Sub-Total
2026 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Ella Wilde
Company: PhysicalLies
Show: How to Escape Hell
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Adventurous art
MN Fringe’s tagline is “adventurous art,” and I truly believe that this is one of the most adventurous pieces in the Fringe this year. And I also think its ambition is one of the reasons it falls short. The dramaturgy on demand is a cool idea, but it doesn’t feel like it fits in the larger narrative of this piece. A series of vignettes, similar to Metamorphosis but with a technological twist, would be a cool way to develop this part of the piece. Both performers are incredibly talented (especially Mark, who is a master of movement), but the script needs a little more development. This is the show I’ve enjoyed discussing and dissecting the most this year, which speaks to how evocative it is. I’m excited to see what this group does next.
Company: Tyler West
Show: Small Minded
Venue: The Southern Theater
The man makes the show!!
My dad saw this show before me and couldn’t stop talking about it. And despite the fact that he ruined the ending for me, I had a wonderful time! Tyler is a fantastic performer with so much range as a clown, Shakespearean soliloquiest, and heartfelt storyteller. Just be careful…you might get hit with a pool noodle.
Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: Watership Down
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
A strong production!
I enjoyed Joan of Arc last year, and I was excited to see their take on Watership Down. It didn’t take me any time at all to fall in love with our furry heroes. This fast-moving show is made for fans of Watership Down. I’m glad I read a summary on Wikipedia before I attended—otherwise it would have been largely inscrutable. I was especially blown away by the actor playing the bird. Truly fantastic physicality and embodiment of bird body language. Certainly one of the most professional and polished shows this year and great for kids.
Company: Band Practice
Show: DON'T BE SCARED
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
I couldn’t stop laughing!
This show is a delight! I giggled so hard that I’m surprised I wasn’t rolling on the ground by the end. If you only see one Fringe show, THIS IS IT!!
Company: CuerpoxCuerpo
Show: LATIN PAPI
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Breathtaking!!
Expect to spend 2-3 business days fishing your jaw off the floor. Truly incredible.
Company: The House in the Woods
Show: Quadrilogy: A Sabathani Benefit Game Show Extravaganza!
Venue: Theatre in the Round
A joyful palate cleanser
If you’ve ever wondered why so many Fringe shows are dark and depressing…well, I don’t know. What I DO know is that this Fringe shows is bursting with love for Minneapolis and that special you-can’t-help-but-leave-with-a-giant-smile energy. I loved the shoutouts, the creative LEGO building, and the genuineness of Cohost 1 and Cohost A. I also appreciated that the challenges are structured to give every player a chance at success. In our dark times, this is the show that will renew your faith in humanity—not just a fictional “humanity” but the ACTUAL human beings in your community. ❤️
Company: TROMPE L'OEIL
Show: Foshay! You Know The Tower - Now Hear The Story
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Now I Know The Tower…& The Story
You can’t tell that Forshay! started out as a 2 hour musical that needed to be trimmed down to an hour for Fringe—the plot feels tight with real character arcs and stakes. The lead is superb with a voice that beautifully fills the Thrust, and the live keyboardist is a treat. The supporting ensemble stumbled over some lines/lyrics, and it felt like the director was asking two people to do too much—a third person to rotate into different roles would help the play feel more polished and less anxious. If you enjoyed Come From Away at the Guthrie, this is the perfect Fringe show for you!
Company: Tiyatro Misafir
Show: KISMET
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Entertaining
Entertaining show with strong storytelling. The two actors have fantastic chemistry. Only one show left this Fringe—support these wonderful performers!!
Company: New Product Company
Show: Brakkesyke
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Worth a slot in your Fringe schedule!
I admit that the preview for BRAKKESYKE turned me off, but after reading all the good reviews, I had to see it for myself. And boy, I’m glad I did! Great use of the stage, although I would recommend sitting closer to the side where the audience enters (facing the opening of the stove). The actors do a tremendous job, with each character feeling distinct even with little in the way of backstory. There is a moment near the middle where the script falls into some well-worn cliches, but this is the sort of show that makes me excited to see more of the art that Gen Z is creating. While this didn’t quite make it into my Top 5 2026 Fringe Shows, it did get quite close! Solidly recommend (and buy some concessions while you are there to support Theater in the Round—but know you can only bring water into the house).
Company: Jeffries & Brown
Show: Braingystics: Seize the Mind!
Venue: Open Eye Theatre
Consider my mind seized 🧠
If you’ve ever had your aunt’s dog’s sister invite you to a Tupperware party or a PTA mom try to sell you Mary Kay, you’ll find this show hilarious, delightful, and maybe a little too accurate. Highly recommend!
Company: Snikt! Bamf! Thwip!
Show: Casa Bde-Maka-Ska
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Fun, funny, and topical
Despite our party including 1) someone who has never seen Casa Blanca and 2) a different person who is not from Minnesota and/or lived in Minnesota, we really enjoyed this show! Some of the jokes about Metro Surge felt a little *too soon* for those of us who survived the occupation, but I left feeling like it is a celebration of Minnesota’s persistence and resistance.
Company: Third Space Theater
Show: BE NOT AFRAID
Venue: The Southern Theater
Inventive but flawed
This is my first Third Space Theater show, and I admit I came in with high expectations. The Southern is the PERFECT stage for this show, and I loved the way they played with shadow/light. That said, I found the character development was fairly thin, and I was discomforted by the way they portrayed and handled sexual assault—it felt merely like a plot device. That said, I still recommend this show. It is inventive and unique.
Company: Sufian Zhemukhov
Show: Flirting Like an Amercian
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Excellent storytelling
Interesting perspective of someone coming to the US from a different culture as an adult and trying to navigate the dating world. Excellent storytelling with some laughs woven in. If you’re looking for a Fringe show that’s different from many other one-man shows (and want to put your money where your yard sign/bumper sticker/mouth is when it comes to supporting immigrant stories), I recommend checking this show out. This is a story that deserves to be heard!
Company: Ari Hoptman
Show: Is That Why?
Venue: American School of Storytelling
Learn linguistic trivia & laugh @ Fringe
Left this show envious of all the students who get to learn from Ari at the U and wishing the show’s program included some recommended reading for those of us who want to learn more about words & language. It’s truly astonishing how much this man knows!! Expect a grab bag of 60 second to 5 minute explorations of different topics.
Company: dancing arms
Show: Space Company
Venue: Mixed Blood
Hilarious and unexpected
What a phenomenal Fringe show! Emma goes beyond satirizing vacuous corporate orientations to investigate how capitalism is destroying our identities and our planet. Sit in the front if you want to participate. :)
Company: DOLLY WHO?
Show: DOOZY
Venue: Open Eye Theatre
Delightful show!
From the moment you walk into the venue, it’s obvious that this is a show bubbling over with heart and care. All of the props, puppets, and costumes (as well as the set and sound design) are so meticulously designed. There’s even merch!! It took me a moment to realize that it was set on a children’s TV show (this is my first Dolly Who show), but once that clicked, I was able to get into the show. The audience I was a part of was fairly subdued, and I think a more lively audience would make it even more enjoyable. Would recommend!!
Company: Ben San Del Presents
Show: Apologies for the Late Reply
Venue: American School of Storytelling
Funny, heartfelt show
This is one of those rare one-man shows that had me laughing out loud and wiping away a tear. Left me with the realization that in a time like this, people really should be grateful we reply to their emails at all. It’s a small venue (40 seats), so get here early or purchase ahead of time.
Company: SUPERMOON
Show: the statue of liberty is nora in a doll's house by henrik ibsen
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
The best 2026 Fringe show?!?
Is it only day 2 of Fringe? Sure. Do I think that this might be the most talked about, best show of Fringe? Yes. A must see!!
Company: True Men Productions
Show: Castrati: A Tale of Two
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
A work in progress
I had high expectations for this show. A good first draft, but needs refinement.
Company: be-Creative
Show: Therapist Zero
Venue: The Southern Theater
Funny and emotional one-man show
If you are looking for a touching show about parenthood, highly recommend seeing Therapist Zero. It feels like a conversation with a friend over drinks, which means that sometimes stories don’t go as deep or wrap up as neatly as you might like. But there is a sense of satisfaction and closure at the end! Note. If you are hard of hearing, I encourage you to sit near the front. It can be difficult to hear certain sections if you are sitting in the middle or back of the house.
Company: The Other Productions
Show: Bangs!
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Show Description Misleading
I feel rather conflicted writing this review. First and foremost, I LOVE drag, and I’m so glad that there’s a show celebrating drag in Fringe this year! I saw Bangs opening night. The performers are top tier, and when they are able to show their personalities and talents, the show shines. (Without a doubt, this show earns the 2026 best ass twerking award). It’s a black box-type theater, which is HARD for performers, and I was impressed with the way they used the space on stage. I thought that the script (and as a result pacing) was a weak point in this show. The shooting didn’t occur until the end of the show and as a result, it didn’t really investigate how different individuals wrestle with tragedy in different ways. That said, I do think the show really reflects the daily tension and fear that queer people (especially visibly trans and nonbinary folks) experience every day. You spend the whole show waiting for the gun to go off and for your safety to be jeopardized. And (speaking from personal experience) that’s what it’s often like living as a queer person in America today—knowing your safety is precarious. If you like drag shows or want to get a peek into a dressing room, I recommend coming to see Bangs! But if you are looking for a show with well-developed plot or character arcs, I recommend checking out something else. But no matter what you decide, I hope you support queer art and artists not only during Fringe but throughout the rest of the year.