KC FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025
Performances July 17-27
Visual Art July 06-26
Film July 18-20
KC FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025
Performances July 17-27
Visual Art July 06-26
Film July 18-20
Click on the venue name above for information on parking and amenities.
Show Description
An absurdist character comedy show that takes audiences on a ride through imagination, perception, and absurd reality. Blending nonsensical humor with theatrical invention, it’s a fast-paced, unforgettable experience that leaves audiences questioning their own realities and questioning what they just watched.
Created by The Emerald, a Kansas City-based company known for genre-defying, risk-taking theater, this production fuses live performance, multimedia, and audience engagement into a uniquely immersive experience. It’s a motivational seminar gone wrong, spiraling into an absurdist spectacle of grand ideas, bad advice, surreal character appearances and unexpected revelations. Think Pee Wee’s Playhouse meets Nathan Fielder, with a splash of existential crisis.
Cast and Crew
Alec Nicholas, Simon Huntley, Samuel Bricker, Gabrielle Richardson, Mandy Ortiz, Lucy Mulholland
Artist & Show Details:
Brandi (verified owner) –
I’ve been to Ned’s and his fantastic night hole twice now – had a BLAST each time. Got a little gooey. This is a great group of the funniest, nicest people you’ll meet. Please go see the show! Don’t ask questions, go in blind. You won’t regret it.
William Jones –
Great show. Blew my mind.
Tiffany Michelle Foster –
Saw this opening night and what a delight. The cult following of this was reminiscent of rocky horror picture show. There was even a theme song and a catchy dance. The physical comedy was amazing. The intellectual comedy was thought provoking and hilarious. I’d see this show again.
David Luby –
OMG! What a wild ride. I laugh so hard my sides hurt. A 21st century cabaret Voltaire. Ionesco and Beckett would’ve been proud. Brilliant!!! Multi media and audience engagement simply fantastic. A must see!!
Emily Barton (verified owner) –
First time viewer of Ned’s NHL and attended 7/18. Truly one of the best and most unique comedy performances I’ve ever seen. The multimedia elements and pacing were fantastic. Every beat and movement was well thought out and contributed perfectly to the humor of it all. The variety of references and blend of physical comedy, audience interaction, parody, and more made it a real sight to behold. So glad we prioritized coming to this one.
Zoe Spangler –
I saw this on opening night and didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I LOVED every second of it. I admit, Ned’s Night Hole LIVE is the first show that I’ve seen where my mind wasn’t drifting away mid-show in quite a while. All of Ned’s guests shine with their own oddball personal touch that kind of slowly changes Ned’s show from a TEDx Talk-like experience to a variety show of freaks and psychological horror. This comedy show is going to have you asking yourself questions like, “How was that both stupid AND intelligent?” This is the kind of Fringe show I could see moving forward to HBO, or Off-Broadway, or that continues developing its own following online—I’ll be following it closely to find out. The cast’s socially-awkward-but-never-apologetic-about-it collective presence is the kind of creative bravery and nerdy optimism we need in the world. The best part is they didn’t have to make it “socially relevant” or “prescient” or “woke” to make it accessible for people to “get it,” especially since everything feels so outrageous in 2025. The folks at The Emerald should be proud, and the KC Fringe community should take note of this amazing group.
Stephanie B –
Totally agree with all of the above. Don’t research it. Just go experience the show with an open mind and lean into the experience. Super fun – and on the 2025 Fringe must see list.
Chris Love (verified owner) –
Sure, you could read the other longer reviews. But why, when you could be watching Ned’s Night-Hole Live right now?
Kara –
I did not know what to expect going in, and I think that’s the best way to experience Ned’s Night-Hole LIVE! I came away feeling excited, enlightened, and a little aroused.
JT –
Had no idea what I was in for before seeing the show. Still not really sure what happened. This is a perfect late night Fringe show and is one of the fringiest shows I’ve ever seen. It has a very European feel to it.
CLS –
Absolutely hilarious! Theatre of the absurd, but in the best way! NED is such a clever character and the supporting cast are all a “hoot”. You gotta see this!
Kelsey Coon –
There’s no way I can explain this show. It has a theme song! It was so weird, I loved it!!!
Lindsay Elizondo –
Funny, silly, and zany!
Chris S –
This show is great, and NED is hilarious! Truly “theatre of the absurd” but in a good way. The rest of the cast is fun and funny. You gotta see this show!
Bryan (verified owner) –
I love this show! It’s wildly brilliant and off kilter. Ned is amazing and so is the rest of this talented cast. I can’t recall when a show has made me laugh so much and left me feeling so good. I had a marvelous time and absolutely loved every minute! Don’t miss the chance to experience Ned’s Night-Hole LIVE!
Jody –
The show actually brought me to tears. Okay, tears from laughing so damned hard. Anyway, I had an absolutely fabulous time and enjoyed every moment of the show. It’s brilliant and so is the cast. See this show while you can. It’s a treasure!
Mateo –
What a truly amazingly weird, wonderful ride this was. Laughed from the beginning to the end! I love absurdist humor and when done right, it can literally be the tonic to anything wrong in the world. Ned’s Night-Hole LIVE did it right! The entire cast and crew are phenomenal, and it made me want to see it again right away! Go see it! It’s a must!
Carol Zimmerman –
I have no idea what I watched, but it was pure perfection. This is what I love about the Fringe Festival!
Dominic Sova (verified owner) –
I’ve been a fan of the Emerald crew since, I think, their inception. This is avant Garde performance / theatre. They are also really skilled musicians. Not to mention, stage / tech professionals as well. You kind of get it all with this show. It hits on a lot of levels. I couldn’t ask for more.
Dalton Grafton (verified owner) –
Ned’s Night Hole Live is a prime example of what absurd, off-the-wall comedy can be. Wildly entertaining and a great highlight of what Fringe is all about. I was in tears by the end of the show. Go in blind. Why are you still here? Stop reading me. Go see Ned’s Nighthole.
Storm Davis –
An onslaught for the senses. Keeps you guessing at every turn. Campy, over-the-top and never a dull moment.
David –
This is a brilliantly strange show. Every time when I thought it couldn’t get any weirder, it would get weirder. It was absolutely hilarious and full of spectacular performances from the cast. This show is definitely worth your time to see!
Dana (verified owner) –
Very very funny.
John Jeppson –
I went opening night, and had no idea what I was in for. The characters and story just kept getting weirder and weirder and funnier and funnier.
I felt like my brain was melting at times.
Superbly funny, and I went back a second time to get a better seat and be able to see everything more clearly.
Amazing to see a local group with such an amazing show, and I am excited for them to go to Edinburgh Fringe!
-John Jeppson