The Rogue Festival is back! It will be in Fresno, CA from Feb 27- March 7, 2026
Are you ready to see the 2026 Fresno Rogue Festival Muse? Meet at Goldsteins in the Tower District on Thursday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. at 1279 N. Wishon Ave, Fresno. Also pick up your Rogue book to make your plan to see as many of the amazing shows as possible.
The Timothy Mooney Repertory Theatre presents:
MAN CAVE Returns: TWO One-Man Sci-Fi Climate Change Tragicomedies!
MAN CAVE, Volumes I AND II!
At the Rogue Theatre Festival! “The Grove at Vini’s”
Six years ago, Tim Mooney brought “Man Cave; a One-Man Comic Sci-Fi Thriller” to the Rogue Performance Festival. “Man Cave” featured “the last man on Earth, broadcasting to whatever Klingons, Vulcans or Tralfamadorians might still be listening.”
Those who lived through Rogue 2020 may remember that little “pandemic” just after the first weekend of shows. Mooney notes, “Everything was on the brink of shut-down, but for those few who still came out, a play about the end of the world seemed astonishingly prescient!” Six years later, Tim is bringing the Original “Man Cave” back to Fresno (for those who were otherwise occupied that first time around), along with its new sequel, “Man Cave II”!
“I wanted to give the folks who missed the first “Man Cave” a chance to “catch up” before launching into the next chapter. A lot of people who saw that play’s (‘cliffhanger’) ending have asked me just what happens next!. Well, the events of the last six years, and particularly the last presidential election gave new life to the idea.
“’Man Cave II’ is still a one-man show, with myself playing that ‘one-man,’ performed in the same location and motif as the original, but this time … different. As I worked on this, I kept reminding myself that ‘History doesn’t repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.’” While the first explored how the world got into the climate conundrum, this second show widens the lens a little further. It’s also still very much a tragicomedy. But this time the comedy takes on a very different tone, with a plot development I’m pretty sure nobody is likely to see coming!
“Part I depicted the end of civilization as we’ve known it. Part II stretches to grasp the epic size and vastness of (what must seem to us as) the ‘nothingness’ to follow. It’s about as close as we can get to grasping a sense of the ‘infinity’ that preceded us as a species and that will follow us after we’re gone.”
Tim will be presenting 2 performances of “MC-I” and 3 performances of “MC-2,” all in the first weekend of the festival. Tim has to run off to a conference the following weekend so you’ll want to catch it early!
Tim (known for his “Breakneck Shakespeare” series) brings this existential peek into the apocalyptic future to the Grove at Vini’s (aka the former “Ragfgttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttdin Records”) at 1118 Fulton St. “Man Cave I” is rated PG-13 “for language.”) while Man Cave II (terrifying as it is) is for all audiences.
Tickets ($15) are available at www.roguefestival.ticketleap.com and at the door. There are two opportunities to catch “Man Cave I” Friday, February 27 at 7 pm and Saturday, February 28 at 2:30 pm, and three showings of “Man Cave II,” Friday, Feb 27 at 10 pm, Saturday, Feb 28 at 7 pm and Sunday Mar 1 at 1 pm. There is a $5 discount for folks who attend both parts I and II.
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ERIKA MACDONALD: Tea TIME
AWARD-WINNING SOLO SHOW COMES TO THE TOWER DISTRICT
“A tea party for your soul… Truly powerful and mesmerizing”
- Aiden Sims, League of Cincinnati Theatres
(Fresno, CA) Internationally-acclaimed solo performer Erika MacDonald returns
to Fresno’s Rogue Festival with an all-new performance monologue to entertain
and delight. This show was named to Cincinnati CityBeat’s “Best Theater of
2025,” and its world premiere at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival was honored
with the “Artists’ Pick” Encore Award and an extra, sold-out performance.
ERIKA MACDONALD: Tea TIME will have its West Coast premiere with five
performances at the Lotus Room, located behind Component Coffee in Fresno’s
Tower District.
REVIEWS OF TEA TIME
“Thoughtful and entertaining” - Rick Pender’s Theater Stages & Scenes
“Tea TIME with Erika MacDonald is hard to describe but impossible to forget.
Yes, she talks about tea, but what's really in the cup is something much more
potent.
She's like a cross between Mr. Rogers and your wry, slightly chaotic best
friend. This is exactly what a Fringe show should be… Utterly captivating!” -
Kirk Sheppard, The Sappy Critic
ABOUT THE PERFORMER
Erika MacDonald is a Kentucky-based performance artist who participated in the
Rogue Festival for the first time last year. Her many Fringe awards include
BEST SHOW (The Barn Identity, Tampa Fringe), BEST FEMALE PERFORMER (Tap Me on
the Shoulder, Orlando Fringe) and CRITICS’ PICK-OF-THE-FRINGE (Ice Candle,
Cincinnati Fringe). Last year was her first time performing in Fresno, when she
brought her beautiful and thoughtful solo show about old barns to The Rogue,
and she could not wait to return with her newest show all about tea, and time,
and the importance of “steeping.”
PHOTOS: othererika.com/press
THE CREATIVE TEAM:
Writer / Performer: Erika MacDonald
Choreographer: Genevieve Bernard
Director / Sound Designer: Paul Strickland
TICKETS AND INFORMATION
Advance tickets go on sale soon (I hope)! I think tickets will be able to be
purchased online at fresnoroguefestival.org
DIRECT TICKET LINK: COMING SOON
VENUE: The Lotus Room - in the Tower District, 626 E. Olive Ave. Fresno CA
93728
SHOW DATES AND TIMES (60 minutes):
Friday February 27th at 10pm; Saturday February 28th at 2pm; Sunday March 1st
at 2pm; Thursday March 5th at 5:30pm; Saturday March 7th at 5pm.
PRICING: General Admission | Single tickets and festival passes available
RATING: Recommended 18 & Up
WARNINGS: Adult Language, Hot Beverages
For more info about Erika MacDonald visit othererika.com .
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My Dead Uncle’s Porn Collection
One-woman show explores family secrets from an unusual perspective.
Barbara Brady returns to Fresno’s Rogue Performance Festival with a new solo show, My Dead Uncle’s Porn Collection. It’s a tragi-comedic look at dysfunctional family life and the healing power of talking about toxic secrets. Show times are Friday, February 27 at 10PM; Saturday, February 28 at 5PM; Sunday, March 1 at 6:30PM, Friday, March 6 at 5:30PM; and Saturday, March 7 at 8PM in the Vista Theater, 1296 Wishon Street. Age 18 and up. Tickets are $15. Ticket link: https://fresnoroguefestival.org.
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Electric Confessions: I Am Revolution is a live spoken-word performance by Fresno-based artist Eve Reiland — a neurodivergent voice turning lived survival into fearless, uncontainable poetic truth.
Fifteen years labeled “severely disabled” taught her what it means to be unseen, misunderstood, and underestimated. Yet she rises unbroken, carrying every tremor, bruise, and heartbeat into words that refuse erasure.
This is not performance for comfort.
It is survival speaking.
Memory shaping.
Truth claiming space.
Each poem is forged from streets walked, nights endured, and systems designed to contain, silence, or diminish. Rage meets tenderness. Disorder meets quiet. Vulnerability becomes power.
Every word strikes like lightning. Every story asserts presence. Every moment declares: survival itself is revolution.
Audiences are invited not to observe, but to witness — to reckon, resonate, and feel lived experience transform endurance into art, and truth into uncontainable rebellion.
At Annex in The Tower District
Fresno, CA
2/27- 8:30 pm
2/28- 6:30 pm
3/1/- 3:30 pm
3/7- 6:30 pm
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Content Note:
This performance includes themes of disability, systemic harm, medical trauma, and emotional intensity. Some material may be activating. Audience discretion and self-care are encouraged.
Jim Loucks returns to the Rogue Festival with his rollicking, passionate solo performance The Biscuiteater
Solo performer and playwright Jim Loucks returns to the Rogue Festival with his one-man show The Biscuiteater Feb 27- Mar 7, 2026 (Hart’s Haven Bookstore 950 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93728). The Biscuiteater is directed by Lisa Chess.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars- Colin Thomas, Fresh Sheet (Vancouver Fringe)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars- Edmonton Journal
Drawing on his Southern childhood, Jim Loucks tells the story of a small-town policeman, based loosely on his Granddaddy, who is haunted by his shooting of a man in the line of duty. As he nears the end of his life, he seeks redemption through teaching his grandson to respect life and to respect himself.
A rollicking, passionate show of storytelling and music in the American South, The Biscuiteater is a powerful piece about guns, death, and dignity. From the solo performer who brought you the show Booger Red.
Solo performer and playwright Jim Loucks grew up in South Georgia as the son of a Hellfire and Brimstone Southern Baptist preacher, also known as a Preacher’s Kid or PK. After earning his MFA in Acting at the University of Georgia, Jim moved to Los Angeles where he has appeared in several plays and independent films. He has performed his solo shows Cemetery Golf, The Biscuiteater and Booger Red at theatres and festivals around the US and Canada, winning awards for "Best Solo Show" at Tucson Fringe for The Biscuiteater and at Houston Fringe for Booger Red. Booger Red was developed as part of an Artist Residency with Mahr Park Arboretum and the City of Madisonville, KY and premiered at their Bacon, Blues and Big Stories Festival. Jim currently resides in Venice, CA with his wife, producer/artist Deb and their yellow lab Joe.
“Wickedly talented… flows from one nail-biting scene to the next... keeping all his listeners on the edge of their seats.” Lulu Finol, Edmonton Fringe reviews
“His Southern drawl creates immediate intimacy, his timing is impeccable, and the audience hangs on every word; you could hear a pin drop.” Dawn Sweeney, Forget the Box (Montreal Fringe)
“Loucks is an excellent performer, and theatergoers should watch for him in any future shows. The Biscuiteater is recommended for all.” Dr Dave Robinson, Central Texas Live Theatre
Rogue Festival Feb 27- Mar 7, 2026
Hart’s Haven Bookstore 950 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Performances: 8:00 on Saturday Feb 28, 3:30 on Sunday Mar 1, 8:30 on Thursday Mar 5, 5:30 on Friday Mar 6, and 8:00 on Saturday Mar 7.
Tickets: $15, available at https://fresnoroguefestival.org and www.jimloucks.com.
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UR Here Theatre:
In an unspecified totalitarian country, a man is interrogated because he’s not sad enough about the dictator’s death in this political satire. Playwright Andrew Rosdail wrote his original draft of the play in 2012 after the death of Kim Jong II, when there were reports of mourners being punished for insufficient grief at his funeral. Rosdail revised the script in 2017, a few months after the first inauguration of our current president.
Directed by Renée Newlove. A talkback follows each performance.
Venue: The Grove at Veni’s (an official off-Rogue venue)
1118 N. Fulton St.
Ticket price: $15
Tickets can be purchased online and at the door (cash or credit).
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Friday, February 27, 2026 |
8:30:00 PM |
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Saturday, February 28, 2026 |
1:00:00 PM |
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Friday, March 6, 2026 |
5:30:00 PM |
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Saturday, March 7, 2026 |
2:30:00 PM |
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From Rogue hitman Shane Scurvy Spears and friends, the world premiere of the first ever, adult, animated, Dungeons and Dragons sitcom! Join our merry band of losers on a tabletop clusterfuck adventure! Silly cartoons, live reads and foul deeds! Episodes 1-3 will show the first weekend run. Episodes 4-6 will show the second weekend run. Thursday is industry night! We show the whole thing in its entirety. Produced local with homegrown talent forged in the fire and blood of teenage heavy metal angst and nerdery. Join the party AND ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!
Venue: The Grove at Veni’s (an official off-Rogue venue)
1118 N. Fulton St.
Ticket price: $10
Tickets can be purchased online and at the door (cash or credit).
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Saturday, February 28, 2026 |
8:30:00 PM |
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Sunday, March 1, 2026 |
2:30:00 PM |
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Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
8:30:00 PM |
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Friday, March 6, 2026 |
8:30:00 PM |
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Saturday, March 7, 2026 |
7:00:00 PM |
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A hilarious and moving show by world-renowned Aussie comedian Jon Bennett (Fire in the Meth Lab, Pretending Things are a C*ck, AMERICAN'T) about life's unrepeatable moments.
A therapist once told me that my relentless drive to perform comes from the same place as my obsession with wildlife: “Because both are rare, unpredictable, and fleeting.” That insight inspired this show.
THIS is a live storytelling experience that explores the powerful connection between the magic of live performance and the thrill of encountering wild animals. It’s about presence, risk, and wonder, and the feeling that what you’re witnessing will never happen quite the same way again
Using multimedia, comedy, and true stories from 17 years of touring through 58 countries, I share unforgettable moments from the weirdest gigs to the most surprising animal encounters. The show draws compelling parallels between nature and theatre, two things that ask us to pay attention, be present, and embrace the unpredictable.
Audiences can expect a funny, heartfelt, visually rich show that leaves them with a renewed love of live performance, a deeper respect for wildlife, and a better understanding of why we must protect what cannot be repeated, on stage or in the wild.
Awards:
Best Storytelling Award Winner (Sydney Fringe, 2023)
Inspiration Award Winner (Minnesota Fringe, 2022)
Selected Cruise Ship Guest Entertainer (Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, 2018, 2019, 2023)
Venue: The Grove at Veni’s (an official off-Rogue venue)
1118 N. Fulton St.
Ticket price: $15
Tickets can be purchased online and at the door (cash or credit).
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Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
5:30:00 PM |
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Friday, March 6, 2026 |
7:00:00 PM |
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Saturday, March 7, 2026 |
1:00:00 PM |
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Saturday, March 7, 2026 |
5:30:00 PM |
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Jayne Day is a dynamic performer, writer, and longtime champion of Fresno’s vibrant arts scene. A former co-producer of the Rogue Festival, she has helped bring bold, original voices to local stages while carving out her own. Jayne has written and performed in numerous one-woman shows and creative collaborations, blending humor, heart, and sharp storytelling. This year, “AirplaneJayne” takes the stage ONE MORE TIME with her wildly true, laugh-out-loud stories—hamsters in the fridge, skydiving gone sideways, chaotic bike rides, and driving decisions that should’ve come with a warning label. Come curious. Leave crying-laughing.
Venue: The Grove at Veni’s (an official off-Rogue venue)
1118 N. Fulton St.
Ticket price: $13
Tickets can be purchased online and at the door (cash or credit).
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Saturday, February 28, 2026 |
5:30:00 PM |
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Sunday, March 1, 2026 |
5:30:00 AM |
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Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
7:00 PM |
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Friday, March 6, 2026 |
10:00:00 PM |
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Saturday, March 7, 2026 |
8:30:00 PM |
“69: Emil Amok’s Trump Derangement Syndrome — A Real Journalist Stands Up!”
Award-Winning Journalist Emil Guillermo Brings Political Comedy Fire to Fresno Rogue Festival
What happens when a real journalist decides the news is too absurd not to perform?
You get “69: Emil Amok’s Trump Derangement Syndrome — A Real Journalist Stands Up!” — the latest one-man show from award-winning journalist, commentator, and monologist Emil Guillermo, coming to the Rogue Festival in Fresno for a limited run at the Arts Annex.
In a political era where reality often outpaces satire, Guillermo blends journalism, personal storytelling, and razor-edged comedy into a fast-moving 60-minute performance that confronts the chaos of Trump’s second term, media collapse, culture wars, and America’s ongoing identity crisis. And tells it from his perspective as the son of a colonized Filipino who came to America in the 1920s.
The title “69” reflects the upside-down state of the nation — where truth feels inverted, outrage is currency, and everything appears flipped.
Guillermo is no ordinary comic. A former NPR host and winner of an American Book Award for Amok: Essays from an Asian American Perspective, he brings decades of reporting experience to the stage. The result isn’t traditional stand-up — it’s journalism with punchlines.
The show tackle Trump’s second term turbulence; The politics of race and culture; The woke anti-woke divide; And how being Filipino American gives him a unique perspective into what’s happening now.:
PAGE 2 “69, Emil Amok…”
Despite the provocative title, Guillermo emphasizes the show is for everyone.
“If you laugh at FOX News, or laugh at CNN, or laugh because you don’t know what else to do — this show is for you,” Guillermo says.
Critics have praised Guillermo’s Amok Monologues in the past:
“Comical, often profound observations.” — Manhattan Digest
“Stand-up, monologue, rant? Enjoy
keeping pace with Guillermo’s brilliant mind — funny and poignant.” — Orlando
Weekly
Now Fresno audiences can experience the newest iteration of his evolving solo show at this year’s Rogue Festival.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
69: Emil Amok’s Trump Derangement Syndrome — A Real
Journalist Stands Up!
Arts Annex — Rogue Festival, Fresno
Friday, Feb. 27 — 7:00 PM
Saturday, Feb. 28 — 2:00 PM
Sunday, March 1 — 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 7 — 12:30 PM
Tickets available through the Rogue Festival website.