Playwrights' Center

2301 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls.

Anansi, Brer Rabbit and Other Wily Characters

Black Storytellers Alliance
Improv/Comedy Kids
Interactive storytelling: folk tales, fairy tales and other stories of trickery and wit using well-loved animal characters primarily from the African and African-American experience. Created by BSA. Ages 4+
 

The Comedy Hypnosis Show

Katie Knutson
Improv/Comedy
Go beyond “Look into my eyes.” No barking or clucking here! Audience volunteers improvise each unique show, which could include a talent contest, knock-out kisses, or even missing body parts. And SLEEP! Created by Katie Knutson, Hypnotist. Ages 12+
 

Danny Is Going To Die

Screaming Mutes Productions
Comedy
When Daniel Murphy’s inauspicious life is rocked by a cancer diagnosis, bad goes to worse when he encounters an endless parade of well-meaning family and friends looking to “cure” him. Written by Tim Gage. Ages 16+ Adult language
 

Every Pastie* Tells a Story

Nancy Donoval
Solo/Comedy
Lobster claw tassels and strapless red dresses are just part of the fun as Nancy reveals her private pastie* collection and a pivotal moment in her quest to become a good artist and a bad girl. (*not a meat pie) Written by and performed by Nancy Donoval. Ages 13+
 

Food Shelf Follies

Lane McKiernan
Solo/Spoken Word
Tales of life on the lower end of the economic scale. Quail in the face of red tape. Cheer at creative solutions to hunger (and a bonus of true love). Take note of survival tips. Triumph. Heartbreak. Snacks. Created by Lane McKiernan. Ages 12+
 

Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter

Paul von Stoetzel
Drama/Satire
Written by 2005 Nobel Award winner Harold Pinter, two professional killers wait in a seemingly abandoned house for their next “job” until a descending dumbwaiter changes everything for the worse. Written by Harold Pinter. Ages 15+
 

Helen

J & R Co.
Comedy/Drama
Ellen McLaughlin’s “Helen” uses the ultimate female icon to reveal the human cost of constructing gender through image, war through media and reality through simulation. A St. Olaf College collaboration. Written by Ellen McLaughlin. Ages 10+
 

I’d Kick Puppies for You

Dr. Thought
Comedy/Drama
It’s a play about love. And kicking puppies. Written by Rebecca Sandell. Ages 13+ Adult language
 

My Dinner with Andrew

Right Brain Productions
Drama
From Des Moines, Iowa: An autobiographical account of the playwright’s interactions with serial killer Andrew Cunanan in the year leading up to his cross-country killing spree and the unyielding media scrutiny that followed. Written by Robert John Ford. Ages 16+ Adult language
 

Two Short Operas: Mr. Berman’s Bath-Size Bar and There’s a Mastodon In My Backyard

The Dead Composers Society
Musical theater/Comedy
Opera? At the Fringe? Yes! It’s in English. It’s funny. None of the singers weigh 300 lbs. The Dead Composers Society presents two short comic (and a little absurd) operas by Minneapolis composer Stephen Houtz. Ages 2+
 

Was my brother in the battle? SONGS OF WAR

Stephen Swanson & David Gompper
Solo
From Iowa City, Iowa: A concert of songs about the individuals involved in America’s historic military conflicts, their friends and their families—harsh, ironic, funny, patriotic, poignant, disturbing—images of America at war. Created by Stephen Swanson/David Gompper.