A 14-day celebration of curated new works and uncensored live performances from local, national, and international indie artists, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival is the region’s largest and longest-running preforming arts festival. Featuring more than 40 unique, hour-long productions and hundreds of live performances, KidsFringe programming on weekend afternoons, and free Late Night events starting at 10pm every night at Know Theatre. The Cincy Fringe is Cincinnati’s Summer Theatre Party.
TICKETS
$20 Single Tickets
$24 Love Your Artists Single Tickets
$90 Fringe Flex Pass
$330 All-Access Pass
Advance tickets can be purchased at cincyfringe.com, over the phone 513.300.KNOW (5669), or in person at Fringe Headquarters on the day of the performance. After 4pm on the day of the performance, advance tickets can no longer be purchased until the venue box office opens. Venue box offices will open 30 minutes prior to the performance time.
PRIMARY LINEUP
Check the individual show pages for more information.
1 GAY WEDDING AND ABSOLUTELY NO FUNERALS: RECEPTION TO FOLLOW from Ben & Justin Present
’Til death do us party!
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
On the morning of their wedding day, two grooms Angels and America had Part I and Part II. Why can’t we? We’re gay! Right? RIGHT?! Ben & Justin are doubling down on their latest IP – it’s not a sequel… it’s the second act. Join Ryan, Charlie, Mike, Kate, and Amy for a reception to die for.
- Fri, May 29 at 8:45pm
- Sat. May 30 at 4:15pm
- Sun, May 31 at 7pm
- Thu, June 11 at 7pm
- Fri, June 12 at 8:45pm
A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY from Ingrid Garner
The wild true story behind TV’s first horror host, Vampira.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
Before Elvira, before Morticia, there was television’s first horror host: Vampira. 18-time award-winning Fringe veteran Ingrid Garner (Eleanor’s Story) uses her signature gift for transformation to resurrect the legend behind Hollywood’s most fascinating forgotten icon and the star-studded life of her creator, Maila Nurmi, in a dazzling multimedia performance.
- Fri, May 29 at 6:45pm
- Sat. May 30 at 4pm
- Fri, June 5 at 8:30pm
- Tue, June 9 at 8:30pm
- Fri, June 12 at 8:30pm
ANTONYM from Solasta
Why did Kafka cross the road? Because Bukowski pushed him.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Basement
A world built on aphorisms, a society bound by alienation, logic sparked from creative madness. (Ever had an urge to give Kafka a hug? Or put on a puppet show for Bukowski?) Join us as we dive into the absurdity that is human existence bound by opposition.
- Sun, May 31 at 8:45pm
- Tue, June 2 at 7pm
- Fri, June 5 at 7pm
- Sun, June 7 at 8:45pm
- Tue, June 9 at 8:45pm
- Thu, June 11 at 8:45pm
APPALACHIAN SONGCATCHER from Hannah Sage
Appalachian Songcatcher: Banjo tunes, folk songs, and a queer Appalachian coming-of-age.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Sanctuary
In Appalachian Songcatcher, Hannah Sage From blends banjo tunes, traditional songs, and original music with personal storytelling to share a coming-of-age journey growing up queer in rural North Georgia.
- Tue, June 4 at 6:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 4pm
- Sun, June 7 at 4pm
- Tue, June 9 at 6:45pm
- Thu, June 11 at 6:pm
BOMB! (AN FBI MEMOIR) from Silver Linings Productions
Songs of the unsung heroes. An explosive new musical.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
Liz Coley writes novels, short stories, and plays. And now a musical!—in collaboration with composer Charles Kleesattel. If you saw Castaways (2024 Fringe) or Arsenic and Old Spice (2025 Fringe), you know what to expect of her dark comedies with a soft heart. Liz’s plays have been read and produced across the US, in London, and in Japan. The premiere of Moving In, Moving Out, Moving On received a best new play nomination from BroadwayColumbus.
- Sat, May 30 at 2:15pm
- Sun, May 31 at 4pm
- Sat, June 6 at 6:45pm
- Sun, June 7 at 4pm
- Thu, June 11 at 6:45pm
CHAMPAGNE DREAMS from 3 Sticks
Eloise longs to escape her boring life for… Champagne Dreams.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Basement
It’s winter 1987, and Eloise is stuck living on the frozen plains of South Dakota. If only she could escape this cold reality, for the decadent luxury of her Champagne Dreams. Featuring puppet/object theatre, live video, and green screen technology to create a one of a kind theatrical fantasia.
- Wed, June 3 at 7pm
- Thu, June 4 at 8:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 4:15pm
- Sun, June 7 at 7pm
- Wed, June 10 at 8:45pm
- Fri, June 12 at 7pm
COLONIAL CIRCUS-HISTORY, CLOWN STYLE from Two2Mango
Two Brown Clowns Pretending To Be British Colonizers Journey Through The History of Colonialism.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
Colonial Circus is a comedy show where two brown clowns pretending to be British colonizers journey through the history of colonialism. This show has travelled across the USA, UK and Canada, collecting awards like Critics’ Choice- Orlando Winter Fringe, Artists’ Pick- Edmonton Fringe, Outstanding Clown show- Montreal Fringe and more.
- Sat, May 30 at 6:45pm
- Wed, June 3 at 8:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 2:15pm
- Sun, June 7 at 8:30pm
- Tue, June 9 at 6:45pm
DIZZY MISS LIZZIE’S ROADSIDE REVUE PRESENTS THE SAINTS from Dizzy Miss Lizzie’s Roadside Revue
Satirical take on Catholic Saints with rock and roll, puppetry and magic.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
Music, Mayhem, Mystery- Rude, Revisionist History. The fantastical, gruesome, salacious, inspiring stories of Catholic Saints with rock and roll, puppetry, magic and satire. DMLRR’s take on these unusual and extraordinary humans who defied nature and human nature. The Saints reimagines Catholic lore to explore the intersection of entertainment and faith.
- Tue, June 2 at 6:45pm
- Thu, June 4 at 8:30pm
- Fri, June 5 at 6:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 4pm
- Sun, June 7 at 2:15pm
EARLY BIRD from Jack Fogle and the River Rat Puppet Collective
No worms were harmed in the making of this play.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Basement
Nathan Bird is the first to return to his Kentucky hometown for the Bird family reunion, where he must attend to his frustrating but charming family while hiding his queerness. Blending traditional theatre, audience participation, and puppetry, Early Bird reminds us that despite our differences, all people are intrinsically good.
- Fri, May 29 at 7pm
- Tue, June 2 at 8:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 7pm
- Sun, June 7 at 2:30pm
- Fri, June 12 at 8:45pm
ERYS SICHTHON from Lina Keys
After messing with Demeter’s forest, Erys faces the cursed consequences.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
Adapted from the Greek myth of Erysichthon of Thessaly, ERYS SICHTHON follows the cursed consequences of a greedy, corrupt businessman (Erys) cutting down a tree belonging to Demeter, an herbalist shop owner. What Erys doesn’t realize is that Demeter would do anything for the spirits of the forest.
- Sat, May 30 at 7pm
- Sun, May 31 at 8:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 4:15pm
- Sun, June 7 at 8:45pm
- Tue, June 9 at 7pm
FRONTIER SO FAR from Justin Dodd and George McConnell
Experimental comedy using cowboy and astronaut tropes to critique masculinity.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Miami Venue
FRONTIER So Far is a comedy. Using cowboy and astronaut tropes we playfully critique masculinity and imagine ways we wish we lived it better. There are whitey tighties, dance numbers, some songs, some scenes, d*ck jokes, personal stories, and ghosts. This is not Toy Story. Why would we do that?
- Wed, June 3 at 7pm
- Fri, June 5 at 8:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 7pm
- Wed, June 10 at 7pm
- Thu, June 11 at 8:45pm
- Fri, June 12 at 7pm
JON BENNETT: THIS WILL ONLY HAPPEN ONCE from 2Hoots Productions
A hilarious show by world-renowned Aussie Jon Bennett about life’s unrepeatable moments.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Sanctuary
Look! A whale! A raccoon! A dog! A hilarious, heartfelt show about the thrill of encountering wild animals. Through true stories from global travels and growing up in the Australian outback, Jon Bennett captures the joy and wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitats—and why these fleeting moments deserve protecting.
- Tue, June 2 at 6:45pm
- Fri, June 5 at 8:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 6:45pm
- Tue, June 9 at 8:30pm
- Fri, June 12 at 6:45pm
LOCUSTA’S SCHOOL FOR ASSASSINS from Samantha Joy Weil
Two women bond over plants, poisons, and murdering privileged men.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Miami Venue
Be schooled in the art of pernicious, poisonous plants under the tutelage of Nero’s poisoner. Audiences interact with lessons on nefarious herbs and ancient, formidable witches, while following the misadventures of Locusta and Agrippina, two psychotic women finding their way, and one another, in a world of increasingly sadistic men.
- Tue, June 2 at 8:45pm
- Fri, June 5 at 7pm
- Sat, June 6 at 4:15pm
- Tue, June 9 at 7pm
- Wed, June 10 at 8:45pm
- Fri, June 12 at 8:45pm
MOMENTO HOLLY from Zoe Peterson
A journey to spread a friend’s ashes reignites past relationships.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Basement
Peyton hasn’t seen Blake in three years…until she literally runs into him on a cross-country road trip to spread the ashes of a mutual friend. When Blake unexpectedly agrees to join Peyton’s pilgrimage, their shared memories of Holly help plot a new course for their own relationship.
- Sat, May 30 at 8:45pm
- Sun, May 31 at 7pm
- Thu, June 4 at 7pm
- Fri, June 5 at 4:15pm
- Sun, June 7 at 4:15pm
- Wed, June 10 at 7pm
MODERN BUTCHOOD from Molly Gloeckner
A dark comic lesbian quarter life crisis
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Miami Venue
Modern Butchood is an explosive, hilarious, play about a big lesbian mess. This solo show follows “Butch” the sardonic girlfriend of a semi-famous lesbian Tik-Toker. Dissatisfied in her relationship and seeking excitement, Butch begins sneaking out at night, sparking a riotous descent into lust, chaos, and queer identity.
- Sat, May 30 at 7pm
- Sun, May 31 at 8:45pm
- Tue, June 2 at 7pm
- Thu, June 4 at 8:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 8:45pm
- Sun, June 7 at 7pm
PAPA from Madeleine Rowe
Frankenstein’s Monster isn’t just a creation. He’s somebody’s son.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
Frankenstein’s Monster isn’t just a creation. He’s somebody’s son. A new clown show about love, loss, and being more than the sum of your parts.
- Fri, May 29 at 7pm
- Sun, May 31 at 4:15pm
- Wed, June 3 at 7pm
- Fri, June 5 at 8:45pm
- Sun, June 7 at 4:15pm
PRIVATE EQUITY: THE MUSICAL! from Doin’ Too Much Productions
If the Phantom Tollbooth happened in a hypergentrified apartment complex.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
An artist sets out on a journey with the robot who took her job and the therapist she never asked for to find the answer to a big question: just what is the cost of living? It’s a little like the Phantom Tollbooth in a hypergentrified apartment complex.
- Sat, May 30 at 8:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 8:30pm
- Sun, June 7 at 6:45pm
- Wed, June 10 at 8:30pm
- Fri, June 12 at 6:45pm
QUIET COYOTES from Green Fuse Productions
A wildfire creates opportunity for campers to discover nature’s resilience.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Miami Venue
Three summer camp counselors are left in charge during a wildfire emergency. In an effort to distract and entertain the campers, the trio begin performing skits inspired by plant adaptations. As the fire draws closer, the plays get more personal, and the counselors become forever changed.
- Fri, May 29 at 8:45pm
- Sat, May 30 at 4:15pm
- Sun, May 31 at 7pm
- Thu, June 4 at 7pm
- Sun, June 7 at 4:15pm
- Tue, June 9 at 8:45pm
RAT MAN HAPPY PLACE from Bruce Ryan Costella
A guided comedy tour through the happiest ruins on Earth.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Sanctuary
Take a visit to the happiest ruins on Earth using the power of imagination and garbage! RAT MAN HAPPY PLACE is like if Mad Max took a Florida vacation, created by real life Florida man Bruce Ryan Costella (@BRCostella).
- Sat, May 30 at 8:30pm
- Tue, June 2 at 8:30pm
- Thu, June 4 at 8:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 2:15pm
- Wed, June 10 at 6:45pm
TAPPED IN from Pones
Uncovering cultural identity through tap’s layered lineage and creative collaboration.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
Pones presents a dynamic tap dance journey tracing the form’s rich history and evolution. Blending African, Irish, vaudeville, Broadway, and contemporary styles, and featuring live jazz call-and-response alongside regional choreographers, this premiere celebrates creativity, resistance, and cultural convergence, spotlighting lesser-known stories through collaborative performance.
- Wed, June 3 at 8:45pm
- Thu, June 4 at 8:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 7pm
- Sun, June 7 at 2:30pm
- Wed, June 10 at 7pm
THE BOY FROM BANTAY from Jeremy Rafal
Cartoons. Classical Music. A Coming-of-Age Story.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
From a childhood in the Philippines shaped by cartoons, memories, and classical piano, Jeremy dreams of becoming a concert pianist. The Boy from Bantay follows his journey through loss, love, and laughter, as he grows into an artist who learns the music and the story must go on.
- Fri, May 29 at 8:30pm
- Sun, May 31 at 2:15pm
- Tue, June 2 at 8:30pm
- Wed, June 3 at 6:45pm
- Thu, June 4 at 6:45pm
TRANSCENDENT from Queen City Queers
A macabre exploration on living in Your freaky, felty, flesh.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Basement
Come one, come all! For the first time on display to the public, our outlandish oddities, as we dissect the felty flesh of our creations! Are you more parasite than flesh? Who’s that little girl haunting your dreams? Only YOU can find out at Transcendent, by the Queen City Queers!
- Fri, May 29 at 8:45pm
- Sun, May 31 at 4:15pm
- Wed, June 3 at 8:45pm
- Sat, June 6 at 8:45pm
- Thu, June 11 at 7pm
UNRECONCILED from Unreconciled Project
A powerful, humorous, and heartbreaking story of courage, family, and reclaiming your voice.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Sanctuary
Unreconciled is an autobiographical story of an adolescent actor cast as Jesus in a school play directed by a parish priest. This 60-minute piece chronicles a survivor’s journey and is a poignant and humorous exploration of family, place, and the meaning of reconciliation. “Lighting in a bottle on stage.” SiArts
- Sat, May 30 at 6:45pm
- Sun, May 31 at 4pm
- Fri, June 5 at 6:45pm
- Sun, June 7 at 6:45pm
- Wed, June 10 at 8:30pm
WHAT ART IS AND WHAT ART IS GOOD ART from Ben Dudley
Two self-proclaimed experts offer the definitive, final statement on art.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Miami Venue
Great minds have devoted centuries of thought to answering the question “What is art?” That’s too much thought. Forty-five minutes is enough. Join scholars and artists Ben and Liz for a wide-ranging, absurd, and barely educational presentation on the long history and brief future of art.
- Fri, May 29 at 7pm
- Sat, May 30 at 8:45pm
- Sun, May 31 at 4:15pm
- Wed, June 3 at 8:45pm
- Sun, June 7 at 8:45pm
- Thu, June 11 at 7pm
WHITE WHALE from Autumn Kaleidoscope & Mette Puppets
Discover the Forgotten History of Cincinnati’s Living White Whales!
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Sanctuary
In 1877, local businessman Albert Akeny Stewart endeavored to do the impossible: display living whales in Cincinnati, OH. Was he successful? Through puppetry and storytelling, discover the forgotten story of Stewart and his beluga whales from the Queen City’s Gilded Age.
- Fri, May 29 at 6:45pm
- Sun, May 31 at 2:15pm
- Wed, June 3 at 8:30pm
- Sun, June 7 at 8:30pm
- Thu, June 11 at 8:30pm
LIMITED RUNS
These special events have a limited number of performances, and are not eligible for “Pick of the Fringe” awards.
BLOODY FAIRYTALES: PAUL STRICKLAND from Paul Strickland Presents
Dark fairytales for adults where laughter and dread share space.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Sanctuary
Gorgeous, gruesome fairytales where laughter and dread share space. Spun and sung by National Storytelling Festival Featured Teller Paul Strickland (“Master Storyteller” — Enquirer; “Mark Twain on acid” — Artistry). Strange, unsettlingly funny, occasionally feral old tales and eerie new original stories and songs.
- Fri, May 29 at 8:30pm
- Sun, May 31 at 8:30pm
- Fri, June 12 at 8:30pm
MAD WOMEN’S BALL from Inbocca Performance
The Mad Women’s Ball: Entrance Upon Invitation, Exit Upon Transformation.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
You are cordially invited to the Mad Woman’s Ball, where the elite rub elbows with the infamous mad women of Paris. You are among the chosen–only the creme de la creme are thus honored. But be warned: without patients, unpredictable and immersive accidents could happen. Do you dare attend?
- Thu, June 4 at 7pm
- Sat, June 6 at 8:45pm
- Sun, June 7 at 7pm
- Fri, June 12 at 7pm
O’FRINGE IS THE NEW BLACK from Wit’s End Productions
A sketch comedy show – break out into laughter!
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
O’Fringe Is The New Black is a sketch revue that will make you laugh about things we have no control over, and think about things we can fix in our own little ways. Also, everyone needs to be silly sometimes! Escape with us – if only for an hour!
- Sat, May 30 at 8:45pm
- Fri, June 5 at 7pm
- Tue, June 9 at 8:45pm
trueFRINGE 2026 from trueTHEATRE
Fringe artists share true behind-the-scenes stories!
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
One night only! See their shows, then come hear what makes them tick when TrueTheatre invites 4 Fringe artists from THIS year’s Festival to share stories from their journeys as artists! Always a crowd favorite! (ASL interpretation provided thanks to Cincinnati State!)
- Thu, June 11 at 8:30pm
FRINGE IN DEVELOPMENT
Fringe In Development shows are works in process that have rehearsals through the course of the festival, culminating in one ticketed performance.
GOOD…GIRL? from Lucia Duque
Four different characters, one bottom – ahem! One body.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
Four characters, a little girl, a middle-aged cisgender man, a young queer man, and a dog find their common ground in one single body. This show explores through movement and dialogue some of the different -and contradictory- ways in which a human can be a bottom for another one.
- Wed, June 10 at 8:45pm
HOMESICK from Iliana Soria Designs
Need to run from your problems? Go to the moon!
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
Homesick follows an astronaut who left their vapid, soul-crushing life to go live on the moon to try to figure out the meaning of their existence. While meeting various aliens, they realize they can only discover it through self-reflection, and only they can create what their purpose is.
- Wed, June 10 at 6:45pm
MINOTAUR IN FLIGHT from Lucia Salazar-Davidson
A queer retelling of the story of Icarus.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
First Luthern Church Basement
Minotaur in Flight is a sapphic blending of the myths of Icarus and the Labyrinth. This play examines the nature of fate, of monstrous femininity, and the ways that our current political climate literally and metaphorically makes puppets out of us.
- Tue, June 9 at 7pm
TALK ON STAGE? from Megan Flynn & Teresa Vandenend Sorge
Two embodied monologues by dancers terrified to talk on stage
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Returning Cincy Fringe dance artists, Megan Flynn and Teresa VanDenend Sorge double dog dare each other to try something new— talking on stage. Longtime collaborators, the pair will bring their (actual) voices to their signature dance storytelling.
- Thu June 11 at 8:45pm
KIDS FRINGE
Kids Fringe shows are free ticketed events – made possible by the Andrew Jergens Foundation. Created to be fun for the whole family – talls and smalls alike!
Linton PB&J Presents: HEROIC HARMONIES from Linton Chamber Music PB&J Session
Interactive superhero training for young kids with live music!
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Know Theatre
Join the PB&J musicians as they unleash heroic tunes to celebrate super strength, lightning speed, invisibility and more! This action packed musical adventure will have you feeling like a superhero in no time. Don your cape, bring your powers, and get ready for an interactive concert that’s absoutely SUPER!
- Sat, May 30 at 12:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 12:30pm
PATO Y MUERTE from Dos-Corazones Productions
This piece implores us to accept death while celebrating life.
More info & purchase tickets | Facebook event | Press release |
Gabriel’s Corner
Pato y Muerte is a playful, bilingual dance-theater performance for all ages. This dance-theater piece reflects the understanding of death, friendship, and loyalty that exists in Mexico and many Latino cultures. Death serves as a “friendly” reminder that although we must mourn, we must also celebrate life, loyalty and friendship.
- Sat, May 30 at 2:30pm
- Sun, May 31 at 2:30pm
- Sat, June 6 at 2:30pm
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 