Fringe Preview: SOFIE'S WILD RIDE

Director Louise Mallory took the time to answer a few quick questions about her 2018 Fringe Show - Sofie's Wild Ride!

Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less. The older women housemates of Golden Girls are back! 

Now the longer description... what else should people know about it? Sofie's Wild Ride has an original script by local Amanda LeBlanc, a huge fan of the old Golden Girls episodes, and is a delightful exploration of living with people you don't necessarily like but definitely care about.  There are a few male characters (all played by Brian Ault) but there are lots of conversations between women that aren't about a man (passes the Bechdel test).

What makes Sophie's Wild Ride a great choice for the Fringe? It's funny!  It's easy to connect with whether or not you remember the characters of the original TV show.  And we're in an air conditioned venue that serves drinks (Billiard Club, 10505 82 Avenue, upstairs/no elevator)

Okay, you're in rehearsal with an amazing group of people... 
    a. Who makes you laugh the most?  Nicole English and her eye-rolling physical embodiment of 83 year old Sofie.
    b. Who makes you groan?  Ana Fassmann and her random comments!
    c. Who is most likely to give you a massage?  We have a great cast full of supportive people, but I'd have to pick Rhonda Kozuska. 

The Description: Wise-cracking Golden Gal Sofie Palermo has gone to the great beyond...or so she thinks. Join Sofie's trip down memory lane with daughter Doralee (a square), best friends Brooke (a sexpot) and Rowe (a nitwit). Does Sofie learn a lesson? Maybe; maybe not. Either way, this 83-year-old is wickedly funny!
Warnings: Religious Content, Adult Language
Duration: 45 minutes

Click here for tickets.

Fringe Preview: Musicals are my jam... So many to choose from!

This is another great Fringe for musicals and musical revues. Since I have spent roughly 67% of my theatrical career involved in musicals either as actor or director, this is where I tend to focus the bulk of my time... Here's a few that look interesting to me:

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP CHICKENS!
The Description: The Janes are back with it's first ever musical revue at the Fringe! The Sterling-Award-winning company celebrates all things theatre, ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime-boldly going inside the world of entertainment featuring musical gems of yesterday and today. "Everything's coming up roses and daffodils and...chickens!" (Gypsy)
Why I want to see it: Well, they quote Gypsy in the description... that right there catches my attention. It's also the Plain Janes who have a proven track record for producing quality musicals for the Fringe. The cast is super solid and I have been enjoying seeing their 'choreography clips' online as they prepare for Fringe.
Click here for tickets.

FOSSEGRIM & NØKK
The Description: Saga loves to learn, read, and make music. But what Saga craves most is adventure. In an epic tale inspired by Scandinavian folklore, Saga journeys deep into the wood where she meets Fossegrim and Nøkk, two shapeshifting siblings with magical powers. Playful fun for the whole family!
Why I want to see it: Although I am Norwegian I actually know very little about my Scandinavian heritage. This might be a fun way to find out more. I think from the description, however, I might need to find a small person to bring with me...
Click here for tickets.

HANDEL: THE MUSICAL
The Description: Hallelujah! Classical composer, George Frideric Handel makes a deal with God to come back for one last performance - all His broadway favourites! How fabulous is that?! Ron Long of Il Duo Fringe fame is back with this one man show!
Why I want to see it: Well, Ron Long is hysterical and a terrific vocalist. If you listen to CBC radio in the morning you may have heard him give vocal coaching - which is much funnier than it should be!
Click here for tickets.



JOSEPHINE
The Description: An Award-winning off-Broadway musical about the iconic Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century. "tour de force." 5 Stars-CBC "perfect piece of theatre for the time we're currently in" 5 Stars-Plays To See NYC 5 Stars-Winnipeg Free Press
Why I want to see it: There is something compelling about a musical about Josephine Baker - imagine the life she led! I'm also intrigued to see how they will incorporate burlesque into it.
Click here for tickets.

SWEETHEARTS OF THE 49TH
The Description: From the creators of five star, held-over hits, "Chasing Willie Nelson", "Valentine's Train" and "Forget Me Not" comes a touching musical tribute to WW2 history. Four young women find themselves in front of a microphone, searching for their voices and the learning what it means to tell the truth.
Why I want to see it: Well, if you read the After the House Lights Blog post about my most memorable Fringe experience, then you know it involved "Forget Me Not". Since this is the same creator, I think it's worth the risk! It's also got a stellar cast of local vocalists.
Click here for tickets. 

I've mentioned a couple other musicals in my other preview posts. Check those out for more ideas!

Fringe Preview: Looking for something a little serious... Here are a few Dramas on the docket that have me interested...

I like a good laugh, a good musical, but I also like a solid drama. Luckily for me, the Fringe has everything! Here's what caught my eye in a more serious vein...

APRICOT STONES
The Description: It's 1980 in Kabul. When Adela is attacked by mujahideen on a trip to the market one day, she is rescued by Azad. The two become fast friends, but soon deeper feelings dance them dangerously close to a fine line that has Adela's devout younger brother questioning her family honour.
Why I want to see it: I've been working with a playwright on a couple of plays about Iran and to support that work I've been reading a lot about that part of the world. I'm thinking this might be another way to access more about it from a different perspective.
Click here for tickets.

CALL MR. ROBESON
The Description: A rollercoaster journey through African-American actor and singer Paul Robeson's remarkable life, highlighting his pioneering and heroic political activism. Features Ol' Man River and other famous songs, much fiery oratory, and a defiant testimony to the House Un-American Activities Committee. "First rate." (4 stars) The Guardian
Why I want to see it: I love finding out more about real people and periods of history through theatre. I've also always been fascinated by the McCarthy era politics (thanks to an American History course I took over 25 years ago), and this description intrigues me...
Click here for tickets.

JAKE'S GIFT
The Description: Jake's Gift is back to celebrate 10 years since it first played at the Edmonton Fringe Festival in August 2008! This surprisingly funny drama tells the moving story of a Canadian WW2 veteran's reluctant return to Juno Beach to find the grave of the brother who never came home.
Why I recommend it: I have actually seen this show before and if you haven't, you probably should. Bring tissues.
Click here for tickets.

CONTRACTIONS
The Description: The company you work for is terrifying. Your sex life is a matter for the HR department. To what extreme would you go to keep your job? The lasses who brought you the Fringe hit The Superhero Who Loved Me are back with a horribly plausible tale of workplace fear.
Why I want to see it: April Banigan and Kristi Hansen. I love seeing both of them onstage, so together feels like a real bonus!
Click here for tickets.



Stay posted for more! I'm personally wishing I had more time to see more shows!

Fringe Preview: New work from Michele Vance Hehir - ONE POLAROID

Award-winning playwright Michele Vance Hehir is bringing another new work to this year's Fringe. Here's her email interview about her new show, One Polaroid:

Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less. Two unmarried sisters and their nephew celebrate his 20th birthday.

Now the longer description... what else should people know about it? It takes place in a small dying town in Alberta in the spring of 1973. It's a play about family: sisters, mothers and sons. And it's a story of a birthday celebration with punch and cake and questionable 70's music...

What makes One Polaroid a great choice for the Fringe? It's a story about something we can all identify with - our families. The love we have for them, but also the way in which family - who have known you your whole life - always knows exactly what buttons to push. It's a dramedy!

Okay, you're in rehearsal with an amazing group of people... 

    Who makes you laugh the most? Julie Golosky. Because she makes the most expressive faces and will do almost anything for a LAUGH!

    Who makes you groan? Boyan Peycoff. Funny, smart and cheeky.

    Who is most likely to give you a massage? Definitely Jennifer Spencer. 

Description: 1973. In a dying Alberta town, a dysfunctional relationship between 2 sisters unfolds as they wait for their nephew to arrive for his annual birthday tradition of fruit punch, cake and lost dreams. RUINATION/(2017) Liz Nicholls - "...an intriguing little piece, artfully constructed, and acted with commitment."
Click here for tickets. 

Warnings: Adult Language

Duration: 60 minutes

Fringe Preview: AHUNWAR: THE DEVIL'S LONG NAP

I did a little email interview with Daniel Greenways who is from Night Canopy Theatre who are producing Ahunwar: The Devil's Long Nap at this year's Fringe. Here's what he had to say about the show:

Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less. Two Zoroastrian demons fight back against their own destinies!

Now the longer description... what else should people know about it? 

Ahunwar: The Devil’s Long Nap is a show that takes something mythological and turns it into something human. It takes a story about time and magic and turns it into a story about memory and the unknown. It takes cosmic conflicts and turns them into personal, existential struggles. Ahunwar is set in a mysterious den of darkness, in which a demoness named Jeh awakens Ahriman from a deep, unnatural slumber. As Ahriman recovers his lost memories, he begins to rediscover his past life, but he is not sure he wants to follow the same path again. Things do not go as planned, and the pair start questioning their identities, their freedom, and everything they think they know to be true. Ahunwar is an adaptation of a medieval Zoroastrian myth by local playwright Jonah Dunch, and it’s a pretty wild ride!

What makes Ahunwar: The Devil's Long Nap a great choice for the Fringe? 

Going to a Fringe show is an act of faith. Why not make your act of faith about a bunch of acts of faith? More to the point, it touches on some topical topics as well, such as power and control over others, sexual freedom and bad choices, and the differences between the world of the past and the world of the present. Also, going to a Fringe show is a great opportunity to support up-and-coming local artists. Ahunwar captures that Fringe spirit through and through. Our entire cast and crew is made up of young, local artists currently studying at University (in a wide variety of programs). Many of our cast and crew have also been involved in the Citadel’s well-known Young Companies programs.

Okay, you're in rehearsal with an amazing group of people... 

    Who makes you laugh the most? I think my actors (Braden and Christina) make me laugh the most. I like to work in a space where they feel comfortable following impulses. We had a recording session at one point, and it was a lot of fun when they started playing around with their voices.

    Who makes you groan? The cat, Bert. Bert is the resident cat at our rehearsal hall, and he was leaving us alone until LAST REHEARSAL when he decided to run around the set and make everyone laugh. If you want to see Bert, you can catch him in our production playing the uncredited role of the “inaudible cat that is in a room far away”.

   Who is most likely to give you a massage? Probably Braden, which is ironic considering the fact that he plays the Zoroastrian devil.

Description: An exciting new adaptation of Zoroastrian mythology! Three thousand years after a cosmic war, a demoness named Jeh awakens the devil Ahriman from a deep, unnatural slumber. As Ahriman recovers his lost memories, the pair start questioning their identities, their freedom, and everything they think they know to be true. 

Warnings: Religious Content, Sexual Content, Adult Language

Duration: 60 minutes

Click here for tickets.

Fringe Preview: Shows that have caught my eye...

So, I haven't gotten my Fringe Program yet, however, I did take a quick pass through the website to check things out as I want to program a wonderful Fringe for myself. In the absence of doing a show myself, this is the most excellent consolation prize!

After this first pass - here's what I am finding intriguing!

FETCH
The Description: Hannah Morgan is the youngest of six. Hannah Morgan is an only child. Hannah Morgan has a happy family. Hannah Morgan is orphaned, ignored, alone. Hannah Morgan pursues and is pursued by a small toy dog. A play about possible existences, simultaneous identities, and who becomes the real Hannah Morgan. [ Interloper Theatre ]
Why I want to see it: Um... Cat Walsh wrote it. Cat Walsh. I love her writing - always unexpected and intriguing. Also, Cat Walsh and Lora Brovold are in it. So... I plan to be there!
Click here for tickets.

SOPHIE'S WILD RIDE
The Description: Wise-cracking Golden Gal Sofie Palermo has gone to the great beyond...or so she thinks. Join Sofie's trip down memory lane with daughter Doralee (a square), best friends Brooke (a sexpot) and Rowe (a nitwit). Does Sofie learn a lesson? Maybe; maybe not. Either way, this 83-year-old is wickedly funny!
Why I want to see it: Well, I like a good comedy and I was always a Golden Girls fan. Also, Nicole English as Sophie promises to be a sure bet. It's also a new work, and I love checking out new Edmonton playwrights!
Click here for tickets.

BAD HABITS
The Description: From the 20-time award-wining company that brought you Beau & Aero and Bella Culpa. (Edmonton Best-of-Fest 2015 & 2016) Two sisters of faith struggling to find the light... and stay in it. An absurd comedy about the lives and habits of Sisters Florence and Margarine, and the temptations they face. [ A Little Bit Off ]
Why I want to see it: Well, it's from the people who did Beau and Arrow, and I missed that and always regretted it because everyone I know who saw it said it was really, really good. So I don't want to miss out this time around... Also, I was raised Catholic so I think I'll find connection in the humour...
Click here for tickets.

BOUNTIFUL
The Description: Right under our noses lies a polygamous settlement of Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints; inspired by true events, a young woman is taken in by this 'bountiful' community and soon learns of its questionable past. As time unravels, she's forced to make a life-altering decision. Will she Keep Sweet?
Why I want to see it: Well, I saw Unsyncables two years ago and Riverdale last year and I think that Rebecca Merkley is a very funny playwright. Also, I read Under the Banner of Heaven a few years ago and I find the topic intriguing.
Click here for tickets.

CULT CYCLE
The Description: There is a new spin studio in town! Welcome to Cult Cycle where you will burn fat and arise a new you from the ashes. This original musical gives a new meaning to the statement "That spin class was torture". Be prepared to "Get FIT or DIE trying!"
Why I want to see it: Well, this might be the only way you get me to a spin class... ha ha ha... It's a great cast from a company with a proven track record for presenting quality shows (Straight Edge) and I am excited about new work and especially new musicals!
Click here for tickets.

DON'T FROWN AT THE GOWN
The Description: From the award-winning duo behind Flora & Fawna's Field Trip and Puckbunnies. 1962. On the eve of Susan's wedding, a final fitting at Lady Laura Lee's Bridal Belle Boutique tightens bonds, reveals secrets and stretches loyalties - to the breaking point. A woman's duty clashes with the modern sexual revolution.
Why I want to see it: Well, I have never been disappointed by Trevor Schmidt and Darrin Hagen's collaboration. I'm a die-hard Flora and Fawna fan (and I have the selfies to prove it!), and I love how they bring a real humanity to their work. It's always hysterical, but also touching.
Click here for tickets.

Well, this was the first pass... There's a lot to filter through. I'll be adding to my list as we get closer to Fringe!

 Tickets go on sale August 8th!

Fringe Preview: SatCo and Uniform Theatre present XANADU

What do you get when you combine two phenomenal musical theatre companies, roller skates, Greek myth, and disco? Clearly, you get XANADU! Yes, I saw the original film in the theatre, likely the week it was released, and loved it, so it's got that working for it. It also is being presented by SatCo (whose previous Edmonton Fringe shows include American Idiot, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Dog Fight) and Uniform Theatre (Sterling nominated for last years' Fringe hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee). The cast and creative team for this production are top-notch and if you add this to your list, you'll get a show that is so much more than a Fringe show. It's family friendly too, so that's a plus. I am very intrigued to find out how the roller skating is going to translate to the Strathcona High School performance space! 

Sterling nominated companies SatCo and Uniform Theatre have teamed up to present a totally rad rock musical in the Edmonton Fringe! XANADU tells the story of Greek Muse Clio, who descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach in 1980 to inspire a struggling artist to create the greatest artistic creation of all time - A ROLLER DISCO! But when she falls into forbidden love with the mortal, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds! 

XANADU features the music of ELO, with a hilarious book by Douglas Carter Beane. It’s 90 minutes of rock, glitter, and 80s magic that you won’t want to miss!

Featuring the talents of: Arden Phillips, Brian Christensen, Nelson Bragg, Mackenzie Reurink, Kristin Johnston, Emi Gusdal, Victoria Suen, Ryley Tennant and Dustyn Tennessen. 

Director: Linette Smith
Musical Director: Stephanie Urquhart
Stage Manager: Kandice Laurie
Assistant Stage Manager: Logan Stefura
Lighting Designer: Freida Wang
Sound Designer: Russell Ault
Band: Stephanie Urquhart, Sam Malowney, Sam Vesely, Peter Zawalski 

Venue 25 - Strathcona High School (10450 72 Avenue)

Tickets on sale August 8 at noon through Fringe Theatre! Click here for tickets or more information. 

Photo Credit: Kaylin Schenk