The Capital Fringe Festival, the frenzy of theater—good, bad, off the wall, and earnest—takes place starting this Thursday, July 19 to until July 29 at venues around town. Damian Sinclair, executive director and cofounder of the festival, describes it as “an opportunity for artists to take chances and a chance for audiences to let their hair down.”

Highlights include Chicago’s Neo-Futurists performing Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, the umbrella title for 30 plays to be performed in 60 minutes, July 25 to 29, at Woolly Mammoth (641 D St., NW; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net). Ariel Sharon Hovers Between Life and Death and Dreams of Theodor Herzl, by David Zellnik, examines 100 years of Zionist history; it runs July 20 to 29 at Theater J (1529 16th St., NW; 202-777-3210; theaterj.org). $15 to $32.

For up-to-the-minute details on the festival and a full schedule, call 866-811-4111 or visit capfringe.org.