Matthew Harvey is…Dangerman!

Yorkshire Pudding Prods.—Cinematheque

The whole show is absolutely hilarious.

His segues from poem to poem are all clever and funny, and he’s great to watch perform. He knows exactly how to work a crowd.

After all these serious spoken word shows, it’s refreshing to see someone doing it for a laugh, and being good at it too.

Arden Pruden

Nothing to Declare

Erik de Waal—Planetarium

This man has seen some things, and listening to him talk about them is fascinating.

He could talk about his life for hours and I would still be interested at the end of it. He’s funny, engaging, and really knows what he’s doing.

Definitely put it on your list if you haven’t already.

Arden Pruden

Teacher in the House

Watson Arts—Alloway Hall (MMMN)

Susan Jeremy is a marvel in Teacher in the House. The New York actress and teacher shares lessons in life learned through her experiences teaching special needs children confined to their homes by illness or disability.

Jeremy populates the stage with more than dozen multi-cultural characters age six to eighty. With her well-tuned ear and gift for accents, Jeremy presents each and every member of her cast as an individual personality so there’s never any confusion as to who is who.

A diagnosis of breast cancer transforms Jeremy’s familiar daily routine of battling Manhattan traffic to be with her students into a life and death struggle to beat the disease. Jeremy shares her story with sensitivity and humour; drawing courage, strength and inspiration from her young charges in her transition from teacher to patient and cancer survivor.

Teacher in the House is a must see for anyone whose life has been touched by the disease, either personally or through someone close. A brave, enduring work presented by a masterful, multi-character Fringe theatre performer.

Reg Clayton

One Man Lord of the Rings

One Man Lord of the Rings—PTE Mainstage

I followed the fringe call of my fellow nerdy people to check out one man’s attempt to cram 3 epic movies into 75 minutes.

It would seem that it couldn’t be done, BUT in the capable hands of Charles Ross it was beautifully accomplished! I could tell instantly what character he was playing at any given time because of the amount of detail put into each character.

That being said, the play is very, very dense and I (an avid Tolkien fan) had trouble keeping up. The volume also was a huge issue. I found myself plugging my ears for most of the show because it was so loud.

While this is a family friendly show, I would strongly suggest only bringing little one’s if they are familiar with the material or they will most likely have a hard time keeping up.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Eurydice

Hollow Leg Theatre Co.—Alloway Hall (MMMN)

This is a Greek tragedy with a modern twist.

The superior acting of the main characters pulls you into their world. You feel for the protagonists and you quickly hate the villains.

I studied some Greek mythology in my life but I’m not at all familiar with this story. I’m not sure how true this rendition is to the mythological tale but if your spirits are down, this play won’t help you at all.

Ray Yuen

Blood Type: RAGU

Bon Vivant Enterprises—Planetarium

This is an entertaining story that is delivered expertly. The events are funny and poignant, and the delivery is quick.

In fact, I found the pace a little too fast. The narrative often starts in Italian followed by an English translation (in a heavy Italian accent). By the time I processed what happened, Frank is well into his next story.

As a first generation Canadian, I sure can relate to his (mis)adventures, often cringing as I feel his pain.

Ray Yuen

This is the penultimate Jenny. Anything you have to say you better get it said before noon Friday or we’re going up without you.

And on that point, I’m sure a few of our staunch contributors are wondering why we’ve gone up without them repeatedly.

Simple. They’ve written reviews of shows that have all ready been covered in the Jenny. As I‘ve said many times over the years (It’s true! You could look it up at www.jennyrevue.com), Jenny prioritizes reviews of shows getting their first coverage, followed by first time writers, and finally the double repeaters.

Historically, by Monday’s issue, Jenny is replete with reruns; and the SSPs we solicit from the performers has dwindled to a trickle.

This year, everything is different. In addition to the gargantuan response to the SSP call, the presence of 182 shows (along with Jenny’s rule that our staffers have to stick to not yet reviewed shows), it’s been nearly impossible to incorporate repeats when the copy file of new shows grows every day.

So don’t fret, earnest and articulate scribes. It’s not you. It’s us. (And we put you on the web.)

Dave down—The Jenny has always relied on Daves. And while Pruden and Cramer contribute to every issue we publish, there’s a third Dave who, aside from being the subject of the July 20, 2010 frontpage column, has largely toiled in obscurity, while donating huge amounts of time, energy and creativity to the donkey goddess. (I mean Jenny, not me—though that too.)
Art by Dave Pruden

He built the original Jenny boxes (there’s one just inside the King’s Head door), and the original wooden donkey trophy. He’s served as tech at Jenny Prevues and Awards Shows, contributed art to early issues, given us office space, been our photographer, and, while still in possession of a vehicle, chauffeured yours truly to and from the Fringe.

On June 29th, while heading home down Wellington Street on a recently acquired bicycle, he collided with a truck and the resultant head trauma put him in a coma for four days.

In fact, when they transported him from the Grace where the ambulance originally took him (stupid catchment area rules) to HSC, the neurosurgeon on call figured he was already brain dead and nearly didn’t operate. But he did, and a month later Dave is ensconced at Riverview’s traumatic brain injury rehab, clearly articulating his displeasure with hospital food. And he was able to phone me last night.

There’s still a long rehab road ahead of him and to help him along, there will be a benefit concert at Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, 234 Main on Monday, August 27. Music starts 8-ish.

Featured will be Dave’s old band mates from the Magnificent 7’s and others, including some of the Dust Rhinos (who formed their nucleus at The Toad in the Hole when Dave’s family owned it and he was the guy who ran the music end of things there).

The full roster of entertainment hasn’t been set yet, so keep an eye out for various Facebook updates.

Admission is pay what you can. Now I know what some of you are thinking,’ cause I’m poor, Scottish, and from Winnipeg.

You’re thinking “Hey. we can see the Dust Rhinos and the Mag7’s for free!”

Wrong.

First off it’s a benefit. So If you think you can drop a looney in the donations can while holding on to that $20 for beer, please buy a 6 pack, stay home and wait for the inevitable YouTube vids. Also, there’s no full band confirmation from the Rhinos, and as to the 7’s, the core group haven’t played together in over two years, or with original member Chris Bodnarchuk for over 5, and never without Dave, so a Mag 7s reunion is unlikely. After all, they want to make him smile, not cry.

I’ll give you the scoop tomorrow on the Fabulous Jenny Awards, scheduled Sunday night 11ish at the King’s Head. Now we must press ahead—I’m pressing mine to my pillow.

Antiscian Productions

Tourology: A Mindy and Marge Adventure—Walking TOUR (meet at Market/Lily)

Prepare your fanny pack and charge your selfie stick! We’re going on a tour—not just any tour, one featuring the hidden gems of China Town!

We are such expert travelers that we can lead a tour in any city! We will even share our wisdom with you so you too can become expert travelers.

Come walk with us. rain or shine!

ImproVision

ImproVision: Cardboard Robot…—Duke of Kent Legion

Forget about our show; come to the Duke of Kent Legion!

Seriously, y’all: this great place deserves your love before, after and during the Fringe. They welcomed us with open arms (and bar!) for 2 Fringes because they believe in contributing to the neighbourhood (us saying “keep the bar open during our show,” didn’t hurt).

Post-Fringe, meat draws are Fridays, friendly faces and the area’s cheapest beer are every day.

Uh, you don’t have to forget about our show, though.

Dance Naked Productions

Lust & Marriage—Son Of Warehouse

You know those late night conversations you have with friends about what it would be like to have an open marriage? Lust & Marriage is like a window into someone else’s life/relationship.

Dance Naked Productions has been making shows about sex for the last 10 years (maybe you saw Inviting Desire? We won a Jenny for that one!). Our shows are smart and funny and real. They inspire thought and conversation. You’ll love this show. Trust me.