Dumb Hub gatekeeper Sarah Knittel's guide to the 2026 Philly Fringe

Fear not: I am your doula of the fest. Some might call me a Fringe Veteran. I wouldn’t say no, but veteran sounds a little old and my casting range is still 27-35. Anyway, I have performed in Fringe Festivals for more than 10 years, including five self-produced shows (like Sarah Knittel/Marina Abramovic, Nightmare Fuel, and Ben Franklin Sex Party), touring those shows around the country and internationally.

I’ve explained how the Philly Fringe is changing AND for the past two years, I have curated and produced DUMB HUB at Pig Iron, a coterie of clowns and their alt comedy and performance art; I'm talking all manner of freak shit. Of course I want to lure you to spend your entire Fringe at my hub, but I am going to look at the guide with new eyes and share some fresh ways to experience the festival.

Let's get organized.

Show to bring a date to:
House of Guns: Gunslingers Ball
September 10-27 at Space 1026

It’s actually enough for three dates in one: three movies, sketch comedy, and a visual art show on the walls of North Broad’s Space 1026. Also, you can go dancing at Broadhall after and share a kiss under the Boner4ever building.

Show by an artist you want to befriend:
Bad Activist
September 11-27 at Practice Gallery

Mai Khoi was a pop star (“The Lady Gaga of Vietnam") and now lives in exile. And this is the show about it all? Here in Philly? In the year of our lord 2026? I want to see it, I want to take her for a drink, I want to read the autobiography, and I want to help make the movie.

Show to bring your mom to:
Offstage Onstage: Everything You Didn’t See the Greeks Do
September 8-26 at Asian Arts Initiative

These performers are absolute delights or “cutie patooties” as she will call them. “I can’t believe they performed it all on a small platform!” she will exclaim. Plus, your mom is thirsty for knowledge on this topic after seeing The Odyssey.

Show for your friend who thinks theater is boring:
Jay Can’t Watch “The Holy Mountain.”
September 8 at Tattooed Mom

Film maker Alejandro Jodorowsky (born 1929) created his doomed Dune script based on someone telling him the plot of Dune at a dinner party. Now, James Ofalt, a Philly actor (can you find him below?), is going to describe in great detail Jodorowsky’s 1973 movie, The Holy Mountain, to his friend Jay Adams, a visual artist. Jay will live-sketch what he envisions. The audience is invited to draw along and eat a burger at Tattooed Mom. It covers all the senses, and your friend will love it, but they must be 21 to enter.

Show that scares you:
Eloise Bites the Hand that holds her
September 24-27 at Hall Pass

Something actually scary? Or does scary mean something that challenges you? This show might do both. Here are some words that scare me in the show’s description: vicious, violent, nonlinear, immersive and bloody, dust tale. I’m actually terrified of watching a live performance and fainting because I’m squeamish. Okay, that’s my own trauma. But Gene Farbe is a brilliant artist and I trust them to deliver something digestible and memorable, even to the most terrified of us all.

Shows I want to judge by their covers:
Reckon
September 17-21 at Taller Puertorriqueño

Ideas of Grandeur
September 20-26 at the Skinner Studio at Plays & Players

I picked these shows by Tucson poet laureate Logan Phillips (Reckon) and Imani Lee Williams (Ideas of Grandeur) based on their stellar show images, and then I did the research and can promise these will be more than aesthetically pleasing.

Quick picks

Shows with the most provocative titles:
Red Dye 40 and Diarrhea Jones Marry the Night
September 10-27 at Radiation Station

Ghost Fetus
September 18-20 at Asian Arts Initiative

My Dog is Dead and You’re the Father
September 18-22 at Vox Populi Gallery

Another superficial way to make a choice? Sure. But these shows promise an amazing time. (Look out for a BSR review of Ghost Fetus.)


Show for someone who wants to "understand" Fringe:
Owen Corey and James Ofalt Punch Each Other in the Dick Until One Submits Again, Again, Again.
September 14 at ComedySportz

One night only, exactly what it sounds like, and will never be onstage at the Walnut Street Theatre.

Shows that will inspire you:
Invited Dress: The “Porno”
September 8-23, Icebox Project Space Gallery

Ascension Death March
September 19 & 20 at Studio 34

“Inspiring” WILL be personal for each of us. For me, these shows look daring and courageous: exactly what I need right now.

Show to see after two drinks:
Encounters with an Electric Mind
September 8 & 9 at Deep End Studios

Okay smarties, let’s get into the AI of it all, but Daddy’s gonna need an Aperol with seltzer first. These theater-makers have MFAs and they aren’t afraid to prove it.

Show to see after a ketamine lozenge:
Situational Beaver
September 20-23 at Vox Populi Gallery

This feels like the only logical way to coax my mind to the level of masters Chip Sinton, Jake Symbol, and Lea Devon Sorrentino and not stew in jealousy of their brilliance.

Twin flame shows
Christmas Carol the Rap Musical (September 8-20 at Yellow Bicycle Theater) and John Miller Giltner’s Christmas Carol (September 9-27 at Asian Arts Initiative)

AND

The Groundhog (September 13-26 at Asian Arts Initiative) and Betsy Ross Groundhog Day (September 10-20 at Asian Arts Initiative)

These shows feel like they should be double-featured, and all the artists are top-notch. (Look out for a BSR review of The Groundhog.)

If this list whets your appetite, you can search the whole fest here to find your own delights (or deepest fears).

At top: Sarah Knittel in her 2023 show, Sarah Knittel/Marina Abramovic. (Photo by Bob Sweeney.)

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