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Richie Schiraldi/Whisper Theatre
Comedy & Improv, Immersive & Interactive Experience, Theater
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Darkness.
We’ve been told to fear it, to hide from it - It’s where the monsters and demons lurk.
The Mothman says otherwise: Darkness is the time to dream, to think, to love. It’s a place to to be whomever or whatever pleases you without the judgements that come in the daylight.
Come. Join the Mothman.
Follow him into the void and offer him your shadows.
The Mothman Cometh is a 50-minute dark, experimental, and interactive comedy based on the sightings of the cryptic creature around the streets of Chicago. Mothman will lead the audience through a series of games and rituals to uncover their darknesses and their true power.
This show contains haze and is performed in the dark for a large portion of the show, lit by Mothman’s glowing red eyes (select moments of light to break up long periods of darkness).
This show has frequent (optional) audience interaction.
While participation is not mandatory, audience members should be aware of the potential for unexpected or intimate interactions during the performance.
With over 100 offerings from rebellious circus, delicious dance, fearless theatre and activist art to workshops, parties, and more Cannonball pushes the boundaries of live performance at four different venues this Fringe. Come as you are and stay past bedtime at cannonballfestival.org.
PWYC Options $5+
Venue: Asian Arts Initiative Black Box Theater 
September 5, 2025 9.30pm
1219 Vine Street
General Admission: $25
PWYC Options
September 6, 2025 5.00pm
1219 Vine Street
General Admission: $25
PWYC Options
September 7, 2025 3.30pm
1219 Vine Street
General Admission: $25
PWYC Options
About the Artist
Richie Schiraldi is a circus and devised physical theater performer based in Chicago. He specializes in physical comedy, Cyr wheel, partner acrobatics, character work, and movement, and focuses on blending circus, movement, and character work to create interactive pieces that playfully embrace the darker things in life.
Richie is inspired by his own vivid, lucid dreams, as well as a fascination with cryptic creatures, old surrealist films, and 60s/70s performance art. This has led him to create strange and absurd pieces aimed to share similar experiences with audiences. He aspires to generate a sense of magical realism in his art, and hopes to use interactive character theater to build community while making vulnerable things less scary.
- Richie Schiraldi Written
- Produced
- Designed
- Directed
- and Performed
Accessibility & Content Considerations
Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.
This event is appropriate for ages 13+
Audience Interaction
Fog/Smoke Effects
This show is performed mostly in the dark, lit by Mothman's glowing red eyes. There are select moments of lighting to break-up the darkness.
Covid-19 Safety policy
Masks are required during this event
Copyright © 2025 Philadelphia Fringe Festival
140 N. Columbus Blvd.
(at Race St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Directions
Tickets: 215.413.1318
Admin Office: 215.413.9006
