ROCHESTER, N.Y. — One of the 500 Fringe Festival performances is happening at the JCC in Brighton. It’s a masculinity satire that uses physical theater to hopefully spark some important conversations. The Generic Male is in final rehearsals.

The Fringe Festival is performance art. You really are never quite sure what you’re going to see or experience or feel. The Generic Male: Just what we need, another show about men, is acrobatic and thought-provoking. They are movement artists and actors with a few props, music and a whole lot of strength and flexibility. Darren Stevenson and Ashley Jones are from Rochester's PUSH Physical Theatre.

What You Need To Know

  • Since debuting in 2012 the Fringe has drawn more than 500,000 visitors from all over the world to some 4,000 different performances

  • Venues and acts radiate out into the city in every direction

  • JCC in Brighton is host to Fringe performances

  • Intense athleticism, gravity-defying acrobatics and soulful artistry are the trademarks of award-winning PUSH Physical Theatre

“The way we create our work is through improvisation,” said actor Darren Stevenson. “People think we are improvising on stage. We are not. It is a show that appears to be very chaotic but it’s actually quite tight and controlled.”

They are performing their award-winning show, Generic Male, at the Rochester Fringe Festival. It’s light and funny but filled with some deep messages.

"The best thing is connecting with the different audiences," said Ashley Jones, an actor from PUSH Physical Theatre. "Every city we have been to, the audience has reacted similar in some parts and some just drastically different. It is what makes the show so special for me. There is something in there for everyone."

“What is really meaningful is doing the show and walking into the lobby and having somebody in tears saying that it just changed my life and I need a hug,” Stevenson said. “That is really an amazing thing.”

The two Brits have taken the show to Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Orlando, Ohio and soon Israel, but first, they have three performances for Rochester audiences at the Fringe.

You can catch Generic Male at the Hart Theater at the JCC Saturday, Sept. 17, Wednesday, Sept. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 24. You can buy tickets online at rochesterfringe.com or in-person at the show.