All Rested Up From Fringe... So It's Time For the 2019-2020 Theatre Season to Start!

I'll be kicking off my 2019-2020 Theatre Season next week starting on Tuesday night, when I take in The Color Purple at the Citadel Theatre. It's the musical adaptation of Alice Walker's 1982 novel of the same name which was adapted into a film by Steven Spielberg in 1985 starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery and Oprah Winfrey. I'm excited to see this, as I am a great fan of the book, having read it shortly after it was published and similarly loved the movie. As I am a musical theatre fan, I think I will have hit the trifecta! There are a lot of new-to-Edmonton artists involved in the production, but it also stars Tara Jackson as Celie. Jackson was previously seen in Edmonton at the Citadel in Hadestown, Bittergirl: The Musical and Mamma Mia! and at the Mayfield in Jesus Christ Superstar. She's one of my husband and my favourite local musical theatre performers and I can't wait to see her onstage in this show. I'm seeing the show early in the run, because I seriously and thinking it will be one that I want to see again! Right now, my only issue is that I have a really hard time with the American spelling of color... but that's just habit!

The Color Purple runs from September 21 to October 13 in the Shoctor Theatre. You can purchase tickets here. 

I'll also be taking in the final offering of the season from Teatro la Quindicina next week. Vidalia by Stewart Lemoine opens on Friday, September 27th at the Varscona Theatre. I'm excited to see the fabulous Belinda Cornish onstage with the always funny Andrew MacDonald-Smith as they lead the cast in this show billed as a contemporary spin on the classic screwball form. There's also a promise of 3 identical briefcases, haberdashery, and industrial espionage, which suggests intrigue, oh and there's onions!

Vidalia runs from September 27 to October 12 at the Varscona Theatre. You can purchase tickets here.

Also this month - The Play the Fool Festival - running from Sept 26-29. Play the Fool is Edmonton’s festival of clown-theatre and physical comedy. Held in historic Old Strathcona at the ATB Financial Arts Barns, the home of The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. Now entering their fourth year, this festival brings together seasoned and emerging local, national, and international clown and physical theatre artists for four days of performances that embrace risk, exploration, and play. Click here for the line-up and to find out how to get tickets to this laugh-filled festival. 

If you like Rock and Roll, especially the classics, you can also check out Million Dollar Quartet now playing at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre. It runs until October 27. It's a great show with so many songs you love from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.  You'd also get to have the always delicious buffet while you watch the show! Click here for tickets. 


It's a great looking September. I'm also excited about October, but I will get to that later! One month at a time!

PLAY THE FOOL FESTIVAL - A Little Clowning around in Edmonton!

Play the Fool Festival, Edmonton’s Theatre Festival for Clown & Physical Comedy, returns this week on Sept 27th – 30th at The Backstage Theatre and ATB Financial Arts Barns. It's the third year for the theatre festival and there are so many different shows you can check out.

I had a stroll through their website (click here) and here are a few shows that jumped out at me (please check out the age recommendations as most of the shows are aimed at adult audiences):

Shipwrecked - Calgary
Created and Performed By: Chad Bryant and Chris Gamble

Shipwrecked on a desert island, Swill and Lavy find a mysterious treasure map. Will the map lead to their salvation or doom? Calgary-based comedy theatre artists Chad Bryant (Swill) and Chris Gamble (Lavy) team up with Jacqueline Russell from Sizzle & Spark (The Sama Kutra & Hushabye) to bring a new Pochinko-style clown duo to the stage.

The Daily Deal with Lady - Edmonton
Created and Performed By: Lindsay Ruth Hunt

Lady launches her career as a home-shopping network celebrity! Join her live in-studio audience and prepare to be wowed. And to buy her much-sought-after product. Lindsay Ruth Hunt has a background in improvisational theatre and sketch comedy, including being a founding member of both The General Fools and Uberkill.

The Performance - Edmonton
Created and Performed By: Candace Berlinguette and Michael Kennard

A down and out pianist and singer attempt to regain their former glory. Candace Berlinguette is a theatre creator, actor, producer and teacher. Michael Kennard is an award winning theatre creator and one half of the clown duo Mump and Smoot.

Lady Be Good - Edmonton
Created and Performed By: Erin Pettifor and Gabby Bernard

Equality is here! Sit back and relax with your diverse friend group and enjoy Lady Be Good, darkly satirical pageant that celebrates us all. Erin Pettifor and Gabby Bernard are recent graduates from the BFA acting program at the University of Alberta.

These are just a few of the shows on the docket - I recommend a trip to the website (click here) to check out what else is on the docket. There is also a Cabaret Series that you should check out for a great variety of acts.

The Play the Fool Festival is curated by Christine Lesiak, creator and performer of the 2018 Fringe holdover hit For Science!, and it features over 30 physical comedy artists from across Canada and from Edmonton, including: Michael Kennard of Mump & Smoot with Candace Berlinguette in The Performance; Vancouver-based award-winning character artist Candice Roberts’ gender-bending Larry show; Cabaret Calgary Productions’ cheeky, produce-inspired burlesque act, Fruitbowl; and an All-Ages Spectacular with local favorites.

I encourage you all to check out a sneak peek of festival acts at the FREE Opening Night Gala Teaser Cabaret on Thursday, September 27th at 7 p.m., with live music from the Mary Lee Bird Band. Admission for the Opening night gala is first-come-first-served at the door, with front-of-the-line guaranteed seating for Festival Pass Holders arriving by 6:45 pm.

Tickets & Passes
Passes: $100.00 adults, $85.00 seniors & students
Passes include access to all shows + Priority Seating | LIMITED SUPPLY
Tickets: $10-$20.00 general admission | $10-$116.00 senior/student
Passes and tickets available at https://playthefool.ca
Please note, most festival shows are rated 13+ or 18+