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Almost, Maine
Smelly Puppies—Oseredok
The strength of this well-directed and wonderfully acted play is the young ensemble cast — a larger than normal group for a Fringe production — that takes the viewer through a series of heart-warming and heart-wrenching vignettes, delivered with poignancy, gusto and humour in generous doses in all the right moments. The live musical interludes (and pre-show house music) perfectly enhance, bridge and complement the scenes. Arrive early or buy advance tickets because the show has been selling out consistently and the venue capacity is 40.
Aaron Malkin: Dandelion
Aaron Malkin—Tom Hendry Warehouse
Dad jokes are never funny, unless Malkin tells them—then they’re mildly funny, even chuckle-worthy. Much like the dad jokes, the rest of the show is entertaining and easily embraced. One of the smoother performers around, the show flows effortlessly.
Ray Yuen
Silence! The Musical (The Unauthorized Parody of The Silence of the Lambs)
Dining Out Productions—John Hirsch Mainstage
Good acting + good singing + catchy tunes + Academy Award winning plot = success. This musical has all of those things so most everyone should enjoy the show. There’s only one thing I could not reconcile:
this many years later, The Silence of the Lambs remains one of the creepiest movies I ever saw. It really isn’t congruent with the humour injected throughout the musical. I probably would have made a sombre show rather than a comedy but that’s just a matter of personal taste.
Is it me or is the final tune almost plagiarism similar to Disney’s “Colours of the Wind?”
Ray Yuen
Free Beer: Brewicide Squad
The Horrible Friends—Duke of Kent Legion
Two men. One audience. Free alcohol, for said audience. Improv with a message, and that message is “getting drunk is fun”. There’s really not much to say. Does the idea of getting paid for participating in improv with free booze call to you? If so, this is the show for you.
Josh Fidelak
Opera Mouse
Sisterscene—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage
It took the kids a while to get up to full speed but they had a great time as soon as shifted into gear. Gall invites lots of audience participation so even the most antsy kid shouldn’t get bored. I love opera and I hope that our youth can embrace this beautiful genre of music. This show provides a fantastic introduction.
The show concludes with a beautiful rendition of “O Mio Babbino Caro” from one of my favourite composers, Puccini. I keep hoping for Gall to put on a show where she just sings arias.
Ray Yuen
The Ballad Of Frank Allen
Weeping Spoon Productions—MTC Up the Alley
There is no mention that this is a reprisal from 2017. It has been finely honed and though I loved it then, it is magnificent now. The concept is, a tiny man who was a custodian, has shrunk to become a “tongue janitor“ to his friend Frank, as he now lives in his beard. Their relationship is pure ridiculousness, as tiny Shane Adamczak has remarkable control over his gargantuan (to him) buddy. He controls him by pulling nose hairs and other methods, and unfortunately his diet consists of whatever Frank (Al Lafrance) misses getting into his mouth- yech! This is a musical comedy with extremely vulgar and witty lyrics (rhyming vagina with recliner!) Frank is laid back as he relates his sad love story of Heather, who engages in every kind of sex act with all his friends, but not him! In contrast, skinny Shane throws himself around the stage, contorting his rubber body and producing wickedly funny sound effects. A clever concept done to perfection.
I can’t recommend this clever, amusing journey enough and would strongly advise you to see this zany Australian duo while you can. If you don’t laugh your ass off, your sense of humour is broken. I bought their CD and enjoyed it on the way home.
Lisa Campbell
LIGHTS! CAMERA! ODD JOBS?
3rd Floor Productions—MTC Up the Alley
An accomplished storyteller, Arthur MacKinnon delivers a polished act that gives us a peek into the backstage life of many actors. Sometimes comical, sometimes sombre, the act mirrors life’s ups and downs.
Big accolades to MacKinnon and all of the Fringe actors out there! It’s not an easy life and I could never do it. It’s great that you sacrifice so much to bring a smile to our faces.
Ray Yuen
Musicals Are Stupid: A Stupid Musical
Neat Story—Tom Hendry Warehouse
Holy smokes was this a fun show! Gus hates musicals but lives within a show. Thinking he’s insane, his frenemy and bestie take him on a journey to try and recover his voice. This stellar cast was hilarious! They totally all bought into the the crazy antics. Their infectious enthusiasm had the crowd in stitches. I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time. If you love musicals you will absolutely love this show! The songs were funny and catchy and there was not a single weak link in this cast. A cast ensemble piece, don’t miss this show!
Kaitlyn Kriss
A Sunshine Odyssey
JD and the Sunshine Band—Club 200
I thought the start/intro was dubiously amateurish (I mean middle-school level amateurish) but as the show progressed, I get why they did what they did. Correspondingly, the show started slowly but things
sure picked up to be a rip-roaring good time. All the tunes evoke the toes to tap and the hands to clap. It’s a bit hard to hear the lyrics at times but they’re fun.
Reflecting, I would still prefer to see a polished emcee/narrator but this works.
It’s not close to any other venue—and a bit of a pain in the butt to get out here—but it’s worth it. It’s a fun time, especially if you make it an outing and take in the other show at this venue, A Glimpse of
Sunshine.
Ray Yuen
The King in Yellow, a Musical Parody
Brad Torres—Knox United Church
The King in Yellow is a darkly comic horror musical that takes place all in the dark, and a subtle satire of toxic masculinity to boot. Engaging, entertaining, unpolished and full of promise, this show ran 15 minutes over and I loved every minutes despite all its numerous flaws. This show deserves more love (especially with its cursed venue), and any fan of The King In Yellow and experimental fringe shows should definitely check this out.
Josh Fidelak
