South Philly will get a magical visit from one of the most outrageous Fringe Festival personalities this month — and this time, Karen Tenderness is looking for herself.
South Philly resident Dan Kitrosser, a two-time Fringie Award winner, brings the over-the-top character back to the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in DOPPEL BÄNGER, a solo comedy about identity, self-love and self-sabotage. The show runs Sept. 9-12 and Sept. 16-19 at the recently opened Magic Gardens Studio, 1002 Watkins St.
In the show, Karen boards a self-love cruise after becoming newly single and looking for romance and reinvention. Instead, someone steals her identity — and the suspect appears to be a woman who looks exactly like Karen.
Trapped aboard the ship, Karen launches an increasingly chaotic investigation as she tries to determine who is responsible. Along the way, the mystery becomes more personal, forcing her to confront the possibility that her biggest obstacle may be herself.
“At its heart, this is a show about what it means to love yourself when you’re not entirely sure you like yourself,” Kitrosser said.
Kitrosser’s work blends camp, comedy and more tender moments. Kitrosser’s previous solo show, HOMOS!, won the 2023 Philadelphia Fringe Festival Best Cabaret/Fringie Award. Kitrosser also co-wrote the Sundance-premiered film WE THE ANIMALS and teaches screenwriting and performance at Temple University.
The Karen Tenderness character was developed under the mentorship of Dito Van Reigersberg, known as Martha Graham Cracker, and has become a recurring Fringe favorite.
The 60-minute show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, with pay-what-you-can admission also available. The performance is intended for audiences 18 and older and includes adult language and audience interaction. Tickets and information are available at phillyfringe.org. ••
