Philly has lots to offer for both locals and tourists, but according to our very own Amanda Graff, one of its hidden gems deserves more attention: the Philadelphia Fringe Festival! A yearly celebration of contemporary performance, experimental theatre, and independent arts, the Philly Fringe brings hundreds of productions to the city throughout its month-long run. As a theatre (and Philly!) enthusiast who loves keeping up with everything happening in the local theatre scene, Amanda attended more than 14 shows this year, making her the perfect person to tell us a bit about it. As she puts it, “It’s so Philly! The Fringe is a very special thing we have, and people should appreciate it more!”
From Alpha, a one-woman show about how far a young musher is willing to push herself—and her dogs—to win a challenging sled dog race, to Trauma Queen, which uses stand-up comedy as a way to cope with a traumatic experience, Amanda got to experience a little bit of everything the Fringe had to offer. She also attended Baggage from BaghDAD: Becoming My Father’s Daughter, which explores a Jewish family’s forced migration from Iraq to America and the challenges of building a new life. And these are just a few examples of the hundreds of productions that make up the festival!
One of Amanda’s favorite things about the Fringe is the diversity of its offerings. Whether you’re into comedy, musicals, serious dramas, opera, or shows with Jewish themes and references, there really is something for everyone. The range of ticket prices also makes it possible to explore the festival on different budgets, with some shows offering pay-what-you-wish tickets starting at $0 and others costing up to $40. You don’t have to be a theatre expert to enjoy it, either; sometimes, all you need is a little curiosity and a willingness to try something new!
But with over 330 shows to choose from, where do you even start
? Amanda recommends using keywords to narrow down your options and checking out the Fringe Preview Nights, where you can watch snippets of different productions before deciding which ones you want to see. She attended three herself! And don’t be afraid to go solo: Amanda attended some shows with friends and others on her own, and encourages everyone to put themselves out there and explore. And Amanda wasn’t the only one from our team getting involved! Danielle Selber also attended several performances and even took part in one herself.
Although Amanda wishes the festival lasted longer (because who can ever have enough art and theatre in their life?), part of what makes it so special is that it only happens once a year. So, if you’re looking for a new way to experience Philly, keep an eye out for next year’s festival! You never know what you might discover on the other side of the curtain. And if you need someone to go with, you know who to contact!
