The wildly inventive, tabletop, sci-fi adventure “Planet of the Grapes” returns to NYC following its 4-star, Malcolm Hardee Comedy Award-nominated run at 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. “Planet of the Grapes” transports audiences to a futuristic world where talking grapes reign supreme and humans are rendered speechless. Created and performed by Peter Michael Marino, this fast-paced comedic homage blends the charm of Victorian toy theater with the sci-fi spectacle of the 1968 classic “Planet of the Apes,” creating an interactive and immersive adventure packed into a juicy 60-minutes. 

★★★★ "Utter joy!" (Starburst Mag)   

★★★★ "Theatrical magic!" (The Recs)

★★★★ "Decidedly mad!" (Everything Theatre)

★★★★ "Wonderfully inventive!" (One4Review)

★★★★ "A genuine delight!" (The Wee Review)

★★★★ "Endlessly charming" (BroadwayWorld UK)

★★★★ “A fringe gem in miniature!” (Beyond the Joke)

In “Planet of the Grapes,” an American astronaut crew crash-lands on a distant planet where an intelligent, articulate, and  evolved grape society enslaves mute humans like laboratory monkeys. What unfolds is a high-energy theatrical experience that spills off the cutting-board stage and into the audience - blending satire, spectacle, and unleashed imagination with uncorked, creative madness. Performed on a carefully concocted tabletop stage - complete with hundreds of grapes, dozens of corks, and a pocket universe of scenery - the production brings big ideas to small scale while playfully exploring themes of science vs. religion, class clashes, planetary concerns, and humanity’s sense of superiority.

The production is directed by Michole Biancosino, with an original electronic score by Michael Harren, and features Planeteer Cecilia Arana. The show plays Thanksgiving weekend November 27 & 28 at 7:00 P.M. at the legendary Under St. Marks in the East Village.