This September, LGBTQ artist, performer, choreographer, and producer Gunnar Montana brings his masterful choreography, stunning set design, and bone-chilling storytelling to the stage with his latest production, BLACK WOOD: WINTERBORN. The production is a sequel to last year’s Fringe smash-hit and most popular show to date, BLACK WOOD. Montana’s Fringe Festival show runs at the Latvian Society of Philadelphia (531 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123) from Sept. 5 to Oct.30, with an exceptional Halloween performance on Oct. 31.
WINTERBORN brings back the heroines from last year, a coven of witches channeling their spellbinding femininity for power and features new scorned lovers and creatures of the night. Embracing notions of sorcery, enchantment, and even cannibalism, Montana takes audiences on an hour-long journey into the shadows of the night to explore the dark side of humanity, spiritualism, and mysticism through stunning choreography and a twisted tale.
A visually intricate show, WINTERBORN begins when audience members step into the 75-seat venue resembling a realistic dark, eerie, and cold forest, highlighted by snow and ice. Massive set pieces like a 100′ by 15′ spooky tree mural have transformed the venue into a frosty, woodsy landscape with a slaughterhouse, haunted well, elk antlers, fur pelts, thickets, and trees. As in past years, audiences will be in awe of the set Montana spent the last several months designing and building from scratch. He also created the choreography and costumes and curated the pulsating and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.
If You Go:
WINTERBORN runs from Sept. 5 to Oct. 31, Wednesday to Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49. There are also discounted student tickets available for $45. VIP packages and enhanced seating options are also available, beginning at $65. Audiences can also experience a one-night-only spooktacular Halloween performance on Oct. 31 featuring never before-seen additional content, a post-performance party with the cast and crew, and a swag bag.