Fringe 2026 Review - Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell - Inspired Sketch Comedy - 5 Stars

 

Review on the fly:
#mnfringe show 16: Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell: clever premise “amuse the devil and maybe he’ll let you out of hell”; quick-witted, varied, oddball comedy sketches; funny songs; gifted ensemble; actually made me laugh out loud, which is rare - 5 stars

I know this is setting a low bar but let’s start with the fact that it’s hard to make any Fringe show, period.  Then it’s hard to write something new that actually fits neatly into a Fringe format that has a beginning, middle and end.  Then on top of that, comedy writing is hard - because comedy should be, you know, funny.  It should make people laugh.  It should amuse them.  And a lot of things that call themselves comedies just… aren’t.  So when something is actually funny AND well-constructed on the page AND executed well on stage, well, then you’ve got yourself an impressive Fringe show.  “Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell” is a damn impressive (and very funny) Fringe show.

“Of course you’re bad people.  You’re comedians.”

First, there’s the framing device, which was laid out in their Fringe preview - the whole Maxxeapolis sketch comedy team has wound up in hell after a “mysterious sketch comedy-related accident.” Satan (Linc Owens) appears and presents them with a challenge - put on a show that makes the audience, including Satan, laugh and he might consider letting them out of hell.  If they fail, all of the Minnesota Fringe will also fall into hell so, no pressure.

“Our love is way too hot for the Sky Bus.”

The ensemble of performers (Greg Baker, Nina Diatta, Laura Hild, Justin Johnson, Caroline Kraft, Linc Owens, Anika Reitman, and Alex Stokes) are also all writers of the sketch comedy they perform, so I’m just going to credit them all up front here.  I don’t have a handy program listing who played what and I don’t trust my notes to have enough identifiers to give proper credit either so, just know that everyone played multiple roles (even Owens got more to do than just play Satan), and they were all extremely funny in each and every one of the sketches so, kudos all around.  The only reason I’m sure Owens played Satan is he also had the horns on in the behind the scenes photos on the Maxxeapolis Instagram page, and it would be kind of hard to forget his take on Satan - making hilarious over the top noises as if he had his own special effects going on for his entrances and exits, etc.  Satan keeps checking in as the show goes along, just to let the performers know how they’re doing and of course returns at the end to pronounce judgment, so it’s a very useful structure in which to place this random assortment of sketches, which don’t have any collective throughline other than they all need to be funny, which they are.

“We must use our money for striped shirts and cigarettes.”

They come right out of the gate with a most amusing ad for a “Polyamory for Dummies” instruction manual.  Then there’s a sketch with Vincent Van Gogh trying to sell his art on the street to random French people (accent work, always a winner). The moral quandary presented by “The customer is always right” at a local fast food joint is explored to a level where it becomes ridiculous.  There’s an old couple who surprise a burglar in their home at night and then get him to rethink his life choices.  There’s two horny lesbians on a plane who can’t keep their hands off each other (much to the chagrin of the poor guy stuck in the middle seat between them). There’s a woman whose partner takes SO long to read something she found online and shares with him, that she begins to sing a song about how she’s afraid he might be illiterate. There’s a sketch about the “Good Guy Gun” which only shoots bad guys (sure, that’ll end well). A child scared of a monster under the bed is proven correct.  Women discuss their menstrual cycles, with one mentioning all the eggs she’s been laying. The show winds up the sketch part of the program with a young woman making a visit to the gynecologist, a female doctor with an outrageous accent and a LOT of euphemisms for a lady’s reproductive organs.  And I think I missed a few things - it’s a pretty rapid-fire hour of comedy with a lot of material, plus the ongoing hell plot line besides.

“I’ve been spelunking the bayous of womanhood for thirty years.”

Special mention should be made of the opening scene song, and the illiteracy song, both played by Justin Johnson on guitar.  Original funny songs that actually make me laugh are rare in this world, so I was grateful for both.  The whole cast sings well, whenever necessary, just like they are all in on whatever nutty premise is playing out onstage in any particular moment throughout the show.

“I don’t have a dying wife.  I’m a high school dropout from Fridley.”

Additionally, Maxxeapolis chooses music cues to take the audience out of every scene that always made me chuckle.  Stand-outs in that category include a club version of Ave Maria at the end of the show when we (spoiler alert) get out of hell (I won’t say how).  There’s also the obligatory sting of “I’m Proud To Be An American” after the gun sketch, “Cat’s in the Cradle” after the old couple parents the burglar, the theme to Reading Rainbow after the illiteracy sketch, and a use of the song “With Arms Wide Open” that i won’t spoil.  And any show that opens with a sting from “The Pina Colada Song” is starting off on a high note in my book.

“Are you asking my employee morally charged questions?”

Comedy shows that are actually fun can be hard to find sometimes so catch “Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell” while you can at the Fringe, and then follow them the rest of the year between festivals.  I certainly will be doing so.

5 Stars, Very Highly Recommended

 

You can find reviews of other shows in these links to my listings of 5 and 4.5 Star Shows (VERY Highly Recommended) and 4 and 3.5 Star Shows (Highly Recommended). 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.

 

  

Fringe 2026 - Day 9 in Brief

Friday, August 14, 2026

#mnfringe thoughts: Anyone else annoyed by having to do "silly" things like pay the mid-month bills or submit schedule availability for their second part-time job when there's Fringing to do? I did both this morning, of course, I'd just much rather be writing more Fringe show reviews :)

#mnfringe thoughts: Big thanks to audience members posting reviews! I was perplexed on the best choice among the options for 8:30pm tonight (of the shows I hadn't already seen). It was a great resource to read other folks' thoughts about the relative merits of each. Taking a chance on new play :)

 

 

#mnfringe show 39: Silent Movie: improvisers spin 3 wheels, 1 for genre, 1 for plot, 1 for ensemble member who will "star" in movie made from scratch on stage; no words, just brilliant on the spot orchestral soundtrack coming out of a keyboard; "shot" changes; delightfully inventive - 4.5 stars

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show

 

 

 

#mnfringe show 40: Latin Papi: 2nd viewing (their closing performance); dance show just as beautiful, sexy and fun as when I saw it back on day 1 of the Fringe; bonus, didn't need to take notes this time, could just sit and watch Armani Rey Colon and Gabriel Mata do their thing - still 5 stars

My full 5-star review of this show 

 

 

 

#mnfringe show 41: Socks and Shoes and Coats: under the radar suggestion, very glad I went; unique new musical, 2 singing actors as new parents; baby/child/other characters are supertitles "voiced" by musical instruments; fascinating experiment with a lot of potential, humor and heart - 4.5 stars

 

 

 

#mnfringe show 42: Cyrano: SO close to queer joy it's heartbreaking; way too much material for 1 hr even with talented cast zipping thru beautiful witty language at high speed; cut supporting cast, focus on triangle, maybe consider radical idea of happy ending? still, as is, great work - 4.5 stars

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show

 

 

 

 

 

#mnfringe thoughts: voting for Golden Lanyard Awards is hard when so many shows are so good (nice problem to have, I know); still, it's not art unless somebody wins (?) :)

 

You can find reviews of other shows in these links to my listings of 5 and 4.5 Star Shows (VERY Highly Recommended) and 4 and 3.5 Star Shows (Highly Recommended). 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.

 

  

Fringe 2026 - 5 and 4.5 Star Shows I’ve Seen: VERY Highly Recommended

Here’s a list of the best shows I’ve seen in this year’s festival - 5 and 4-1/2 star shows, Very Highly Recommended (alphabetical by show title)

5-Star Shows

After The End

#mnfringe show 35: After The End: Scot Froelich as the last person on earth makes a plea to his (imaginary) audience to appreciate the folks around you while you can, and really talk to them about what matters; well-plotted dystopian scifi with acoustic guitar, humor and deep humanity - 5 stars

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show 

Bay Creek

#mnfringe show 24: Bay Creek: mesmerizing tale of family with a tradition of working on the wrong side of the law tangled up with a demonic force passed down from father to son thru generations; just who, or what, are the federal authorities interrogating? expertly crafted script, acting - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show

 

Bury The Leads 

#mnfringe show 22: Bury The Leads: top tier improv from Sam Landman and Nissa Nordland as 2 striving supporting actors who never get the lead roles but keep on fighting; their strong friendship the thing that keeps them going despite the daily indignities; funny, sweet, yearning, human - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show 

 

The Choose Your Own Adventures of Turtle Boy 

#mnfringe show 21: The Choose Your Own Adventures of Turtle Boy: perfect family fare; puppeteer and marionette Turtle Boy engage audience multiple times to steer the plot, and volunteer for cemetery and fight training scenes; charming, silly, nimble improv; whole audience very into it - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Top 20 List write-up on this show

 

Don't Be Scared 

#mnfringe show 19: Don’t Be Scared: deeply strange/funny in all the best ways; 2 German clowns as zombie business professionals with singing, dancing, acrobatic presentation for the audience on confronting fears and beating back the darkness; best use of Rarig X space (and crowd work) - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Top 20 List write-up on this show

 

Doozy 

#mnfringe show 13: Doozy: Destiny Davison and collaborators keep topping themselves each new show; live action cartoon/puppetry in black and white; goofy time loop revenge plot on Dolly by abandoned imaginary friend Doozy, who talks by harmonica; packed with whimsical cardboard creations - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show 

 

FAST Death of a Salesman 

#mnfringe show 33: FAST Death of a Salesman: classic play hilariously torn into tiny pieces by college professor trying to reach his screen-addicted nephew employing a cast of misfits to (somehow) turn theater into something relevant by making it all the things it's not; comedy meltdown - 5 stars

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show

 

Hell on Wheels: The Winter Strike of 1934

#mnfringe show 34: Hell on Wheels: The Winter Strike of 1934 - stirring theatrical slice of Minneapolis union history, cleverly written and staged; modern physical theater work alongside period detail, and music, all perfectly blended together; tough assignment but they nail it - 5 stars

My Fringe Top 20 write-up on this show 

 

Is That Why? 

#mnfringe show 36: Is That Why?: Ari Hoptman has a dizzying array of language facts and anecdotes in his brain, and with the help of an audience member picking cue cards at random goes on a 55 minute comedic "lecture" off the top of his head; dazzling and very entertaining to watch - 5 stars

My Fringe Top 10 List write-up on this show

 

 

Latin Papi 

#mnfringe show 4: Latin Papi: beauty, grace, athleticism, sensuality of the human body on full display in this playful, flirty, often funny dance showcase from Gabriel Mata and Armani Rey Colon; saving one last punch for the end, of course; it's not hot in here, it's them; treat yourself - 5 stars

#mnfringe show 40: Latin Papi: 2nd viewing (their closing performance); dance show just as beautiful, sexy and fun as when I saw it back on day 1 of the Fringe; bonus, didn't need to take notes this time, could just sit and watch Armani Rey Colon and Gabriel Mata do their thing - still 5 stars 

Full review here 

Returning Favorite write-up on this show here.

 

Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell

#mnfringe show 16: Maxxeapolis Goes To Hell: clever premise “amuse the devil and maybe he’ll let you out of hell”; quick-witted, varied, oddball comedy sketches; funny songs; gifted ensemble; actually made me laugh out loud, which is rare - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Top 10 List write-up on this show 

 

1 Hour Left To Live 

#mnfringe show 12: 1 Hour Left To Live: 1 puppet on its deathbed, surrounded by a team of fellow (human) improvisers, creating a wacky non-linear rapid fire tour thru the puppet's life (and afterlife) with a little stand-up comedy right in the middle; inspired lunacy tied to a rocket - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Top 10 List write-up on this show

 

Quadrilogy: A Sabathani Benefit Game Show Extravaganza!

#mnfinge show 27: Quadrilogy: A Sabathani Benefit Game Show Extravaganza! - sharply executed game show format pitting 4 eager audience members against each other in elimination rounds (memory, Lego, lightning round) til 1 is victorious (but all get prizes); great fun for a good cause - 5 stars 

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show

 

The Quiet Piggy 

#mnfringe show 14: The Quiet Piggy: colorful, cathartic, pissed off Powerpoint presentation augmented by music and a fat, pig-nosed clown in a bad wig repeatedly killed and swept off stage like trash; preaching to the choir with humor, heart and righteous anger; good to exhale, de-stress - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Top 20 List write-up on this show

 

A Real Piece of Work 

#mnfringe show 32: A Real Piece of Work: impressive work by all involved (direction, script, acting ensemble of 10); characters well-balanced in terms of getting their moment, just enough depth not to be stereotypes, just silly enough to make great comedy out of ill-fated Hamlet attempt - 5 stars

My Fringe Top 20 write-up on this show  

 

A Revolution Highly Favorable 

#mnfringe show 11: A Revolution Highly Favorable: 1st of 5 completely different shows, bringing to life the words of people who lived thru birthing the USA 250 years ago, with a big wink toward the situations and sensibilities we're living with today; smart, funny, mind-boggling - 5 stars 

Full review here 

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show

 

Small Minded 

#mnfringe show 1 - Small Minded - brilliant mix of clowning, comedy, singing and serious acting, backed by impressive production values that entertains at the same time it lets the audience sit with the discomfort of exoticizing/laughing at little people performing for their amusement - 5 stars

Full review here 

Returning Favorite write-up on this show here.  

 

 

Sound and Noise and Bodies 

#mnfringe show 3: Sound and Noise and Bodies: still trying to wrap my brain around this must see show from Jen Scott; remarkable writing; gentle jovial delivery of life events and insights that are often devastating; original ukulele song lyrics with equal punch; the message, "humans, am I right?" - 5 stars

Full review here 

Returning Favorite write-up on this show here.

This Body This Fruit

#mnfringe show 9: This Body, This Fruit: Davi Gray delivers poems like a conversation (granted, with better turns of phrase :) unfolding explorations of identity, gender and self in amusing, tender and thought-provoking ways; luxuriate in language for an hour, it's very refreshing - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Top 20 List write-up on this show 

 

Too Fat To Run 

#mnfringe show 15: Too Fat To Run: friend recommendation, so glad I took it; Eileen Tull is an amazing performer with a solo show that's just as funny as it is inspiring, battling other people's perceptions and her own, pushing herself to do the Chicago marathon, unpacking how she got here - 5 stars 

 

Vintage Tunes, Modern Gal

#mnfringe show 18: Vintage Tunes, Modern Gal: Plucky Rosenthal and her trusty ukulele, hilarious original songs and relentless (but fun) audience engagement spins a tale of trying to connect with others, however awkwardly (and aren't we all?); high energy, goofy, occasionally even sweet - 5 stars

My Top 10 List write-up on this show

 

 

Witness Loudly

#mnfringe show 17: Witness Loudly: storyteller Kyle Dekker puts his work as a constitutional observer into the larger context of MN’s response to ICE occupation earlier this year (and still ongoing); compelling, justifiably angry but also hopeful and funny; 1st draft of history - 5 stars

Full review here 

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show 

4.5 Star Shows

Buckeroohaiku's Reverse Armando

#mnfringe show 30: Buckeroohaiku’s Reverse Armando: Kate Button's storytelling refracted tonight thru the improv comedy lens of The Mess; stories this time more a collection of random parenting anecdotes, so the improv was equally random but both still quite good, funny and entertaining - 4.5 stars

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show

 

 

Cyrano

#mnfringe show 42: Cyrano: SO close to queer joy it's heartbreaking; way too much material for 1 hr even with talented cast zipping thru beautiful witty language at high speed; cut supporting cast, focus on triangle, maybe consider radical idea of happy ending? still, as is, great work - 4.5 stars

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show 

 

 

 

The Importance of Living

#mnfringe show 26: The Importance of Living: fascinating duet of two (actual) murderers from different times in history sharing tales of their misdeeds (and alibis) (how? why?); charming sociopathic performances from Pinkerton and Uren; script is clever, cagey and unsettling - 4.5 stars 

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show

 

 

The Label Maker

#mnfringe show 37: The Label Maker: storyteller Jena Young has been through it, to put it mildly; key stories from her personal/mental health journey highlight the challenge of getting the right diagnosis when symptoms are hard to catch and can apply to a number of different conditions - 4.5 stars 

My Fringe Top 10 List write-up on this show

 

 

 

Pistachio's Playhouse

#mnfringe show 29: Pistachio’s Playhouse: unexpectedly short show (30 min) but every minute was fun, colorful and weird with LOTS of surprises; manic kids show host melts down when tragedy strikes; set, costumes, puppets, sound FX all wildly, delightfully over the top/meta; more, please! - 4.5 stars

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show

 

 

 

Silent Movie

#mnfringe show 39: Silent Movie: improvisers spin 3 wheels, 1 for genre, 1 for plot, 1 for ensemble member who will "star" in movie made from scratch on stage; no words, just brilliant on the spot orchestral soundtrack coming out of a keyboard; "shot" changes; delightfully inventive - 4.5 stars

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show

 

 

 

Socks and Shoes and Coats

#mnfringe show 41: Socks and Shoes and Coats: under the radar suggestion, very glad I went; unique new musical, 2 singing actors as new parents; baby/child/other characters are supertitles "voiced" by musical instruments; fascinating experiment with a lot of potential, humor and heart - 4.5 stars  

 

 

 

Stage Presents 

#mnfringe show 2 - Stage Presents - Wells Farnham takes the stage and doesn't let it go for 3 manic comedic stories that are real stemwinders and a 4th that is *so* close to sticking the landing; challenging himself on several fronts and upping his game in the process; great fun - 4.5 stars

Full review here 

Top 10 List write-up here (#1) 

 

Tech

#mnfringe show 10: Tech: catnip concept for theater people, myself included; stakes are very low, but damn it's fun to see all these gifted improvisers conjure up a set of people and scenes from a fake play and just watch them cook, creating a whole world out of next to nothing - 4.5 stars 

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show  

 

 

 

Who Am I, Again? 

#mfringe show 5: Who Am I, Again? - compelling solo show offering insight into life after traumatic brain injury, presented by a survivor, sharing both his own story and those of others he’s encountered in his recovery journey; his teenage dream of being an artist happening after all - 4.5 stars

My Top 10 List write-up on this show 

 

 

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.

 

  

Fringe 2026 - 4 and 3.5 Star Shows I’ve Seen: Highly Recommended

Here’s a list of other really good shows I’ve seen in this year’s festival - 4 and 3-1/2 star shows, Highly Recommended (alphabetical by show title)

4-Star Shows

Be Not Afraid

#mnfringe show 20: Be Not Afraid: looks fantastic; big theatrical stage pictures; great cast really throwing themselves into story of Big Oil destroying a family farm; a bit overstuffed for just an hour; characters, supernatural elements feel underdeveloped despite all the talent here - 4 stars 

My Returning Favorites write-up on this show

Brakkesyke

#mnfringe show 38: Brakkesyke: 3 soldiers, a solitary cabin in the middle of winter, a circular plot in an endless war where roles and relationships evolve in unexpected ways; solid performances and presentation; not entirely sure what the point of telling this story, this way, now is - 4 stars

Glengarry Glen Elvis 

#mfringe show 6: Glengarry Glen Elvis: quite literally an Elvis impersonator inserting his act (songs and all) into a refashioned MN-based version of the Mamet play; if you like either of those things or the mash-up idea, you'll enjoy this; audience was more into the goofy fun than I was - 4 stars

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show 

 

 

Good Vibrations 

#mfringe show 8: Good Vibrations: just as deeply weird and queer as I was expecting; audience enjoyed it more than I did; playful, ramshackle execution of an alternate universe slice of Beach Boys music history; one of the better executed Fringe musicals I've seen; still pondering - 4 stars

My Top 10 List write-up on this show 

 

 

A Magician

#mnfringe show 25: A Magician: artist himself says he's still learning how to be himself onstage, telling his own story while also performing magic; the illusions are fun; the bones of the script are there; taking time and taking the stage without apology are the next step in his evolution - 4 stars

My Top 10 List write-up on this show 

 

 

 Maniac

#mnfringe show 31: Maniac: not at all what I expected; no need to fear this show, unless you're terrified by audience participation, of which there is a lot from start to finish; Fringe crowds are good sports so this mock trial with many detours did reach its destination; playfully dark - 4 stars

My Fringe Top 20 write-up on this show 

 

 

the statue of liberty is nora in a doll's house by henrik ibsen 

#mfringe show 7: the statue of liberty is nora in a doll’s house by henrik ibsen: again, exactly what the title says; audience around me enthusiastically losing their minds over the show; I'm the outlier; stellar production values and acting but... why change the ending? still pondering - 4 stars

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show  

 

 

3.5 Star Shows 

Therapist Zero

#mnfringe show 23: Therapist Zero: it's...fine; a father's love letter to his daughter after going thru the wringer of an imperfect mental health system; skimps on the details; not sincere enough to be genuinely moving, not biting enough to be satire; means well but needs focus - 3.5 stars

My Top 20 List write-up on this show 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Fringe 2026 - Other Shows I’ve Seen

Here’s a list of other shows I’ve seen in this year’s festival - not exactly for me, but maybe they’re for you:

3-Star Shows

That Was Shakespeare: A Revue

#mnfringe show 28: That Was Shakespeare: A Revue - well-intentioned but awkwardly executed collection of scenes by the Bard; seemed a bit condescending; maybe needed better direction; actors each had good moments (Beatrice/Benedict a highlight) but elsewhere a lot of unnecessary screaming - 3 stars

My Fringe Top 20 List write-up on this show  

2.5 Star Shows

(none yet) 

 

 

You can find reviews of other shows in these links to my listings of 5 and 4.5 Star Shows (VERY Highly Recommended) and 4 and 3.5 Star Shows (Highly Recommended). 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.

 

  

Fringe 2026 Review - This Body, This Fruit - Overflowing with Trans Joy - 5 Stars

Review on the fly:
#mnfringe show 9: This Body, This Fruit: Davi Gray delivers poems like a conversation (granted, with better turns of phrase :) unfolding explorations of identity, gender and self in amusing, tender and thought-provoking ways; luxuriate in language for an hour, it's very refreshing - 5 stars

Just like I said above, Davi Gray’s solo Fringe show “This Body, This Fruit” was a refreshing change of pace on my schedule this festival.  When you hear “solo show by a poet,” that could go either way.  Some poets are great on the page, but less great reading their work aloud (and some poets’ work is hard to be read aloud by anyone, the poet included).  Thankfully, Davi Gray has a really open, friendly stage presence and her poems are very conversational in style.  So it’s like you’re sitting down to have a chat with her, or hear her inner thoughts.

“Sweetly suited to some other self.”

Of course, Gray is a poet, so the flow of their words is much more graceful than the average person.  All the same, the speaking of those words still feels like a casual conversation.  But the poems also provide a lot of insight into the daily experiences of living as a trans person, particularly a trans female.  There is caution, of course.  There are questions about identity and body image.  But there is also joy - at being one’s self, at fully embracing the life you were meant to live, at no longer putting limitations on yourself because of what somebody else might think.

“Every day I read stories of transition… in the Bible.”

There are also some fabulous costume changes and bursts of color from both clothing and flowers, throughout.  Sometimes there’s music during these changes in outfits, sometimes there is the voice over of another poem.  Either way the mood is kept light and lyrical and celebratory.

“Please excuse Davi from their assigned gender…”

The poet’s own words make a better case than I could, so here another random sampling of things that stood out to me in my notes:

“Always happy to share my joy.”

“What would you try if you knew you could not succeed?”

“There was more fruit in the Garden of Eden.”

“This is not a word problem.”

“Whales were once land animals
Something like an elephant.”

“You would lick your tongue raw if you could.”

“Hurricanes…
Named after every woman
Bringing them terror, and ecstasy.”

“I am sometimes slow to see the blade.”

“Lot’s wife had a name…
Whoever turns around, it’s the woman who’s damned.”

“I used not to care about my body because it was more or less abstract.”

“Never nearly enough to save us from the fire.”

“I have heard the Spirit whisper in the wind.”

“The bittersweet taste at the back of your throat
As you kneel down to pray - for me.”

“I’m not a planet
I don’t have that kind of time.”

“Sometimes we are called to do God’s work.
Sometimes we must save ourselves.”

“But I know the earth is still turning.”

Of course, there are many more lovely words and intriguing turns of phrase in Gray’s work, but they’re best in their full context, and being read aloud by the poet herself.  If you’re looking for some clever word play, "This Body, This Fruit" fits the bill. Treat yourself.

5 stars - Very Highly Recommended

 

You can find reviews of other shows in these links to my listings of 5 and 4.5 Star Shows (VERY Highly Recommended) and 4 and 3.5 Star Shows (Highly Recommended). 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.

 

  

Fringe 2026 - Day 8 in Brief

 

Thursday, August 13, 2026

#mnfringe show 35: After The End: Scot Froelich as the last person on earth makes a plea to his (imaginary) audience to appreciate the folks around you while you can, and really talk to them about what matters; well-plotted dystopian scifi with acoustic guitar, humor and deep humanity - 5 stars

My Returning Favorite write-up on this show

 

 

 

#mnfringe show 36: Is That Why?: Ari Hoptman has a dizzying array of language facts and anecdotes in his brain, and with the help of an audience member picking cue cards at random goes on a 55 minute comedic "lecture" off the top of his head; dazzling and very entertaining to watch - 5 stars

My Fringe Top 10 List write-up on this show

 
 

 

#mnfringe show 37: The Label Maker: storyteller Jena Young has been through it, to put it mildly; key stories from her personal/mental health journey highlight the challenge of getting the right diagnosis when symptoms are hard to catch and can apply to a number of different conditions - 4.5 stars

My Fringe Top 10 List write-up on this show 

  

 

 

#mnfringe show 38: Brakkesyke: 3 soldiers, a solitary cabin in the middle of winter, a circular plot in an endless war where roles and relationships evolve in unexpected ways; solid performances and presentation; not entirely sure what the point of telling this story, this way, now is - 4 stars

 

 

 

You can find reviews of other shows in these links to my listings of 5 and 4.5 Star Shows (VERY Highly Recommended) and 4 and 3.5 Star Shows (Highly Recommended). 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.