Letters

Parachuting Camel Productions—Alto – Portage Place

Right out the gate this felt like a passion project of the director. The actors were stiff, the story wrote itself, and when I heard the first like I thought to myself- thank god this is 45 minutes. Reading letters aloud in a performance can be risky, and when your show is almost nothing but reading letters aloud pulling it off is hard. The cast was large, and some roles felt extraneous. Loosen up, have some fun with it, and this show would have a much stronger presence.

Arden Pruden

Wait, So Do I Make Out With A Pan?

Buried Seeds Productions—Planetarium

A woman in her mid twenties grappling with her sexuality for the first time, finding confusing information and deciding to provide the answer herself. The show features some good jokes and good information, though sometimes the jokes didn’t end up landing. The emotional confusion of not understanding your own feeling was quite well done. Overall, a worthwhile show to see, especially for those questioning whether they’re not as straight as they thought they were. Be aware, the show is closer to 35 minutes than the listed 45.

Josh Fidelak

Anna and the Substitute Teacher

rednotblue Productions—Alto – Portage Place

A lighthearted children’s tale about Anna, the nefarious substitute teacher, and her learning that autism doesn’t make her any less valuable than her classmates. Very informative about the autism spectrum, the show is chock full of jokes to keep the you target audience engaged. Importantly, there are enough jokes only adults would get to make sure everyone has fun, not just the kids. Very well produced, and a definite must see for anyone looking for a fantastic kids show.

Josh Fidelak

Lip Service

Pulsive Party—The Rachel Browne Theatre

These two sure know how to rev-up a crowd! This high energy variety uses song, dance and jokes to give prominence to genitalia. Results usually end with roaring laughter from the audience. I found the dance skits a bit long and belaboured. The jokes, songs and gags are often hilarious. I would rather see more of that than see them do a hundred burpees.

Ray Yuen

Am I Blue

Elizabeth Blue—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (U of W)

New age self help, plans for world spanning book writing adventures and business plans powered by unrelated stock photos abound in this journey to become a better person. Full of awkward humor and second hand embarrassment to a truly amazing degree, a lot of the segments truly manage to stick with you. Some don’t, but the pace of the show quickly moves onto someone more your cup of tea. An experience any who are familiar with the absurd side of self help, new age or otherwise, will enjoy.

Josh Fidelak

Motherhood Out Loud

The HamDad Players—MTC Up the Alley

Although focussed on motherhood, many of the situations apply to parenting in general. Topics cover the spectrum of offspring issues, from the emotional to the comical. Perspectives blanket parent and
child, and many of them hit the bullseye. I challenge anyone to sit through the entire show and not
shake your head thinking, “yikes, that’s me!” Solid acting and excellent delivery contribute to an all-
around superb performance.

Ray Yuen

Between Sunset and Sunrise (Or, that time I walked around all night with a guy I met online)

hartofsilver productions—Alto – Portage Place

A homage to the Richard Linklater before trilogy, this show is a romantic dramedy about a transient all night first, and last date. The show itself is quite well acted with good chemistry between the two actors, and takes advantage of the venue, physical space and quite interesting narrative tools in a very engaging way. However, the script itself is generally quite glacially slow, and lacks real pull, unless the concept itself calls to you. As a 75 minute show, you really need to be into the concept to make the show worthwhile.

Josh Fidelak

Growing Op

803 Productions—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (U of W)

As a Reviewer, I see a lot of shows—and as soon as someone finds out I’m a Reviewer, one of three questions arises:
1. Anything good? Or
2. What’s your favourite? Or
3. How’s Fringe this year?

In answer to the first question, I always answer “yes,” which normally leads to question #2. Then in response, I say,
“Read the Jenny!” When people ask the third question, I always answer,

“Same as every year, some great, some good, some shit.” Everyone knows Tymisha Harris and Chase
Padgett put on great shows—but what about other great shows? That’s what the Fringe journey is all about – finding that great show when you have zero expectations or foreknowledge.

This is one of those great shows.

Packed with humour, emotion, development and growth, this coming-of-age examination explores
three roommates’ travel through maturation. Together with superb actors and an engaging plot, this show has it all. Ok, the singing’s not great—Katy Perry, they’re not, but every other aspect is excellent.

Don’t miss this one.

Time to stop by Tokyo Smoke…

Ray Yuen

Is That How Clowns Have Sex? A One-Woman Queer Clown Sex Ed Show

Maximaliste Productions—Centennial Concert Hall – Rehearsal Hall

Part clown show, part remedial sex ed lesson. The performer’s heartfelt and earnest performance really sells the show, and paired with the awkward humor obligatory to the concept, there’s a frightened chuckle a minute. Be forewarned, the show relies heavily on audience participation, and with a bad crowd, as this reviewer had, the experience could easily be negatively impacted.

Josh Fidelak

Tell Me On A Sunday

Missed Cue Productions—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (U of W)

A reimagining of the Andrew Lloyd Webber production Tell Me On a Sunday, with the show normally that of a woman from England traveling to the states for romantic misadventures, instead being both her and her son, separated in time, both doing the same. The show itself features two strong singers, and the songs themselves are quite good as you would expect. There is a general need for more polish on the show, and as a general word of warning, the show ran 20 minutes short (which, on a 90 minute time slot still results in quite a long show).

Josh Fidelak