The popular San Francisco Fringe festival closed its eighth season after selling a record 7,912 tickets, which is up 122 from the previous year. San Francisco Fringe's most popular and outstanding shows will return for three more days in The Best of the Fringe, at EXIT Theatre and EXIT Stage Left. The Best of Fringe, shows will run Sept. 30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 2, with show times scheduled for 7 PM, 8:30 PM and 10 PM.

The seven performers selected for this year’s “Best of the Fringe” are Helen Slayton-Huges in The Purple Sage, the local sketch comedy troupe Killing My Lobster in Killing My Lobster's Comedy Show, Roblin Gray Davis in Mumble in Numbskull: An Existential Clown Show,, Paul Terry in The Ugly Duchess, Cordelia Lives Productions of Mill Valley in Talking with Angels, Banana, Bag and Bodice performing The Bastard Chronicles, and Popcorn Anti Theater on the Mexican Bus! in The True Story of San Francisco. Admission to Best of Fringe is $14, with reserved seating for each performance. EXIT Theatre and EXIT Stage Left are both located at 156 Eddy Street. For information and tickets the public may call (415) 673 3847.

-- By Murdoch McBride