Edinburgh Fringe Hits Set to Land in the U.S. with NPR's Top Picks

NPR reviewed roughly 40 performances and selected the most promising ones for American stages. One highlight is the musical "Hole!," which will run from Dec. 1, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027, at Playwrights Horizons in New York. The show follows Garth, a rural Nebraska preacher who receives a divine warning about an apocalypse called "The Great Sucking," forcing him to order 8,000 wooden butt plugs to save his congregation. What sounds absurd evolves into a charming, thoughtful coming-of-age story about his teenage son Luke and best friend Conor, two closeted teens escaping a small conservative town.

Another pick is "Stamptown," a raunchy, high-energy variety show hosted by clown comedian Zach Zucker. Featuring fire-breathing burlesque dancers, aerial acrobats, and offbeat clown performances, it will play at The Bell House in New York on Sept. 10 and 15. NPR notes the show's unpredictability is part of its appeal.

A third show, "Elf Lyons is The Woman on the Edge," premieres at Soho Playhouse in New York from Sept. 24 to Oct. 18. Lyons, a former standup turned clown, delivers a physically dazzling one-woman performance about her broken engagement and subsequent heartbreak. NPR called it "one of the most spectacular pieces of this year's Fringe."

These selections reflect the Fringe's reputation as a launching pad for globally popular works, following earlier hits like "Fleabag" and "Baby Reindeer." NPR's roundup helps American audiences plan ahead for these unusual and inventive shows.