The Buzz – Reviews

Late-in-Life Lesbian

Kind Crow Productions—Planetarium

No one could deny that Shane has standup chops. Their timing for jokes is often solid, sometimes off, but always funny. Their storytelling, however, could use a little organizing. Here and there I found myself confused about where we were in their self-discovery timeline, but it never took long for them to gather us up and carry on. This piece is ultimately a comfort. A reminder that it’s okay to change your mind, no matter how old you are, and that there is never a wrong answer, only steps on the path. While some of the terminology may go over the heads of those less familiar with the community, those who are questioning who they really are may very much appreciate this guiding hand.

Arden Pruden

I Fucked Up and I’m Sorry

Spriteli Family Productions—MTC Up the Alley

Men really will write a confused play about a celebrity academic anger management class rather than go to therapy.

After a brief foray into audience participation, we quickly learn that thankfully this is a show driven by a number of audience plants rather than forcing unsuspecting attendees to join in on the action. The attempt at political satire was a bit dated and confused (celeb crypto scams don’t work through sustained investment), and the particular relationship the doctor has with his students was hard to follow. Understanding exactly what they were trying to go for was made more difficult by the stilted acting, the doctors breathless teaching voice was good but it was hard to tell when him and his supporting cast try to express different emotions. Ultimately, a show that could do with a few more drafts and a greater focus on the acting.

Josh Fidelak

Divorce Club

TBA Productions—John Hirsch Mainstage

TBA Productions offered up a scenario primed for camp and dry wit, but unfortunately didn’t quite hit the mark. A club of divorced women who meet to throw darts at photos of their ex-husbands and drink cheap wine are thrown curveball after curveball when a new member joins their ranks. All I wish is that they had leaned harder into the absurd. So many possibilities for humor fell flat in the face of commitment from the cast, or potentially poor directorial choices. Despite questionable and irrelevant character choices, and 2×4 acting, this piece had the potential to be a fun, absurdist comedy. I wish I could say it was.

Arden Pruden

Rob and Jenny’s First Date

Dark Horse Theatre—John Hirsch Mainstage

Out of more than a dozen Fringe shows I have seen so far, this is my favourite. Written and directed by Mike Seccombe, who is also a member of the cast, it is a production of Winnipeg-based Dark Horse Theatre. Its set consists of three small red round tables, each with two red chairs, representing a high-end restaurant. With a cast of eight, it is about more than one couple’s first date, although that is the central theme upon which everything else revolves.

Both the script and the production were well done. Each character is unique and has their own arc, from the older gentlemen who advises the titular Rob to not mess up and also has his own seemingly improbable romantic hopes, to the disillusioned waiter on the last day of his job, to the high-spirited woman who has dated both of the title characters. In a way there are multiple stories all intersecting but kept distinct. For me this show has echoes of both Three’s Company and Fawlty Towers, which is probably part of why I liked it. It is a comedy with heart.

Konrad Antonny

Sarah Teakle’s Circus Show!

Sarah Teakle—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage

Gingersnaps! Outdoor stage favourite Sarah Teackle brings her high-energy circus act indoors for the first time at the Kids Venue this year, complete with reality-bending hula hoops and comedic juggling stylings.

An expert at gathering a crowd and managing expectations as a practiced street performer, Sarah uses these skills to lead the audience in physical warm-ups, wrangling volunteer assistants, and delivering lively lessons on conquering fears and handling emotions when things don’t go as planned.

With more comfortable seating and better sightlines than the Cube stage, this show is a great option for family circus fare for those who prefer a more controlled environment.

Ashley Frantik

New Wave Your Behaviour

Hamilton 7—CCFM Salle Pauline-Boutal

New Wave Your Behaviour is music comedy genius! Totally earned its standing ovation. You know when you meet someone and they’re really nice and then you go see their show and you’re a little anxious cause you hope it’s good. This was brilliant. Tor Lukasik-Foss breaks down the secrets behind the catchiest, wackiest, most beloved new wave songs… and turns them into a recipe for sanity. It’s a music masterclass and 5 years’ worth of psychotherapy rolled into one hour-long comedy show.

Natacha Ruck

Lysistrata

R-G Productions—One88

Adapting a play over two thousand years old and originally written in Greek is no small feat. Highly impressive for bridging that gap, and also for successfully handling such a large cast. The costumes and set are well made, with the lewd props used to demonstrate the effect of Lysistrata’s successful sex strike are comedically over the top in an amusing way. Some of the tone of the dialog was confusing to follow, but that’s the difficulty of this type of show. Definitely worth a watch for anyone interested in this classic production.

Josh Fidelak

The Funny Thing about Men

Olive Productions—The Rachel Browne Theatre

The funny thing about Mandy Williams? She’s funny! She also tells a good story and sings some great songs. I’m not into country music at all and blues puts me to sleep faster than sedatives. However, Williams turns some of these songs into hilariously entertaining ditties that leaves me no choice but to tap my toes.

Warning! Warning! The husband is calling! And the call is to go see this show; whether you’re a husband, wife, partner or single, you’ll enjoy it.

Ray Yuen

Croakinole & Croakette!

Croakinole & Croakette—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage

Alright monkeys, are you ready for the premiere mammal performance of Croakinole and Croakette’s cross-pond, North American waterways tour? This high energy frog-rock concert is a cross-genre mix of contemporary musical styles from fist-pumping punk-frog anthems to speakeasy cabaret, complete with smooth jazz-kazoo solos. Our amphibious hosts expertly lead their original dance-along numbers and call-back choruses from the aisles and the stage, where they don thematic costume pieces including frog-a-billy hairdos and hippity-hop attire.

While primarily a well-coordinated kiddie rock concert, the performance also weaves in children’s variety show components reminiscent of ’90s CBC à la Fred Penner’s Place or Mr. Dressup. A stand-out scene features a sketch-comedy-style tadpole birthing memory, which is more charming and family-friendly than words can explain.

Very truly an all-ages experience, you don’t have to speak frog to have a great time. Kids will laugh-out-loud, sing-along, and frog-out from beginning to end.

Ashley Frantik

Best Friends Forever

B12 Theatre Productions—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall

Kaycee (Elena Modrzejewski) has a lot going on in her life, none of it good, and she is getting overwhelmed. A new friend Dee (Maija Buduhan) enters her life but that puts a strain on her long friendship with her BFF Ally (Avery Mittermayr). The cast is rounded out by David Lange who portrays the male characters.

This look into friendship and mental illness is to be commended for its interesting take on coping with anxiety and how to overcome it.

Murray Hunter