By Sophie McClung, Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

Tymisha Harris, star of “A Cabaret of Legends.”

The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, an all-out, no-holds-barred, inclusive multi-disciplinary performing arts event featuring an eclectic mix of international, national and local artists, is returning to Pittsburgh. In its twelfth year, the festival will return to a fully in-person capacity – the first time since 2019 – spanning multiple venues along Penn Avenue in Bloomfield, Garfield, and Friendship from Thursday, March 20 to Sunday, March 29.
The festival will showcase more than 40 productions, spanning theater (physical, street, musical), comedy, visual arts, puppetry, family entertainment, music, dance, spoken word, opera, poetry, literature…and show submissions are still coming in.
“Every year, Pittsburgh Fringe is a celebration of bold, boundary-pushing performances, and this year is no exception,” says Xela Batchelder, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Fringe Festival.
Among the most anticipated performances at this year’s Pittsburgh Fringe is A Cabaret of Legends, an electrifying showcase that brings history’s greatest icons back to life. This larger-than-life cabaret blends vintage glamour with modern flair, featuring uncanny portrayals of legendary figures from music, film, and beyond. Audiences can expect a whirlwind of powerhouse performances, theatrical storytelling, and a touch of campy charm.
Crossing the pond to Pittsburgh Fringe, acclaimed West End and screen actor Daniel Gerroll (Chariots of Fire, Still Alice, Seinfeld, Cheers) will be taking on the demanding stage play of Dr. Glas, a gripping psychological thriller that plunges audiences into the mind of a conflicted physician. Based on the 1905 modernist classic, the play unfolds through the diary of Dr. Tyko Gabriel Glas as he wrestles with love, morality, and the boundaries of right and wrong.
In addition to worldwide acts, Pittsburgh Fringe provides a stage to the incredible talent right at home. One such act blends intricate movement with storytelling – Weaving In: A Caper is a bold new dance theater work choreographed and directed by Pittsburgh native Mita Ghosal. Inspired by the delicate stitching of traditional Kantha embroidery, this piece offers a fresh, thought-provoking take on resilience, labor, and the South Asian female experience.
Bringing a fusion of music, gaming, and cosplay, Pittsburgh artist Katie Shesko delivers a high-energy flute performance in her self-titled one-woman show. Known for her fast-paced playing and love of video games and anime, she brings iconic soundtracks to life with electrifying precision. Whether you’re a fan of nostalgic gaming classics or epic anime themes, this unique show promises a thrilling musical adventure.
It is not too late to add your voice to this year’s festival, as Pittsburgh Fringe encourages you to participate in the “Yinzer Variety Show” and “Fringe StorySlam.”
The late-night Yinzer Variety Show allows anyone to perform a short piece from any genre. The Fringe StorySlam is a show that gives storytelling artists, or those who want to try their hand at the genre, a chance to take the stage and tell a short story.
To learn how to get involved and view the Pittsburgh Fringe performance schedule, please visit pittsburghfringe.org or email info@pittsburghfringe.org with any questions.