Finster Finds

Last Friday I went to Opening Night of the absolutely hysterical Stranger Sings presented by DarkStage Productions at the Backstage Theatre. It is what is sounds like it might be, a musical parody of the Netflix show Stranger Things . Like the TV show, it is set in Hawkins, Indiana, where four nerdy tweens play D&D and one of them (Will Byers - a puppet voiced by Melenie Reid, who also plays his mom, Joyce Byers) goes missing on his way home! All the folks you expect to see are there: D&D buddies Mike (Jeremey Zimmerman), Lucas (Jason Wong) and Dustin (Renell Doneza - who does an amazing imitation of Gaten Matarazzo), Steve Harrington with the hair (played by Brian Christenson who also plays Jonathon Byers with a quick switch of a wig and a moor slouch), Nancy Wheeler (Liz Janzen) and best-friend but forgotten Barb (Carly Pettit), Eleven (Jack Hunting), Hooper (Connor Foy) and, of course, the Demogorgon (the clearly never-shy in his life - Lucas Paterson). I mention them all

This October has quite a few cool options for those of you who like your theatre to have a Scare Factor! I must say, the Edmonton theatre community has really risen to the challenge this year! I was happy to catch 2 of them last week! First up is A Party to Murder at Walterdale Theatre. I quite enjoyed the unwrapping of this Agatha Christie inspired story. It's a layered story and things are not as they seem, and it channels elements of And Then There Were None , but with a more modern take.  I was reminded a bit of Knives Out in that not everyone is who they seem to be.   The twists and turns really start coming in the second act and it appears that everyone has a motive for murder, but just who did it is the question. Lots of laughs in this show too, mostly from the deadpan delivery of Erwin Veugelers as former football player, Willy. The whole cast is tight and you can tell that everyone is keeping secrets. When the whole thing spills out you'll be replaying earlier moments

It was a busy weekend of theatre for me! Felt like old times! Three performances in three days! On Friday, I took in The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare presented by Catalyst Theatre at the Eva O. Howard Theatre at Victoria School for the Arts. This was the last professional show i saw before the great pause and much of what I reflected on then, still holds true. You can read my original review here.  The show has had some cast changes, but they are still a phenomenal ensemble of actors with no weak links. It's a terrific piece of theatre that reveals stories of women during World War II - stories we don't often get to hear. As I said before, it is one of my favourites from the company and remains so!  The Invisible runs to October 5th with tickets priced between $26.83-$51.83. You can purchase them here.  On Saturday, I went to The Varscona Theatre Gala . It was a lovely night with a variety of performers (House of Hush Burlesque, Die-Nasty, Lindsey Walker, and th

I had a lovely Fringe 2024. I hope everyone else did too! I did a rough calculation and over the 11 days (10 at the site watching shows and drinking in atmosphere) I saw 21 shows, had hundreds of conversations with friends and strangers, ate more than my share of mini-donuts, had my G.O.C., went to the Next Act three times, and walked over 85,000 steps! I spent less than $500 for all this entertainment and activity so that's definitely a WIN!   On the final Sunday I spent my day laughing, catching two local comedies! It was a great day to end the Fringe! Dick Piston Hotel Detective in Prague-Nosis - This was a super fun show where, just like the titular Dick Piston, you weren't always sure what was going on! But that was the fun of it. The cast of 5 (plus the many-hatted sign holder ASM) were fabulous as they attacked this very funny, clever script. No one is quit who they seem to be, except maybe Dick Piston, but he's very confused trying to solve a hotel guest's robb

So... funny story... I had it in my head that my show was at 12 noon. It was Sold Out and a Hot Ticket so I made sure that I was there by just after 11 am so I would be the first in line. So I'm there... waiting... and I find it curious that there is no one else there. Not just no audience members, but no cars in the lots, so I decide to check my ticket... OH! The show starts at 2 pm, NOT NOON. It's all good, I went and found myself breakfast and returned later closer to the actual show start time. I still was first in line but this time there were other people there too! The lesson is - ALWAYS REVIEW YOUR SPREADSHEET! Ha ha ha! So, what did I see? High School Musical - The Disney High School Musical and Descendants movies are my guilty (?) pleasure! And I always want to see what the phenomenal Uniform Theatre company is doing so this was a combination that felt like destiny! What a great show! The cast is outstanding in a triple threat way. I have to give a shout out to the C

We're getting near the end of the Festival, but I saved some good ones for this weekend! For Science! - I finally made it to the show! It's been on my list for a few Fringes and I have never been able to fit it in, but it worked this year - YAY! It was so much fun! A show that is indeed for all ages but is clever and smart and sciencey (so you know I like that!). The kids have a great time and the adults have a great time. I'd go again if they bring it back! I think their last show is this afternoon - so check it out if you can! Satan Does a Cabaret - I had a lot of fun at this one. Rebecca Merkley is such a great performer and her voice is one that I can listen to forever. Although I knew more about the source material with Jesus Teaches Us Things, Satan Does a Cabaret is still very entertaining! Satan knows how to belt out the big songs and it was fun that the audience got to join in (in a variety of capacities). I had avoided learning the lyrics to W.A.P. in my life bu

Word of Mouth Thursday/Friday - August 23/24 It's the last one I'll be doing for this Fringe - but there are a lot of great titles and many of them are in holdovers (well, 12 are, and I think almost all the holdovers made the Word of Mouth List at least one time!). Some of these shows are finished for the Fringe, but perhaps they will be back OR maybe they are going on to another Fringe adventure?  Here goes... Weird Al Karaoke I Lost on Jeopardy Ladies of Jazz Too Funny for Words Larry God is A Scottish Drag Queen Cabaret of Legends The Kid Was a Spy 1nce Upon a Lie: Paul Strickland Ha Ha DaVinci Chase Padgett: Grab Bag Cabaret Martin Dockery: Truth Inescapable Suitcase Circus (kids) Mass Debating Microwave Coven God the Daughter How Not To Kill A Plant Think of Me Happy Go Lucky Accidental Beach Sword in the Stone The Funny Thing About Men Erika the Red Murder She Improvised Gordon’s Big Bald Head All the Kings Men Tickets

Mass Debating - brought to the Fringe by 100% More Girls (the unification of Whizgiggling and Guys in Disguise) this was a really cute and funny musical about a junior high debate competition between an all girls school and an all boys school. Set in past (1970s?) there are many moments highlighting the expectations for girls vs. boys in the competition and in the world as a whole. In this production, the women play the boys, and the men play the girls.  It was very smart to choose junior high as there is perhaps the biggest gap in maturity between grade 7s, 8s and 9s than in high school grades and the show uses those differences to show us the internal and external relationships of the competitors with themselves. It's got the flavour and feel of Putnam County Spelling Bee and I think it could actually be something like that with a little expansion on the script! Also, there's an amazing tap number!! I had so much fun and I highly recommend - however, it might be hard to get

So, I am a little late on this... it's a funny story why mostly having to do with my husband locking ALL his keys in his truck (both set for both vehicles that he drives) and then him having to take my van to work while I waited for AMA... It's all good and I am happy to report I made it to the Fringe Site on time for my shows! On Monday I caught three shows! Sheep Play - I booked this show because it fit nicely into my schedule and sounded intriguing... Sheep in a post-human world? Okay - let's see what this is! The sheep were hilarious with excellent Scottish accents that sounded very right for the show. There's the best Ukulele song (well sung, well played, and well suited to the piece)! There's also a bit of " What the heck is going on?!?! " but I was laughing (as was most of the audience) so it's all good. I was certainly entertained, even if I was a bit confused at times! Microwave Coven - I try not to miss the Guys in Disguise shows and this

This is actually the last two days of collected Word of Mouth Recommendations! Once again, I have not see all these shows but rather people have recommended them to me as shows that they think were great shows that people should see! Rob and Chris (Bobby +Tina) Ingie's Fingies Bright Lights Portrait of Elisa Graham OWEaDEBT Centre of the Universe What the Hell Was That? The Bells Local Diva: The Danielle Smith Diaries Silence of the Lambs Jr. Edition Chase Padgett: Grab Bag Cabaret The Kid Was a Spy 1nce Upon a Lie: Paul Strickland Martin Dockery: Truth Keith Brown - 100% Wizard Everything In New Orleans Is A Good Idea Cabaret of Legends Rat Academy Microwave Coven Mass Debating The Show Must Go On El Diablo of the Cards Batman, Bob and Bill The S.P.O.T.T. Binding Whatever you go see, I hope you enjoy your Fringe! Fringe tickets: https://tickets.fringetheatre.ca/ 

Caught three shows today! My feet are not thrilled with the walking, but they are adjusting! To be honest, it's more the standing in line that's tough on them... but that's where I have the best chats with folks, so I suffer (or my feet suffer) for my brain! WROL (Without Rule of Law) - Caught this show at the Westbury first off! It's a new work form Michaela Jeffrey about grade 8 girls forming their own offshoot girl scout group in order to prepare (prep) for the end of everything. Emily Marisabel’s Light in the Dark production does a good job capturing the angst and anxiety of grade 8 girls (I teach junior high and it felt very 'right' to me). Think Greta Thunberg warning of the dangers of what is coming and feeling like no one's listening. Between them they create videos to educate, classroom presentations, school apologies (sorry not sorry) for misguided demonstrations. These flashbacks are peppered throughout their discovery of a hideout possibly a cl

Sometimes - when you go to a different Venue - you get totally new suggestions! So that's why it's good to get around to the different sites at the Fringe! Today I was at Grindstone for a couple of shows and got so great new Word of Mouth recommendations! Word of Mouth - Sunday, August 18th! SeaMAN Who's Afraid of Winnie-the-Pooh WROL Goose! Local Diva: The Danielle Smith Diaries LARRY Naked Lady Murder She Improvised Die-Nasty Sweet Jesus - The Gospel According to Felt What a Young Wife Ought to Know JON BENNETT vs JASON DONOVAN in DUMB TRIVIA yegDND Silence of the Lambs Jr. I'll be on the main site tomorrow - so let me know your recommendations if you see me!

I saw two shows on Saturday. I'm pacing myself this Fringe so I might not hit my usual 30+ total! But despite the slightly overcast weather, it was a nice day - not too hot and my feet could handle the walk to Sugar Swing and back to the main grounds! What a Young Wife Ought to Know - This was a very well done production of Hannah Moscovitch's script. I had not seen the show when it was done in the city in 2018 but was glad to catch it here at the Fringe. It deals with the challenges and trials of a young (a very young) wife in 1920s Ottawa dealing with managing her fertility despite a lack of support both socially and medically. This is pre-birth control pill times; this is back alley abortion and throw yourself down the stairs to end a pregnancy time; this is the time when women frequently dies in childbirth. This is the time when you are looked at with disgust and judged when you ask for help for how to prevent a pregnancy. Anyhow, the show was very well done. The cast of

Many of the folks I ran into on Saturday were seeing their first show that day, but I did gather a few suggestions from people on the grounds! 638 Ways to Kill Castro AWOL Trial By Jury Murder She Improvised Fool's Gold the Musical Accidental Beach (Which might be sold out - but it's at Grindstone so fingers crossed for a holdover?) Rob and Chris (Bobby + Tina) What a Young Wife Ought to Know (Caution: topic might be challenging for some audience members) Bright Lights I've seen a couple of these but these are all recommendations from other people on the grounds! So if they were on your 'maybe' list, or if you are looking to fill a hole in your schedule, these are options!  Tickets: https://tickets.fringetheatre.ca/events/ 

I caught three shows yesterday afternoon and had a wonderful time! Bright Lights - So funny and so well done! This script is hilarious but it only works because the acting and directing is so excellent! I mean, you have to figure those that attend a group for Alien Abduction "experiencers" are going to provide opportunity for huour but I was laughing so much! Great to see some of our finest local actors in this piece and some in roles you wouldn't expect to hilarious effect! See it! ROB AND CHRIS (BOBBY+TINA)-A NEW MUSICAL - Another excellent show. This one a new musical based on Collin Doyle's Let the Light of Day Through ( perhaps the best new script I have seen ever and I think of it often... ). The musical is the same but different, as it is a musical. But it is excellent. Doyle worked with Matt Graham to adapt the piece and it still has it's humour and heart break, but now with wonderful songs. I would avoid spoilers if you haven't seen the play as I th

Word of Mouth I asked folks in the line-ups and beer tents if they had any shows to recommend. These are shows they enjoyed and thought people would like. I have not seen most of them and your tastes may vary - BUT if you like the idea of the show and it's on this list, it's probably a good bet! I've added disclaimers where they were provided by the provider! Rat Academy (which might be Sold Out but I heard a rumour it may play in the city after the Fringe) Oddball Cabaret Let's Not Turn on Each Other Alison Wunderland Heartstrings: An Improvised Theatre Experience Brother Love's Good Time Gospel Hour (Only for those not easily offended) Naked Mennonite That's What She Sang Bright Lights Rob and Chris (Bobby and Tina)

It's time for the Fringe Festival - the Edmonton Theatre Community's most special time of year! I successfully purchased my Double Fringer Pass and after sorting through the 200+ offerings on hand in the Program I booked myself 20+ shows and waited anxiously for the kick-off last night! The Theme this year is "Find Your Fringe!" and that is what I encourage all of you to do. With 200+ shows, you can literally construct a Fringe that is custom made for you. I personally like a mix of shows, but this year I am comedy heavy as I wanted choices to lift my spirit, but if you are into historical, drama, improv, clown, experimental, quirky, political, musical, drag, burlesque new works - you can design a Fringe that fits you like a glove! I caught an 8 pm show last night - a new work and a musical called Regression by local company Cathexis Theatre . Cathexis has been producing new musicals at the Fringe for several years and this one explores the impact and inspiration of

If you're looking for a delightful evening at the theatre, look no further than The Oculist's Holiday presented at Teatro Live! This captivating play takes you on a journey with Marian Ogilvy, a Canadian textbook writer abroad in the early 1930s, as she navigates romance, self-reflection, and the complexities of human relationships. Photos Marc J. Chalifoux Photography and Video One of the highlights of the evening is Beth Graham's pitch-perfect portrayal of Marian Ogilvy. Graham effortlessly brings Marian to life, capturing her vulnerability and strength with precision. As Marian experiences both romance and trauma, we are drawn into her world and empathize with her journey. Oscar Derkx shines as Ted Fletcher, the charming love interest who sweeps Marian off her feet. Derkx's performance is captivating, and his chemistry with Graham is palpable. Together, they create a believable and heartfelt connection that keeps the audience engaged throughout the play. The play als

  Tiny Beautiful Things at Shadow Theatre Photo Credit: Marc J. Chalifoux Photography and Video In Tiny Beautiful Things by Nia Vardalos (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame), anonymous online columnist “Sugar” receives letters asking for advice, to which she responds with reflections on her own life which helps those seeking guidance (and the audience) with their own challenges. Michelle Todd is perfectly cast as Sugar (aka author Cheryl Strayed). Todd is warm and empathetic, and makes you believe that Sugar is in a good place now, but that there have been many terrible things in her life that she has overcome. The portrayal is honest, emotional when necessary, and layered with a gentle humour. The letter writers (played by the trio of Michael Peng, Brett Dahl and Sydney Williams) embody a wide variety of humans seeking advice for a wide variety of life challenges. Their portrayals are also honest and generous to each other and the audience. Peng is particularly moving as father in mo

Photo by Brianne Jang, BB Collective Photography I took in Opening Night of Candy and the Beast at Northern Light Theatre this past Friday. Written, directed and designed by Trevor Schmidt, and starring Jayce McKenzie and Jake Tkaczyk, it evokes the feeling of 80's classics like Heathers and Beetlejuice (perhaps I was a bit reminded of 80's Winona Ryder). In a sharp turn from her recent performance across the street in Robot Girls , McKenzie as Candy is angsty, angry, and emo. The small community of Black Falls that Candy and her younger, but physically bigger, brother Kenny aka the Beast (Tkaczyk) live in has been struck by a serial killer, whose victims are young, blonde, and lower class. Candy is two for three, and unless the killer changes his target, she’s safe. Through Candy's observations, the show comments on those who are easily discarded versus those who raise alarms when they go missing.  The aesthetics of the show are cool. Ghoulish masks on sticks populate

 I was unable to use my ticket to The Mountaintop at the Citadel this past weekend (Easter plans) and having seen the show before I passed along my ticket to my thoughtful friend, John Anderson, who had wanted to see the show. So, here is a "Special Guest Review" Post for the show! Similar to the play itself, the Citadel’s new production of Katori Hall’s play, The Mountaintop, is deceptively simple at first glance. The story is a fictional reimagining of how Martin Luther King spent his last night alive, right after he returns from delivering his famous final sermon, I’ve Been to the Mountaintop . At his room in Lorraine Motel, King encounters an eccentric and mysterious room service attendant, Camae. With her company, MLK experiences his final moments of privacy in life. John C. Dinning’s Set Design combines realism and abstract to tell its story. The motel room is entirely what one would expect from a real life motel room, but the borders of the stage present something els

Photo Credit: Lindsey Tran, @understudystudio_ I ticked off one of my bucket list shows this past week! I'm a self-avowed Sondheim lover and thanks to Grant MacEwan University's production of Sunday in the Park with George , I finally got to see a show that has long been on my list. I'm so glad I caught it (it closes today so you might not be able to if you are just reading this now). The music is very-Sondheim and I caught bits that reminded me of Into the Wood s and Company , and it is not easy, but this cast did it very well. Lead by Eli Yaschuk as George (George Seurat, the French painter) and Rain Matkin as Dot (his fictionalized model and lover), the young cast of students in the BFA program deliver the show with commitment, enthusiasm and skill. Yaschuk and Matkin are both terrific, anchoring the show musically and emotionally. I hope we see more of them on our city's stages in year to come. And the entire cast delivered my favourite song, Sunday , beautifully.

If you’re looking for a show on in Edmonton this week and next, I highly recommend  Robot Girls  presented by  Shadow Theatre at the Varscona. It’s a brand new work by Trevor Schmidt about about a school science club at an all-girls junior high school. The four actors (played by Larissah Lashley, Hayley Moorhouse, Abigail McDougall and Jayce McKenzie) are letter perfect as grade 7, 8 and 9 students who endeavor to build a robot in their club to go to an international science competition. Their teacher advisor is missing in action, so it’s all up to them to figure out how to get the work done. As a junior high school science teacher myself, I was both tickled and impressed by the portrayals. McKenzie is simply hysterical as the grade 7 club member Vanessa. She's filled to the brim with a golden retriever puppy energy that feels all too real. Moorhouse, on the other end of the age spectrum, plays the senior member of the club, grade 9 Bloody Mary, with just the right amount of distai

There were quite a few hints about what might be included in Northern Light Theatre's upcoming season rolling our in advance of their Season Launch last Monday.  Quotes from thrillers and murder mystery authors had me preparing for a spooky and scary line-up. I'm always down for what Northern Light Theatre is offering. They consistently choose the unusual and challenging and deliver with complete design concepts. Unlike other theatres in town, you are more likely to see something that surprises you and makes you think about something you haven't before.  The new season, titled Making A Monster, presents three plays featuring characters possessing qualities of modern monsters in our midst! " This season, NLT wants to examine the human capacity to be monstrous to other human beings ", says Artistic Director Trevor Schmidt . " We want to ask ourselves and our audience what keeps us from behaving cruelly- and we want there to be discussion. Nobody is immune to