Fringe Forward
The weird, the wonderful, and the wildly human return of Cincy Fringe
Every year for the last twenty-two, Know Theatre of Cincinnati has produced the Cincinnati Fringe Festival in Over-the-Rhine — a historic neighborhood just north of downtown Cincinnati that turns into a buzzing, artistic playground for two wild and wonderful weeks. Billed as Cincinnati’s “summer theatre party,” every year, it's full of delightful surprises, comforting returns, and the warmth of familiar faces coming together to celebrate not just theatre — but humanity. It’s the best of us, and I’m so excited that it’s back again for another year.
This year feels nostalgic, returning to having multiple venues stretched across the neighborhood. Having things localized last year to fewer venues was convenient, but there’s something about discovering new and unconventional spaces that feels more “Fringey.” Fringe veterans remember sprinting between shows — sometimes having just a few minutes to make it from Washington Park to Gabriel’s Corner. Thankfully, the schedule is a little friendlier this year, but with venues like Know Theatre, First Lutheran Church, the Miami University Center for Community Engagement, and Coffee Emporium in the mix, we’ll still get a bit of a cardio boost — just at a more reasonable pace.
If you’ve never been to the festival, know this: Fringe is weird. And heartfelt. And thoughtful. It’s also, more than anything, a community event — not just in the “local” sense, but in the “we’re all in this together even if we have no idea what’s going on” way. The shows are intimate, the artists are friendly, and no one minds if you ask, “Was that... supposed to happen?” This year’s lineup promises more of the same, with returning artists I can’t wait to see again and brand-new voices whose boldness makes me feel inspired... and sometimes a little anxious — but only in the best ways.
Here are some of the shows I’m most looking forward to:
1 Gay Wedding and Absolutely No Funerals
Last year’s Waiting for Laura was one of the most delightful surprises of the festival — clever, sharp, and packed with heart. The team behind it returns this year with 1 Gay Wedding and Absolutely No Funerals, and if they bring even half the wit and charm they showed last time, it’ll be a can’t-miss. Expect humor, a little chaos, and maybe even some unexpected tenderness — Fringe gold.
A Cabaret of Legends
Now this is squarely in my wheelhouse. Cabaret? Check. Legends? I’m in. Give me big personalities, stories told through songs, and a spotlight that feels like it was pulled from a dream sequence in an off-Broadway fever dream. I don’t even need to know more — I’m already planning which night I’m attending.
Eleanor’s Story: Life After War
Last year’s Eleanor’s Story was a haunting, powerful account of growing up as an American girl trapped in Nazi Germany. It stayed with me long after the curtain call. This follow-up explores what happened next — the aftermath of war, the cost of survival, and the challenge of moving forward when the world insists on looking back. I expect this to be just as moving, just as unforgettable, and maybe even more necessary.
Tea Time
Erika MacDonald is a Fringe veteran for a reason — she always delivers something that’s both unexpected and powerful. Tea Time is her latest and I don’t need to know anything else about it to know it’s a must-see. Her work is always honest, quirky, and beautifully constructed. I’ll be there with a metaphorical teacup in hand.
Z is for Zebra
Katie Scarlett is taking risks — and I love that. Z is for Zebra is one of this year’s development pieces, which means we’re seeing the show in progress, possibly for the first time ever. There’s something electric about that — the vulnerability, the experimentation, the openness to not having all the answers. And knowing Scarlett’s passion, it’ll be worth the leap.
Conceptual Fringe (especially Amica Hunter)
Some people come to Fringe for laughs, some for drama, and some for the absolute mystery of whatever this year’s Conceptual Fringe artists are going to do. This new category features work that defies traditional genres or formats — sometimes interactive, often abstract, always unexpected. I come for all of that — but I especially come for whatever Amica Hunter is up to. Inventive, unusual, and totally untethered to conventional narrative, Hunter embodies what Fringe is at its best: brave, bizarre, and impossible to describe to your co-worker on Monday morning. Which, honestly, is the whole point.
So here we go — lanyards at the ready, schedules color-coded (or at least crumpled in your back pocket), and hearts open to whatever the next two weeks will bring. While these are just a few of the shows I’m looking forward to, I hope you’ll check out something new. Take a risk on a show you’ve never heard of, bring some friends who’ve never experienced the Fringe Festival, and maybe stand in the Know Underground afterward wondering, “What did I just see?”
That’s the magic of Fringe. It makes you feel things, question things, and — more than anything — connect.
And really, isn’t that what good theatre is all about?
The 2025 Cincinnati Fringe Festival runs May 30 through June 14. Tickets for individual shows are $20, and there are passes available — including a 5-ticket Flex Pass for $90 and an All-Access Pass for $330. For the full schedule, tickets, volunteer info, and more, visit cincyfringe.com.