Stranger Sings! What a Riot!

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 because they are such a fabulous ensemble. No one is weak in this bunch. They all sing terrifically and embrace the camp of the show and handle the fun choreography (Director/Choreographer David Son) expertly! 

I loved this show because I loved Stranger Things. It doesn't recreate the entire show, but it hits the moments and highlights the ridiculousness of the situations. All the cast members clearly understood the assignment - it's obvious they've watched the show and know the mannerisms of their characters and they go for it. Melenie Reid's Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers is simply hysterical, and Carly Pettit is a bang-on Barb. Jack Hunting has Eleven's physicality down to an art. 

I also loved this show because it's a musical theatre fan's treasure hunt! The songs are fun and there's homage to many musical styles. I heard references from Yentl, Dear Evan Hansen, The Muppet Movie and Gypsy! to name just a few! Every single cast member was giving it 100% whether in a solo or an ensemble piece. There were times where they were all singing and it was so fabulous to hear! What a great sound. 

It helps to have seen the show, I would think. My friend even went so far as to binge the first season before going and I think she felt that was a good idea. But if you are a fan of the show, you will not be disappointed. If you haven't seen it, it's not too late to binge and then check out this delightful parody!

Tickets for Stranger Sings are $37.00 and can be purchased here. They have already Sold Out a few performances so buy sooner rather than later. They run to October 26th!

October Theatre - It's all about the Scare Factor... Isn't it?

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 to see what you missed!  There's some great stage violence and a bit of blood, for those who like that, and a real sense of 'what will happen next?' at the end. It runs from October 9-19 with tickets running between $20-$30.  The show is directed by Sarah Spicer and features a top-notch cast of 6! Tickets can be purchased here. 

Teatro Live! is presenting The Woman in Black running from October 10-27 with tickets running between $25-$42. In Edwardian London, a young actor helps a lawyer make sense of a long ago encounter with a mysterious apparition who invariably leaves death in her wake. Together the two men conjure the mysterious marshland of northeastern England and its population of haunted characters. The show features Julien Arnold and Geoffrey Simon Brown and is directed by Andrew Ritchie.  This show was excellently executed with jump scares eliciting screams from the audience. The woman in black appears suddenly and in a disturbing way more than once - the magic created by superb lighting.  Ritchie has directed a terrific piece of theatre  that moves (once you get past the first 15 minutes which set up the convention of telling the story). The world is created in a old empty theatre, but it is not hard to imagine that various locations from the busy London street, to the train ride, to the haunted house in question. Even the house itself is simply but powerfully created from a scrim and boxes and a door. A chest becomes a desk and through the power of expert storytelling, we believe it. The inevitability of the horrible ending creates an anguished anticipation and a hope that all will be well with our loved ones too! Tickets can be purchased here. 

There are other shows coming up with a high creepy factor too:

A new company, Putrid Brat, presents The Maids by Jean Genet. Two young women toiling in servitude escape into sensual fantasies of luxury, violence and revenge in Jean Genet’s masterpiece. Loosely based on the notorious and shocking case of the Papin sisters who murdered their employer’s wife and daughter, The Maids explores the line where fantasy and reality blur and the stories we weave become indistinguishable from the truth. The show runs October 24-Nov 3 and tickets are $21.69 with options for PWYC. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical is a hilarious ‘upside down’ take on the hit Netflix series – and all its campy 1980s glory. Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, and the whole Hawkins gang have a night of adventure, thrills, pubescent angst, heavy synth, poor parenting, convoluted love triangles, cheap effects, dancing monsters, and maybe, just maybe justice for everyone’s favorite missing ginger, Barb Holland. The show runs from October 18-26 at the Backstage Theatre. Tickets are $30-40 and can be purchased here. They are selling fast, so move quickly! 

Busy Weekend! Theatre with Catalyst, The Varscona and The Citadel!

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 the Jambo Brothers), terrific food, and a silent auction (yes I 'won' something!). It was hosted by Kendra Connor and Jason Hardwick and told us about what was coming up in the theatre this next season. We saw a scene from The Noon Witch which will be part of the Teatro Live! season and Die-Nasty improvised Waiting for Godot: The Musical. All in all a terrific night! If you missed it, and want to support The Varscona either by donating or buying tickets to their shows, you can check them out here.   

My theatre weekend wrapped up on Sunday afternoon with A Streetcar Named Desire at the Citadel Theatre. It is an excellently done production. I will admit, Streetcar is a favourite of mine. I was an ensemble member in a production about 25 years ago, and I have always loved Tennessee Williams' plays. As I mentioned, this production is very well executed. The entire cast is up to the task and Stanley (Stafford Perry) and Blanche (Lindsey Angell) are phenomenal anchors to the piece. I was also particularly impressed by Sheldon Elter as Mitch, who gave a real layered and thought-provoking performance. The show is about 3 hours long, but does not feel long. It moves along and keeps the audience engaged. It's not often that you get to see these classic pieces, and it is nice to see it done so well. They've added live music to the transitions to create the mood and feel of New Orleans in the 1950s. These are all excellently done, but I wondered about whether this was necessary. It's hard to say, because after the show, my companion's first comment was about how much she liked the music! It certainly showcased some tremendous talent!

A Streetcar Named Desire runs to October 13th. Tickets are priced between $40-$125.00 and can be purchased here. 

Final Fringe Reflections! Wrapping it up with Dick Piston and Accidental Beach!

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 robbery. There's a hypnotist magician, a man with no pants, an international film star (famous in Europe) and a jewel thief - OR IS THERE?! It zigged and zagged with clever wordplay and flashbacks and a twist no one sees coming, especially Dick Piston! This was the first Fringe for Nachopals Theatre and they hit is out of the park! 

Accidental Beach - Recreating 'an almost perfect musical' that they improvised during the past season, the 11 O'clock Number folks from Grindstone Theatre served up sand and laughs with this one. It was hilarious and they embraced the spirit of recreation. It's got it's twists and turns and amazing songs and lots of laughs. It was held over at the Varscona and it wasn't hard to see why. Clearly inspired by Edmonton's accidental beach, the cast merge Baywatch with a Mafia movie and Lizard babies for a show that's impossible not to laugh at! It was a terrific way to end Find Your Fringe! 

It was a fun way to end the summer! See you next August!

Find Your Fringe! Saturday, August 24th - One Show Day!

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 Choreographer, Kelly Webber, for the fantastic work! The basketball work in that tiny space was awesome! Earlier in the week, a Fringe patron was telling me about the show and they were floored that the entire cast could sing so well! There are some pretty talented folks on that stage - in ALL THE ROLES! It was also fun to see Edmonton Theatre Legend, Linette Smith, onstage as she's usually directing but clearly she was the perfect choice to play the Drama Teacher! Kudos to all involved. This show Sold Out their entire run before Fringe even started. That's how good they are! 

Now my Fringe is almost done. Some of you will no doubt be taking in Holdovers to catch the shows you missed. HOLDOVERS

I'm off to See Dick Piston Hotel Detective in "Prague-Nosis" and Accidental Beach: A Previously Improvised Musical today to wrap up this year's Fringe Adventure! Happy Fringing Everyone! Until next year!

Friday Fun at the Fringe - For Science! and Satan Does a Cabaret!

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 but that's done now! ha ha ha ha! Oooooh Satan! I guess that's what Satan does!

Tickets!

FINAL Word of Mouth - Find Your Fringe! Fringe 2024

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

Thursday Adventures - Fringe 2024 - Mass Debating and Weird Al Karaoke!

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 tickets at this point! Written and directed by Trevor Schmidt with music by Mason Snelgrove. 

Weird Al Karaoke - I have been interested in this local company for a few year now and finally got myself to one of their shows. They perform throughout the year every third Thursday night at Grindstone. This show is a Greatest Hits of numbers from the past season. I had a lot of fun. The premise is that the comedian/performers select a song to which they create their own parody song. Favourites from the show included an homage to the movie Dune 2 (sung to the tune of Petula Clark's Downtown); a song about the slow build of the LRT Valley Line to Millwoods (sung to the tune of Midnight Train to Georgia); a veritable dictionary of Gen-Z slang in a song titled You're a Mid One, Mr. Cringe (for which I need to get the lyrics so I can understand what my students are saying!). A Very funny show and I hope to catch it in the regular season (and maybe even try it out myself?!). 

Tickets for all shows here. 

Monday and Tuesday Fringe Show Reflections! Fringe 2024!

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 one was a lot of fun, as always! I also took my sister and a mutual friend from high school so it was nice to show off the show to them. They were blown away by how well the 'guys' play women! This one tackles the supernatural/occult and the domestic life of wives in the late 1970s - the keepers of the microwave oven! It was very funny, irreverent, laced with inuendo, and it was fun to see how the roles were attacked! I particularly loved the voice that Trevor Schmidt chose for Carmen and the repeated magical gestures from Jake Tkaczyk!

Marv n' Berry - I know a couple of this sketch comedy group but outside of online videos I had never seen one of their shows! So I thought I would remedy that. I also got to check out the new Rapid Fire Space which, despite donating for the rebuild, I had never gone to! It's gorgeous! Wow! What a great job they have done on that space!! Anyhow, the show was very funny, although I felt a but old because of some of the references I did not understand. But this is clearly a group that knows each other very well and knows how to be funny. There's a quirkiness to the sketches and I really enjoyed that!

Today (Tuesday) I saw two more shows! 

27 Pictures - What a lovely script and it is very well done by this group. A couple on the verge of a break-up revisit their relationship through 27 pictures. Both young actors were very good and they had a terrific chemistry with each other. They created a beautiful and believable timeline of a relationship with ups and downs that made me care! I think these were both Grant Mac students or recent grads and I hope we see more of them on our Edmonton stages in years to come!

Joan & Olivia: A Hollywood Ghost Story - This one
sounded interesting as it featured Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland as ghosts continuing their life long feud into their deaths. This affects two living sisters in the house they are haunting. I thought the 'ghosts' did a great job portraying the dead actresses with their vocal cadences and mannerisms. They are contrasted by the two modern day sisters who aren't very happy with being manipulated. A nice tight show that made me want to read up more on the legendary actresses!

I'm enjoying this Fringe and all the fabulous and varied shows that I am seeing! I hope you all are too!

WORD OF MOUTH - Fringe 2024 - Tuesday, August 20th!

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/ 

Fringe 2024 - Sunday, August 18th - WROL, Silent Lambs and Perfect Pitch!

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 clue to explain a disappeared commune from years past. There's a lot of debate and argument between them tapping into their anxiety and the feeling that no one is listening to them. The flashbacks serve to add humour to the situation, so there's many moments of laughter in the show interspersed with their search for answers.

The Silence of the Lambs Jr. Edition - A complete change of pace for this hilarious piece presented at the Grindstone by Cousins-in-Law Productions. Playwrights Lauren Boyd & Jesse Harlton have re-envisioned The Silence of the Lambs as a show for the little ones (but this is NOT really a show for little ones). It is screamingly funny. We learn, we participate, and we definitely laugh inappropriately. There are puppets, and teachable moments, and did I mention it's a MUSICAL?!? It's best if you are familiar with the source material as most of the audience I saw it with definitely was. So funny and original!

Practically Pitch Perfect - Top Bunk Theatre takes on the Pitch Perfect movies with this parody production. Taking inspiration and direct plot points from the films and amping them up, the show pits an all-female a cappella group (who only does Taylor Swift songs) against a male a cappella group. The cast plays the ideas big and creates some great musical moments. Familiarity with the source material is handy and they do a good job channeling the energy of the film and taking things up a notch. The Taylor Swift reference is important and leads to a very funny and somewhat mystical ending. 

Tickets for all Fringe shows: https://tickets.fringetheatre.ca/events/

Fringe 2024 - WORD OF MOUTH - Sunday, August 18th - Find Your Fringe!

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!

Fringe 2024 - Saturday, August 24th - Young Wives and The Bells!

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 three were all strong and handled the script well. A special shout-out to Abby MacDougall, who plays the young wife Sophie. She was mesmerizing and I was blown away by her onstage. A talent to watch!

The Bells - A musical about the Brontës - Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell (the brother). I have seen a few shows about the Bronte sisters over the years and though this would be a cool one to check out! It was! The music was really good and this cast can sing. The script is new and has room to grow a little, but the bones are definitely there. The music is outstanding (written by Cassie Hyman and Emi Gusdal - who also play Emily and Charlotte respectively) and modern (they rock out!) and the cast can all sing excellently. There are some fabulous moments that demonstrate terrific harmony. Those Brontës sound really, really good together! Definitely worth checking out!

Fringe 2024 - WORD OF MOUTH - Saturday, August 17th - Find Your Fringe!

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/ 

Fringe 2024 - Friday, August 16th - A Terrific Afternoon of Shows!

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 think the reveal is important. If you have seen the play, you're prepared. Great chemistry between Rob (Garret Ross) and Chris (Jenny McKillop) and excellent voices. Kate Ryan did a great job directing it so it moves beautifully. 

The Black Widow Gun Club - A new show from Whizzgiggling Productions written by Trevor Schmidt and starring the trio of Kristin Johnston, Cheryl Jameson and Michelle Todd. One thing about watching these perennial favourites is that it really shows how diverse these three actors are. Each show has them playing vastly different characters! This is a dark but funny, film noir piece about three ex-wives and one dead husband. Who killed him? Striking lighting, and a fabulous aesthetic is the setting. Johnston channels a Joan Crawford-like heiress, Jameson is a wisecracking Bette Davis artist, and Todd is a Marilyn Monroe- inspired waitress. It's a lot of fun and there's a delightful twist at the end that every good Film Noir demands!

Fringe 2024 - WORD OF MOUTH - Friday, Aug 16th - Find Your Fringe!

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)

Fringe 2024 - FIND YOUR FRINGE! Begins! Kicking it off with Regression (Cathexis Theatre) at the Playhouse!

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 the past (particularly dead white men like Shakespeare, Van Gogh and Mozart) on what we create today. As a playwright, I connected to this struggle as I have often dreamed of writing something as significant as Shakespeare! The show occurs in Prior, a community obsessed with all things from the past, and three young artists (writer, musician, and painter played by Kara Adams, Pauline Miki, and Chrissie Palacios) must find inspiration from the afore-mentioned long-dead Shakespeare, Mozart and Van Gogh to create their work at the Annual Faire (or lose their funding!). I really enjoyed the music in the show. The three artists sound wonderful together and Kara Adams, whose story seems the most central, has a fantastic voice. The three 'saints of inspiration' (played by Colin Bluekens, Tom Blazejewicz, and Dave Froland) provide a lot of the humour to the show. I loved the line about Shakespeare (Bluekens) after he repeatedly demonstrated his misogyny, that he was "Progressive - for his time!" Other artistic struggles include wanting to be original, trying to escape repression and suffering perhaps too much for one's art. It was a fun show to start my Fringe!

What's Next? Today I will be seeing Bright Lights (Blarney Productions), ROB AND CHRIS (BOBBY+TINA)-A NEW MUSICAL (Plain Jane), and The Black Widow Gun Club (Whizzgiggling)! I think it will be a terrific afternoon!

IF YOU SEE ME ON THE GROUNDS - Tell me what you liked as I will once again be posting my "Word of Mouth" posts. I cannot get to every show so I have to rely on other people to tell me what's worth your Fringe dollars!

The Oculist's Holiday at Teatro Live: A Captivating Evening of Romance and Reflection!

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 also showcases the talents of Mathew Hulshof and Rachel Bowron. Hulshof portrays Charlie Hastings, a character who brings both joy and turmoil into Marian's life. Hulshof's ability to switch between these contrasting emotions is commendable, and he adds depth to the overall narrative. Bowron, is excellent as Laurette Hastings, Charlie's wife. Her portrayal is nuanced and layered, providing a fresh perspective on the complexities of relationships. Bowron's range as an actress shines through, making her character a memorable part of the play.

Photos Marc J. Chalifoux Photography and Video

The show strikes a nice balance between humor and introspection. The play offers moments of laughter, thanks to its well-crafted comedic elements. However, it also delves into more traumatic events, exploring the aftermath of mistreatment and the self-doubt that follows. One particular moment stands out, as Marian reflects on her abrupt departure and questions her role in the events that unfolded. The writing and performance capture the subtle nuances of self-blame and self-doubt, resonating with anyone who has experienced similar situations.

As the story unfolds, we are transported to the small hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva run by Princess Volodevsky, played effortlessly by Cathy Derkach. Derkach's portrayal of the easy-going American ex-pat turned royal adds a touch of charm and humor to the production. Through her performance, we can vividly imagine the picturesque scenery surrounding the hotel, enhancing the overall experience.

The Oculist's Holiday at Teatro Live! is well-worth a night out for theatre enthusiasts and anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking experience. With stellar performances from the talented cast, a visually captivating setting, and a perfect blend of laughter and reflection, this play is sure to leave a lasting impression.

You can purchase tickets for The Oculist's Holiday Here. It runs to June 16th at the Varscona Theatre. Tickets range from $37-$42. 

Tiny Beautiful Things at Shadow Theatre - Theatre for Your Soul!

 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 mourning. I was worried that a play based on letters back and forth would become a bit 'talking heads' but directors John Hudson and Lana Hughes have wisely created a world where Sugar interacts with her petitioners in conversation - they are welcome in her home (an adorable set designed by C.M. Zuby). It's dynamic and healing. 

 Tiny Beautiful Things at Shadow Theatre
Photo Credit: Marc J. Chalifoux Photography and Video

I mention that it felt a bit like therapy (in a good way) as the stories told by Sugar made me reflect on my own past and current emotional challenges. I am still thinking about some of these things several days later. With laughter, some tears, and some gentle introspection this show is one that will feed your soul. If you don't connect to all the stories, you are bound to relate to a few of them. 

Tiny Beautiful Things is presented by Shadow Theatre at the Varscona Theatre and runs until May 12th. Tickets are $25-$38 and there are Pay-What-You-Can nights. You can purchase tickets here. 

Candy and the Beast at NLT … Bringing a Halloween Vibe to Your April!

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 the community, which features the blond victims, a pack of wild dogs, and various community members, who are all voiced by McKenzie and Tkaczyk. Lighting is  dark, with ribbons of visibility, often top-lit harshly so that you can’t quite see everything - adding to the mystery of "what’s exactly going on?!" Interspersed in the storytelling, are cool songs sung by Tkaczyk as Kenny, which evoke on 80s electronica sound. It’s edgy and dark and creepy and Tkaczyk does a great job selling those songs, as well as embodying the many characters he plays. 

 Photo by Brianne Jang,BB Collective.

The interplay between the siblings is terrific and it propels the story. Because Kenny is much younger and innocent (or is he?) than he appears, and the diminutive Candy is in some ways so much larger a personality, it’s a fun ride that leaves you wondering who the killer is and who will be killed next. And of course, will Candy be on the list? And will we actually find out who the killer is? I’ll leave that with you as I don’t want any spoilers. 

You don’t often see a show like this in April as it’s more of a Fall genre, But if you like things, a little dark and edgy and creepy, this is the perfect show for you. If you're into true crime podcasts and horror movies with edge and humour, you will love this! Who says you can’t have a little Halloween in Springtime?  

Candy and the Beast runs to April 20th at Fringe Theatre Adventures. Tickets are $38.85 and can be purchased here. There are also 2for1 nights and PWYC Nights available. 

A Special Guest Review of The Mountaintop at the Citadel Theatre!

 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 else… Like all famous people, MLK was surrounded and trapped by fame. Even alone in his room, he is never allowed to be alone. All along the edges of the Maclab Theatre stage, there are strewn newspapers, letters, documents, communications, facts, opinions, and destiny. Upstage from the room, there are clouds that Jeff Osterlin’s lights dance across to effectively make it seem as though the clouds are really moving. Occasionally, Dave Clarke’s thunder booms and roars to remind MLK of the danger his life is in.

Ray Strachan is tremendous as King. His physical and vocal control seem effortlessly natural, despite clearly intentional choices in every moment. With all MLK’s fame and renown, it would be easy to fall for the wrong choice and portray King with an inhuman level of gravitas. Thankfully, the script, direction, and performance all draw the character in a more human and therefore compelling light. Once Patricia Cerra enters the motel room as the enthralling Camae, the two actors own the stage thanks to their talents, but also thanks to very strong direction from Patricia Darbasie. She has done wonders with her cast. King and Camae’s chemistry as channeled through the actors is delightfully engaging, especially when the conversations take unexpected turns.

In the finale of the play, there is a repeated phrase about contribution and progression: “The baton passes on”. With their production of The Mountaintop, Patricia Darbasie and her team have successfully passed it along to Edmonton audiences.

- John Anderson – April 1st, 2024

The Mountaintop runs to April 21st at The Citadel Theatre. Tickets range from $35.00 to $125.00 and can be purchased here. 

My thanks to John for the awesome review! I hope you all get to catch the show while it's here!

Great Music & Theatre from U of A and Grant MacEwan U...

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 Woods 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.

Photo Credit: Lindsey Tran, @understudystudio_

It's interesting how forward thinking the show was. It seemed like it was meant for this modern age of projections. The lighting, set, costume, and projection designers (Travis Hatt, Ross Nichol, Deanna Finnman, Matt Shuurman) did a phenomenal job of bringing the art to life. After seeing the show I went and rewatched the Tony performance from the original production, which had wowed me at the time I first saw it, and was struck by how much more active projections add to the piece. 

I hope to catch a few more of the MacEwan University shows in the future. We are blessed with so much theatre in Edmonton, we sometimes forget that MacEwan and U of A both have incredible programs offering terrific shows with the future of Edmonton theatre on their stages. 

Speaking of U of A, I also caught a wonderful musical performance by the University of Alberta Music Department featuring their Concert Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. The performance was called The Old Sod, and was presented on St. Patrick's Day at the Winspear. It also featured dancers from the Edmonton Ceilidh Dance Academy. It was a terrific way to spend St. Patrick's Day and enjoy some wonderful pieces of music. 

Robot Girls is full of Laughs and a Love for Science at Shadow Theatre!

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 distain and compassion for her younger club mates. In the middle, we have two grade 8 of varying temperaments; Lashley with her student council Vice President authority, and McDougall who just needs a club to be in while she balances the demands of her family. I was struck by how accurate (in a heightened way) the three ages were portrayed. You wouldn’t think there was a wide difference difference between a grade 7 and a grade 9, but there is, and this show capitalizes on it and really makes it work. It was also terrific that these weren't 'mean girls' or 'troubled girls', but real kids who happen to be smart and like science and want to belong somewhere, which is far more my experience with the age group. 

The laughs start immediately with this show. Schmidt has a knack for writing funny and truthful, young female characters. Co-Directors John Hudson and Lana Michelle Hughes keep the action moving with clever lights and robot dancing. The pace is brisk and tight. The relationships are honest, sometimes unintentionally hurtful, often touching, and most of all very humorous. 

Of course it’s not all simple. With the lack of a teacher in the room, the four girls must figure everything out on their own both with the robot building and how to deal with each other. Mistakes are made, but then fixed, and the future for women in science looks very hopeful.

I can’t overstate how funny it is, and how much the packed opening night audience was howling with laughter. If you have a daughter or granddaughter, or niece, aged 12 and up, I highly encourage you to take them to see this show. It might be really cool for them to recognize themselves on stage (whether they are a science kid or not). It’s more about the relationships than the science, but the science is pretty cool, too. It’s Spring Break next week so you could take your kid and they don’t have to get up early the next morning for school.

Robot Girls by Trevor Schmidt runs to March 31st at the Varscona Theatre. Tickets are $25-$38 with a Pay-What-You-Can night (at the door), and can be purchased here.

Photo Credit: Marc J. Chalifoux Photography and Video

A Monstrously Exciting Season on the Horizon for Northern Light Theatre!

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 terrible actions. We’re all prone to regressive processes. It’s very easy to enter the dark abyss where evil dwells. We all have the capacity to be monsters."

The first show is a World Premiere, Monstress by Trevor Schmidt, starring Julia van Dam and Sydney Williams. A twist on the Frankenstein story (with a reading evocative of the recent Oscar-nominated film Poor Things), one wonders where this will go and who the real monster will turn out to be. I'm looking forward to see the dynamic between the two women - disgraced scientist and horrible creation - and the inevitable conflicts inherent in that relationship. 

Next is the play that sparked the season's theme, Angry Alan by Penelope Skinner, starring Cody Porter. Porter plays the utterly miserable Roger, third assistant manager at a Safeway grocery store. With his life at crisis point, Roger is close to bursting. But when he stumbles upon Angry Alan - an online activist- he finally feels someone is speaking his language. Schmidt said that this was the show that started the search for more monstrous plays and he wondered if it was going to get them in trouble. It explores what happens when an ordinarily tolerant, but dissatisfied man is radicalized by false reasoning online, and begins to blame feminism for all that is wrong in his life. I'm looking forward to squirming in my seat next season. This is most likely the one that's going to make me do so!

The season will wrap up with Radiant Vermin by Philip Ridley, starring new grads Rain Matkin, and Eli Yaschuk, along with NLT favourite Holly Turner. In the modern age of out-of-reach property acquisition, it tells the story of an engaging young couple, Ollie and Jill, who had to do some shocking things to get their dream home. A wickedly comic satire about a young couple offered a 'too good to be true' way onto the property ladder. The scene presented hints at a Faustian bargain, or perhaps a deadly game show. It looks to be the kind of show to make you laugh out loud,... but guiltily. 

I'm looking forward to meeting the monsters up on NLT's stage next season, be they real or imagined, or perhaps living right next door! 

Subscriptions for all three shows are now on sale through Northern Light Theatre's website northernlighttheatre.com. Subscriptions start at $80 VIP pricing until June 1, and single tickets go on sale August 1, 2024.