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HPFS Splash: Gritty Edition

Posted April 9th, 2019

Continuing our HPFS Splash blog series, we’ll be taking the tops off the metaphorical fire hydrants* and spilling out the information you want to know from our High Pressure Fire Service (HPFS) artists about their HPFS shows, local inspirations, and living in Philly.

Today’s big question: What are your thoughts on Gritty?

“He’s ugly and he’s orange.  Someone said he looks like Elmo on speed.”
–Erin McNulty, A Fierce Kind of Love

hpfs splash

Photo by Kyle Ross

“He’s Philly AF of course and we love him dearly. I think it would be amazing if he helped lead some trash clean up campaign in the city. I think we can be gritty but not grimy, no? I would still have my angry edge if my city were cleaner and I think he would too.”
–Jess Conda, A Hard Time

“Crazy eyes, mad pride, pure mischief. Feels like a good representative of Philly.”
–Alex Torra, The Sincerity Project #3 (2019)

“He’s cute. Like, I would love to kiss him on his face.”
–Camae Ayewa, Circuit City

“After the initial shock, I’ve come to love him. I even put Gritty in Cinderella, the holiday panto I directed at People’s Light.”
–David Bradley, A Fierce Kind of Love

“He’s kinda cool. There’s more to come.”
–Michael McClendon, A Fierce Kind of Love

“We all know who’s under that mask…Geoff Soebelle.”
–The Berserker Residents, Broccoli, Roosevelt and Mr. House!

“Unpopular opinion, I have no opinion on Gritty.”
–Alice Yorke, The Appointment

Read last week’s HPFS Splash: Philly Favorites, Bonus Edition, and stay tuned for next week’s splash!

hpfs splash*High Pressure Fire Service (HPFS) takes its name from FringeArts’ historic building, the first high pressure pump house in the country. Opened in 1903, the station pumped water from the Delaware River to fire hydrants across Philadelphia, connecting the city and helping it grow and thrive. This history of creativity and connectivity is at the very heart of the High Pressure Fire Service festival. You can see the old HPFS fire hydrants across the city between the Delaware and the Schuylkill Rivers and between South Street to Girard Avenue. You may even see them of them sporting a fancy new HPFS sticker. Tag us on Instagram @fringearts if you see one!

Click here to learn more about all of our High Pressure Fire Service shows.