2018 minnesota fringe festival

Back for its 25th year, the Midwest's biggest performing arts festival is expected to draw nearly 50,000 attendees to 132 shows, each no longer than an hour, at more than a dozen venues Aug. 2-12. Star Tribune reviewers will swarm the fest to see as many shows as they can stand, and tip readers to the good, the bad and the curious. New this year: a Family Fringe with six shows at Celtic Junction in St. Paul. Tickets are $5-$10 per show, $19-25 for a daylong pass, $220 for VIP all-access pass. Seats for some shows can be reserved for an extra $3 via minnesotafringe.org.

Navigating the 2018 Fringe Festival

The Fringe is centered in two Minneapolis neighborhoods: Northeast and Cedar-Riverside, with Red Stag Supperclub returning as Fringe Central, the official post-show hangout. There's also a new Minnesota Family Fringe at Celtic Junction in St. Paul, and a Family Central at nearby Can Can Wonderland where ticketholders can do mini-golf or other activities from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 2-5 and 9-12.

Our 10 favorite shows at the 2018 Minnesota Fringe Festival

As the Fringe heads into its final weekend, here are our critics' top picks from the 42 shows we reviewed.

5 shows, one Fringe Festival: How this Twin Cities actor/director gets ready for 'marathon'

Shanan Custer has no fewer than five shows in Minnesota's largest performing arts fest: "It's like theater sports."

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