The New Fringe Tier

PICTURED (L-R): Madi Distefano, whose Brat Productions is staging <i>Howie The Rookie</i> in two Old City bars; Courts Paule Turner, Duchess, whos doing <i>Medea: Love is the Devil</i> at the Arts Bank; and Charlotte Ford, featured in CloudConspiracys <i>Disappearing Act</i> and Big House (plays & spectacles)s <i>The Ride Across Lake Constance</i>, both in Northern Liberties. Photograph by Michael T. Regan.

PICTURED (L-R): Madi Distefano, whose Brat Productions is staging Howie The Rookie in two Old City bars; Court’s Paule Turner, Duchess, who’s doing Medea: Love is the Devil at the Arts Bank; and Charlotte Ford, featured in CloudConspiracy’s Disappearing Act and Big House (plays & spectacles)’s The Ride Across Lake Constance, both in Northern Liberties. Photograph by Michael T. Regan.

On the Fringe.

By Debra Auspitz
Photos By Michael T. Regan

The Philadelphia Fringe Festival has always, by definition, pushed boundaries. In the past five festivals we’ve seen the rules of theater, dance, music and visual art challenged, bent and broken.

Another boundary we’ve seen collapse under Fringe’s influence is that of space -- the basements, roofs, alleys, warehouses and storefronts used for performances over the years have changed the city’s definition of an arts venue. At least for two weeks in September, all the world really is a stage.

This year the festival is attempting to breach yet another frontier. Though the Fringe still is, as it always has been, rooted in Old City, more and more performances are stretching into Northern Liberties, the South Street area, even Rittenhouse Square. Only half of the eight spotlight shows this year take place in Old City, and some of Fringe's most popular performers have moved their shows out of the neighborhood. The question looms over the Fringe's organizers: Will the audiences follow? The outcome of this festival could influence performances throughout the year -- if some of the buildings being converted to theater spaces in Northern Liberties prove popular, we could see a shift during the season in some companies' choices of venues. If not, we could see Fringe and other presenters running back to the confines of Old City.

But Fringe isn't scared -- like true frontierspeople, they're facing down the unknown and forging ahead into new territory.

As always, City Paper has compiled a selective guide to Fringe events. This year, we've organized it a little differently. We've broken down the Fringe by geographic area, and in each neighborhood we'll highlight a show or two, let you know other shows our critics are looking forward to and even give you suggestions from our staff for a place to grab a bite to eat while you're out Fringing.

Think of our guide as your treasure map to the new Fringetier.

The Fringe Festival runs Aug. 30 through Sept. 14.

During the Festival, check www.citypaper.net/fringe every day for updated reviews.

For a full rundown of Fringe events, see our listings.

For more details on any of the performances, visit

www.pafringe.org or call the box office (located at Second and Race streets) at 215-413-1318.