A South Philly experimental performance company is inviting audiences to slow down, reflect and even become part of the performance with the world premiere of Lunar Retreat, an immersive experience debuting during the 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
Formerly known as Nichole Canuso Dance Company headquartered on Moore Street, Nichole Canuso | Branching Paths will present the new production Sept. 10-20 at the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery at 3401 Filbert St. in University City.
Rather than a traditional stage performance, audiences will move through a multi-sensory installation featuring guided audio prompts, opportunities for personal interaction and the freedom to explore at their own pace.
Inspired by the gradual widening of the distance between the Earth and the moon, a phenomenon known as lunar retreat, the work examines themes of grief, healing and humanity’s connection to the natural world.
“Lunar Retreat reflects on our deep evolutionary ties to the ocean and the moon, reminding us that we are all interconnected with the natural world,” artistic director Nichole Canuso said. “With this work we are extending an expansive invitation — inviting all of us, no matter how we identify — to come together and reflect on our relationship to grief and loss and the natural world.”
Canuso said the project has evolved over four years through workshops and performances in Philadelphia and around the world, with audience feedback helping shape the final production.
“I knew I wanted Lunar Retreat to be a place for all of us: both the creators of the experience and the audiences we interact with, to slow down and open up to both the harsh realities all around us as well the absolute beauty of being here, moving through this one precious life,” she said. “This experience offers opportunities to tune in to our own inner landscapes while staying curious about the people all around us.”
The company also worked extensively with members of the Blind and Low Vision community to make the production more accessible. The performance incorporates audio description and tactile scenic elements into its design, with several performances featuring touch tours and additional accommodations.
The production marks a new chapter for the company, which recently adopted the name Nichole Canuso | Branching Paths to reflect its collaborative, participatory approach to performance and its focus on creating immersive experiences in nontraditional spaces.
Tickets are on sale through the Philadelphia Fringe Festival website at phillyfringe.org. Special performances for Blind and Low Vision audiences are scheduled Sept. 12, 13, 18 and 19, while an ASL-interpreted performance will be offered Sept. 20. ••
