Report from the Philly Fringe: ‘Barbie Blended’

For 16 years, the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival or Fringe Festival has been known for its unique, cutting-edge and unfiltered performances. Whether seasoned professionals or up-and-coming talent, the Fringe Festival has always offered artists the opportunity to try something new.

Theatre Underground, a University of the Arts Student Theater Company dedicated to the development and production of student-written work, entertains with “Barbie Blended: A Pop Rockin’ Musical,” centered around 12-year-old Sophie who struggles between being a child playing with toys and becoming a young woman. She yearns to be desired by her young male friend, Frankie, who is dealing with similar issues. The lively musical deals with the issues of coming of age in today’s hyper-sexualized world, set to current, popular tunes with reworked, clever lyrics.

Performed and produced by current and former University of the Arts students with lots of energy and strong voices. The show is amusing and will leave you giggling and ready to take in more Fringe performances, which officially kick off this Friday, September 7 through 22 at venues all across Philadelphia.

“Barbie Blended” is onstage at the Gershman Y’s Blackbox Theater, 410 South Broad Street, Philadelphia with performances through this Sunday, September 9. Tickets are $15.