Ninth Planet
Dance, Music, Theater
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Grief, absurdity, and heartache collide in this world premiere dance-theatre piece.
Mother makes dinner. Daughter sets the table. One empty chair. A knock at the door. The cameras are rolling. Everyone’s watching. The Fool keeps dancing.
Through the eyes of an American family, The Holy Fool examines the toll of aging, grieving, and growing up in a culture where normativity is the most valuable currency — and your everyday life is live-streamed. A thrilling ghost story unfolds inside a cavernous industrial space, scored by Jordan McCree and Marty Gottlieb-Hollis’ original music, a hypnotic blend of trumpet, percussion and synthesizers.
The Holy Fool marks Ninth Planet’s return to the Fringe after a sold out run of High Noon as part of Cannonball in 2022. This world premiere work of dance theatre is Co-Directed by Ninth Planet’s Sam Tower and Nia Benjamin, and collaboratively written by the ensemble, featuring Bi Jean Ngo, Hannah Gold, Katarina Poljak, and Fringe Festival veteran and co-founder of Headlong, David Brick, who returns to the stage alongside his daughter, Zephyr Saffron Brick.
Click here to read the access guide.
SUPPORT
Lead Support from William Penn Foundation and Forman Arts Initiative.
Star Producer
The Anton Trust
Exhibits & Activations from Our Community Partners:
Arrive early for to engage with gallery exhibits before the performance.
- Gallery Exhibits: Engage with artist Symone Salib's sculptural vessel embodying collective healing and release, alongside an exhibit created by Wealth + Work Futures Lab's Media Design Fellows, featuring stories, photography, maps, and research rooted in the lived experiences of young people navigating systemic grief and loss.
- Guided Touch Tour: Blind/Low-Vision audiences are invited to go on a guided pre-show Touch Tour, physically exploring The Gym and the world of The Holy Fool, developed by Shannon Brooks and Simon Bonenfant.
- "We Are The Vessel" Community Workshop: Join us at The Gym on 9/13 from 1pm-3pm for artist Symone Salib's workshop where participants create their own sculptures, inspired by The Weight of Patterns. No prior sculpture or paint experience required. Free with RSVP on Eventbrite!
September 11, 2026 7.30pm
ASL Interpretation provided.
2953 N Front St
General Admission: $35
September 12, 2026 7.30pm
2953 N Front St
General Admission: $35
September 15, 2026 7.30pm
Masks required.
2953 N Front St
General Admission: $35
September 16, 2026 7.30pm
Audio Description available.
2953 N Front St
General Admission: $35
September 17, 2026 7.30pm
Masks required.
2953 N Front St
General Admission: $35
September 18, 2026 7.30pm
Audio Description available.
2953 N Front St
General Admission: $35
September 19, 2026 7.30pm
2953 N Front St
General Admission: $35
About the Artist
Ninth Planet makes dance-theatre for curious people of all ages. Our original works center people of color, women, queer and trans* people in Philadelphia. Using dance and cinematic genres as vehicles for our storytelling, we place historically marginalized and unlikely voices within familiar frameworks. Created collaboratively with artists across disciplines, our performances investigate the inexplicable experience of being alive together.
*USA Local 829
- Nia BenjaminCo-Director & Writer
- Sam TowerCo-Director & Writer
- Bi Jean NgoWriter & Performer
- David BrickWriter & Performer
- Hannah GoldWriter & Performer
- Katarina PoljakWriter & Performer
- Zephyr Saffron BrickWriter & Performer
- Jordan McCreeOriginal Music & Performer
- Marty Gottlieb-HollisOriginal Music & Performer
- Nia BenjaminScenic Design
- Mike Inwood*Lighting Design
- Maiko Matushima*Costume Design
- Taj RauchProjection Design
- Sam CronickVideo System Designer
- Vic Gill-GomezProperty Design
- Kereni Sanchez (10th Floor Productions)Production Management
- CD KincadeProject Management
- Amir WatkinsStage Management
- Keenan WatkinsTechnical Direction
- Cait FosterHead Electrician
- Rick ReinHead of Audio
- Vida ManalangReflection Partner
- Symone SalibGallery Exhibit Partner
- Wealth + Work Futures LabGallery Exhibit Partner
- Shannon BrooksAccess Consultant
- Audio Describer
- Simon BonenfontAudio Description Consultant
- Adam Cooper-Terán
- (Photography Without Borders)Documentation
- David CortesVideo Operator
- Rob BuscherDramaturgy
- Kevin KeenanCarpenter
- Avery ChandlerCarpenter
- Ruby AnyanwuCarpenter
- Sarah DiabCarpenter
- Izze ClarkElectrician
- Liz ContessaElectrician
- Casie WeaverCaptions Operator
Accessibility & Content Considerations
Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.
This event is appropriate for ages 13+
Violent ContentAdult Language
The performance contains themes of loss, grief, drowning, and death.
Wheelchair/Limited Mobility Seating
Separate wheelchair accessible entrance
All performances Open Captioned
ASL Interpretation on September 11
Audio Description available on September 16 and 18
Masks are required on September 15 and 17
Venue social narrative available
Covid-19 Safety policy
This event does not require masks to be worn
Copyright © 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival
140 N. Columbus Blvd.
(at Race St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Directions
Tickets: 215.413.1318
Admin Office: 215.413.9006
