Pittsburgh Fringe Festival goes out on the cultural edge

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival returns for a fifth year of presenting “adventurous and exploratory performing artists,” with 30 international, national and local performers in six North Side venues.

Among the attractions will be God finally talking with that famous Judy Blume character, Margaret; Karl Marx returning to defend his position; a StorySlam; and a look back at the Falklands War.

“Pittsburgh’s theatergoers are in for a three-day theatrical adventure featuring award-winning international artists and the best-of-the-best of homegrown talent — all within easy walking distance on the North Side,” Xela Batchelder, the festival’s executive director said in a statement. Here is the lineup: “Andrew Frank: MACROCOSM” — Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, downstairs, 416 W North Ave.: An hour of stand-up comedy exploring the totality of existence. Friday 9 p.m.; Saturday 9:15 p.m.; Sunday 4 p.m.

“Are You There Margaret? It’s Me, God” (Rude Cutlet Theater Company) — St. Mary’s Lyceum, downstairs, 910 Chestnut St.: After almost 50 years of silence, God finally responds to many of Judy Blume character Margaret’s impossible requests in a re-examination of the puberty classic. Friday 10:30 p.m.; Saturday 12:15 p.m.; Sunday 4:30 p.m.

“Bobby’s Ballet Lessons” — Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, downstairs: “This gentle piece shows us all how a child’s inner innocence can be a pathway to acceptance and growth for a child in need.” Saturday 3:10 p.m.; Sunday 2:20 p.m.

“Beyond Pittsburgh: Which Fringe Next?” (Free) — Saint Mary’s Lyceum, upstairs: Workshop on taking your show to another fringe. Saturday 11:30 a.m.

“Bottle Rockets” (Thoreau, NM — A Production Company) — Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, upstairs: A three-person domestic comedy examining legacy and what we choose to communicate with each other. Friday-Sunday 8 p.m.

“Bounder the Rescue Dog” (Puppets in Performance) — Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, upstairs: A lighthearted 40-minute puppet comedy about a hyperactive boy, his mom and a street dog. Appropriate for all ages. Friday 4:50 p.m.; Saturday 2:10 p.m.; Sunday 3 p.m.

“Children of Heaven” (Laugh/Riot Performing Arts Company) — St. Mary’s Lyceum, upstairs: We meet the Children of Heaven and learn about their mission. Friday 5:15 p.m.; Saturday 6 p.m.; Sunday 11:20 a.m.

“Come As You Are” (Come As You Are Collective) — St. Mary’s Lyceum, upstairs: Intimate stories of having to change to conform to others’ expectations. Following the featured storytellers, the audience will be invited to share their own experiences in an open-mic story-slam format. Saturday 2:15 p.m.; Sunday 6 p.m.

“Falkland: The War the World Forgot” (Tasty Monster Productions) — St. Mary’s Lyceum, upstairs: Under the starry blanket of night, two unlikely friends, a young soldier and a curmudgeonly farmer, find new camaraderie as the big show plays out in the theater of war around them. Saturday 8:30 p.m.; Sunday 5:15 p.m.

Fringe StorySlam (Pittsburgh Fringe) — Fringe Club at Teutonia Männerchor, 857 Phineas St.: Open-mic competition for anyone to share a five-minute story based on a theme to audience members who appreciate a well-told tale. Saturday 10:30 p.m.

“How to Suffer Better” (Amanda Erin Miller) — St. Mary’s Lyceum, downstairs: In this one-woman comedy show, six unlucky contestants from different walks of life present their struggles. Friday 4:35 p.m.; Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday 8:45 p.m.

“Howie Hypnotize” — St. Mary’s Lyceum, upstairs: Comedy hypnosis show. Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 p.m.; Sunday 6:45 p.m.

“It Sounded Like a Good Idea in My Dreams” (Ian Insect) — St. Mary’s Lyceum, upstairs: “Dreams” jumps from absurdist jokes to anecdotes to vaudeville comedy routines complete with costume changes. Friday 10 p.m.; Saturday 2:45 p.m.; Sunday 8:15 p.m.

“Art Exhibit: Johnross” (Space at 1010) — The Allegheny Inn, 1010 Cedar