It’s no secret that the film versions of popular books never (well, hardly ever…) live up to their hype. I could name names, but instead…let’s see how the 2011 Philly Fringe artists are inspired by the written word.

Tongue & Groove will be performing Six at this year’s Philly Fringe. The show features scenes and monologues which are acted out by the group upon an anonymous six word autobiography from the audience. My ideas? “Walked seven miles for free popsicles” and “South Carolina made me this way.” You’ve still got time, so brainstorm your own six word autobiography, and see what Tongue & Groove will do with it at their show! Starting September 8, Six runs at the Adrienne Theater Mainstage, 2030 Sansom Street, $12.

Bodies of Text III takes a cue from Art à la Rue, transforming books by Philadelphia Center for the Book artist Anna Mavromatis into outdoor dance. Bodies of Text III not only encourages the audience to participate, but also provides their dance experience in an unusual setting. Choreographers Stone Depot Dance Lab and Melissa Diane have chosen the streets of West Philadelphia for their performance. The books will also be on hand, hoping you pay attention to them, too. Large sculptures by Nicole Donnelly compliment the performance. Bodies of Text III runs September 3 at Clark Park, 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, free.

Heather Shayne Blakeslee wrote, directed, and will perform in The Articulate Landscape. The performance combines music with readings from a novel to depict themes of metamorphoses and transition: one woman even contemplates becoming a book. The Articulate Landscape begins September 3 at The Fire, 412 West Girard Avenue, $12.

The Bible lets loose at Philly Fringe, as Father Rufus reveals its untold stories at Saucy Bible Tales. Presented by One Percent Productions, the show is sure to tell all the stories you didn’t hear in Sunday school. A must see, for sure. Saucy Bible Tales runs beginning September 2 at the Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, $20.

ONE WORD, created by the MM2 Modern Dance Company, demonstrates that emotion can be expressed not only through words, but with dance. Eight emerging choreographers each choose a word and then used it to create their dance. ONE WORD runs September 10 at the Maas Building, 1325 Randolph Street, Fishtown, $15.

–Christina Snyder

Tongue & Groove photo by Aaron Oster.

The Articulate Landscape photo by Julie Melton.