Posted by AugustIsWriting on Oct 06, 2026
I blink and it's October. We had a distractingly seasonal September here in Philly- got a little cold, got a little dreary- and while I generally consider myself more of a warm weather person, one day wearing my fav jacket has me excited for fall.
Now that Fringe is over, here are the shows I'm still thinking about:
Alpha by Lisa VillaMil - my favorite solo show of Fringe! A solo show about a foolhardy musher, training a team of sled dogs to take on Yukon Quest. There was not a single tech element for this piece, just a jacket and overhead lights, but I was locked in through every minute. The story was well-paced and incredibly acted- Lisa pet every single one of those dogs! In different ways! I hope this one comes back soon, I'd jump at the chance to see it again.
returned, irridescent by Rose Farrell - The biggest thing I took away from this is that Theatre By Development is really putting in the work required for new play development. I caught this piece last winter as a reading, after it had been expanded from a short play in their short-play evening Clippings. I remember leaving that reading thinking, I bet that piece will really soar with some choreographed movement and lights, and it was so magical seeing that actually happen not even a year later. Transformative! Magical!
SPORTS! from Obvious Agency - A piece originated by Cat Ramirez about the community-building power of queer sports leagues, where the team invented a new sport called AllBall and played a game of it (AllBall was a combination of soccer, basketball, and flag football. Every time a score was made, the ball switched, all played on a half-court). I was packed in the bleachers of the Friends Select gym, waving my little towel with my team name on it, screaming my lungs out: "DEFENSE! KEEP UP THE DEFENSE!!!" This is what I needed after a month of only catching the occassional Women's Major League Baseball game alone in my living room. I left invigorated and desperate to find a sports club, which I can only assume was the goal.
Bonus Art in September
I saw a preview for Horsegirl and Cowdaddy at the Wilma Theater, and what a gorgeous show. I'm from the area of PA the show is about, and it does an incredible job of not only capturing the slow-moving beauty of the area, but it does an impressive job of not talking down to anyone. I could see so many avenues where any one of the three characters could be disregarded or their opinion left unvalidated, but the story perfectly balances the bravery of wanting more with a respect for those who stay. Plus, it's delightfully horny! What can I say!
What I'm Seeing in October
Macbeth at Temple Theaters
Witch at Quintessence Theater Group
Liberation at Philadelphia Theatre Company
Misery at Hedgerow Theatre
#CHARLOTTESVILLE at Azuka/Sympatico
Run Ben Run from Applied Mechanics