The San Diego International Fringe Festival, held from May 16 through 26, is more than double the size of last year with over 70 acts from as far afield as Japan descending on the city. While the festival may not rival its pre-COVID numbers of 500 shows, it is still the largest international arts event in San Diego.  

Shaun Davis, the incoming director of the festival, promised “eyeball busting theatrical experiences” for attendees. Already, pre-sale tickets sales are half of last year’s total sales, promising renewed interest in the festival which has expanded from Balboa Park to 11 locations in Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Hillcrest, Lincoln Park and more.  

With so many shows to choose from, the preview night on May 14 gave insight into which of the uncensored and often strange shows are worth attending. Here are some top picks!  

Kid appropriate 

meSSes: Solo Circus at Lincoln Park 

Fringe might be famous for letting artists perform whatever they want with no limits, but that does not mean everything is adults only. There are several events aimed at kids, including Family Fringe at the North Park Recreation Center. Of the G rated performances, Janoah the Jester’s solo circus promises to be an entertaining time of unicycles and banana peels while also teaching the audience how to juggle. Laugh and learn at the same time!  

Physical theater 

Only Bones – Daniel Nodder at Wildsong Theatre and Arts Collective (OB) 

The best part of Fringe is the stage being open to the wacky and weird performances that so often get overlooked. For this hilarious routine, Daniel Nodder follows the rules laid out in circus performer Thom Monckton’s The Only Bones Project: no text, no set, no props, no narrative, only one light and within one meter squared. The contortionist hailing from New Zealand delivered two minutes of creative physical gags alongside weird sound effects at the preview night that instantly left us wanting to see more of his hilarious efforts.  

Satire  

The Omega Man at Finest City Improv 

Desde pyramid schemes a drunken wedding speeches, modern life provides many easy targets for lampooning. The self-help grifters and alpha male influencers are the target of Levani Ko’s one man show teaching socially awkward men how to meet conflicting societal expectations through the manliest man music of Queen, Lil Nas X and more. 

Teatro  

Benjamin’s Passion at No Limits 

Former ballerina Elizabeth Du Val wrote and performs this play based on a true story of a Ukrainian ballet director and an aging dancer seeking her big break in isolated Idaho that results in murder. Weaving dance and intrigue together for a captivating story, Du Val’s enrapturing performance is one not to miss.  

Danza 

Rhythm Delivered at Centro Cultural de la Raza 

Many local dance studios, even Fringe venue Tap Fever Studios, are taking part in this year’s Fringe, showcasing culturally significant dances of India (Bharatanatyam and Beyond, Paraashakti) and Ireland (Rince Panic) as well as the healing power of dance (Water of Life). DrumatiX stands out for not only precise tap dancing choreography but using their own bodies to create the music they move to through drumming and body percussion.  

Raunchy 

Shunga Alert at Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre  

A Fringe Festival round-up wouldn’t be complete without an adults-only pick. While comedians confessing their sexcapades is a perennial topic, of the NC-17 performances this year, Shunga Alert from Japan’s Mystery Soup is singular in its eye-popping inappropriateness. This multimedia puppet show takes the audience on a hilarious journey through the sexiest places in contemporary Japan – hijinks ensue. 

Honorable mentions 

Preview night has its limits. Nearly anyone can be funny in two minutes but it’s difficult to grasp the concept of an ensemble play in that same time frame. Don’t even start trying to discern which improv shows will delight when improv hinges on the right audience, cast, suggestions, air pressure, location of the planets, etc.  

It’s not a bad idea to decide what stand-up comedians and storytellers to see based on their topic. Evil French grandmothers, people pleasing, bipolar, Native Two Spirit identity, aging, being a caregiver, pelvic floor health, Han Solo obsessions, fear of hell y anatomy lessons are just some of the many, many topics these performers will tackle. Venue or schedule could be a way to pick from the plays, cabaret, improv, and variety shows.  

 Still, some shows we aim to fit into our schedule are: 

• “Two Wolves,” another choose-your-own adventure musical from Kaylin Saur 
• “The Kids Might Die: A Tale Told by an Idiot,” an award-winning apocalyptic solo comedy 
• “Intolerant,” a cabaret about food allergies  
• “The Connie Converse Universe,” a musician biopic  
• “We Lovers,” local playwright Christian St. Croix’s latest, about four small town neighbors swapping spooky stories 

For festival passes, ticket bundles, schedule and show details, visit sdfringe.org.