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 - The Importance of Being Eternal - Little Apple Theatre Company

A vampire take on The Importance of Being Earnest, that swaps cucumber sandwiches for a 1750 vintage Bellini Rosso Tavola Torciglioni. There’s blood; everyone’s horny. An Immortal Comedy for Lifeless People. 

  

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. 

 

 

Fringe 2026 - Returning Favorites - Narate Keys - An Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani)

[Last but not least in my blog entries on returnees from previous pre-Fringe Top 20 lists, here’s one from last year’s list, back again…]

An Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani)

Description: 
An Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani) is a musical that explores Khmer culture during the Angkorian era, where King Jayavarman VII (1181–1218) reigned with queen Jayarajadevi, Indradevi as his consort.
Venue - Southern Theater
Content Warnings - Flashing Lights
Genre and Content - Comedy, Dance (Classical, Global, Modern), Musical Theater, Original Music, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Historical Content, Kid Friendly, Religious Content
Ages 2 to 6 and Up

Thankfully the More Information tab on their show page helps to make up for my lack of knowledge of Khmer culture:

“My name is Narate Keys (playwright/producer) and I am a Khmer (pron. “khuh-MAI”) playwright from Cambodia. The Khmer are the largest ethnic group in the country of Cambodia. I am producing a musical called an Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani), which I started to write and develop in 2025. An Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani) is a historical fiction story set during the twelfth century where King Jayavarman VII finish building the Angkor Wat. There will be original songs composed by Simmi Nelson, choreographed by Lexi Wolfgram, and directed by Abraham Vue. 
 
This production is important to share the history of the Angkorian people in our Khmer community. With a population of over 100,000 Southeast Asian in Minnesota is home to one of the largest and most thriving Southeast Asian diaspora communities in the nation. We are honored to share a story to enrich our underserved community including the Hmong, Khmer, Lao and Viet diaspora communities on reclaiming language through theatre, collective storytelling working with arts markers and  with our actors, singer, producer amongst many others to bring this musical into fruition. 
 
An Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani), the musical is a passion project. I dreamt of writing about the Angkorian Kingdom and sharing the abundance of storytelling of the Khmer people. In 2013 I began thinking about going back to my homeland, Cambodia. My vision came true when I landed in Phnom Penh in 2015. After visiting Angkor Wat and exploring Siem Reap, I began my research and wrote my first musical, Apsara. I'm happy to produce another musical called an Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani). It's a family collaboration with all the cast and crews ranging from ages 5 to 46.   
 
An Earth Goddess (Preah Mae Thorani) is for all ages to enjoy.”

Last year’s production, “Aspara, the Musical” was also set in 12th century Khmer (with a modern day framing plot line surrounding it, and spirits crossing back and forth - I think, to be honest it was sometimes hard to tell what was going on).  My review on the fly at the time was:

“lightly confusing show set mostly in 12th century kingdom of Khmer but constructed and sounding like a 21st century Disney musical, which didn't seem to serve the story, the subject or the culture it was trying to convey; cast doing their best; 3 stars”

I’m assuming they learned a lot from their first outing, and this go-round will have the benefit of having been through the whole Fringe process last year.

If you’re interested in something unique, another musical from this group about a different culture in a different time will definitely be that.  There’s a cast of over a dozen, and many of the actors are kids this year.  So that’ll be a change of pace even from last year’s production.
 

 

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 - Lady Z Productions - Underserved: Recipes for Resilience

So, just yesterday I discovered this one has been transformed quite suddenly into a completely different show.

When I first pulled show information off the Fringe website and began my research for the upcoming festival, Lady Z was presenting “The Queerest Midwest Bake-off: A Murder Mystery.”  In scrolling the show listings you may recall its image of a coroner’s outline of a now removed human corpse on the ground, but drawn in sugary frosting instead of chalk.

This was a show with a different playwright, and a cast of a half dozen people.

Not sure exactly when the change happened, but it only manifested itself yesterday when I was checking in to do a bit more research ahead of jotting down this very blog post.

Now it’s

Underserved: Recipes for Resilience

Description
A baker racing against the clock to finish one final bake discovers that the most important ingredients aren't flour and butter—they're the stories that people refuse to let disappear.
Venue - Rarig Xperimental
Content Warnings - Adult Language
Genre and Content - Comedy, Drama, LGBTQIA+ Content
Ages 16 and Up

Creator (and driver behind all of Lady Z’s productions) Maureen Bourgeois, is now the only person listed on the Cast and Crew page.

So… I guess it’s a one person show she wrote and is performing now?  The synopsis only mentions a single character, though they may also be manifesting the voices of others.

Precious little information on the show page other than that, but it’s not surprising given the last minute nature of the change.

I’m sure there’s a story here I’m not privy to, but kudos for pushing ahead despite setbacks just days before the festival opens.  (Recipes for resilience, indeed.)

At least they’re in the Rarig complex, which a large part of the audience for the West Bank venues passes through on a regular basis, so they stand a better chance of being seen despite the sudden shift in plans.

 

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 - Trompe L’Oeil - Foshay! You Know The Tower – Now Hear The Story

[Because I’m a completionist, or at least am often plagued with completionist tendencies, and because the shows don’t start for another five hours yet but my Fringe vacation has already begun - at least day job-wise - and I have some time, let’s knock out these last three artists who were on previous pre-Fringe Top 20 lists and have returned again for this year’s festival.  Starting with the one I just saw a preview for last night…]

Foshay!  You Know The Tower – Now Hear The Story

Description: 
As of 1929 Wilbur Foshay was one of the richest men in the US, but the Great Depression had other plans for him. A well-loved 2023 musical that's the true story of a man who lost everything, but found himself.
Venue - Rarig Thrust
Content Warnings - None
Genre and Content - Drama, Musical Theater, Original Music, Historical Content
Ages 12 to 15 and Up

The press packet materials offer a bit more context to those of us who aren’t up on our Minneapolis/Foshay history:

“Wilbur B. Foshay was the poster child for the twenties and thirties. During the Roaring Twenties, he capitalized on a decade’s long bull-run stock market to catapult himself to lofty financial heights. At the opening of the Foshay Tower in 1929, he was at the apex of his career. Fate, however, and the Great Depression had other plans for him. When his company filed for bankruptcy, he learned his troubles were just beginning. At the lowest point in his life, Wilbur gained strength to turn his life around, and discovered by losing everything he thought was important, he was able to find himself.”

According to the Minnesota Historical Society, Foshay had a three-day grand opening celebration when his tower was completed, and then only two months later the stock market crashed.  There’s not just one but two court trials, plus some jail time before Wilbur and his partner in business (crime?) are later freed by one president and later pardoned by another.

So it’s a rags to riches and back to rags story.  

According to the More Information tab on their show page:

“For the 2026 season, we will be remounting Foshay! in a 60-minute Minnesota Fringe Festival format. The show will present 19 of the original 31 songs first featured in the 2023 World Premiere full-length production.”

If each of those songs is a minute long, that’s a third of the run time.  If they’re each three minutes long, that IS the run time.

So expected a lot of music and singing and dancing.

They’ve told the story once before in its expanded version, so they’ve had some time to fine-tune it in front of audiences, and also they probably know best how to shave the whole thing down to fit in the Fringe.

The preview was pretty impressive. The two leads, or at least the central couple of Wilbur and Leota (Landon Hudson and Elisheva Scheuer), have big, professionally trained voices.  Hudson in particular was belting his heart out, which is good, because the preview venue is also where they’re going to be performing and Rarig Thrust is a big space to fill with your voice.  The song was clever and the lyrics were fun (not always true in a Fringe musical, so that was most welcome).

Your mileage may vary in terms of how much you relate to the protagonist being a guy who got rich buying up utility companies that other people still ran for him.  But even in this one scene, it’s clear the musical is trying to get you to empathize with the guy, and he’s hardly the first problematic “hero” of a musical.

I do have to hand it to the folks of Trompe L’Oeil - they’re constantly pushing themselves to create new plays and musicals, often with a basis in historical fact, and get them up on their feet on stage for people to see whenever the Fringe lottery ping pong balls roll their way (with an uninterrupted streak between 2013 and 2019, and then again every year since 2024). They use the Fringe as the platform it was designed to be, an incubator for new works of theater.

 

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 11-20 - #20 - Davi Gray - This Body, This Fruit

This Body, This Fruit
 
Description:
This Body, This Fruit is a solo performance in 3 acts: a narrative journey built from poetry bringing the audience into, through, & out of the rage, sorrow, despair, revelation, awakening, & joy of transness.
Venue – Mixed Blood
Content Warnings – Adult Language, Flashing Lights, Loud Noises, Sexual Content, Suicidal Ideation/Self-Harm
Genre and Content – LGBTQIA+ Content, Solo Show, Spoken Word, Drama, Storytelling, Religious Content
Ages 12 to 15 and Up

This one’s an even more last minute addition, replacing another dropout, than either the puppet show or the ukulele gal I’ve previously written up.

Scheduling alert, they also have the very first slot on the festival schedule on Thursday, 8/6 at 5:30pn, so they could use an audience to kick off the Fringe with.  It’s also one of the BFF performances, so Bring A Friend to Fringe while you’re at it :)   After that, they’ve got a Friday show, and then nothing until their final three performances all on closing weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

And it’s not just recency bias or the idea of a shiny new object appearing in the listings.  I am once again immediately drawn to the queerness and poetry of it all.

Davi Gray just got done presenting this show last month at Phoenix Theater, and now it’s crossing town to the Mixed Blood stage for the Fringe.

The More Information tab thankfully has some additional information to go on (as well as a voluminous listing of their countless audience reviews from the Phoenix run, which you can read for yourself if you like, I won’t copy and paste them all here :) - suffice it to say they are all quite glowing, which bodes well):

“A one-person show in three acts, “This Body, This Fruit” is a singular journey through gender transition / revelation. Deeply emotional and personal yet inclusive, the play wrestles with bodily and spiritual questions faced by every human, while embracing transgender lives in all their complexity, sorrow, and joy. The work engages viewers and asks them questions about their own lives, whatever their gender(s), as it moves through the prismatic doors of a lifelong pilgrimage toward the self.

My name is Davi Gray, and my pronouns are she and they. I'm a trans nonbinary woman, and I'm a poet and performer, and I've brought all these things together to build one small world for you to journey through for just under an hour. I hope you haven't already run away at the word "poet" - I know many, maybe most, people have ideas about poetry that may be carried over from bad high school experiences, or an accidental too-slow reading of rhymed couplets  about different shades of green beneath flickering lights surrounded by shelves of slightly dusty books, but that is not the poetry I bring here.

It's easy for me to say nice things about my show - I'm the writer, after all - and I don't want you to be afraid of my built-in bias. (If I didn't love this show, I wouldn't be performing it!)”

Gray’s bio provides illumination on the piece from a different angle: 

“Davi Gray (she/they) is a queer, trans, nonbinary poet, writer, performer, multihyphenate artist, activist, and abolitionist. They live in Bde Óta Othúŋwe (Minneapolis) on unceded Dakhóta lands, where she works through the ReEntry Lab to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration with literary and arts communities ready to receive them. Davi has work published in Poetry, Water~Stone Review, Hayden’s Ferry Review, Rogue Agent, and elsewhere, and can often be found performing around the Twin Cities. Her first poetry collection, This Body, This Fruit, will be published by Trio House Press in February 2027. You can find more on Davi and her work, including publications and upcoming events, at DaviGray.com.”

In the current societal climate it takes even more fortitude to put yourself out there that it might have even a year or so ago, so if a trans artist is taking the stage, I want to be supportive.  And last minute additions to the festival need more of a boost than most, so they get the #20 slot this year. 

 

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 - #10 - Little Apple Theatre Company - The Importance of Being Eternal

The Importance of Being Eternal 

Description
A vampire take on The Importance of Being Earnest, that swaps cucumber sandwiches for a 1750 vintage Bellini Rosso Tavola Torciglioni. There’s blood; everyone’s horny. An Immortal Comedy for Lifeless People.
Venue – Open Eye Theatre
Content Warnings – Blood, Flashing Lights, Gun/Weapon Usage, Loud Noises, Violence
Genre and Content – Comedy, Literary Adaptation
Ages 16 and Up

There’s not a lot of information on their show page on the Fringe site other than the basics.

The press packet materials had a tiny bit more:

“We're dishing out a main course of typical Victorian yearning with a side of blood ritual. Expect a fresh (s)take on a beloved comedy so raw it's bloody. Perfect for fans of all things farcical, fang-ical, and Fringe-ical. A vampire spin on The Importance of Being Earnest, that swaps cucumber sandwiches for a 1750 vintage Bellini Rosso Tavola Torciglioni. There’s blood; everyone’s hot. An Immortal Comedy for Lifeless People.”

They do have an Instagram account with the tag line “theater that is weird and substantial to the core” (yes, that's an apple joke)

There are a couple of photos on the upcoming Fringe outing, but most of the account is about the show they literally just did, closing this past weekend (just missed it), a queer take on Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (which I know sounds redundant, but the original is, despite its author, very heterosexual, whereas this recent production apparently was very much not).

Little Apple Theatre Company is a brand new group.  They don’t specifically identify as a queer theater company, though they’re pretty queer coming out of the gate with Earnest.

And now they’re doing the Oscar Wilde play again, but this time with a vampire twist.

They’re have a very busy summer of comedy.

I’m curious to see what they’re about.

 

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 - Melancholics Anonymous - Watership Down

Melancholics Anonymous is on a roll, both in the Fringe community and throughout the rest of the year producing theater (The Last Menagerie and Worm Teeth) and new play readings as well, so they hardly need any help from me. (I was late to the game, after all, since they didn’t pop up on a pre-Fringe Top 10 list for me until just last year :)

What do you do to follow up the award-winning hit Fringe show, Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA?

Well, naturally, you take a nearly 500-page dystopian novel published in 1972 about a group of rabbits, plagued by horrific visions of the future, who go on a quest to find a new, safer home (the animated film adaptation of which traumatized a whole generation of children) and turn it into a musical.

(Hey, it’s a show full of rabbits’ feet, most of which are still actually attached to the characters of living rabbits, so this show is probably the luckiest one in the Fringe.)

Watership Down

Description: 
Digger. Listener. Runner. A small band of rabbits embark on a perilous journey to find a new home in this adventurous folk musical adaption of the classic children’s novel.
Venue - Rarig Thrust
Content Warnings - Violence
Genre and Content - Drama, Musical Theater, Original Music, Puppetry, Physical Theater, Storytelling, Kid Friendly, Ltierary Adaptation
Ages 7 to 11 and Up

The trailer is, unsurprisingly, a knock-out.

 

You now know the vibe of the show you’re in for.  

Frankly, I’m fascinated with how the adaptation plays out in a compressed Fringe time slot.  Melancholics has worked wonders before, cramming more content into an hour than other Fringe shows dare to try, and this is clearly a labor of love like all their quirky, often dark, comedies are, so I’m fully expecting them to pull this off in fine style.  The core company members and the outside artists they bring in on each project always seem to collaborate well together which is an impressive way to show how a company can share and expand its vision.

The press packet materials add a bit more detail:

“Rabbits go on a quest for survival in this new folk musical adaption of a classic children’s novel.

After eight consecutive years at Minnesota Fringe, local company Melancholics Anonymous (Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA, A Girl Scout’s Guide to Exorcism) returns with the first-ever musical adaptation of Richard Adams’s beloved novel Watership Down, with original folk music by Bee Davis. Developed under special arrangement with the Adams Estate, this bold world premiere follows Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and their fellow rabbits as they fight to find and forge a new home in this classic tale of resilience, courage, and community.”

The More Information tab on their show page has a bit more still:

“‘All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you... Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.’
 
From the company that brought you Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA and A Girl Scout’s Guide to Exorcism comes a new, daring folk musical adaption of Richard Adams’s classic, best-selling novel, Watership Down. 
 
Adapted for the stage by Rachel Ropella and Timothy Kelly, with original music and lyrics by Bee Davis. This stage adaptation is presented by special arrangement with Watership Down Enterprises Limited.
 
Melancholics Anonymous, winner of seven MN Fringe awards (including three Audience Pick awards), is thrilled to return for their 8th year in a row! Established at St. Olaf College in 2019 and now based in the Twin Cities, Melancholics is an independent theater company dedicated to creating eccentric original works and championing new play development."

 

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 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 Top 11-20 - #18 - be-Creative (Brian Leonard) - Therapist Zero

Therapist Zero – be-Creative (Brian Leonard)

Description:
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.
Venue – Southern Theater
Content Warnings – Adult Language, Mental Illness
Genre and Content – Solo Show, Comedy, Spoken Word, Storytelling
Ages 18 and Up Only

With this one, it’s the pedigree.

From San Francisco to off-Broadway to the UK, and now to Minneapolis.

Glowing reviews all around, which you can find both in the show image and on the More Information tab on their show page on the Fringe site.

The press packet materials have this expansion on the synopsis:

"What happens when the experts don’t have answers? In Therapist Zero, former stand-up comic Brian Leonard uses humor and brutal honesty to chronicle two decades raising a brilliant but emotionally explosive daughter through 28 therapists, while confronting the long shadow of his own unconventional childhood. Both funny and deeply human, the show explores parenting, masculinity, mental health, and the difficult work of breaking generational cycles."

Then the More Information tab goes further:

“Therapist Zero is an unflinching, darkly funny solo performance about raising a brilliant but troubled daughter, and the endless revolving door of therapists who couldn’t help her. Written and performed by Leonard and directed by Ken Sonkin, the piece traces a decades-long journey through misdiagnoses, meltdowns, and moments of unexpected grace.

Along the way, Leonard reflects on his own chaotic childhood: smoking by 2nd grade, being left at home at age five for a family trip to Niagara Falls, and how that upbringing shaped the parent he became. 
Following its San Francisco premiere, the show was selected as a Critics’ Pick by the San Francisco Chronicle, and resonated strongly with audiences, including parents, mental health professionals, and fellow artists, who praised its candid storytelling and emotional impact. Audiences have hailed the piece as “funny, vulnerable, and captivating.”  TheaterMania praises the show for its “…unflinching honesty, warmth, and wit;” and SFFringe calls Therapist Zero “…an absolute gem of a show! Leonard takes the audience on an unforgettable journey.”  

Therapist Zero is a sharp, darkly funny critique of the mental health industry wrapped inside a deeply moving story of a father desperate to help his daughter. Instead of a standard chronological monologue, the show functions as a beautifully braided narrative: intertwining my daughter Emily's struggles, a relentless procession of therapists, my own childhood memories of benign neglect, and present-day reflections. It’s part stand-up, part dramatic memoir, and completely unsparing of both the mental health system and myself. Therapist Zero has played to sold-out houses off-Broadway, the San Francisco Fringe and the Brighton (UK) Fringe. The show has resonated deeply with both critics and audiences.”

Then there’s the bios of the writer/performer and director:

"Brian Leonard
Writer and Performer


Brian Leonard is a writer, performer, and storyteller whose career spans stand-up comedy, television, theater, and animation. A veteran of the stand-up circuit in the 1980s and 1990s, Brian appeared on numerous TV comedy shows, earning praise as “…one of San Francisco’s most intelligent and funniest comedians” (San Jose Mercury News). As an actor, he’s appeared in films like Bottle Shock and Bee Season, TV shows including Nash Bridges and David E. Kelly’s Girls Club, and regional theater productions from San Francisco Shakespeare and TheaterWorks, among others. His writing credits include writing and directing for Ellen DeGeneres, Jason Sudeikis, and Mindy Kaling; writing for BBC Radio’s The Treatment, and story consulting for Pixar Animation. He’s also had an animated series optioned by NBC/Universal. Brian’s work has been honored with a Silver Hugo from the Chicago International Film Festival, and his writing for a UK campaign to de-stigmatize fertility issues was recognized by the Webby Awards. With a background in both performance and writing, Brian brings humor, heart, and sharp storytelling to the stage in Therapist Zero, his first solo show. 

Ken Sonkin
Director


Ken Sonkin is an award-winning actor and director with an extensive career on stages throughout the Bay Area and beyond, including American Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Rep, San Francisco Playhouse, The Magic Theatre, and Z Space. His regional credits include The Denver Center Theatre Company, Grove Shakespeare Festival, and Pacific Resident Theater in Los Angeles. A seasoned performer and director, Ken has collaborated with acclaimed playwrights such as Oliver Goldstick, Brian Thorstenson, and Lynne Kaufman. He has served on the acting faculty at American Conservatory Theater and taught at Northwestern, Stanford, and The National Theatre Conservatory. Ken is currently a professor at the University of San Francisco, where he teaches acting and directing and has helmed productions of Angels in America: Perestroika, Metamorphoses, and Tartuffe. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and SAG-AFTRA."

There doesn’t seem to be a downside to giving this one a shot.  I’m not anti-therapy myself, the two times I needed it in my life, it REALLY helped me, but I’m not averse to listening to someone who seems to have had a lot more challenges with the system.

 

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 - #8 - Levani (Jordan Rooks) - A Magician

A Magician

Description:
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.
Venue – Open Eye Theatre
Content Warnings – Abuse/Physical Violence
Genre and Content – Solo Show, Storytelling, Magic, Drama, Audience Participation
Ages 16 and Up

If there’s a magic show in the Fringe in any given year, I tend to be drawn to it - partly out of curiosity, partly just wanting a change of pace in my entertainment diet.

Not a lot to go on here other than this little additional snippet from the press packet materials:

“A Magician is the life memoir of Las Vegas Jordan Rooks, growing up in cornfields of Indiana to working in Las Vegas at 13. Come be part of a magic show like you've never experienced before!”

No bio, just a listing for Jordan Rooks, Artist.

There’s a 5-star rave of “Pure Magic!” from Broadway World that’s part of the show image.

And then there’s also another quote:

“Jordan’s story is magic to the fullest.  He puts his life on a thread, and it’s a beautiful thing” - Taylor Swift

I have to be honest, my first reaction was, “Is that a joke?”  Like a fake quote along the lines of “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet” - Abraham Lincoln

Or is it ironic?

Or is it an actual quote from Taylor Swift after she really attended Jordan’s show in Vegas?

I’m outside looking in on most of the information regarding one of the most well-documented celebrities in recent memory.  I’m sure a Swifty could tell me.

Whatever the provenance of that quote is, it doesn’t dissuade me from seeing the magic show this year.

Your mileage may vary. 

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 - DallaDanna Productions - Improvised Love is Blind: Minnesota Fringe Edition

I’m not sure exactly why I didn’t blog on this one earlier, back when I highlighted the return of Sean Dillon this year with the Improv Movement Project.   Michael DallaValle, who’s one of the drivers behind this other show, partnered up with Sean on “Final Dress” which was on my pre-Fringe Top 10 list last year.

Improvised Love is Blind – Minnesota Fringe Edition – DallaDanna Productions (Michael DallaValle & Danna Sheridan)

Description
The improvised version of the hit Netflix dating show, Love Is Blind. All of the fun. None of the toxicity.
Venue – Strike Theater
Content Warnings – Adult Language, Crude Humor
Genre and Content – Improv, Comedy, Audience Participation
Ages 16 and Up

Not a lot of context here, outside of this bit of extra info on the origin of the show in the press packet materials:

“The improvised Love Is Blind show stems from Danna Sheridan and Michael DallaValle (the directors and also two of the performers in the ensemble of six imrprovisers) hate-watching the hit Netflix series, and Danna saying, "Hey, we should do an improvised version of this. Michael laughed this off, bit after three successful sold out runs, it seems Danna was on to something.”

So they’ve been at this concept for a bit, fine-tuning it with audiences, and now it’s the Fringe’s turn.

No elaboration on the Cast and Crew tab or More Information tab, just a simple listing of names and roles.

You know the concept, you know it’s improv comedy, that’s kind of all you need to know to figure out whether you’re going to like it or not.

If you enjoy a lot of heterosexual nonsense, as in the original, or want to justly see it lampooned, they have a show for you :) 

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 11-20 - #17 - The Redmond Players (aka, Technically Thespians) - That Was Shakespeare: A Revue

That Was Shakespeare: A Revue

Description:
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.
Venue – Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Content Warnings – Abuse/Physical Violence, Flashing Lights, Gun/Weapon Usage, Loud Noises, Violence
Genre and Content – Comedy, Drama, Puppetry, Kid Friendly, Shakespearian Elements
Ages 12 to 15 and Up

OK, this theater company’s website is the kind of rabbit hole I could go down and dig around in for a while so I need to stop myself and just write something, since there’s still quite a bit of Fringe ground to cover before opening night of the festival on Thursday.

Here’s the short version from their press packet materials (before I went further researching on the internet):

“A reluctant teen meets Shakespeare the hard way: one iconic scene at a time.

The Redmond Players (aka Technically Thespians), a Seattle-based volunteer troupe of software engineers and tech workers now in its second year, makes its Fringe debut with That Was Shakespeare. Created entirely after hours between full-time jobs, the original production grew from a simple problem: the troupe wanted to stage something ambitious, but had no budget or licensing money. Co-writers Lauren Go and Jake Mattinson turned to Shakespeare’s public-domain works instead, building an original narrator-led comedy that offers modern skeptics a fast-paced crash course to the Bard.”

The More Information tab on their show page on the Fringe site says:

“Technically Thespians is a collective of tech professionals from the Greater Seattle area who share a passion for making theater. We strive to provide a space for artistic expression and collaboration, bringing together diverse talents to create compelling theatrical experiences.”

Then it made the mistake of giving me multiple links to check out and so, of course, I did.

For some reason, their LinkedIn page came up for me in Hebrew, so I skipped past that for now until I can figure out what’s wrong with my LinkedIn settings :)

But the posts on their Instagram and Facebook profiles are kind of abdorable.

Their website has an alternate synopsis for their traveling show…

"Shakespeare, from A to Gen Z."
 
“Sixteen-year-old Connie thinks Shakespeare belongs in the past. Her Shakespeare-obsessed Uncle Ford knows better — and drags her through the Bard's greatest hits to prove it. Comedy, tragedy, romance, and every everyday phrase Shakespeare snuck into your vocabulary without you noticing.
 
We're packing up our inaugural production and bringing it from Seattle to the Minnesota Fringe Festival — half the length, twice the pace, reworked for a tight traveling ensemble. Connie resists. Ford persists. You decide who wins.”

The history of the troupe for some reason just fascinated me, because this is apparently the second iteration of this idea:

“A COLLECTIVE OF TECH PROFESSIONALS UNITED BY A LOVE OF MAKING THEATRE AND QUESTIONABLE CALENDAR DECISIONS.

Technically Thespians is a 501 c3 nonprofit theater troupe made up of tech professionals who somehow decided that after a full day of technical problem-solving, the best way to scratch that creative itch was to make theatre together. We’re a community built on collaboration, creativity, and the belief that telling stories makes us better humans — at work and beyond. We bring engineers, designers, PMs, and everyone in between into the joyful chaos of creation, one post-work rehearsal at a time.

The original Microsoft Theater Troupe made its mark in the 1990s, creating a vibrant arts community on campus for nearly a decade before logistical challenges brought that era to a close in the early 2000s. Their legacy left a meaningful footprint — a reminder that theatre and tech folks have always mixed better than people think.

In Fall 2024, a new group of employees — inspired by that earlier chapter but not directly connected to it — began gathering for table reads, casual meetups, and a renewed sense that theatre after work could (and should) exist again. That momentum led to our first full production in October 2025, That Was Shakespeare: A Revue, an original show that sold out multiple performances, powered a successful GIVE campaign, and brought together a passionate, tight-knit ensemble eager to keep creating.

Technically Thespians honor the legacy of the original troupe as this revival begins its own story — a new community, a new generation of theatre-makers, and a second act we’re just beginning to build.”

And their Cast and Crew tab on the Fringe site is sprinkled with phrases such as:

“Varika is the friend pulling everyone onto the dance floor and travel-enthusiast, so she's excited and grateful to perform at Fringe. She's been going around saying, "We are on tour, people!" 

“This marks her 3rd production with the Redmond Players (aka Technically Thespians), where she has grown from an emergency costume maker into the troupe's Prop and Costume Master.”

“His most controversial opinions are that cats are better than dogs and that IPAs are the Jello fruit cake of beer.”

“If you see the scamp, feel free to ask him about anything and everything! “

“Here she plays Beatrice and Macduff — one who fights with words, one who fights with everything else.”

“Though her character Connie may make fun of theater nerds, Tina the actress unabashedly identifies as one.”

“Now, she’s stepping out from backstage and into the spotlight at Minnesota Fringe… because theater kids never really leave the stage.”

I’ll be honest, I’m just going purely on vibes here, but all of the above really makes me want to give this show a shot. 

 

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 - #7 - Ari Hoptman - Is That Why?

Is That Why?

Description
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!
Venue – American School of Storytelling
Content Warnings – None
Genre and Content – Solo Show, Spoken Word, Storytelling
Ages 12 to 15 and Up

Ari Hoptman had a Fringe preview that was a perfect, funny, nerdy encapsulation of the kind of show he’s putting on this year:

So if that’s your kind of humor (it’s certainly mine), you know what show to put on your schedule

His press packet materials give a bit more context:

“Actor and playwright Ari Hoptman returns to the Fringe in a fast-paced show that explores the mysteries of language, even ones that don't really need to be solved. If you're interested in funky word origins or how ancient formulas affect the way we pronounce things or how Biblical puns influenced medical science, this might be the place to get your groove on. Every show will be different. No prior knowledge of anything required; no test at the end.”

The More Information tab on his show page on the Fringe website also gives a bit more detail:

“How do words end up as they are?  Why do we use them as we do? How have other languages affected English and why are we OK with that? And why is grammar hard anyway? These topics, as well as others that are far less important, may well come up in this fun and fast-moving show – specific items to be determined each time by one audience member.”

Now, if you take a look at Ari’s bio:

“Ari Hoptman is an actor, playwright, comedian, and university lecturer who is delighted to be back at the Minnesota Fringe. His previous Fringe shows include "Hello, I Must Be Going" (as Groucho Marx); "The Princeton Seventh," "The Harty Boys and the Case of the Limping Platypus"; and "Dang! The Ari Hoptman All Request Show." His appearances elsewhere include "The Odd Couple" (as Felix), "Sisters of Swing!," "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," "Born Yesterday,""Last of the Red-Hot Lovers," "Biloxi Blues," "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," and the Coen Brothers film "A Serious Man." In his academic life, he (voluntarily) spent a couple of years examining stresses in ancient German poetry, but yeah, you really don't want to know more about that. Ari is pleased to be co-producing his show with Ben San Del, whose Fringe show is "Apologies for the Late Reply."

You may be well be wondering, how the heck has Ari Hoptman not been on my pre-Fringe Top 10 list before now.

I, too, was wondering, so much so that I did a name search on the blog just to be sure because, how the heck did I miss this (much like a previous entry on this year’s Top 10).

Turns out, I *almost* did.  Just missed it.  Way back in 2004, only my second year as a blogger, back when it was still housed on the Fringe website, before it got passed off to the Twin Cities Daily Planet and then finally I got set loose to freelance on my own here, back in 2004, I didn’t have a Top 20 yet.  I was still trying to hold myself just to a Top 10 as I had in my first year on the blog, but even back then I was till full to bursting with ideas for other shows I couldn’t quite squeeze into the Top 10 slots but couldn’t resist talking about or recommending.  And wouldn’t you know, there in the top spot on my secondary list, Ari Hoptman.  If I’d had a Top 20, he would have been in the 11 slot.

But we need to do this properly, and Ari deserves to be inside the actual Top 10, not outside.  So here, finally, we’ve addressed this oversight on my part.

Since language is an inexhaustible resource, with LOTS of material from which to choose, each performance will be different.  So you could nerd out on words more than once this Fringe and not be repeating yourself.

And just like his co-producer Ben San Del’s show “Apologies for the Late Reply,” Ari Hoptman’s “Is That Why?” Is indeed a very good reason why one should get out to the American School of Storytelling venue and get some laughs in the Fringe diet.

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

Where you put that comma in the title makes all the difference…

I’m Afraid, I Have To Leave

Description: 
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!
Venue - Mixed Blood
Content Warnings - Adult language, Gun/weapon usage, Loud Noises, Violence
Genre and Content - Comedy, Horror
Ages 12 to 15 and Up

Joking Apart Theater is another returnee from last year’s pre-Fringe Top 20 list, and just like last year’s show, “The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch,” it looks like we’re in for another unsettling time, if only based on that blood spattered knife next to that lovely plate of Rice Krispie bars in the show’s publicity image.

Also, the show’s Cast and Crew tab lists a Fight Choreographer, the Genres listed are both Comedy and Horror, and the content warnings include Gun/Weapon Usage, Loud Noises and Violence, which make the Adult Language warning seem like the most innocuous of the bunch.

Just like last year’s show had a protagonist stuck in a loop, this year’s characters may also be trapped in another unending ritual that keeps looping back on itself, the infamous “Minnesota Goodbye” (the More Information tab for the show has a link to a handy comedic example of this tradition)

The press packet materials have variations on the show description:

“A never-ending evening with Ole and Lena? A hostage situation? A Cthulhu murder cult? Or is it just another dinner with your folks? The Twilight Zone meets The Minnesota Goodbye.

Minnesota Goodbye meets The Twilight Zone.  From writer/actor, Edwin Strout, who brought you "That's MISTER Benchley To You, Mrs. Parker" in 2003, and last year's "The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch!"

If you’re looking for social discomfort cranked up to 11, this may be your show :)

 

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.