Our Father

Stark Raving—John Hirsch Mainstage

After hearing that Ethan Stark received an Honourable Mention for the Harry S. Rintoul Award, it became my mission to see this new work before the sell-outs began.

Well… Our Father delivered.

Rarely does a show catch me off guard the way Our Father did. Heart palpitations ensued during its most intense moments, as the audience was firmly gripped by this 60-minute dramedy.

There was “no mistake” that this piece speaks powerfully to the growing generational divide surrounding gender identity and expression, as well as the preservation of familial religious identity.

This show isn’t just for your heart…it’s for the soul of anyone seeking approval, acceptance, and understanding.

Don’t make a mistake and miss this one.

Stephanie Adamov

Art by Dave Pruden

July 22, 2026

We’ve hit Hump Day in the second week of Fringe, there are tons of great shows out there to see, and many that are now selling out, so be sure to check the Fringe’s Sold Out List so you are not disappointed. We have reviews for over 100 shows now, so you can click on the show titles in the lists of Reviews and SSPs (Shameless Self Promotion) below to see the review or SSP. As always, if you have seen a show that we haven’t reviewed yet, or want to provide another perspective about one we have reviewed you can send us a review at jennyrevue@gmail.com

The Fabulous Jenny Awards!—Just a reminder that our end of Fringe wrap party and awards show will be in its new location, The Royal Albert Arms at 48 Albert Street (Venue 15). It is an accessible licensed venue and we will have a selection of pub grub available for purchase. It all happens on the last night of Fringe, Sunday July 26th. Doors will open at 9:30 pm with things getting underway at 10 pm(ish).

Venues 7 and 8—Due to construction in the parking lot the tables to buy and pick up tickets for Venues 7 and 8 (School of Contemporary Dance and Rachel Brown Theatre) have been in the lobby of the McKim Building (formerly the Crocus building), using the entrance on Bannatyne.

I originally thought the table relocation was due to the wild random downpours and winds we have had lately. For some more on dealing with the weather at the Fringe I hand over the rest of the editorial to Ray Yuen.

We just came out of one heat wave, and we’re about to enter another one. While sitting near The Cube, enjoying a glass of wine, and writing my reviews, I hear numerous people walk by and comment about how hot it is. Among the remarks:

– “Holy shit it’s hot. Look at all the people out here. How can people stand it? Let’s pick up the pace and get back inside.”
– “I’m f*cking melting! This isn’t even safe!”
– “I hate this; it’s so f*cking hot.”
– “I’m so hot! How can anyone live like this?”
and my favourite:
– “I hate to say it but I wish summer was over already.”

Really?! You live in a city that literally has only two months of summer a year, and you’re wishing it away?

A few things, first: it’s 33c right now, so it’s hot, but not unheard-of hot for this city. Second, the humidity only hovers at 54%, so not that high. Third, we live in Winnipeg, and this is not a climate that’s representative of the global population. Eighty percent of the Earth’s people live in the Tropics, which means that mid-30s is the norm for the entire year. Plus, many of these places sit on coasts, meaning their humidity levels always approach 100%.

We are humans; we adapted to living in tropical conditions. If we naturally adapted to living here in winter, we would not need parkas and naturally have polar bear-like fur.

I know—we’re not used to it, and that’s the entire crux of it. We’re not used to it, and it’s a strain on our bodies. That’s why we need to take precautions, like sunscreen, hydration and shade.

The whole point of this discussion? We’re about to enter another heat wave, and there are a number of venues without climate control. We all know those old, rickety venues on third floors. In past, one of them must have been 45C. I had a hand-fan and every time I switched hands, the new, downwind people cheered, while the upwind people pleaded for a return.

There are things you can do to make yourself more comfortable. The hand-fan is the easiest thing you can bring. I always have one in my Fringe Bag. A good water bottle goes a long way. I use a Yeti, and if I fill it with ice before heading out, it will last a few hours. Also, get a big bottle. On hot days, 250 ml lasts about 10 minutes. My large bottle holds 1.5 litres (admittedly, I bought it so it could hold two bottles of wine!). Fill that with ice and I’m good all day, even replenishing with warmish water from the machine at The Cube.

Other things? A towel soaked in cold water before you enter the venue really helps. This won’t be favourable with many people, but you can try eating spicy food before your show.

Seriously! Think about all the spicy cuisines: Thai, Indian, Mexican, Sichuan, Ethiopian, Jamaican, Brazilian, Burmese, Sri Lankan, Indonesian (and I could go on)—what climate do all of these food sources originate? Spicy foods make you perspire, and that’s your body’s natural cooling mechanism.

Whether it’s outside or in a steamy venue, take care during heat. We don’t need to be afraid of the elements. You always hear locals saying, “embrace the cold,” in winter; similarly, you can embrace the heat in summer. Summer is short—enjoy it.

Be careful, have fun, and Happy Fringe!

Ray Yuen
Review Coordinator

The Rocky Horror Show

The Dramatic Theatre Company—John Hirsch Mainstage

Caution: This Production May Contain Complete or Partial Traces of AI.

After seeing their production in October, this “creature of the night” was excited to see this community passion project on the mainstage. While there were some adaptations to accommodate the cavernous venue, it was also the most reserved, yet enthusiastic, audience I have ever encountered at a Rocky Horror performance.

While we didn’t all leap to our feet for the Time Warp or throw toast, the antici…pation was palpable throughout the audience. The live band added a nice touch, contributing to the concert-like atmosphere, though the vocal mix was troublesome at times.

However, when Lorraine James emerges as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the whole venue is hooked. With a glance, a laugh, or a sharp smile, James absolutely milks the camp out of this counterculture classic.

In the end, when it comes to the Fringe, artists, and our climate crisis, this production truly soars when it is DIY and not AI.

Stephanie Adamov

The Crown Witness is a Stand-Up Comedian?

Jeff Gobeil Productions—West End Cultural Centre – ACU Hall

Jeff Gobeil delivers an outstanding memoir of a traumatic event: his journey to a courtroom as a Crown witness in a child sexual assault trial. It’s heavy material with exceptional pacing; Gobiel keeps it moving by lightly embodying a cast of characters he encounters on his way to testify, giving welcome texture and levels to an intensely personal story. He pauses when he needs to, breaks the tension with breathing exercises when things get rough, and lifts his audience up with a well-placed punchline. By the time he ties everything together with a little rap, it feels like a natural extension of a story told with remarkable confidence and care.

It is rare to be invited into such a candid first-person account of something that feels so ripped from the headlines. Gobeil offers remarkable insight into a deeply private experience, told with authenticity and artistry.

Ashley Frantik

Céline & Cher: Divine Divas

Marysia Trembecka—John Hirsch Mainstage

With her treasured divas’ names creatively displayed in gilded, gold cursive antlers, Marysia guides a Fringe performer-heavy audience through storytelling, camp, and glam.

Armed with quick quips, wit, and an Omnichord, the audience at a 10:30 p.m. weekday show was thrilled to relax, turn back time, and simply sing along with the projected lyrics (though there were plenty of die-hard Divas all around).

Trembecka corrals the audience through intermittent slides highlighting peak moments shared by both divas, with witty life lessons sprinkled throughout like parables we can all learn from. Stories of love. Tales of irony. Above all, persistence and the relentless desire to “go on”.

This piece might not be for every non-believer, but it is certainly packed with heart, fun, and sing-along joy.

Stephanie Adamov

RIGHT PLACE, WRONG MAN: Another Grant Canyon Mystery

Ryan Gladstone—King’s Head Pub

Fell in love with the buffoonish hero Canyon many moons ago, so it would be foolish to miss this new instalment. I know it will be fast paced, have a stellar script and be full of the most warped and screamingly funny similes. It didn’t disappoint. Writer, producer and actor Ryan Gladstone shines in this one man show. There’s nothing not to love here. Take this in and be sure to also see the other gems at this venue.

Lisa Campbell

The Dungeons and Dragons Improv Show XVII: The Rise of the Lich

The DnD Improv Show—The Park Theatre

I had the pleasure of watching the exigencies of fate within the fiction kill the main villain within the first scene, and fate from outside of the fiction force the killing off of the performer of the musical accompaniment. Every year they return and give a master class in keeping a show that’s simultaneously improvised and also has its plot partially determined by random dice roll on track and coherent.

The guest improvisers are always a treat, the story is always gonzo and over the top, and every audience member is always kept on the edge of their seat trying to figure out where the plot is going to go, day after day, until the end of Fringe. With Instragram recaps of the story thus far, it’s easier than ever for the uninitiated to jump on the bandwagon and figure out what all the fuss is about. If that sounds interesting, make sure to pick up tickets in advance, because they often end up selling out.

Josh Fidelak

Private Parts: The Secrets We Keep

Gravity Theatre—RRC Polytech

For the first half, I found it hard to focus. With all the secrets, I kept internalising my own secrets and how the examples apply to me. And yes, if anyone tells you they don’t have any secrets, they already revealed a secret to you: they’re a liar! We all keep secrets of various degrees and this outing made me think mucho about many of my own.

Then the second half arrived, and things got a lot more cutting, moving and raw. My mind moved from internalising to empathising.

It’s a rough, emotional ride, but it’s also fun, sometimes light, and sometimes sombre. Thanks for the adventure.

Ray Yuen

Martin Dockery: Forbidden City!

Martin Dockery—King’s Head Pub

There’s a reason Mr. Dockery is so well known and sells out. If you’ve seen his previous works, you’ll be here anyway and if you haven’t, I’m telling you to go and become a Dockery Devotee.

Martin is slim for a reason. He dashes around the venue frenetically as he engages with his very appreciative audience. All the shows at the King Shed(TY- I’ll be stealing that) are winners. Being a BYOB, shows here are a sure bet, as the actors have history of selling out because they are That Good, and are easily assured make the venue cost.

Words are the way to my heart and Dockery is a sublime wordsmith. The script is uproariously funny and this show guarantees a a completely enjoyable night out. See some of the other winners at this venue while you are here!

Lisa Campbell

The Green Grab

All About Theatre Adults—Tom Hendry Warehouse

It was a good idea for show, a satirical remake of Wizard of Oz, with an invaded Greenland standing in for Oz, and the witch who is terrorizing everyone being Donald Trump. The scenes were a little hit and miss, and there were a couple odd choices, such as penguins in Greenland and a merengue dance break. The choreography in the big group numbers needed some more polish, and additional practice with the puppets would improve their presentation. In the end, everyone cheers the demise of the witch and a few important underlying messages get their point across.

Murray Hunter