Fringe Festival
Shamilton
Saturday, February 28 - Sunday, March 1
The Playhouse
$42.01
Runtime
60-75 minutes, no intermission
Age Recommendation
May not be appropriate for young audiences due to content, length or atmosphere.
Join the Beginner Musical Improv Workshop!
Sun, Mar 1, 1-3pm
Join members of famed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy as they return to Madison to create an epic musical on the spot based on a historical celebrity of your choosing—from Genghis Khan to Kim Kardashian to basketball playing superdog Air Bud. It's the show the Guardian lauds ★★★★ “Brilliant”, New York Times raves "One of the top 5 comedy shows to catch” and Lin-Manuel Miranda calls "cease and desist!"
“Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Parody Musical” has enjoyed fully sold out runs at UCB in Los Angeles, UCB's Del Close Marathon in New York and packed houses in Chicago at the Second City.
Who will take center stage? That’s up to you! Get ready for history like you’ve never seen or heard it before.
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Sat, Feb 28, 2026
8:00 PM
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Sun, Mar 1, 2026
7:00 PM
Experience the Fringe
Saturday, February 28 - Sunday, March 1
Learn more about our weekend-long fringe festival! Purchase tickets to six one-of-a-kind Fringe performances, learn more about Fringe artists, and explore what it means to be part of the Fringe – join us for one performance or delight in the entire weekend!
Make Your Own Subscription
Save up to 20% on tickets!
Choose three or more Overture Presents shows to build a Make Your Own Subscription.
Three or four titles: 15% discount
Five or more titles: 20% discount
Please note: Some shows do not have discounts but do count towards number requirements.
We also offer Broadway at Overture packages.
Beginner Musical Improv Workshop
Sun, March 1 at 1pm
Overture's Wisconsin Studio
World-renowned musical improvisation ensemble Baby Wants Candy will lead an engaging, interactive workshop designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of musical improvisation.
Thank you to our Overture Presents partners
Title Partners
Community Partner
Leading Partners
Supporting Partners
Explore Fringe Festival Events
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February 28
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Fringe Festival, Kids in the Rotunda, Variety Mark Hayward
Rotunda Stage
Mark Hayward's performance is a delightful mix of comedy and object manipulation. Using props like yo-yos, tops, juggling equipment and even a mousetrap, he creates a fun and witty show that everyone can enjoy.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 28
Saturday
Free Events, Fringe Festival Fringe Festival: Day 1
Overture Center
All day Saturday, the Fringe spills beyond the stage as Overture transforms into a creative playground. Between performances, enjoy free pop-up acts, immersive experiences, a local art market and food carts serving festival fare to fuel your Fringe hopping—free for all!
11:00 AM -
February 28 - March 8
2025/26 Season, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Variety, Visual Arts "Earthlings: Revisited" By Jeanne C. Wilkinson
Rotunda Studio
Free exhibition in Rotunda Studio! Step into artist Jeanne Wilkinson’s “Cloud Tunnel” and immerse yourself in a mesmerizing interplay of shifting images and color.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Improv Comedy, Overture Presents Chris Grace: Sardines (a comedy about death)
The Playhouse
After performing his smash-hit show “Chris Grace: As Scarlett Johansson” last year to an adoring and 100% satisfied audience, Chris Grace is back for Overture Center's second annual Fringe Festival! This time, the actor and comedian is moving from solving racism to solving... death?
2:00 PM -
February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Theater, Variety Dinosaur World Live
Overture Hall
Dare to enter a prehistoric realm where lifelike dinosaurs roar before your eyes. From the mighty T. Rex to the towering Giraffatitan, meet incredible creatures up close in an interactive family show. Don’t miss this thrilling Jurassic adventure live on stage!
3:00 PM -
February 28 - March 1
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Improv Comedy, Overture Presents Baby Wants Candy
The Playhouse
They’re back! Prepare for an unforgettable night of spontaneous hilarity as Baby Wants Candy brings you a fully improvised musical—made up on the spot from a single audience suggestion.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Theater, Variety Caitlin Cook - The Writing on the Stall
Promenade Hall
Caitlin Cook's hit bathroom graffiti musical transforms stall scribbles into the lyrics of her original songs and trail markers along her journey in this confessional, immersive and uproarious one-of-a-kind show.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 28
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Theater, Variety The Naked Magicians
Capitol Theater
Brace yourself for a magic show like no other! Direct from Las Vegas and London’s West End, Australia’s “The Naked Magicians” deliver world-class illusions and nonstop laughs—while wearing nothing but a top hat and a smile. 18+ only.
7:00 PM -
February 28 - March 1
2025/26 Season, Comedy, Fringe Festival, Improv Comedy, Overture Presents Shamilton
The Playhouse
Join members of famed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy as they create an epic musical on the spot based on a historical celebrity of your choosing—from Genghis Khan to Kim Kardashian.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 1
Sunday
Free Events, Fringe Festival, Variety Fringe Festival: Day 2
Promenade Hall
Sunday only, enjoy additional free local talent acts The Hitterz Collective and Arclight before ticketed performances of “Baby Wants Candy” and “Shamilton.”
2:00 PM