“2 Strange 2 Be True”
9 p.m. Fri., Sept. 12 | 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 19
The Focus Theater, $15
A documentary is often described as being made in reverse; the narrative is not planned, but rather an idea is birthed and pieces are gathered. This returning performance from Austin Scott and Eno Okung of Ants to Gods takes the improvised nature of documentary to new heights. Audience suggestions create characters, plot twists and reenactments that build a whimsical world that unravels itself on the spot. — ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES
“AYUK”
6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 13 | 4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20
School of the Arts: Allen Main Stage Theatre; $15
Where do we turn when we want to escape? To the woods? To our phones? For many, social media was once an outlet for experimenting with unreality. But when Instagram evolved from artsy photos to influencers, the virtual space became partially volatile. As society works to escape the perfectionism of the online world, how does earth shift in its relationship to humanity? CAT + THE COYOTE, a company of seven Nazareth University alumni and standout choreographer Cat Olson, will investigate questions of escapism, with a sprinkle of space dust and a dash of groove in “AYUK.” — SYDNEY BURROWS
“The BFF Notebook”
4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20
The Harley School: Centrum; $12
Before the Notes app and Substack, there were diaries and journals. Good old-fashioned pen and paper used to record memories, from first crushes to five-year goals. For best friends Bridget and Amy, it was a shared experience as they journaled thoughts, plans, and dreams to each other in their “BFF Notebook.” This wholesome show appropriately takes place at a school — one of Fringe’s new venues this year — focusing on “girls destined to ‘make something’ together, unaware that they were ‘making’ just that all along.” — LEAH STACY
“A Body in Places”
6 p.m. Fri., Sept. 19
University of Rochester: Spurrier Dance Theater, $15
Movement is at the heart of what Eiko Otake does. The New York-based artist places her body in different locations — Fukushima and Tokyo, to name two — and responds to the world around her through motion, responding to a number of crises that blend both setting and self. This is a screening of some of her powerful works, including those that she has directed, with Otake herself Zooming in for live commentary. — PATRICK HOSKEN
Calon Arang
11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sun., Sept. 14
Memorial Art Gallery: Sculpture Park Outdoor Tent, $20
In ancient Balinese folklore, the Calon Arang is a witch-type figure, often presented in stories through dance drama and gamelan, or Indonesian traditional music and rhythms. This telling of the tale fuses these elements with a special guest performance by Balinese composer and teacher Gusti Komin. The show is presented by Nusantara Arts, a group dedicated to preserving and celebrating gamelan. — PATRICK HOSKEN
“Catch & Collide”
11:30 a.m. Sept. 14 | 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20
School of the Arts: Allen Main Stage Theatre; $15
Seven Rochester-based choreographers will premiere new works, many of which were developed collaboratively, with improvisation and spontaneity serving as key elements of the creation processes. These well-established artists consistently push boundaries with the topics they tackle and their exploration of interdisciplinary art. For those interested in a glimpse into the variety of creative choreography that’s ever-present in Rochester, BIODANCE’S Catch & Collide offers a great overview. — SYDNEY BURROWS
“Cirque du Fringe: Claws Out”
Various times daily Sept. 9-20
Spiegeltent; $34-$147 (VIP booths)
When the official Fringe press conference happened back in July, performers Matthew and Heidi Morgan had no idea just how topical their newest Cirque show would be: it was right on the heels of the viral Mountain Lion™ sighting. While that AI-infused kerfuffle likely won’t be part of the 12-day Spiegeltent headliner, things will get catty as beloved socialite and renowned opera singer Kitty Ross invites audience members to be her guests of honor for an unforgettable evening of breathtaking talent and outlandish comedy featuring aerialists, acrobats, a swordsman and, of course, Rochester Fringe favorites Matt and Heidi Morgan. — LEAH STACY
“It Will Be Okay”
6:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 17 | 8:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20
CenterStage Theatre at the JCC: JCC Hart Theater; $5
Fringe wouldn’t be Fringe without art by and for Rochester’s thriving Deaf community. This original coming-of-age play follows college freshmen navigating mental health, trans identity, and Deafness. Local playwright Ace Gray, a Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival award-winning performer and recent RIT graduate, writes about identity with insight and humor (which, full disclosure, I know as their former RIT professor). All performances include ASL, spoken English, and captions, with a sensory friendly performance on Sept. 17. — KATHERINE VARGA
“Red Apple Peeling”
6 p.m. Fri., Sept. 19 | 6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20
Parcel 5; free
It’s a bad day to be an apple. Or, is it? The questions will pile like the peeled skin of myriad varieties of the forbidden fruit. The edible spectacle is exactly as it is, and yet not at all. This pop-up performance by Feliza Bascara-Zohar leaves a blank canvas for interpretation. Bitten and smitten with crisp curiosity certain to slice into the core of art, plucked and peeled from the orchard. — ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES
“Tarot Cabaret”
8:30 p.m. Thurs. Sept. 11, Fri., Sept. 12, Thurs., Sept. 18 | 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 19
School of the Arts: Black Box Theatre; $15
Sunday Stages Theatre Company (a moniker nod to “Sunday in the Park with George”) returns for their third Fringe, where they’re specializing in evenings of earnest, entertaining short form theater. In this original cabaret, audiences pull tarot cards that determine each performance’s musical set, enigmatically described as theatrical songs and classic hits. — KATHERINE VARGA
“The Returns Department”
12:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 13 | 3:30 p.m. Sun., Sept. 14
Spiegeltent; $19-$159 (VIP)
Montreal’s Kif-Kif Sisters have an almost supernatural gift for physical comedy. The identical twins label their humor as “tender and intelligent,” drawing strength from clowning and magic shows. Thematically, “The Returns Department” examines the concept of work, but it’s filtered through a lens familiar to Rochesterians both young and old: play. The light tension between the two yields great comedic results in this all-ages show in the round. — PATRICK HOSKEN
“ROCitecture”
6 p.m. Fri., Sept 12 and 19 | 6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 13 and 20
Rochester Contemporary Art Center: Side Lawn; free
The site-specific shows that take place during Fringe are always some of the most fascinating, and this theatrical experience presented by MCC’s On The Edge Theatre Troupe in collaboration with RoCo will highlight the interplay between architecture and capitalism through an interactive game board influenced by Rochester’s architecture. — LEAH STACY
“SPHERE” by eVenti Verticali
7 and 9 p.m. Fri., Sept. 19 | 7 and 9 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20
Parcel 5; free
Aerial arts meets sculpture meets technology in Italy’s vertical theater company, eVenti Verticali. Athletic performers will tackle the challenge of the vertical stage, utilizing the night sky as their backdrop and a large spherical structure as their partner. Based on the island of Sardinia, the company has mastered a unique form of storytelling that uses aerial choreography, architecture, and a bit of adrenaline. Audiences may need to crane their necks to fully experience the show, as SPHERE demonstrates the possibilities of dance beyond the limits of gravity. — SYDNEY BURROWS
The Sights and Sounds District
5 p.m. Fri., Sept. 12 | 5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 13 | 5 p.m. Fri., Sept. 19 | 5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20
Austin Steward Plaza; $20
Within five minutes of his guest spot on WXXI’s “Connections” in August, Matt Rogers of The Lost Borough had the studio (and audience) hooked. Rogers’ depth of knowledge and passion for Rochester history is palpable. During this show, the stories that unfold span generations and flow directly into each set of wireless headphones (provided for attendees). The stage? Exactly where the audience stands — or better yet, sits, as bringing a blanket or chair is recommended. Prepare for an immersive experience akin to time travel, sans DeLorean. — ROBERTO FELIPE LAGARES
“Thirteen Ways”
7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 11 | 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20
MuCCC; $15
Empty nesters Jo and Tony banter in their backyard about a hypothetical kidnapping. As the scene gets reimagined 13 times, their innocuous squabble expands in unexpectedly moving ways. Developed as a staged reading with Rochester Community Player’s Playwrights Showcase (alongside “Churchbells” by Doug Waterman, also getting the 2025 Fringe treatment), this engaging one act displays the playwriting talent of MCC English professor Maria Brandt. — KATHERINE VARGA
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