Fringe Full of Stars - Thursday, August 21, 2025 - Peter Pan, Opera, A White Tiger and Jeopardy!

Quiz Icarus

This was definitely a show for ME! As many of you know (maybe you don't, but if you follow me on Instagram - you KNOW) I am a big Trivia buff. My husband and I (and sometimes my youngest son) play trivia on a regular basis - minimum twice a week, but sometimes more. We're also BIG Jeopardy fans and we PVR it daily to watch together and have done so for years. We also have a big place in our hearts for anyone on Jeopardy who is from Canada. So, about the show, Nam and Aaron are two Canadians who got on Jeopardy in the last few years and they were telling their stories about their love of Jeopardy, and all things Trivia and the lengths that they (and many others) went to in order to prepare for "The Show!" Each had a slightly different journey and different outcomes, but I was captivated by their Boot Camp recollections and thoroughly wowed by the name-dropping (Mattea! Juveria! OMG!!). As an avid viewer I remembered both of them, particularly Aaron's episode. Anyhow, in a dream-come-true moment, I got to go onstage and participate in a 10 minutes Jeopardy round. I did not win - I knew answers, but it is very much a buzzer game and my buzzer game sucked. The other audience member participating did win and got $100. I was jealous... the guys didn't even want a picture with me afterwards like they did with Sarah... That's the difference between a player and a champion, I guess... But I still had a lot of very nervous fun! 

Paloma and Joy

This production by Whizzgiggling was a bit different from their past few shows - a little darker and more serious as it explores the exploitation of foreign workers through the use of a German white tiger (Magda - played by Kristin Johnston) brought into the tired magic act of Paloma (Cheryl Jameson) and Joy (Michelle Todd). Paloma is the big bully of the two, but the dimmer Joy doesn't really help things. The play culminates with a near fatal attack after Paloma pushes things too far. I guess if you are going to poke the tiger, so to speak, it's important to understand that at some point they might poke back. There's a terrific opening sequence from Jameson and Todd, a fantastic cabaret song performed by Johnston, and all three actors commit fully to their roles. It makes you think. 

Peter Pan Cometh

I'd been waiting for this show and it did not disappoint! It's Peter Pan meets Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh and the the juxtaposition is wild. I am not as familiar with Iceman as I am with Long Days Journey into Night (Peter Pan is a no-brainer - I was in the musical years ago!), so I read the wikipedia article before seeing the show. The man in front of me watched the 4 hour movie version before coming. I don't know if you need to be that prepared. It's surprisingly fitting, and those surprises make you laugh and lock in. I was totally engaged from the moment it began. Very smart and clever, and well-acted and directed, and these folks clearly know their stuff when it comes to creating an out-of-the-box theatrical experience. Go see it! 

Dressing Requiem

I don't usually go to the opera at Fringe, but the title was recommended a few times to me during Word of Mouth chats so I thought I would check it out. There's some fine singing in this show who's premise is that the show is cancelled and the cast decide to reminise their favourite songs as they wrap up the dressing room. This allows the cast to share a greatest hits of Opera for the audience. My favourite performances were Udite (Donizetti), Vilia (Lehar), Habanera (Bizet) and the final number, Nessun Dorma (Puccini). 

I am taking today off and then tomorrow, Saturday, will be my last day! I hope you all have a terrific final weekend of Fringe Full of Stars!