Toronto Fringe Festival 2009: Two Worth Seeing

Two performances worth seeing at this year's Fringe are Fucking Stephen Harper and interrogation. Vastly different in tone, both plays will take you to unexpected places. Rob Salerno's one-man performance is the gay journalist's tale of the trials and tribulations he experienced while trying to get an interview with our nation's Prime Minister. Why is it called Fucking Stephen Harper? You'll have to see the comic piece to find out, but the play is aptly named. I can tell you that you will get a civics lesson that inspires thought and laughter.






On the other hand, "interrogation" is a tense psychological drama that evokes little laughter, while keeping us involved in the murky world of the real and the imagined. Writer and lead actor, Ben Noble is at his best in this demanding role.

Visit www.fringetoronto.comfor more information.

Photos by donna g

Fringe Festival 09: It's Was a Very Good Day

Had a fantastic day today at the Fringe. Spent my day on the U of T campus and saw three plays. Met first-time volunteer Vincent (left) on his first Fringe shift ever at the Robert Gill Theatre after seeing my second play of the day, Donny's Day. Vincent is a high school drama student, who decided to volunteer for the Fringe after attending the festival last year with his dad. (The Fringe has shifts for high school students that counts towards the school board's mandatory Community Involvement hours.) Vincent and I had a great conversation about what he saw last year and what he hopes to see this year at the Fringe. One of the perks of volunteering is that, if circumstances are right, you have a good chance of seeing a show at your venue.


After my show ended, I walked down to the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse to see the one-woman show, Grandpa Sol and Grandma Rosie, starring Australian actress, Lana Schwarcz. Nurse Jackie (Schwarcz) is confronting her fears about aging by working in a home for the aged. Of course, she learns a lesson, but what I enjoyed about this play is the numerous characters that we meet in the home, and the use of puppets as a supporting cast of Jewish seniors. Actress/puppeteer, Schwarcz introduced me some delightful elders, a few of whom share stories of their pasts. My favourite was the flirty gentleman who liked to dance. The Bingo session is not to be missed, so I won't give anything away here.



After Grandpa Sol, I walked down St. George Street to the Robert Gill Theatre to see Donny's Day, "a comedy about a guy named Eddie". The play an hilarious comedy that I recommend, even though I found the dialogue in the last 15 minutes of the show to be weak. What comes before though, is a very funny tale of Eddie (Timothy Walker) an alcoholic (1 year sober) who is having a very, very, very bad day. Despite his flaws, Eddie is a fun guy, if commitment shy. (Shh...I think actor, Timothy Walker has great calves.) Other characters in the play include Eddie's girlfriend, his shrink (strongly paid by John Illingworth), his sponsor, and an acquaintance/friend. Shout out to "Sandwich Board Guy", Ryan Giesen.



After Donny's Day I ran into Allison Elizabeth Burns, Joannie Pharand, and Vanessa Kneale. They were handing out promo material for their show, Dancing In My Unbirthday Suit, which was the next show at the Robert Gill. The trio live in Montreal and are studying dance at Concordia. I decided to stay for the show since I hadn't yet seen any dance performances. After meeting the young women, I was sincerely hoping they wouldn't be "cutsie". I loathe cutsie, and their costumes, thought pretty did make me wonder what I was in for. At them most, I hoped they would make me happy. Well, they did make me happy, and I'm glad I stayed. Dancing is more of a performance piece rather than straight out dance. The comical theatrics is silly and inventive in its use of props and sound. I laughed my head off. One of my favourite vignettes is the "un-striptease". I've never seen pasties like that before:-0 The performance runs 35 minutes rather than the listed 45 minutes, but this might work in your favour if you are trying to fit other plays into your Fringe schedule.

After seeing Dancing In My Unbirthday Suit, I ran into choreographer, Kate Nankirvis(second from left) and the dancers of twentysomethings (they had just seen "Dancing"). Kate did a 5 minute phone interview with me last Saturday, and we had never met, but as with many festivals in Toronto, it's easy to strike up a conversation with attendees.

For information about the Fringe Festival, please visit www.fringetoronto.com or call 416-966-1062 The festival runs until July 12th, and most tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.

Fringe Festival '09: Frances-Anne Solomon's LOCKDOWN

The Cast of "Lockdown" playing at this year's Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival.

Lockdown
by Frances-Anne Solomon
(www.ledaserene.ca)
presented by Leda Serene films from Toronto, ON

Frances-Anne Solomon’s new play Lockdown, takes us into the new world of some inner city Canadian high schools.  Post "lockdown", how will students behave under a new set of rules and the constant presence of armed police officers in their hallways and classrooms? Schools used to be a safe haven for students, but how will some of them now function when they are exposed to violence in their homes, community and, now, school?  We peer into the lives of several young people, moving with them from classroom to living room as answers are revealed. As adults, our own culpability is also in question as we watch this play unfold. Please bring some young people with you to see this play. The young cast is incredibly natural, and legendary Jamaican actress Leonie Forbes is at her usual best. Tickets are $10 each.

Director: Frances-Anne Solomon
Cast: Leonie Forbes, Michael Miller
Audience: General Audience
90 min

Venue 10: George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place (south of Bloor)
Thu, July 2 8:15 PM
Fri, July 3 1:15 PM
Mon, July 6 10:45 PM
Tue, July 7 1:00 PM
Fri, July 10 4:00 PM
Sun, July 12 8:30 PM






Fringe Festival Volunteers, Sally & Marco

For more information about the festival, please visit www.fringetoronto.com or call 416-966-1062

Toronto Fringe Festival 09

Thanks to all my guests who participated in TmTm's 5-MINUTE FRINGE show today. Big THANK YOU to LISE for keeping me sane.  Only having 5 minutes to sell their performances to the listening audience doesn't give Fringe participants a lot of time to go into the "where/when" details, so here they are:

Canary
by Liesl Lafferty
(www.liesllafferty.ca)
presented by Chaos Collective from Vancouver, BC

Canary is a comedy about Lily. Struck by a debilitating aversion to artificial light, our hero turns to medicine, but the results are fruitless. Inadvertently, Lily evokes the spirit of Marie Curie, who discovered radium and ironically, died from radiation poisoning. Lily strives to warn humanity about our toxic world and her journey culminates with the question, ‘Are you next?

Director: Liesl Lafferty
Cast: Tasha Lawrence, Kathryn Haggis and Heidi Waters
Audience: General Audience
60 min.

Venue 8: Tarragon Theatre Extra Space
Thu, July 2 10:00 PM
Sat, July 4 8:00 PM
Sun, July 5 Noon
Mon, July 6 6:30 PM
Thu, July 9 11:00 PM
Fri, July 10 2:15 PM
Sat, July 11 5:15 PM

Fucking Stephen Harper: How I Sexually Assaulted the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and Where It Got Me
by Rob Salerno
(www.tenfootpole.ca)
presented by Ten Foot Pole Productions from Toronto, ON

We’ve all heard the story of how gay journalist Rob Salerno sexually assaulted Prime Minister Stephen Harper during last year’s election. Come hear Salerno’s side of the story at this performance and signing of his new tell-all memoir, which Maclean’s has called “An hilarious take on Canadian politics, the media, the gay community, and what Stephen Harper’s balls feel like.”

Cast: Rob Salerno
Audience: General Audience
Warning: May offend federal Conservatives
60 min

Venue 12: Glen Morris Theatre
Thu, July 2 8:00 PM
Fri, July 3 3:30 PM
Sun, July 5 1:30 PM
Tues, July 7 6:00 PM
Wed, July 8 10:00 PM
Thu, July 9 3:30 PM
Fri, July 10 7:00 PM

interrogation
by Benjamin Noble
(www.fairlylucidproductions.com)
presented by Fairly Lucid Productions from Australia/Canada

What happens when you cross fiction, fantasy and hidden memories? For The Man, this is his life and he’ll do anything to finish his story, even when he can’t remember a thing. Touching on isolation, storytelling and things we try to forget, “interrogation” brings the Canadian premiere of this award winning Australian work.

Director: Bryn Jennings
Cast: Alex Dallas, Pamela Johnson, Ben Noble, Karie Richards & Vanessa Smythe
Audience: Mature Audience
Warning: Sexual References, Language, Adult Content
80 min.

Venue 8: Tarragon Theatre Extra Space
Fri, July 3 7:00 PM
Sun, July 5 3:30 PM
Mon, July 6 10:30 PM
Tue, July 7 8:30 PM
Wed, July 8 12:15 PM
Fri, July 10 4:00 PM
Sat, July 11 10:30 PM

Morro and Jasp do Puberty
Written and Performed by Heather Marie Annis and Amy Lee
(www.morroandjasp.com)
presented by Up Your Nose And In Your Toes Productions from Toronto, ON

Morro and Jasp have finally reached puberty. This hilarious show explores the trials and tribulations that we all went through, or are about to go through, in becoming a grown-up. Sixty minutes of laughter, longing, tears and tampons! Not recommended for kids.

“The crowned queens of clown” EYE WEEKLY
“Hilariously and heartbreakingly awkward” **** CBC
“Outstanding Ensemble” NOW Magazine

Audience: General Audience
Warning: Language, Content
60 min.

Tarragon Theatre Extra Space
Wed, July 1 7:00 PM
Sun, July 5 5:45 PM
Mon, July 6 4:45 PM
Wed, July 8 9:30 PM
Thu, July 9 Noon
Fri, July 10 8:00 PM
Sat, July 11 1:45 PM

Our Asylum
by Lea Russell
(www.myspace.com/herandmymusic)
presented by Her & My from Toronto, ON

Our Asylum is the journey into madness of Jane, a former child star who fell in love with her father and murdered her sister, and The Doctor, the ambitious forefather of the American ice-pick lobotomy. There is no time, there is no space, for the story takes place within the characters memories and delusions and the walls of The Asylum.

Choreographer: Danya Buonastella
Cast: Lea Russell, Danya Buonastella
Audience: Mature Audience
Warning: Content, Nudity
60 min.

Venue 8: Tarragon Theatre Extra Space
Thu, July 2 8:15 PM
Sat, July 4 9:45 PM
Sun, July 5 1:45 PM
Tue, July 7 10:45 PM
Wed, July 8 6:00 PM
Thu, July 9 3:30 PM
Fri, July 10 6:15 PM

Sara Hennessey Town
by Sara Hennessey
(www.sarahennessey.com)
presented by Sara Hennessey from Toronto, ON

Do you enjoy laughing? How about having the best time? Welcome to Sara Hennessey Town. Population: Amazing. In this original and silly solo variety hour, Sara Hennessey (Much Music’s Video on Trial, Laugh Sabbath) will charm you with stand up comedy, sketch, video, and power point, offering viewers an eclectic taste of her surreal humour and bizarre character sketches.

Director: Steph Tracey
Audience: Mature Aucience
Warning: Language
55 min.

Venue 4: Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace
Fri, July 3 6:30 PM
Sat, July 4 3:15 PM
Sun, July 5 6:15 PM
Mon, July 6 11:00 PM
Tue, July 7 1:30 PM
Wed, July 8 10:00 PM
Fri, July 10 7:00 PM
Sun, July 12 2:15 PM

The Art of Listening
by Carla Faour
(www.southernmirrors.com)
presented by Southern Mirrors from Toronto, ON

Listening is more than hearing. We listen with our hands, our eyes, our breath, even with our ears…. Many say that the speech differentiates us from other animals. Not at all! Knowing how to listen is what gives us humanity. Listening is giving in…. It’s an act of generosity. A Listener…. Five Characters… Confessions… Guilt…. Jealousy…. Love…. Denial…

Audience: General Audience
60 min.

Venue 2: Robert Gill Theatre
Wed, July 1 8:45 PM
Sun, July 5 6:30 PM
Mon, July 6 1:00 PM
Tues, July 7 3:30 PM
Wed, July 8 11:00 PM
Fri, July 10 Noon
Sat, July 11 8:45 PM

The Fever
by Wallace Shawn
(www.fever.davidphoto.ca)
presented by Gitel Productions from Toronto, ON

Fringe personality Risa Morris takes the stage in this moving and thought-provoking production. Wallace’s character leads the audience on a journey of self-discovery as she questions the very basis of her own life and the society she inhabits. She asks compelling questions that invite even more compelling answers. Proceeds to go to Doctors Without Borders.

Director: Margot Massie
Cast: Risa Morris
Audience: Mature Audience
90 min.

Venue 11: Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse
Wed, July 1 6:30 PM
Fri, July 3 10:30 PM
Sun, July 5 1:15 PM
Mon, July 6 8:15 PM
Tue, July 7 1:00 PM
Fri, July 10 5:15 PM
Sun, July 12 7:00 PM

twentysomethings (not able to make the show today, stay tuned...)
Choreography By: Kate Nankervis
(www.ax-sdance.com)
presented by AX-S Dance from Toronto, ON

Determined to capitalize on the fun frivolous times of their twenties, four woman are faced with the responsibility of defining themselves, and their futures. While the realities of the ‘real world’ collide, these ‘twentysomethings’ attempt to overcome the Quarterlife Crisis for themselves and each other. These indie dance artists will propel you through your twenties or remind you of them.

Cast: Amanda Acorn, Vanessa Kimmons, Erin Merrifield, Krista Posyniak
Audience: General Audience
45 min.

Venue 5: Factory Theatre Mainspace
Fri, July 3 7:00 PM
Sat, July 4 Noon
Mon, July 6 6:45 PM
Wed, July 8 11:00 PM
Thu, July 9 9:15 PM
Sat, July 11 2:15 PM
Sun, July 12 1:45 PM

Zdenka Now!
by Precious Chong
(www.preciouschong.com)
presented by Porcelain Penelope Productions from Toronto, ON

There’s a reason the Yugoslavian flag has only one star in it. That star is Zdenka! Come see Zdenka Now! Meet her new friends of this great city of Toronto!

“If we handed out Oscars at the end of the Fringe, Toronto’s Precious Chong would be a front-runner for Best Actress.” ****CBC Winnipeg “A fun, fearless show.” Uptown Magazine

Director: Adam Lazarus
Cast: Precious Chong
Audience: General Audience
60 min.

Venue 9: Royal St. George’s Auditorium
Fri, July 3 7:00 PM
Sat, July 4 Noon
Sun, July 5 10:45 PM
Mon, July 6 2:45 PM
Tue, July 7 10:30 PM
Fri, July 10 3:30 PM
Sun, July 12 7:30 PM

FRINGE KIDS!: The Fringe has shows just for younger theatre lovers. These show take place at the Palmerston Library Theatre-560 Palmerston Ave.Click Here for Fringe Kids listings.

The festival runs from July 1 - 12th.  Click Here to access the Toronto Fringe Festival website.

Listings/photo courtesy of:  http://www.fringetoronto.com