Word of Mouth - Friday, August 14, 2026

As always I will doing my Word of Mouth updates - I chat with folks in line up and ask them what they saw that they would recommend. They don't have to say why - some do - but just tell me the shows they thought were good that others would like to see. 

It being the second day of Fringe and many of the folks I chatted with today were at their first show, I don't have a lot, but I did get a couple to share! The list always grows!

Go West Young Man

God is a Scottish Drag Queen

Side Effects

Solovela

The Funny Thing About Men

I encourage you to read the Program description and check one of these shows out if it sounds like something you might be interested in! 

Friday, August 14, 2026 - Fringe Unforgettable!

Caught my first three shows of the Fringe today. Overall it was a great afternoon of a mix of shows!

First up was with Queens of Romance from 100% More Girls. I always enjoy their shows as they are usually very funny, with double entendre both accidental and deliberate, and their characters are varied. They also usually have some 'real' moments that make it more than just a funny play. This year's show was a panel of Romance writers who each come from a different generation and perspective on what a romance novel should be. With allusions to Barbara Cartland (Jason Hardwick), the grand dame of romance novels, and Jackie Collins (Michelle Todd), the racier writer of the 70s and into the 2000s, and then a much more modern (spicier?) romance writer of the Fifty Shades of Grey era (Jake Tkaczyk). It was as much a comparison of eras of feminism as styles of romance novels and the discussion gets heated between the three novelists, and it's left to the last minute fill-in host (Trevor Schmidt) to referee. There's much to reflect on with regards to what readers get from romance novels. I've read my share (during junior high I likely read about 500 harlequin romances). I think that those of us who do read modern romances each have their preferred level of spice, and it varies, and preferred number of supernatural creatures, hockey players and farm hands. I loved the host's obvious love for all the different romances and her reflection on what they meant for her. I read a lot of books, not just romances, but it also made me think about why reading was so important to me and why I wanted different things from different books. Oh! And I also laughed A LOT! 

Next I saw Fetch by Cat Walsh, directed by Steven Sobolewski, and starring Shyanne Duquette and Abby Krushel. I will go to anything by Cat Walsh as she is such a gifted playwright Her plays always surprise and engage me and they're a little weird, and I like that. I saw this in 2018 and enjoyed it then (but I see so many shows I had forgotten - it was nice to be re-surprised). A play about two possible girls names Hannah Morgan and we do not know which is the real story. I love that this play doesn't answer the questions that it poses and that it lets the audience do the work on trying to figure out what is true, or if both stories told are true. It's fascinating and there's terrific story-telling from both actors sharing the stage, who while similar are also different due to their diverging lives. It's a small space and they have found ways to make that intimacy benefit the audience with low-stakes interactions. It is a small space and this house was pretty full, so this might be one to grab tickets for early, rather than later. 

I wrapped up the after noon with Rodgers and Hammerstein's ROBOCOP: The Musical. This was an ambitious show that was very good and has the potential be awesome. Some costume quick change mishaps and mic issues happened, but this was their first show and I imagine they will get those sorted out. As someone who has been through the paces of producing a musical at Fringe I know that it just gets better as the festival progresses. It was clear there were some in the audience for the Robocop references and some for the Rodgers and Hammerstein references. I was there for both! I couldn't believe the deep cuts that they grabbed from the Rodgers and Hammerstein music book. There were parodied songs, dances, and scenes from Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Carousel, and The King and I. There might have been more. This might be the only time people actually want to see a dream ballet - hilarious! I love how this company just goes for it and embraces the style. That's the only way a show like this works and they all commit 100%. Stand-outs were Andrew Boyd as Murphy, Sarah Kyle as Lewis, and Jason Hardwick as Chief Mother Superior. Now, it's already SOLD OUT for the whole Fringe, but maybe they will be held-over? It would be worth it, so stay posted and cross your fingers. 

Fringe Unforgettable! For me it starts today!

 

I'll get back to my blogging about my Ontario Theatre Journey later... I'm off to my first three Fringe shows in less than an hour and for now that's the focus! 

I'll be doing my WORD OF MOUTH posts so if you see me, tell me what you loved and I will add it to the list! 

Today I am on the main grounds, starting with Queens of Romance, then Fetch, and winding it up with Rodgers and Hammerstein's ROBOCOP: The Musical. These three shows are coming from creatives who have produced some of my favourite Fringe shows in the past so I am looking forward to a great afternoon of Fringe Theatre Fun! 

See you on the Fringe Grounds!

Ontario Theatre Journey - Something Rotten! What a show!

Photo by: David Hou

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, a big factor for me planning this trip was to see the Stratford Festival production of Something Rotten! which I had been unable to see in 2024. It certainly held up to the promise as it was fantastic! I mean, this is a show for me - Shakespeare, and a musical, but also a musical about musicals which is chock full of references and jokes about Shakespeare and musicals! I was in audience heaven. It wasn't just the show though, this production is outstanding. Director and Choreographer Donna Feore has done an incredible job with this piece and her top-notch cast and creative team has risen to the challenge to do what she has asked of them. I have seen many, many excellent musical theatre productions over the years (and, yes, I direct them myself) and I think this was one of the best I have ever seen. 

As mentioned, the cast is outstanding. Mark Uhre (Nick Bottom) and Henry Firmston (Nigel Bottom) play off each other wonderfully as the brothers competing with the superstar playwright Shakespeare (played hilariously by Jeff Lillico). I had seen Uhre before in 2015 in Sweet Charity at the Shaw Festival and he was one of my favourites onstage in that show. He doesn't disappoint in this show, either! Firmston is a wonderful constrast to him, and has a gorgeous voice. Starr Domingue is so funny as Bea Bottom, Nick's beleaguered wife, and a woman of a thousand faces (and beards and voices). I've been singing her song, Right Hand Man, in my head a lot since seeing the show. Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane plays Portia, the new love interest for younger brother Nigel. Her voice is so lovely, and I loved her snickering at her father, Brother Jeremiah (Juan Chioran - known to Edmonton audiences for his villainous turn as Mr. Hart in the Citadel's 9 to 5 a few seasons ago). I could probably go on an on about every cast member because they were all so good - the voices, the acting, and OOOOH the dancing! 

The dancing! A standing ovation stopped the show for a little bit after Make an Omelette. It's such  good number and they pulled out all the stops. The references in this one - seeing Nostradamus (Dan Chameroy) as both the Phantom and Frank n' Furter is something I will never forget. But seriously - how many musical references can you fit in one number AND have it make sense AND have it be so funny AND be performed/danced so well. 

Suffice it to say, I left the theatre wanting to see the show again immediately. Much appreciation to my sister who did get to see the show in 2024 but came along with me this time too! She said she was glad she did and quizzed me on the many musical theatre references she missed but knew were there because I was laughing! 

Next show was Guys and Dolls! It was also amazing! I will write about that in my next post! I have to get these done before the Fringe starts!

Kicking off my Ontario Theatre Journey with &Juliet!

 A couple of years ago, something happened that prevented my taking a trip to New York. I call it The Great Pause. Then a few years later things changed globally that made me want to stick to Canada for awhile, and actually made me wanted to support the artistic work we were doing in Canada first and foremost. I had been doing a lot of that already with the blog, definitely trying to support local Edmonton theatre artists, but when I was thinking about what I wanted to do this summer, I decided that instead of a trip to New York for Broadway, I would head to Ontario for some Toronto, Stratford and Shaw! I also really wanted to see the Stratford Festival's Something Rotten and had been unable to go in 2024 due to a family trip but now it was back! Huzzah! 

Photo Credit: Dahlia Katz

Anyhow, my first stop was Toronto where I took in one of the final performances of the Mirvish production of & Juliet! My sister had seen the show previously (twice because she loved it so much!) and she highly recommended it. I knew little beyond the premise and that the music was going to be highly recognizable (much in the way of Mamma Mia!). I had an absolute blast! The show is so much fun and I am a bit of a Shakespeare fan so I was totally in there for anything referential and there was quite a bit. I did not know beforehand but apparently the cast was all-Canadian and this show definitely speaks to the talent we have in Canada! Leading the cast as Juliet was Vanessa Sears. She was just incredible. She blew me out of the water every time she sang, but she was also a fine actor - able to be both funny and serious - and a terrific dancer. I was also delightfully surprised to see George Krissa as Shakespeare. I was working at the Citadel in Edmonton when he played the Sterling Award-winning role of Tony in West Side Story, and he was so good then and such a nice person! In this show he is so funny and I just loved hearing him sing again! The whole cast is terrific, but I wanted to shout out Julia McLellan as Anne (Shakespeare's wife) who gets the whole show running and keeps it on track. Amazing voice and what a fabulous and gorgeous comedian! The production is so perfect - from the costumes, to the set, to the music and the choreography. What a fun ride and the perfect way to kick off my Ontario Theatre Journey!

The show is closed now, but I encourage you to see it if it comes your way in a tour. You WILL want to sing a long because you will know all the songs. I think you will enjoy the twists and turns and also the fact the book was clearly written for today's audiences. 

Summer Theatre Season rushes in with the Rain!

I'm a teacher, so Summer for me is a glorious time! I get to read - A LOT - and luckily for me, because I live in Edmonton (the unofficial theatre-capital of Canada) I usually get to rack up a few shows right off the hop! I'm going to go in reverse order for what I have seen - so far - and let you know there are some great shows on offer in the city right now! 

Photo by Kristen M. Finlay

Most recently I took in Once at Walterdale Theatre. I've seen this show several times before (I think 3 different other companies) but it's one of those shows that you can see multiple times and still be wowed. I was definitely wowed by this one. The company does a terrific job telling the story with the actors also playing all the instruments and singing and dancing while playing them. The musicianship blew my mind. It's also a lovely show to see in the intimacy of Walterdale. As an audience there were definitely times we were all holding our breath together. It's a show that's both funny and sad, but the music is wonderful. Leasing the cast are newcomer Mark O'Reilly, as Guy, and Miriam Veugelers, as Girl. As an almost-couple they are charming and their contrasts make us root for them so much. They are both excellent musicians and singers and there's a real connection between them. The show runs to Saturday, July 18th and Tickets are available here, but I encourage you to purchase them sooner rather than later as they have Sold Out many of their performances so far. 

I almost saw Cocktails at Pam's at Teatro Live! on it's Opening Night, but a freak storm shut down the power. I will be going to see it later this week. I never miss Cocktails at Pam's - It's such a terrific script - and the Teatro Company knows exactly how to do it (it's also directed by the playwright, Stewart Lemoine, so you KNOW he's aware of how it should be done). For all the times I've seen (and done it myself) I am always surprised and delighted by the mayhem that ensues. The first 15 minutes we managed to see before the power died were hilarious, so I can't wait to see the rest! It runs until July 26 at tickets can be purchased here. 

Photo by Nanc Price

Last Tuesday, I was at the Citadel for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Having directed the show before there was a lot of wonderful flashbacks in seeing it. But it was a long time ago, so I had totally forgotten who won and I was sooooo invested! This is one of those adorable musicals that are so fun to watch. Part of that comes from the fact that because the show requires audience participation (extra spellers are selected before the show starts) and they may or may not spell words correctly or incorrectly as anticipated, the cast has to be on top of it and roll with whatever happens! The 6 Spelling competitors are also very charming in their own way. We had an excellent audience speller the night I saw it who was just as surprised as the cast when they kept getting words right! Anyhow, the show is super fun and a terrific choice. Everyone on stage is excellent and I had a great time. I was particularly delighted to see Mark Sinongco in the show, as he was my Chip Tolentino 13 years ago when I directed the show for ELOPE. The show runs to August 2 and Tickets can be purchased here. 

I also saw two shows that have since closed... Sorry I was so busy I didn't have time to write about them earlier. 

Photo by Brianne Jang

I saw Much Ado About Nothing presented at the Freewill Shakespeare Festival. It was very funny and I had a great time. Jesse Gervais as Benedict was hilarious, as was Ron Pederson as Dogberry, but the whole company was in fine form. It was also so incredibly wonderful to be back in Hawrelak Park for the Festival. This was a great show for them to come back with, and a terrific company of players to present it. I do hope next year they return to two Shakespeare pieces in rep, but I applaud them for taking on Something Rotten this year.

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I also caught ELOPE's presentation of 42nd Street. It was such a cheerful show full of tap-dancing (like FULL OF tap-dancing!) and classic songs that are earworms that you cannot stop singing for at least a week afterwards. I knew a few of the performers but many were new to me. I was so delighted to see Madison Lalonde as ingénue Peggy Sawyer. I directed Madison last year and she is such a joy. That quality was evident onstage as she was simply wonderful. I also greatly enjoyed Katy Yachimec as the diva Dorothy Brock. So great to hear her belt some of those big songs.  The company was terrific and everyone in the theatre, both onstage and in the house, had a great time!

Next on my list is a second chance at Cocktails at Pam's and then I am seeing Once again. After that I am heading off to Ontario where I will take in a few shows at Stratford! And then... You know what's coming to Edmonton in August - The Fringe! 

Fully Committed is Full of Laughs! At Teatro Live!

Last weekend I caught Fully Committed by Becky Mode at the Varscona Theatre presented by Teatro Live! It was a fabulous show! Although ostensibly there is only one character, the much put upon Sam, the stage feels full of oddballs and quirky personalities as Andrew MacDonald-Smith performs a masterclass in how to do a one-man show. He deftly and hilariously creates every character on the other end of the phone (or intercom) physically becoming both sides of the conversation. The pace from one character to another is break-neck but MacDonald-Smith performs it all like a well-rehearsed dance. It's pretty seamless! It's a clever play, telling the story of an actor who works on the reservation phone line for a much in demand New York restaurant. Everyone wants a table, but the restaurant is fully committed for the next three months. Of course, VVVIPs (marked in burgundy) often get to skip the line, and although the reservationist is not allowed to accept gifts, that doesn't mean they aren't offered. 

It's a challenging thing to be the low-man in a busy organization and the trickle down of unwanted jobs and demands for Sam's time made me anxious and tense as I have often been in that position as the person who is asked to get things done. I was very invested in whether Sam would get to go home for Christmas, or get the call-back from his audition, or solve the problems presented by Bryce from Gwynneth Paltrow's office. I won't tell you how, but suffice it to say, I felt MY shoulders relax when Sam's collection of facts and bargaining chips allowed him to end up on top. 

It's a terrific show and runs about 90 minutes that clip along so fast you're surprised when it's over!

Fully Committed is presented by Teatro Live! and runs to June 21st at the Varscona Theatre. Tickets are $25-$42 and can be purchased here. There are also special events and Pay-What-You-Can Nights.

Photo Credit: Marc J Chalifoux Photography