Friday, September 12 & Sat, September 13 at 8pm
Performance artist Clayton Lee entangles classical music (Johann Sebastian Bach) and professional wrestling (Bill Goldberg) with an unfiltered exploration of queer desire and fantasy (his own).
In an unapologetic investigation of power dynamics and identity, Lee invites the audience to take a ringside seat for an intimate reckoning of his sexual and romantic history. With deadpan humour and mischievous wit, Lee explores his childhood obsession with the professional wrestler Bill Goldberg and its lasting impact on him.
Loosely set to Bach’s enigmatic Goldberg Variations, this unconventional performance evolves each time it’s performed. Desires are indulged and deconstructed. Fantasies are conjured and manifested. The Goldberg Variations takes audiences on a reckless, tender, and at times unhinged deep-dive into the tensions between dominance, submission, heartbreak, and vulnerability.
You might recognize Clayton Lee from a past appearance at The Bearded Ladies Cabaret’s Late Night Snacks. But you’ve never seen anything quite like The Goldberg Variations. This show takes a new form every time it’s performed, and many elements are a surprise! Watch a teaser from Clayton to get a small taste of what’s in store. But trust us when we say, you really don’t want to miss this.
Pricing
$35 Standard
$15 Students & 25-and-Unders
$2 FringeACCESS
FringeArts Member discounts & benefits available
Venue
FringeArts
140 N Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia PA 19106
About the Artists
Clayton Lee is a UK-based Canadian curator, producer, and performance artist. His performance projects have been presented in venues across Canada, the United States, the UK, and New Zealand. He was one of the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Artists-in-Residence in 2023. As part of the Living Room Collective, he is representing Canada at the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture.
He is also the Artistic Director of Fierce Festival in Birmingham, UK.
Justin Jain: Sept 12th Talkback Host
Justin Jain is a Barrymore Award-winning Performer, Ceramicist, Director, Educator, and Wilma HotHouse Company member, previously appearing in Twelfth Night and KISS among many others at The Wilma. For over 15 years, Justin served as co-Director of the alt-comedy theatre company, The Berserker Residents (www.berserkerresidents.com). Additionally, Mr. Jain has performed Off-Broadway and with many regional theaters including: 1812 Productions, Arden Theatre Company, InterAct, Lantern Theatre, Azuka, People’s Light, FringeArts, Shakespeare in Clark Park, McCarter Theatre, Theatre Horizon, Passage Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, The Assembly in Edinburgh, ASU Gammage, and Ars Nova NYC, among others. As a Director, Justin’s recent credits include The Good Person of Setzuan at The Wilma, She Kills Monster at Arcadia, and The Chinese Lady at InterAct, among many others. As a Dancer and Choreographer, Justin has worked with choreographer David Gordon, Headlong Dance Theatre, The University of the Arts, 1812 Productions, among others. Justin is currently pursuing an MFA in Ceramics and Performance at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC Low-Res 2027).
Cat Ramirez: Sept 13th Talkback Host
Cat Ramirez is a director and producer who loves logistical puzzles, community meals, and bisexual lighting. Some of their favorite directing projects include She Was a Conquistawhore with Rachel O’Hanlon Rodriguez and Die Cast, Letters to the Moon with Mel Hsu and Intercultural Journeys, Half Magic with Joseph Ahmed, Meet Murasaki Shikibu with Tiny Dynamite (Barrymore nomination for Outstanding Direction), Young Americans with Theatre Horizon, and Space Opera with Obvious Agency. They have produced with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Asian Arts Initiative, InterAct Theatre Company, and more. Cat is the Creative Director for Philly Asian Performing Artists, the Creative Producer and a worker-owner for Obvious Agency, and a Board Member of the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation and Theatre Philadelphia. catramirez.com
Accessibility
ASL interpretation will be available at the September 13th performance. Wheelchair/Limited Mobility Seating, Assistive Listening Devices, and Sensory Kits Available. Venue social narrative is available online.
Content Considerations
- Audience Interaction
- Nudity
- Graphic Language
- Flashing Lights
- Violent Content
- Fog/Smoke effects
- Sexually explicit content
Health & Safety
Masks are optional, vaccines are not required. More information about FringeArts COVID policies can be found here.
Support
Canada Council
FringeArts Presents programming supported by PNC Arts Alive.
Love Queer Art?
The Philadelphia Fringe Festival takes place all over the city with shows and events happening every day in September.
Explore more inventive shows by LGBTQ+ artists in the full festival lineup! Use the keyword filter to explore shows by LGBTQ+ artists.
