For theatergoers and performing arts fans across the Catskills and Northeast Pennsylvania, Scranton is offering a chance to see nearly 50 independent productions in just 10 days. The 12th annual Scranton Fringe Festival opens Oct. 1, bringing theater, comedy, dance, music and experimental performances to nearly 20 venues throughout the city.

Conor Kelly O’Brien, director of Scranton Fringe, says the festival is designed to give artists wide latitude in what they create and how they present it.

“You will see avant-garde and experimental,” O’Brien said. “You’ll also see traditional and classical works.”

This year’s lineup includes an encore production of the festival’s adaptation of The Glass Menagerie, which had a sold-out run in the spring. Other productions include solo performances, original works, sketch comedy and performances by regional artists.

The festival is also seeing more comedy, O’Brien said, including work from local performers. He says audiences are looking for both theater that engages with current issues and performances that provide an opportunity to laugh and escape.

O’Brien recommends planning ahead for a few productions while leaving room to discover something unexpected. Most shows run 45 minutes to an hour.

Most tickets cost $15, with some free or donation-based performances. A limited number of VIP passes are also available.

O’Brien says Scranton Fringe has grown into a year-round producer, including recent work presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

But he says audiences don’t need to travel overseas to experience independent performance.

“I really hope that they see not only how much of a rich network of producers and artists and cultural groups we have in our greater region and I hope they appreciate how much of a viable creative marketplace Northeast Pennsylvania and upstate New York regions are, O’Brien said.”

Scranton Fringe is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.