Cast Away: the Musical

Patrick Hercamp—School of Contemporary Dancers

I’m a sucker for sing-song adaptations of things that I love, Tom Hank’s Castaway being one of them. Musicals are one of my favourite things, (queue the soundtrack from Sound of Music), and although I know that this particular film was heartbreaking and powerful, I have seen previous work from Ryan Adam Wells and Patrick Hercamp and have heard tale of the musical talent of Brad Toress, so I knew I could not miss this production.

Perhaps unsurprisingly (based on the cast), I realized very quickly that it was also a comedy and a parody of the original film. The script and song lyrics delightfully and cleverly paid homage to Tom Hank’s enormous body of work. The props were comically simple yet effective, there is no such thing as a fourth wall for these guys, and they have a knack for hilarious creativity as they guide the audience through the action of the play. Wells wowed the audience with his powerful singing, Hercamp made a slightly unsettling yet endearing Wilson, and the score and soundtrack written entirely by Torres was beautiful.

I highly recommend this show for the simple reason that I find performances like these complex and engaging. You’ll find yourself laughing, crying, reminiscing and surprised. I don’t think I speak only for myself when I say we all feel the loss of watching Wilson float away. But sometimes even stories of loss are full of fond memories, good times and personal growth. Go check it out, and if you’re lucky, scoop up a tiny Wilson of your own on the way out.

Calantha Jensen

Rocko and Nakota: Tales From the Land

Indigenized Indigenous Theatre—School of Contemporary Dancers

To a young enthusiast of comic books, heroes wear capes, masks and they’re invincible. This tale of discovery teaches the child that heroes take all forms, come from unlikely places, and sometimes in the guise of family. This production gives you a glimpse into the lessons of life and a look into the stories of our Indigenous culture.

Josh Languedoc delivers a flawless narrative as he smoothly transitions between the characters. His commanding voice takes you into the moment and cradles you along the journey. This excellent effort should be on your viewing list.

Ray Yuen

See Bob Run

Snakeskin Jacket—MTC Up the Alley

Young Roberta (Bob for short) is hitchhiking her way to the coast. Along the way, her travel partners hears the bits and pieces of the haunting past she is running from.

This gut wrenching play was difficult to watch. I felt physically ill I was so uncomfortable. This is because the actress was so convincing as a survivor of sexual abuse in her child hood, teens, and adult hood.

The actress was so horrifically believable I spent most of the show just wanting to reach out and comfort her. The script went to amazingly dark places. It was beyond sad and I just felt so helpless watching the impending car crash of an ending.

I was not prepared for the content of this show and had to plug my ears during the show. While stories like this are important, and the actress is very talented, this is a show I never need to or want to see again.

Kaitlyn Kriss

God Bless Cambodia

Randy Ross—Red River College – Roblin Centre

This is a one-man storytelling show that takes us on a journey through one man’s life as he struggles to find love and connection in the dating world.

Our protagonist loses his job, and with months of no plans on the horizon, uses his severance pay to travel around the world. He shares stories with us about misread situations, sexual misadventures, misinterpreted intentions and scenarios, visits to his psychiatrist’s office and deep self reflection as he tries to understand himself.

Most of us have spent time being single, trying to seek out a real, true, and lasting connection with someone else. I can relate to the loneliness, the longing and confusion when a new relationship begins but then ultimately ends. Why do we choose people who are bad for us? Why do we find ourselves unsatisfied?

The show is a raw, honest and descriptive look at how one man, and perhaps many others, see relationships and their needs and desires. Based on a novel written by Randy Ross, the audience can relate to the quest to find love and connection, and likely agree that along the way to finding happiness with another person, there can be a wild roller-coaster ride of romantic chaos along the way, and that it is worth it.

Calantha Jensen

OK, Probably

Sister From Another Mister Productions—Pantages Studio

Pensive and reflective, the sisters’ relationship undergoes strain through mental illness. A large part of the focus looks through the lens of the sister, and her ability to cope with the person suffering from depression. Seeing more than just the struggles of the afflicted illuminates the dynamics of mental illness and how it affects all those around.

This is one of the quietest plays I’ve seen in a long time—intentionally so to give time for the viewer to process. Unfortunately for me, I had my viewing schedule in my pocket and it crinkled every time I moved or crossed my leg. Yikes! I’m the distraction that I so often chastise! I highly recommend that you take anything out of your pockets that may make noise; among the silence, you will be heard!

Ray Yuen

The Daily Special

Unexpected Results Improv—Son of Warehouse

My favorite improv groups have always been ones where you can tell that the actors are having the time of their lives. I was lucky enough to witness just that at this show.

The concept is simple…. an audience member spins the wheel of fate and a show is completely improvised off the topic spun. I enjoyed a mafia dentist show that somehow also featured vampires.

Laughs were definitely abundant throughout. The guys definitely don’t take themselves too seriously this show and even laughed at or made fun of the plot holes they created. Mistakes were embraced by the others and incorporated very well back into their show. If things went wrong they just ran with it and somehow spun gold. Improv is meant to be silly and this show was just that. Fun and good humoured, definitely a lovely addition to the improv selections this year.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Two White Guys Solve All the World’s Problems

Quondam Dreams—Planetarium Auditorium

I chose this show because I had a feeling I might be in for a good laugh. Not to sound jaded, but I do think there are a certain amount of serious problems in the world that need addressing and thought that maybe these guys might have some insight. Who knows right? They might be onto something.

The story takes place at one man’s cabin in the woods (cottage at the lake? That sounds less sinister). His friend, going through a rough patch, arrives for some R&R. We quickly realize however that he is a very unrelaxed, very worked up and very misguided about the world and his place in it.

What follows is an interesting discussion between a man who has isolated himself, off the grid, in his cabin and is choosing to relax and enjoy life. He has chosen to remove himself from mainstream life and get away from the problems and make the most of his time here doing what he loves. The other, however, is angry, ignorant, and honestly a bit of a misogynistic dick. His divorce is his wife’s fault, he had no choice but to make seriously bad decisions, he’s a victim here, and issues in society are because of immigrants, or the LGBT community, or anyone he can point a finger of blame at with zero self reflection. Nothing is his fault and life is unfair and the world is a mess and he is SO angry (and wrong).

I felt, at least to my own hopes, that despite the claim to the contrary in the title, that nothing actually WAS solved by the end of the show. We see two friends who have very different views on the world argue, debate and ultimately disagree on major issues. Which is not uncommon. I spent most of the show cringing at the ignorant, insensitive and asinine opinions of the troubled man, uncomfortable with the knowledge that these twisted beliefs are not fabricated; its becoming clear that this violent ignorance is everywhere.

While I feel as thought the show ended suddenly and nothing was really solved, I think what I learnt is that yes, the world is a mess, but there is also a lot of good in it. The real place to start solving problems is being able to reflect on our own actions and how we ourselves can make changes for the better. The show is funny, relatable, and informative I suppose. Even though I share NONE of the opinions of our troubled divorcee.

Calantha Jensen

I’m Not Taylor Swift

Daisy Fay Productions—The Cinematheque

I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this show. I’m a Taylor Swift fan (yes, hard to believe a 50ish year old man belting out Shake it Off at karaoke!) and I wondered what kind of Taylor Swift comedy Anjali Sandhu would deliver. The answer is next to none. Now if she really spent $1500 on a Swift-esque outfit, why? Especially when it has nothing to do with your act!

Just because it has nothing to do with Swift doesn’t mean it’s bad. Quite the opposite—she’s very good. She’s funny, witty and fast on her feet. Since we’re already halfway through The Fringe and the theatre is loaded with Sandhu’s family members, I wonder if they’re plants, or if the family support is so high they come en masse to every show? Regardless, it’s a good time and great for laughs.

She leaves you wanting more—literally, because the show’s only a half-hour long and when it ends, you sit thinking that it barely began. I suspect she has no shortage of material; why would she not extend the show to run a full hour? Murmurs rang through the exit ramp with patrons commenting about the brevity of the show.

Ray Yuen

I Think I’m Dead

Thunder Blunder—Red River College – Roblin Centre

Al suffers from insomnia. He has for years and this show is all about his journey to cope with it. This show starts out with such high intensity the likes of which I have never seen. Al spoke very fast to start but because he was such a gifted story teller I was hooked on every word.

His story was engaging and hilarious. This sets the audience well to handle the quieter more emotional points of his story. The ending will bring you to tears. I was so moved and identified with this show so much. It was a beautiful piece about emotions, anxiety, depression and realizing you can’t do it yourself. This is a can’t miss show. It will make you feel everything and give you hope that someone else has felt and gone through the same things you have. Thank you Al for sharing your journey. I would see this man talk about cheese for 10 hours he is that good. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Balls of Yarns

Paul Strickland Presents—The Rachel Browne Theatre

This man has it all! I will see anything he does as I know it will be imaginative, intelligent and interesting. I have seen everything he brought to this Fringe and was never disappointed. The man multitasks with wordplay, story telling, guitar and vocals. He hits the mark on all counts. He pretends just to be an ‘aw shucks’ down-home boy; but his sophistication belies his down-home humour. He keeps the audience roaring from start to finish. Kudos for the best program this year!

Lisa Campbell