In his latest, choreographer Gunnar Montana takes us into the belly of an underground nightclub in Berlin where “no fucks are given and fierceness is always welcome.” He says the work—characterized by dramatic, gender-bending dance performances, outlandish costumes and maybe a well-toned butt cheek or two—is autobiographical, as it explores his recent commitment to sobriety and tackles what it means to be young and gay today.
The Philadelphia Fringe Festival is back for 2017, with more than 100 shows taking place in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Here, we narrow down some of the best and most-buzzed-about shows at this year’s festival, but first a few facts:
What is the Philadelphia Fringe Festival?
Produced by FringeArts, the 21st annual theater, dance and arts festival is a showcase of both cutting-edge national theatrical productions and local theater troupes with new and exciting works to share. FringeArts curates a handful of presentations on their own, and then there are the independently produced, Philly-based works that could be anything from a puppet show in a South Philly basement to a fully staged production at a major Philadelphia attraction. There’s even a Digital Fringe, which features shows playing out online. Crazy, right? In a nutshell, there’s a TON going on, which is why we’re giving you this quick and snappy guide to some of the shows we think are unmissable.
When is the Philadelphia Fringe Festival?
The Fringe Festival takes place over the course of an 18-day span—from September 7 to 24.
How do I get tickets to the Fringe Festival?
FringeArts maintains an easy-to-navigate website with information about every single show and ticket links so you can make your purchases in advance—which is recommended if you want to see some of the larger productions. You can find that site here.
Anything else I should know about the Fringe Festival?
Yes. Check out the Festival Bar located at La Peg and the Haas Biergarten at the FringeArts building. There you’ll find eight free, late-night performances—from live music to burlesque and cabaret—throughout the run of the festival and a healthy selection of beer, wine and cocktails.
If you’re looking to make a night out of your Fringe experience, book a table at one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia or sidle up to a bar before the show for happy hour. Philadelphia certainly has no short of pre- and post-show entertainment.
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