Also this issue:

Fringe, Interrupted
A Fringe hoax causes a stir at this year's festival.
-Debra Auspitz

The World Famous Pontani Sisters
-Juliet Fletcher

Cats
-Debra Auspitz

Why I Live at the P.O.
-Lori Hill

David Zippel
-Steve Cohen

How They Got In
A surprisingly rosy view of the college admissions process.
-Justin Bauer

Book Quicks
-M.J. Fine

September 12-18, 2002

art

That's a Wrap

<i>Splice </i>it up: Blue Inc.s hilarious quartet of performers.

Splice it up: Blue Inc.’s hilarious quartet of performers.

A mini-guide to Fringe';s last weekend.

There are three days left to get out there and see what the 2002 Philadelphia Fringe Festival has to offer (get your tickets soon, lots of shows are selling out). Some of the most anticipated shows of this year’s festival open only for the last week of the fest, including spotlight shows like Roger Guenveur Smith’s Iceland and Teatr Biuro Podrozy’s Carmen Funebre. Keep checking www.citypaper.net/fringe every day for updated reviews, and see page 82 of this issue for a complete list of events. Below is a sampling of reviews of recommended shows that continue into the last weekend of Fringe.

The Dive, Fri., Sept. 13, 10 p.m., The Brick Playhouse, 623 South St. The Dive is fast-paced, silly sketch comedy. At times skits border on tasteless -- "Good Morning, Kabul" -- but mostly, it's really stinkin' funny. The two highlight sketches: "The Jaggers," a rip-off of The Osbournes starring Keith, Mick and the illegitimate children, and "Jimmy Tartenbuckle," an infomercial featuring an eccentric exercise fiend. --Karen Williams

A Life Well Squandered… The Needles Jones Story & An Homage to Nico, Ira A., Thu., Sept. 12-Fri., Sept. 13, 8 p.m., The Five Spot, 5 S. Bank St. Ira A.'s alter ego Needles Jones' Fringe debut is a tale of drugs, alcohol, rock star conquests, prostitution and more drugs. It's not nearly as shticky as it sounds, and if you're drinking and watching with friends, you'll have a good time. A. opens with a separate show wherein he skillfully plays '60s singer/pop icon Nico. --Patrick Rapa