Tickets and Shows

THE VILLAGE CIDIOT

September 10th at 6:45pm

In Lauren Letellier’s solo show, a dyed-in-the-wool Manhattanite loses her big corporate job and moves, reluctantly, to a tiny upstate town where her city skills are no match for rural reality. A hilarious and moving journey about navigating life’s disruptions with humor, compassion, and tick repellant. Critics agree: if you've ever been beaned by one of life's curveballs, you'll find this show uproarious and poignant. “An entrancing piece of theater!”—Berkshire on Stage.

Goblin Market

September 10th at 7:00pm

A one-act chamber operetta adapted from Christina Rossetti’s evocative 1862 poem. Two sisters return to their childhood home and relive haunting memories. Transported to girlhood, they navigate the dark fantasies of their adolescence as goblin merchants tempt them with unimagined ecstasies. A heart-twisting tale of seduction, sacrifice, and sisterhood, "Goblin Market" explores how women can reclaim their bodies, dreams, and destinies.

The Israel Monologues: David Kilimnick Stand-Up Comedy

September 10th at 7:00pm

The Jewish expat takes you on the comedy roller coaster of immigration and life overseas, as he brings you his "Israel Comedy Experience" and love of his people. Always the outsider, David uses what he has learned in his travels to share his newfound point of view on Israel, his childhood, religious life, and America. All with the touch of an overly passionate and loving Jew, David brings the funny and takes you along the journey of laughs.

Cirque du Fringe: Variete

September 10th at 7:30pm

Join us in the Spiegeltent for an evening of outlandish comedy and thrilling feats starring Vegas legends Matt and Heidi Morgan. Classic vaudeville meets retro variety show meets circus all live in technicolor! An eye-popping cast from four continents will leave you gasping in wonder and splitting with laughter in this entertaining spectacle including Argentinian gauchos, trapeze & hair hang aerialists, roller skates, unicycles, a world-renowned basketball juggler and….a giant chicken!?

Jackboxing

September 10th at 7:30pm

Some of our favorite local improvisers and comedians duel it out digitally. Their weapons are their cellphones, and their arenas are the Jackbox Party games. But the fun isn’t only for our competitors: the audience can sway the vote and help determine who is the champion. This show is free at the Focus Theater. Please join us for lots of fun and excitement!

Moses Man: Finding Home

September 10th at 7:30pm

The powerful, true account of Holocaust survivors who fled Vienna during Hitler’s annexation, followed by their perilous nine-year journey before finding home in America. Join the creative team as they share the story of making this new musical bound for off-Broadway and how they are connecting the narrative with current refugees. Compelling performances, survivor testimony, and location film footage accompany the live presentation. Never Again is now! The Sept. 10 show includes reception.

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

September 10th at 8:00pm

Actor Patrick Fegley delivers a solo tour de force, effortlessly bringing to life every character in a small Jersey Shore town as he unravels the story of Leonard Pelkey, a tenaciously optimistic and flamboyant 14-year-old boy who goes missing. Leonard, a luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, becomes an unexpected inspiration as the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind.

Pitch Perfect

September 10th at 8:00pm

The first in the hit Pitch Perfect series introduces Beca to college and to a clique that she reluctantly fits in with. Anna Kendrick (The Twilight Saga, Up in the Air) as Beca pushes the musical Bellas to the top college a cappella competition against an all-male rival group. Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson co-star in this comedy.

Negotiating Immortality

September 11th at 5:40pm

"Negotiating Immortality" explores the societal repercussions if a medical breakthrough were to bring about the legitimate possibility of slowing the aging process and doubling or tripling average life expectancy. Death would not be eliminated—there will always be accidents, violence, and forms of disease that medicine may not be able to stop. But the promise of death after 75 to 100 years on the planet would be eradicated.

The Court of the Mind - With Judge Mentalist

September 11th at 7:00pm

The court of the mind is a zone to leave judgment at the door. We'll embark on a journey through the subconscious without regard for the outside world in this exciting, interactive hypnosis show! A select number of audience members will have the opportunity to volunteer to become the stars of a unique show. Each and every performance is different from the last!

Goblin Market

September 11th at 7:00pm

A one-act chamber operetta adapted from Christina Rossetti’s evocative 1862 poem. Two sisters return to their childhood home and relive haunting memories. Transported to girlhood, they navigate the dark fantasies of their adolescence as goblin merchants tempt them with unimagined ecstasies. A heart-twisting tale of seduction, sacrifice, and sisterhood, "Goblin Market" explores how women can reclaim their bodies, dreams, and destinies.

Cirque du Fringe: Variete

September 11th at 7:30pm

Join us in the Spiegeltent for an evening of outlandish comedy and thrilling feats starring Vegas legends Matt and Heidi Morgan. Classic vaudeville meets retro variety show meets circus all live in technicolor! An eye-popping cast from four continents will leave you gasping in wonder and splitting with laughter in this entertaining spectacle including Argentinian gauchos, trapeze & hair hang aerialists, roller skates, unicycles, a world-renowned basketball juggler and….a giant chicken!?

Bushwhacked Boudoir

September 11th at 8:30pm

Battle Royale Improv Tournament

September 12th at 6:00pm

The tournament du Fringe 2024: three teams enter, one team leaves. Who survives? You tell us! The Focus Theater presents Rochester Fringe’s Battle Royale improv contest. The winner from each semifinal show will advance to the tournament of champions, where fame, fortunate, and the praise of adoring fans awaits. Come out and cheer for competitive mirth!

The Stakeout

September 12th at 6:30pm

Martin Dockery’s off-Broadway comedy-drama about two men on a stakeout of two men on a stakeout of them. A funny, heartrending head trip about fathers and sons. “5 STARS: Best show at the fest. Comedy and drama, magic and wonder… the best performances of the year”—Edmonton Journal. “A fringe Best Bet. Biting humour and remarkably poignant”—Calgary Herald. “This dramedy came out swinging…with tension, humor, and empathy. A phenomenal story”—Winnipeg Free Press. Best of Fest: Ottawa.

Cirque du Fringe: Variete

September 12th at 7:00pm

Join us in the Spiegeltent for an evening of outlandish comedy and thrilling feats starring Vegas legends Matt and Heidi Morgan. Classic vaudeville meets retro variety show meets circus all live in technicolor! An eye-popping cast from four continents will leave you gasping in wonder and splitting with laughter in this entertaining spectacle including Argentinian gauchos, trapeze & hair hang aerialists, roller skates, unicycles, a world-renowned basketball juggler and….a giant chicken!?

Goblin Market

September 12th at 7:00pm

A one-act chamber operetta adapted from Christina Rossetti’s evocative 1862 poem. Two sisters return to their childhood home and relive haunting memories. Transported to girlhood, they navigate the dark fantasies of their adolescence as goblin merchants tempt them with unimagined ecstasies. A heart-twisting tale of seduction, sacrifice, and sisterhood, "Goblin Market" explores how women can reclaim their bodies, dreams, and destinies.

Moses Man: Finding Home

September 12th at 7:00pm

The powerful, true account of Holocaust survivors who fled Vienna during Hitler’s annexation, followed by their perilous nine-year journey before finding home in America. Join the creative team as they share the story of making this new musical bound for off-Broadway and how they are connecting the narrative with current refugees. Compelling performances, survivor testimony, and location film footage accompany the live presentation. Never Again is now! The Sept. 10 show includes reception.

THE VILLAGE CIDIOT

September 12th at 7:30pm

In Lauren Letellier’s solo show, a dyed-in-the-wool Manhattanite loses her big corporate job and moves, reluctantly, to a tiny upstate town where her city skills are no match for rural reality. A hilarious and moving journey about navigating life’s disruptions with humor, compassion, and tick repellant. Critics agree: if you've ever been beaned by one of life's curveballs, you'll find this show uproarious and poignant. “An entrancing piece of theater!”—Berkshire on Stage.

Mounting Washington: The Story of a Mountain & a Miracle

September 12th at 8:00pm

A single parent falls into the depths brought on by their own bad decisions. They climb out…and keep on climbing, seeking proof and validation. Finally when they reach the summit, a miracle occurs, and everything changes. Again. Mounting Washington is acclaimed storyteller Penny Sterling's improbable, true account of riding in "The World’s Toughest Bicycle Hillclimb," discovering that not getting what you want can be the best gift you can get.