San Diego International Fringe Festival returns this week, with a slightly scaled-down version of the annual indie theater event taking place in eight locations around San Diego from Thursday through May 25.
Launched in downtown San Diego in 2013, San Diego’s Fringe fest was inspired by the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which has spawned offshoots all over the globe since its founding in 1947.
Fringe was born when eight theatrical groups showed up uninvited to the Scottish city’s famous Edinburgh International Festival and were forced to find random places to perform — basements, stores and alleys — on the fringes of the main festival. Today, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest event of its kind in the world, with more than 500 acts performing during a five-week period each summer.
In its early years, San Diego’s Fringe festival grew to include up to 90 different acts performing in downtown venues centered around the Spreckels Theatre and Horton Plaza. But in 2019, the festival was forced to find a new home due to construction at Horton Plaza and the impending sale of the Spreckels Theatre. Over the past few years, the festival has expanded to multiple venues citywide. This year, Lightbox Theatre at Liberty Station will offer five dance-themed shows and two side-by-side church venues in Lincoln Park will offer more than 15 solo shows.
This year’s Fringe features artists and performance companies from San Diego, Las Vegas, Nevada, New York, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Australia. Festival founder and CEO Kevin Charles Patterson said welcoming groups from around the world has always been a festival hallmark. And next year, the festival will host the World Fringe Congress, bringing global Fringe leaders together to shape the future of Fringe festivals worldwide.
As always, the Fringe’s eclectic lineup will features a mix of shows themed for everyone, from small children to mature audiences. Shaun Davis, the festival’s producing director, described the lineup as a “celebration of bold voices and fearless creativity.”
Show tickets this year are $13, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the artists. There are discounts for multi-show purchases, and all Fringe-goers are also required to purchase a $7 Fringe tag to attend this year’s performances.
To get a free taste of Fringe, a preview night event offering snippets of multiple shows at 7 p.m. May 13 at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre, 2130 Pan American Road, in Balboa Park.
Here’s the lineup of this year’s shows listed by the venue in alphabetical order. All shows are 60 minutes or less.
Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., Balboa Park
“Alteration”: This world premiere contemporary acrobatic show uses movement, juggling and fashion to explore themes of self expression and personal growth. 6 and 10:30 p.m. May 23; 1 and 7:30 p.m. May 24; 6 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/alteration
“The Crystal Kingdom”: Described as a solo narrative tell by a San Diego storyteller, it’s about a rule-bound kingdom where someone upsets the balance to help others be free. 7:30 p.m. May 19; 9 p.m. May 21; 7:30 p.m. May 23; 2:30 p.m. May 24; 4 p.m. May 25. Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. sdfringe.org/events/the-crystal-kingdom
“I Killed Iphigenia: A Trans Drag Perspective”: This long-form drag show by four genderqueer artists uses the Greek myth Iphigenia (who was sacrificed by her father Agamemnon to ensure strong winds to sail to Troy) to explore themes of trans-masculinity to the desire to kill part of one’s self. Show contains references to self-harm and partial nudity. 6 p.m. May 20; 7:30 p.m. May 21; 4 and 10:30 p.m. May 24; 1 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/i-killed-iphigenia
“Perchance to Dream”: Classical actor Anatasha Blakely and cirque clown Jet Eveleth perform this mix of improv, clowning and theater inspired by fantastical worlds and pitiful characters. 7:30 p.m. May 20; 6 p.m. May 21; 9 p.m. May 22; 6 p.m. May 24 sdfringe.org/events/perchance-to-dream
“Pretty Beast”: Award-winning solo performer Kazu presents her comedy-drama about growing up in Japan with a schizophrenic, alcoholic dad and society sexism, and discovering her voice and purpose in comedy. For ages 14 and up. 6 p.m. May 15; 2:30 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 21; 9 p.m. May 23; 1 p.m. May 24. https://sdfringe.org/events/pretty-beast/
“Rince Panic”: No description was provided for this group dance show. 9 p.m. May 19; 7:30 p.m. May 22; 9 p.m. May 23; 11:30 a.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/rince-panic
“Smile: The Story of Charlie Chaplin”: Australian Fringe artist Marcel Cole, a former ballet dancer and now actor-clown, presents his multi-award-winning one-hour show about the life and physical comedy of the “Little Tramp.” 6 p.m. May 19; 9 p.m. May 20; 6 p.m. May 22; 9 p.m. May 24; 2:30 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/smile-the-story-of-charlie-chaplin
The Chrysalis: Monarch Center for the Arts, 1805 Main St., San Diego
“Alisha’s Light”: This world premiere spoken word and poetry tale take the audience along on a journey through a post-40s trans woman’s first year of transition. 7:30 p.m. May 17; 2:30 and 6 p.m. May 18; 7:30 p.m. May 24; 2:30 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/alishas-light
“Así Sueno México”: Baja Vocalis Ensamble presents its “Voices of Mexico” choral concert featuring songs like “La Martiniana”, “El Feo” and “Bésame mucho.” 1 and 9 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 18; 1 and 6 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/asi-suena-mexico
“Cirque du Fils”: This comedy show performed by a clown is a funny take on loss, desperation and forgiveness. 7:30 p.m. May 16; 6 p.m. May 17; 1 p.m. May 18; 2:30 p.m. May 24; 4 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/cirque-du-fils
“The Last Census”: This musical comedy/video mashup features outrageous tales from census gatherers past and, hopefully, future. The world premiere play was co-created by Asian Story Theater, Teatro Máscara Mágica and Umoja Theatre. 6 p.m. May 16; 4 p.m. May 17; 9 p.m. May 18; 1 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/the-last-census
“Pandora’s Boombox”: This nonverbal dance and physical theater performance for all ages features two silent clowns epically mes plans to build utopia. 9 p.m. May 16; 2:30 p.m. May 17; 4 p.m. May 18; 4 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/pandoras-boombox
Light Box Theatre, 2950 Truxtun Road, #205, Liberty Station, San Diego.
“First ”: In this world premiere audience-interactive comedy play, the audience helps decide whether to use diplomacy or violence to make first with an extraterrestrial species. 9 p.m. May 15; 7:30 p.m. May 16; 10:30 p.m. May 17; 6 p.m. May 20; 7:30 p.m. May 22. https://sdfringe.org/events/first-
“Fr3sty13”: This “Hip Hopera” starring San Diego singer Yvonne Shine is the story of San Diego Black female working to overcome the effects of trauma and seek peace and joy. 2:30 p.m. May 15; 4 and 9 p.m. May 17; 6 p.m. May 21; 9 p.m. May 22. sdfringe.org/events/fre3sty13/
“Husk/Vessel”: Kairos Dance Theater and choreographer Paula Josa-Jones have created this group dance piece about how we shape images of self and others and how our clothing and environment affect our perception and movement. 6 p.m. May 16; 7:30 p.m. May 17; 9 p.m. May 20; 10:30 p.m. May 21. sdfringe.org/events/husk-vessel/
Makani Kai: This San Diego-based Polynesian dance troupe performs the dances of Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand and Samoa. 7:30 p.m. May 15; 10:30 p.m. May 16; 6 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 21; 1 p.m. May 21.sdfringe.org/events/makani-kai
“One Pie at a Time”: This world premiere collaborative theatrical dance performance is told from feminine perspectives about the male gaze, body image, assumed gender roles and impossible beauty standards. 9 p.m. May 16; 7:30 p.m. May 20; 9 p.m. May 21; 10:30 p.m. May 22; 11:30 a.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/one-pie-at-a-time
Marie Hitchcock Puppet There, 2130 Pan American Road, Balboa Park
“Baby Baby Baby”: This world premiere play by Connie Harris tells this tense and poetic story of a young woman and her older partner as they prepare for the birth of a child. 6 p.m. May 16; 1 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 19; 9 p.m. May 24; 6 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/baby-baby-baby
“The Bitch that Robbed Christmas”: This sassy world premiere solo play offers a contemporary and funny twist on a holiday classic. 6 p.m. May 17; 9 p.m. May 18; 7:30 p.m. May 23; 10:30 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/the-bitch-that-robbed-christmas
Confess Your Sins to Kid Goblin Improv: The San Diego improv comedy team Kid Golin will ask the audience to share their deepest secrets and sins for skit material. 9 p.m. May 15; 7:30 p.m. May 17; 6 p.m. May 18; 9 p.m. May 19; 6 p.m. May 21. sdfringe.org/events/kid-goblin-improv-show
“Holy O”: In this award-winninng solo play, Houston playwright-actor Lauren Hance plays Vera, a woman who wants to be a nun but can’t let go of her past or her vibrators. She enlists the audience as saints who will offer her guidance on her exploration of body, spirit and sexuality. 7:30 p.m. May 15; 9 p.m. May 17; 1 p.m. May 18; 7:30 p.m. May 22; 10:30 p.m. May 23. sdfringe.org/events/holy-o
“It’s a Magic Show Damnit!”: Chase the Entertainer does sleight-of-hand magic, even with a condition that makes his hands shake. He also make dumb jokes. What could possibly go wrong? 6 p.m. May 19; 7:30 p.m. May 20; 9 p.m. May 22; 7:30 p.m. May 24; 1 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/its-a-magic-show-damnit
“Mom! WTF!!”: Written and performed by Carol Johnson, the world premiere comedy is about surviving the trauma our mothers inflict on us. 7:30 p.m. May 16; 9 p.m. May 20; 6 p.m. May 23; 2:30 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/mom-wtf
“Oz Magic Parody Show”: Magician Jordan Rooks presents the world premiere of this magical parody show inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” 10:30 p.m. May 15; 2:30 p.m. May 18; 6 p.m. May 20; 4 p.m. May 24; 4 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/0z
“The Vamp Storytelling Showcase”: So Say We All, a San Diego nonprofit that helps people write and tell their own stories, presents new works by writer-performers. 10:30 p.m. May 16; 4 p.m. May 18; 9 p.m. May 21; 6 p.m. May 22. sdfringe.org/events/the-vamp-storytelling-showcase
“Wage Against the Machine”: Australian comedian and storyteller Matt Harvey explores the angry world of working in a minimum-wage customer service job. 9 p.m. May 16; 10:30 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 18; 6 p.m. May 24; 2:30 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/matt-harvey-wage-against-the-machine
New Destiny, 4931 Logan Ave., Suite 102, San Diego
“Do Better”: This world premiere dramatic comedy magic show explores relationships, abuse, suicide and other things. 7:30 p.m. May 15; 4 p.m. May 17; 9 p.m. May 18; 7:30 p.m. May 23; 4 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/do-better
“Faking It”: Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Comedian Olivia Raine Atwood shares her true story of evaluating New York City hospitals during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by posing as a sick patient. 9 p.m. May 15; 10:30 p.m. May 17; 9 p.m. May 19; 6 p.m. May 24; 4 p.m. May 25. https://sdfringe.org/events/faking-it
“Guns for Jesus”: Stand-up comic Clayton Smith stars in this one-man play about growing up in gun- and God-loving Arizona and the culture shock of moving to New York City. 7:30 p.m. May 16; 4 p.m. May 18; 7:30 p.m. May 19; 6 p.m. May 22; 9 p.m. May 23. sdfringe.org/events/clayton-smith-guns-for-jesus
“I Blame Florida”: Writer-performer Kelly Spilman presents her laugh-filled autobiographical solo play about fighting and surviving stage 4 colon cancer. 10:30 p.m. May 16. 9 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 20; 2:30 p.m. May 24; 6 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/i-blame-florida
“Nighttime Julianne”: Writer-performer Lani Gobaleza presents this world premiere solo rumination play about a woman contemplating what it means to truly live on the eve of her 35th birthday. 6 p.m. May 15; 2:30 p.m. May 17; 6 p.m. May 19; 9 p.m. May 22; 7:30 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/nighttime-julianne
“Oy, What They Said About Love”: Bay Area actor Steve Budd stars in this solo play where he plays nearly a dozen people he has interviewed talking about how they met their soulmate and why they stay together. 9 p.m. May 16; 6 p.m. May 17; 9 p.m. May 20; 6 p.m. May 23. sdfringe.org/events/oy-what-they-said-about-love
PseudoRandomNoise Improv’s The Experience!: This Southern California improv comedy team will create unique skits from audience suggestions. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 18; 11:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/pseudorandomnoise-improv-the-experience
“Sonnets from Suburbia”: Penny Peyser presents her one-woman, one-act play with music featuring “Lady Penelope” performing Shakespearean-style sonnets about contemporary suburban life. 6 p.m. May 16; 1 p.m. May 17; 6 p.m. May 20; 7:30 p.m. May 22. sdfringe.org/events/sonnets-from-suburbia
“Title Pending”: This award-winning solo show written and performed by Laguna Beach resident Heather Tyson is about a Midwestern woman confronting betrayal and breaking out of the box that confines us. 7:30 p.m. May 17; 6 p.m. May 18; 10:30 p.m. May 23; 7:30 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/title-pending
No Limits, 4931 Logan Ave., San Diego
“All the Boys I Blocked”: Chanel & the Circus present this audience-interactive cabaret-style solo show billed an accordion-driven roller-coaster tale of train-wreck relationships and ultimate self-acceptance. 7:30 p.m. May 15; 9 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 22; 9 p.m. May 24; 4 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/all-the-boys-i-blocked
“Birthday!”: No information was provided for this solo comedy show. 7:30 p.m. May 21; 6 p.m. May 23; 1 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/birthday
“Bro! (How to Be a Man)”: This comic solo show delves into one trans man’s journey navigating society’s standards of being a man.” 1 and 6 p.m. May 17; 9 p.m. May 22; 7:30 p.m. May 24; 2:30 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/bro-how-to-be-a-man
“Death and Murder and Poison and Scene”: Riot Productions presents this world premiere comic play by Sarah Alida LeClair about actors facing their own life-or-death dilemma while performing a murder mystery. 9 p.m. May 15; 7:30 p.m. May 18; 6 p.m. May 20; 9 p.m. May 23; 4 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/death-and-murder-and-poison-and-scene
“The Funny Thing About Men”: British singer-comedian Mandy Williams wrote and stars in this solo musical comedy about navigating male-female dynamics. 2:30 p.m. May 17; 6 p.m. May 18; 7:30 p.m. May 20; 10:30 p.m. May 23. sdfringe.org/events/the-funny-thing-about-men
“Futakuchi Onna”: Winner for Best Drama at the 2024 Phoenix Fringe, this modern reflection on a Japanese folktale about self-acceptance is written and performed by Kristin Joy Moran. 7:30 p.m. May 15; 9 p.m. May 18; 6 p.m. May 19; 2:30 p.m. May 24; 6 p.m. May 25. sdfringe.org/events/futakuchi-onna
“Just to Be Close to You … Just for an Hour”: Seductive Latin lounge singer Carl Poteraychke (played by Cam Poter) aims to serenade and woo you in this world premiere solo clown show. 6 p.m. May 16; 10:30 p.m. May 17; 2:30 p.m. May 18; 9 p.m. May 20; 6 p.m. May 22. sdfringe.org/events/1-man-no-show
“Queen of Fishtown”: Philadelphia writer-performer Kathleen Burke stars in this solo play about her working-class life, authenticity, turning 40 and her love affair with the City of Brotherly Love. 9 p.m. May 16; 4 p.m. May 18; 6 p.m. May 21; 7:30 p.m. May 23; 6 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/queen-of-fishtown
School for Creative Careers, 2266 San Diego Ave., San Diego.
“The Fetus Show”: This world premier comedy show offers a surreal take on the so-called “miracle of life,” destiny vs. chaos and what it all means. 7:30 p.m. May 16; 1, 6 and 9 p.m. May 17. sdfringe.org/events/the-fetus-show
“Mae West Cleans Up Her Act”: This physical comedy play is about the life and times of 1930s-era film star, sex goddess and gay icon Mae West. 9 p.m. May 15; 6 p.m. May 16; 4 pm. May 17; 4 and 7:30 p.m. May 18. sdfringe.org/events/mae-west-cleans-up-her-act
“Rosk”: No description was given for this Mexican music performance. 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15; 10:30 p.m. May 16; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 17. School for Creative Careers, 2266 San Diego Ave., San Diego. sdfringe.org/events/rosk
“Thank You for Calling”: This solo play is about a bored help-line phone associated whose life is changed when she takes a call from someone in the midst of a mental health crisis and she’s forced to reckon with her own suicide ideation. 7:30 p.m. May 15; 9 p.m. May 16; 10:30 p.m. May 17; 2:30 p.m. May 18. sdfringe.org/events/thank-you-for-calling
Tap Fever Studios, 2146 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach
“Taptastic!”: This tap dance variety show designed for audience of all ages will offer optional cocktails and a drawing for a free tap dance class. 2:30 and 6 p.m. May 17; 7:30 p.m. May 23; 4 p.m. May 24. sdfringe.org/events/taptastic-byov
San Diego International Fringe Festival
When: Opens Thursday, May 15, and runs through May 25
Where: Shows are taking place at eight venues citywide
Tickets: $13 per show; $35 for three-show ; $55, five shows; $104, 10 shows. A Fringe tag ($7 one-time purchase) is also required to enter venues
Online: sdfringe.org
