Animal Engine

We make old stories new.

"Nimble and playful ... this show will be hard to beat."

-The Washington Post

"This polished, highly intelligent, desperately sad show will linger with you.”

-Minneapolis City Pages

now playing: DARLINGS at the Edmonton Fringe Festival

A re-imagining of J.M. Barrie’s classic “Peter Pan” from the perspective of the Darlings, two parents struggling with the loss of their children. They search for them by day and tell stories about a place called Neverland by night … where the mermaids will drown you, the pirates might kill you, and you can’t trust the charming little boy with the impish smile.

Darlings plays at the Edmonton Fringe Festival August 17-27. Tickets available here.

in review: PETUNIA AND CHICKEN at the Orlando Fringe Festival

Animal Engine returned to the Orlando Fringe Festival May 16-29 (after their sold-out run last year of their Peter Pan inspired show Darlings), bringing their much-loved prairie love story inspired by the works of Willa Cather to fringe audiences. The show won rave reviews, critical acclaim, and a festival award.

WINNER! BEST PLAY: COMEDY

“This gentle tale is an engaging reminder of being young and in love — or a testimonial to the deep joy of being old and in love. Either way, it’s simply lovely.” -Orlando Sentinel

in review: DARLINGS at the Southern Theater

Their first production based out of their new home of Minneapolis, Animal Engine’s Peter Pan inspired show played at the Southern Theater for an exclusive single weekend run of four performances. Read the reviews below:

“This retelling of Peter Pan has a breathtaking mix of emotions. And we’re talking ‘breathtaking’ in the most literal sense here. One second, you’re laughing-maybe at Smee’s bumbling ways or the mermaids flexing their fins-and the next, you stop short. Things turn dark in an instant. The blend of lighthearted children’s story and adult’s worst night is morbid-and brilliant.” -Say Entirely

“Whether you have lost someone close to you or not, Darlings will pull on your heartstrings.” -Twin Cities Geek

update: Animal Engine moves to Minnesota

After 7 years of creating work in New York City, Animal Engine has packed its bags and relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota. No stranger to these parts, the company has had three critically acclaimed runs at the Minnesota Fringe Festival: zombie circus The Vindlevoss Famiy Circus Spectacular, prairie love story Petunia and Chicken, and Peter Pan reimagining Darlings.

“We really fell in love with this community over the years, and couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining it. Audiences here are incredibly intelligent, and have a real appreciation for the performing arts,” says Karim. The company plans to keep touring both nationally and internationally, but also root itself strongly in the local community, with several productions currently being planned for 2017.