San Diego Fringe 2026 Reviews

Last week, I had the honor of attending the 2026 World Fringe Congress in San Diego, CA, during the San Diego International Fringe Festival (more on the Congress in the coming weeks). I was fortunate enough to catch a few shows throughout the week. It was exciting to see that SD Fringe secured a few new state-of-the-art venues in partnership with San Diego State University. Additionally, the Baja Fringe Bi-National Fringe Program featured a multi-day lineup and was well-received. While audiences were still a bit slim at the SD Fringe, there were some incredible shows.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention seeing Kim's Convenience, a "non-fringe production" of a fringe show. The Old Globe, the resident LORT theatre in San Diego, was playing host to the current touring production of Kim's Convenience, which premiered at the Toronto Fringe in 2011.

Kim's Convenience, which centers on an immigrant family that runs a convenience store in a gentrifying area of Toronto, was turned down by multiple producers. So, like many brilliant creatives, Ins Choi presented his play at the Toronto Fringe. The show was well received and has had a bountiful life, from touring productions to a multi-season TV series on the CBC, and was eventually picked up by Netflix. In the early years, Choi played the son in the production, and now he has aged into the role of the father, which he plays in this touring production.

I couldn't pass up the chance to see some fringe royalty, and Choi was spectacular! (Whoever turned down that production in the early years, hopefully, learned their lesson about taking chances on new work.)

Now on to the Reviews!

All reviews can also be viewed on the WTF?! Instagram saved stories.

Be on the lookout for some of these shows at other festivals worldwide- they are on the move!

MUST SEE at the San Diego Fringe

Don Toberman: Ping Pong Champ

I love this show so much. Don is pure delight. A guaranteed good time!

Just to Be Close to You

A laugh out loud experience. Poter knows just how to bring his audience along and play the games of this show. Second viewing was just as charming as the first.

(Yes, I have seen and reviewed Don Toberman & Just to Be Close to You before. They are great shows, and it's my blog, so I can do WTF I want.)

Olivia Raine Atwood: Oops!

Olivia is an absolutely brilliant wordsmith, written and spoken. High energy & mega laughs.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED at the San Diego Fringe

Fairy Tale Monologues

A nuanced exploration of the perception of women. Beautiful music and singing. I am thrilled that this show will be expanded into a full-length production later this year.

*Riot Productions presented a 60-minute workshop version of Fairy Tale Monologues. The company will be mounting a full-length production of the show later in the year in partnership with another local San Diego theatre company. And the fringe awards Riot has received don't just recognize the work; they carry real weight when the company applies for grants to fund its year-round programming. This is an example of one of the many reasons every city needs a local fringe!

RECOMMENDED at the San Diego Fringe

Don't Kill Daisy (WIP)

Soleil draws you in with her childlike wonder. An invitation to romp and play!

(I can't wait to see this show in its final stage: looking at you EdFringe. It's gonna be killer.)

The Omega Man Project

Fantastic one-liners, the power point was used to perfection. Super fun audience interaction.

(Levani was recovering from kidney stones and still managed to put on a great show and even work in a bit about the stones. WTF?! Levani, you are a legend.)

And did I misspell RECCOMMEND on my IG stories? You bet'cha. Anybody want to volunteer as my editor?

BONUS MENTIONS

These are a few shows I couldn't make work with my schedule, but looked fab, so I wanted to give them a shout-out. Keep your eyes open for performances of these shows at other festivals throughout the year. (Denver, Hollywood, Edinburgh, Stockholm, Sydney, and I'm sure someone is going to Canada).

GULP! from Prith Khalsa

Hail Mary, None of the Grace from Mary Kennedy

I Think It Coud Work from Full Out Formula

Re:Re:Reincarnation from Theatre Group Gumbo

The Wickie from Richie Whitehead

Watch our interview with Solei Kohl from Don't Kill Daisy