The start of summer means shorts, flip-flops, picnics — and the return of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.
Beginning the Friday after Memorial Day and running through the first two weekends of June (May 29-June 13), the Fringe once again offers Cincinnati audiences a dizzying number of theatrical choices. Every year I ask myself the same question: where do I begin?
For this year’s preview, I decided to organize my picks into two categories: must-see shows and promising shows.
The must-see list includes productions I feel compelled to catch based on the artists involved, the premise, or the show’s history at other festivals. The promising list includes shows that intrigue me, even if I am less certain what shape the final production will take.
When sorting through the lineup, I usually consider three things:
- Who are the artists involved, and what has their previous work looked like?
- Has the show appeared at other festivals and had time to evolve?
- Has the production received awards or recognition elsewhere?
One thing worth noting: if a show is not mentioned here, that does not mean it looks weak.
This year’s Fringe lineup feels especially focused and curated, as Fringe producer Katie Hartman has given Cincinnati a lean mean power-packed set of shows. The primary lineup is 25 shows, plus the 4 limited runs, 4 Fringe in Development, and 2 Kids Fringe show. With a smaller primary lineup than in some previous years, the overall slate appears unusually strong from top to bottom.
At the same time, Fringe thrives on surprise. I try to be a blank slate, and not to let my expectations harden before I actually see a performance. One of my favorite productions from last year, Jack Fogel’s Camp Loretto, originally landed on my “promising” list rather than my “must-see” list. Fringe rewards curiosity.
Cincy Fringe ’26 MUST-SEE SHOWS
1 Gay Wedding and Absolutely No Funerals: Reception to Follow
Last year, 1 Gay Wedding and Absolutely No Funerals won the Audience Pick award. This year, Ben and Justin Presents return with a second act to their comedy on discovering a dead body on the morning of a wedding. The original was incredibly funny, so this second act should be packed with laughter and surprises. One hopes the two acts will be paired into a full-length play with a life beyond the Fringe circuit.
A Hollywood Horror Story
Ingrid Garner brings television horror icon Vampira to life in this new solo performance. Garner is already a two-time Cincinnati Best of Fringe winner for Eleanor’s Story and its sequel, and she remains one of the festival’s most commanding solo performers–I’d even watch her paint a wall! She can command an audience’s attention. Vampira sounds like a wonderful subject for her talents.
Bomb! (an FBI memoir)
Playwright Liz Coley and Silver Linings Production present a musical centered on the FBI’s top explosives scientist. Coley has consistently demonstrated sharp storytelling instincts in previous productions and a growing theatrical talent. If her previous shows are any indication of this production (Castaways and Arsenic and Old Spice), then Bomb! will be an unforgettable theatrical outing.
FRONTIER So Far and Modern Butchood
I am pairing these two productions together because they seem to speak to one another, possibly complementing each other. hey showcase the range of gender and sexual identity issues that is a hallmark of Cincinnati Fringe. FRONTIER So Far explores cowboys and astronauts as models of masculinity. Handled correctly, this can be a special evening of theatre. The same can be said for Modern Butchood. It is a dark comedy about queer identity that sounds fresh, fun, and exciting.
Jon Bennett: This Will Only Ever Happen Once
Jon Bennett returns to the Fringe with a new autobiographical performance focused on nature and animals. Previous appearances, including Fire in the Meth Lab and AMERICAN’T, showcased Bennett’s gift for balancing vulnerability, humor, and brutally honest storytelling. Each of these shows is a revelation. Bennett tells tales on himself unflinchingly. He explores raw emotional territory with honesty. He is always engaging and provides a fulfilling evening of theatre.
Locusta’s School for Assassins
Samantha Joy Weil impressed Cincinnati audiences with Meet Me at the Bathtub, her sharp and inventive piece about French Revolution assassin Charlotte Corday. She is back with a show recounting the misadventures of Locusta and Agrippina. These two women learn how to be successful poisoners during the time of the Roman emperor Nero. Joy Weil is a powerhouse actor. She was outstanding in Crocodile Fever at Falcon Theatre this season, which bodes well for this show.
PROMISING SHOWS
Early Bird
Jack Fogel follows Camp Loretto with a new exploration of queerness and family reunion dynamics set in rural Kentucky. Like that piece, Early Bird blends live performance action with puppetry. That combination helped make Camp Loretto one of last year’s most outstanding productions. It will be interesting to see how Fogel evolves here.
Papa
Madeleine Rowe previously appeared at Fringe 2024 with Knight, Knight, a clever comic riff on Arthurian legend. This new show pairs their clowning skills with Frankenstein’s Monster. Another show that has promise for inventive physical comedy.
Quiet Coyote
Robyn Novak and Green Fuse Productions is telling the story of three summer camp counselors dealing with a wildfire emergency. As they state in their description, the counselors cope by “performing skits inspired by plant adaptations.” The premise of this play sounds incredibly timely and one that we will be facing more and more with global warming (wildfires, not skits based on plant adaptations). Green Fuse Productions is brand new to the Fringe circuit. However, there are some heavyweight performers on their creative team, so that is another reason to put it on your radar.
Rat Man Happy Place
Costella is the David Bowie of the Fringe Circuit: every one of his shows is completely different. This show is billed as “if Mad Max took a Florida vacation.” I don’t know what to make of that, but Costella is a strong performer who always comes up with memorable shows. Is it going to be comedic or a serious exposition on rats and garbage? Who knows?
What is Art and What Art is Good Art
Ben Dudley’s comedic exploration of two self-proclaimed art experts explaining art sounds like a great premise. Dudley’s comedic style tends towards absurdism, so it’s not certain how absurdist this show will go. Absurdist comedy can make it tricky to bring the audience along for the ride.
White Whale
Sean Mette is a wonderful puppeteer who did a great job with the Kid’s Fringe show The Emu that Ate Cincinnati in 2024. Mette’s current show, White Whale, is a puppet show for adults. It tells the story of the actual businessman in 1877 who wanted to display living whales in Cincinnati. The premise sounds incredibly strong, but we’ll see how it plays out.
Cincy Fringe 2026 is Sure To Be Memorable
In the end, the important thing is to see what is drawing you–whether it’s one of the shows I’ve listed or one I did not list. Fringe is a community effort—get out there, see some shows, and talk about them with fellow audience members. You’ll be happy you did.
One final thing. Be certain to hit the Fringe Late Night. On Sunday, May 31, LCT will be hosting a Fringe Swap Night.There is a complete list of all late night activities on page 5 of the FRINGE PROGRAM GUIDE.
Some of the festival’s strangest and most memorable moments happen after the performances end.
This is only a preview of Cincy Fringe 2026, May 29-June 13. Get your All-Access passes, Flex Passes or single tickets to the Fringe–as well as more info–HERE.
