Top 11 to 20 list for the 2026 Minnesota Fringe Festival:

11 - The Quiet Piggy - Dawn Bentley

Minnesota Fringe Executive Director and theatre virgin Dawn Bentley makes her first (and only?) fringe show. A personal, political, and playful storytelling experience fantasizing about how IT finally happens. 

 

 

 

12 - Maniac - Todd Sullivan

A solo clown show loosely inspired by history's most intelligent serial killer — blending masks, movement, lo-fi origami, and absurd logic into a lunatic tribunal of comedy, tenderness, and chaos. 

 

 

13 - Don't Be Scared - Band Practice

Two zombified post-war corporate professionals attempt to run a workshop with the audience on how to face your fears. Outside, the darkness is creeping in threatening to end the show and maybe their friendship. 

 

 

14 - A Real Piece of Work - Moral of the Story

When a bumbling community theater group rehearses for their production of Hamlet, one actor tries to help them get their act together. This ensemble comedy is a love letter to community theater. 

 

  

 

15 - Pistachio's Playhouse - Samuel Karie

When the host of the beloved children’s show Pistachio’s Playhouse experiences a sudden tragedy, she has to try and keep the Playhouse from closing while maintaining her sanity in front of an impressionable audience. 

 

 

16 - The Choose Your Own Adventures of Turtle Boy - Tiger Love Studios LLC

A one-person puppet show with call and response/audience participation. The bashful but rowdy Turtle Boy leads you through an action movie of your own making. John Wick meets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Karate Kid meets Mr. Rogers.

 

17 - That Was Shakespeare: A Revue - The Redmond Players (aka Technically Thespians)

Connie thinks Shakespeare belongs in the past. Her uncle Ford knows better. A whirlwind tour through comedy, tragedy, and romance reveals the Bard's words may be closer to home than she thinks. 

 

 

18 - Therapist Zero - be-Creative (Brian Leonard)

Therapist Zero is a darkly funny solo show about a father trying to help his brilliant but struggling daughter, only to run headfirst into a maze of psychiatrists, broken systems, and his own past. 

 

 

 

19 - Hell on Wheels: The Winter Strike of 1934 - Local 574

The true story of the families and truckers in Minneapolis who organized in order to survive the Great Depression. This first strike of 1934 led to the transformation of the North Star State. 

 

 

 

 

20 -  

And here's a list to similar posts with links to the Top 10 entries on this year's list, as well as a post with links to all the blog posts on returning favorites coming back to this year's festival. 

 

 

Fringe 2026 - Top 10

Here's a list of links to the full write-ups on each of my pre-Fringe Top 10 list for the 2026 Minnesota Fringe Festival:

1 - Stage Presents - Wells Farnham

Third Fringe, and Wells thinks he's figured out the game. And he wants to share it with you! Work disasters, spirit world snafus, post Pearl Jam snacks, bootleg CDs, stories that'll make you go, "Oh Geez!" 

 

 

 

2 - Good Vibrations - Dame Right!

June 28, 1966. A Beach Boys Circus... in the earthquake capital of the world. What could go wrong with this American Dream? Come for the music, stay for the drag, puppets, and camp-ified antics! 

 

 

3 - The Label Maker - Jena Young Productions

What’s the difference between BPD and BD? Is the expert always right? From anxiety to PTSD, storyteller Jena Young shares her experiences growing up with an undiagnosed abusive parent, being misdiagnosed herself as a teenager, and the power of labels. 

  

 

4 - 1 Hour Left to Live: A One Puppet Show by That Felt Good - Sockpop

A puppet on his deathbed recounts his life through monologue, improvised flashbacks, audience participation, and stand-up comedy guest sets. Every night he lives a new life with new characters and old regrets. 

  

 

5 - Vintage Tunes, Modern Gal - Plucky Rosenthal

A charming musical comedy solo show plucked right out of the vaudeville era following cabaret performer Plucky Rosenthal and her quest to find the one thing she’s never had: a band. 

 

 

6 - Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell - Maxxeapolis

Rest In Peace, Maxxeapolis, whose untimely deaths have landed them in Hell right before their performance at Fringe. Join them for an hour of sketch comedy where Satan himself will decide their ultimate fates. 

 

 

7 - Is That Why? - Ari Hoptman

A fast-moving show about the mysteries of language. Why are words the way the are? How do languages change? Why is grammar hard? And what IS the plural of "octopus," anyway? Every show will be different! 

 

 

8 - A Magician - Levani (Jordan Rooks)

A Magician is the life memoir storytelling magic show of Las Vegas entertainer Jordan Rooks. This storytelling magical wonder is a combination of storytelling, clowning, and magic. 

 

 

9 - Who Am I, Again? - Lethan Candlish

One man's journey to discover identity after trauma, as told by brain injury survivor and master storyteller Lethan Candlish. Sharing a common journey of recovery from multiple perspectives. 

 

 

 

10 - 

  

And here's a list to similar posts with links to the Top 11 to 20 entries on this year's list, as well as a post with links to all the blog posts on returning favorites coming back to this year's festival.