Fringe Worthy!

The 25 Annual Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival wraps up this weekend. Why not treat yourself to a good theatre experience. Here are my recommendations of Fringe worthy plays, that are definitely worth your time and $10.

Cold Comfort
Fort Isabel
God is a Scottish Drag Queen
O(h)
Stealing Sam
Strolling Player
The Truth About Comets
Weaksauce

For venues and show times visit: http://fringetoronto.com/fringe-festival/shows/years/current/

Which of these 9 Fringe Shows Would You Pick?

9 shows all pitch their reasons why you should see their shows. Have a read and listen. Just a heads up that the shows are listed in alphabetical order and not as you hear them in the video. Cheers!

COLD COMFORT

Cold Comfort tells the story of Kevin Toner, a bricklayer living in a self-imposed exile in England, who returns to Belfast after a 15-yeaabsence.

Genre(s): Drama, Show length: 60min.
Warnings: Mature Language
This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers
http://www.flyonthewalltheatre.ca

VENUE: St. Vlad's Theatre, 620 Spadina

SHOW TIMES: July 04 08:15 PM, July 06 11:30 PM, July 07 09:15 PM, July 09 01:00 PM, July 10 06:00 PM, July 11 01:45 PM, July 13 03:30 PM


 FORT ISABEL
Two children find a dead body in rural Ontario. Their town flies into a queer panic, but the children stay silent. Eight years later, one of the friends disappears without warning.


Genre(s): Play, Show length: 60min
This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers.
http://fortisabel.tumblr.com

VENUE: Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Ave.

SHOW TIMES: July 03 10:00 PM, July 05 04:45 PM,
July 06 05:00 PM, July 08 11:00 PM, July 09 08:30 PM, July 10 03:00 PM, July 12 07:00 PM,
July 13 04:30 PM

HOW TO BECOME A SPINSTER
Diana and Wanda bring you this dynamic seminar featuring 10 easy steps that let you break free of the social pressure that keeps you busy looking for love, instead of living your life.


Genre(s): Comedy, Show length: 60min.
Warnings: Audience Participation
This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers
http://www.become-a-spinster.com

VENUE: Factory Mainspace, 125 Bathurst

SHOW TIMES: July 05 01:15 PM, July 06 07:30 PM, July 08 08:30 PM, July 10 09:15 PM
July 11 02:15 PM, July 12 05:45 PM, July 13 05:45 PM

NOBODY'S IDOL
An edgy musical parody bursts onto the Toronto scene where Nobodies become Somebodies, or do they?

Genre(s): Comedy, Musical, Show length: 90min.
Age range: All Audiences
Warnings: Strobe Light, Gunshots, Sexual Content, Mature Language, Audience Participation
This performance is accessible for non-English speakers
http://nobodysidol.wordpress.com

VENUE: Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street

SHOW TIMES: July 04 08:45 PM, July 06 05:15 PM, July 08 12:45 PM, July 09 06:45 PM, July 10 03:30 PM, July 12 05:15 PM, July 13 11:00 PM

ST. FRANCIS TALKS TO THE BIRDS
A comedic look at death and dying directed by Adam Bailey, director of last year’s Fringe Hit, The Enchanted Crackhouse.

Genre(s): Comedy, Show length: 55min.

This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Porcupine-Productions/158319290984938

VENUE: Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George Street


SHOW TIMES:  July 04 07:00 PM, July 06 12:00 PM, July 07 10:45 PM, July 08 02:45 PM
July 10 07:30 PM, July 12 03:30 PM, July 14 07:30 PM

STROLLING PLAYER
At his father’s theatre on the island of Guernsey, a boy watches a play, entranced…and remembers his future.

Genre(s): Drama, Physical Theatre, Show length: 90min.

Warnings: Mature Language
This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers
http://dickywillis.wix.com/strollingplayer

VENUE: Tarragon Extra, 30 Bridgman Avenue

SHOW TIMES: July 03 06:30 PM, July 05 03:30 PM,
July 07 08:15 PM, July 08 04:30 PM, July 10 12:00 PM, July 12 05:15 PM, July 13 10:30 PM

THE HOMEMAKER
Janet Cardinal is a Saskatchewan homemaker who wants to share her life story through a clown inspired cabaret!

Show length: 60min.

This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers

VENUE: Annex Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street
SHOW TIMES: July 04 08:45 PM, July 07 08:00 PM,
July 11 12:00PM


 

THE TALIBAN DON'T LIKE MY KNICKERS
Just like Taliban soldiers, journalists feel it is their God-given duty to search out the “one truth”. This production was made by dyslexics.

Genre(s): Play, Show length: 50min.

Warnings: Audience Participation
This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers

http://www.dysthelexi.com

VENUE: Tarragon Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Avenue


SHOW TIMES: July 03 10:30 PM, July 06 08:45 PM, July 09 07:00 PM, July 10 02:15 PM July 11 12:00 PM, July 13 03:30 PM, July 14 12:00pm

YARN
A true story of standing stones, superstition… and sheep.


Genre(s): Comedy, Drama , Show length: 60min.
Warnings: Mature Language
This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers

http://www.AlexEddington.com

VENUE (Site Specific): Majlis Multidisciplinary Arts, 163 Walnut Avenue

SHOW TIMES: July 04 07:30 PM, July 05 07:30 PM,
July 06 07:30 PM, July 07 07:30 PM, July 08 07:30 PM, July 09 07:30 PM, July 10 07:30 PM
July 11 07:30 PM, July 12 07:30 PM, July 13 07:30 PM, July 14 07:30 PM

Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival

July 3 - 14, 2013

Show Info/Tickets

416-966-1062 
http://fringetoronto.com/fringe-festival/

5 Minute Fringe + One More (Sour Grapes has a WHAT on the poster?)

Due to a technical glitch with our phone lines, Allan Turner couldn't participate in the live recording of my 5 Minute Fringe showcase. So here is Allan's  pitch to get you to go see Sour Grapes. By the way, when I asked these questions, I hadn't scrutinized the poster. I saw a cute dancing coyote, but somehow I missed the (ahem!) appendage. Now I can't stop seeing it! Thanks, Allan (in more ways than one).

donna g: "Life's a vineyard and fuck you." That's a bold tagline? 


Writer, Actor, Allan Turner



Allan Turner: The play’s called "Sour Grapes", an expression that comes from the Aesop Fable where a fox desperately tries to get at some grapes, but can’t, so goes away muttering, “Probably sour grapes anyway.” When we want something we can’t have, we lie to ourselves that we didn’t want it anyway. This play is about a suicide survivor grappling with a second chance at life. As far as he’s concerned, not only are the grapes sour, but so is the whole vineyard--because life is a disappointment, he’s convinced himself he doesn’t want to be alive anyway.

donna g: Your cast includes a Coyote, a clown, a doctor and a spider? Without the tagline, this reads like a lineup for a FRINGE KIDS show, but there is a mature language warning. Hmmm...Why should adults pay $10 to see these characters?

Allan Turner: Two words: AIR CONDITIONING. This is definitely not a play for children. There’s a giant cock on the poster. It’s a comedy, but a dark one that deals with suicide, nihilism, chaos theory… There are a lot of big ideas and heavy themes. All of this is communicated through the mask of myth. Nowadays, a myth is often assumed to be the same thing as a lie, as in, “That’s NOT TRUE, that’s a MYTH.” Yes, myths aren’t meant to be taken literally, but they are metaphors used to convey truths. In fact, using metaphors makes it easier to talk about truths that would otherwise be difficult to address. It is like performing in mask. It might sound contradictory, but a mask doesn’t hide you, it frees you to show yourself.

donna g: You mention the "mask of myth".  Will the characters be wearing masks in this play, as they sometimes do in Trikster plays?

Allan Turner: None of the characters wear actual physical masks, but we are inhabiting the masks of these characters Coyote, Clown, Spider, and so on. These are very old characters, archetypes that reappear in many cultures the world over. Clowns have existed in every culture there ever was and even in non-human animals. Wild gorillas have been observed clowning. Coyote and Spider, or Iktomi the Spider-Man, are First Nations Tricksters. There’s another Spider Trickster, Anansi, in West African lore. Aesop’s Fables were jokes, and at parties, the aristocracy competed to see who could remember more and be the wittier. I picture a bunch of Greek Oscar Wildes standing around telling each other about the Fox and the Grapes. So you see, animal names does not have to imply kid stuff. Even if I were to say Bugs Bunny, there again, not for kids. Not originally. Bugs was created by a team of brilliant professional artists who were just trying to make each other laugh. Bugs connected with a worldwide audience of adult moviegoers because he was an ingenious spin on the familiar Trickster archetype. When I say Trickster, don’t think evil. If anything, he’s amoral. He is mischievous, sure, but also a highly regarded hero. And also a fool. Bender on Futurama is a great current example.

donna g: Sour Grapes includes audience participation. Oh, oh! Should the inhibited sit near the back of the theatre?

Allan Turner: Don’t worry, no one will be pulled onstage and I’m not going to hypnotize anyone into thinking they’re a sexy chicken. But even though I’m not wearing a nose, I am a clown, and this is no-fourth-wall theatre. That means there’s no imaginary boundary between you in the audience and us on stage. It’s a tightly scripted show so we’re not out improvising among you, but we know you’re there. We know we’re performing for you, even if you are sitting in the back. Actually I know I just said I’m a clown, but more accurately, this time out, I’m a bouffon. I don’t want to start using too much jargon but I can sum it quickly by saying a clown loves you, a bouffon does not. But if it makes you feel any better, I promise I’ll be more afraid of you than you will be of me. Also there’s a girl clown and she’s cute.

donna g: One final question, how are you feeling about this production that you've written and will be acting in?

Allan Turner: I’ve written a play that combines all these passions of mine with the very serious subject matter of my experience as a suicide survivor. And it’s a madcap comedy. I’ve described it as Waiting For Godot with The Marx Brothers. Another way is Nietzsche Goes Looney Tunes. Having Bruce Hunter as director has been a phenomenal experience. He’s a legendary comedic performer and director and after working so closely with him these past few weeks, I can say his esteemed reputation is well deserved. And I’m very lucky to have such an outstanding cast. Chloe Payne, Dave McKay, and Darryl Pring have given it their all. We’re going to make you laugh, and laugh a lot, and then we’re going to leave you thinking.

Toronto Fringe Festival
July 3 - 14, 2013
http://fringetoronto.com/fringe-festival/
416-966-1062



Sour Grapes poster

SOUR GRAPES

Show length: 60min.

Warnings: Mature Language, Audience Participation
This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers
Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

http://www.allanturner.net

VENUE
Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace

SHOW TIMES
July 05 11:00 PM

July 07 04:00 PM

July 08 08:45 PM

July 09 04:30 PM

July 11 07:00 PM

July 12 06:15 PM

July 13 12:00 PM

June 21 is Global Screening Day in Support of ALS

I AM BREATHING in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver as part of a Global Screening Day to raise funds and awareness of ALS/MND. Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) at the young age of 33, new father Neil Platt documents his last months in order to leave behind a record for his infant son. You will be moved by Neil's life and motivated to help find a cure for this terrible disease. A portion of the ticket sales from the Toronto screening (6:45pm at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema) will be donated to ALS Canada. There will be a director Q&A via Skype after the screening.

 

OTHER CITIES

Calgary: Globe Cinema at 5:00pm

Vancouver: Vancity Theatre at 6:30pm

 

FIND OUT MORE

About the film and the global screenings: http://www.iambreathingfilm.com/

About ALS: http://www.als.ca/

 

What Are You Seeing at Toronto Fringe 2013?

The Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival is coming July 3 -14, 2013, and I am in the midst of planning my annual 5 Minute Fringe Showcase. I am knee-deep in emails from shows all vying for a spot in this year's line up. With only a one-hour show, I am limited to selecting 10 shows, each of which will have 5 minutes to tell you why you should spend your ten bucks to go and see their productions. With 148 shows that include dramas, comedies, musicals, solo shows, indoor venues, outdoor venues...there's a lot to consider, and only ten spots to select. Stay tuned to see who gets chosen and the air date for this Fringe special.

5 Play and 10 Play packages are on sale now, with general tickets sales starting on June 17th. 416-966-1062 or visit www.fringetoronto.com

FREE Concerts at Luminato 2013

photo courtesy of luminatofestival.com

It's outdoors, it goes rain or shine, but it's FREE! Luminato 2013 (June 14–23, 2013) will be providing you with some sweet sights and sounds in June with their lineup at the Festival Hub. The Hub is located at David Pecaut Square (west of Roy Thomson Hall, across from the Royal Alex Theatre). Afternoon, evening, and late night concerts will feature artists such as Amadou and Miriam, Maxi Priest, Rosane Cash, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Space Cadet, and our own Lady Son, to name a few. Aptly entitled, "A Bittersweet Tribute", this dance showcase shines a light on Peruvian-born dancer/singer/actress Patricia Cano and singer, Lhasa de Sela, whose life will be celebrated in Danse Lhasa Dance, choreographed by Pierre-Paul Savoie. If you listen on and off to my radio show,  The More the Merrier, you will know that Lhasa's music is a favourite of mine, and I was saddened to hear of her passing in 2011 from breast cancer at age 38. She was an incredible talent, whose haunting voice, whether in Spanish, French, or English will survive, thanks to her recordings. One of my favourite tracks, "De Cara a la Pared", can be heard on her first CD La Llorona.

For more information about the free events, please check out The Hub, or http://luminatofestival.com/ for the complete Luminato lineup.

Animals at Inside Out LGBT Film Festival (May 23 - June 2)

After chatting with Inside Out's Andrew Murphy last Saturday, I was sold on the dark humour in his description of  Animals.

Description: A well-worn, adorable teddy bear named Deerhoof is best friend to 17-year-old Pol. This is no ordinary stuffed animal, however. Deerhoof plays a mean set of drums, and dishes out advice to his companion in a voice reminiscent of Stephen Hawking... -Inside Out

ANIMALS
Wed May. 29, 2013
At 7:15 PM
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King Street West (corner of King and John)

D: Marçal Forés
Genre/Horror
Language: English and Spanish
Runtime: 102:00

Trailer



Inside Out LGBT Film Festival
May 23 - June 2, 2013

TICKETS
By Phone:
10am to 7pm daily
416.599.TIFF (8433)
Toll free: 1.888.599.8433

In Person: 10am to 10pm daily
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square,
350 King Street West (at John Street)

On Line:
http://www.insideout.ca/torontofestival/box-office/buy-tickets