Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool Dry Place, onstage at Theatre Passe Muraille, during Toronto Fringe was written by Megan Terry and directed by Tony Dunn.
Terry is one of the first American dramatists to embrace lesbian and feminist causes. She apparently celebrated her heyday in New York City in the 60’s and 70’s. Dunn is an American in self-imposed exile. He moved to Canada to avoid The Vietnam War draft.
Can You Believe? is a highly inventive play performed by passionate people. It’s true that getting to the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse is a bit of a walk.
However, it’s a very satisfying, pleasant walk through the tree-lined garden that is St. George Street. Knowing that the walk leads to a truly fine theatre and the play is very likely going to be a lot of fun is a treat. It’s the sort of stroll that makes any sensible person happy to be alive. As good as the walk is, the play is better. Continue reading Can You Believe? (Free-Range Aristophanes) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review
Misprint (1st Issue) is an interesting concept, and an enjoyable musical. It takes place in a homogenized suburb in 1962 called Sunnydale, where it is pre-Beatles, pre-Viet Nam, pre-civil rights, pre-ERA… I suspect that even the chocolate chip cookies taste bland in Sunnydale.
It may seem odd, but the name Sunnydale reminds me of Sunnyvale Trailer Park, the location of Trailer Park Boys. The characters obviously come from different sides of the tracks. They are quite unlike everyday people, but they are fascinating to watch.
Continue reading Misprint (1st Issue) (Spiel Players) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review
Imagine Jimmy Stewart playing Forest Gump, but telling a real story. This is what you will see at Padre X if you go to The Annex Theatre during Fringe.
Padre X is infotainment. It is the authentic telling of the story of John Weir Foote. Marc A. Moir performs a solo show as Chaplain Foote, or Padre X.
Foote won the Victora Cross for his heroic actions during WWII. He defied orders and landed on the Dieppe beaches in the 40’s. He gave spiritual and physical comfort to the men, the heroes, who defended everything the western world believes in.
Continue reading Padre X (Looking Glass Productions) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review
Finally: An Epic Cycle is a wonderful piece of fantasy conceived by D. W. Wilson and Sarah Cody. It is fantasy for a number of reasons, most notably because the cast and crew are brave enough to imagine The Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of The Stanley Cup Finals. Yeah, I know!
It’s also fantasy for several other reasons. It’s a mystery along the lines of Inspector Gadget. It also interweaves three or four love stories.
Continue reading Finally: An Epic Cycle (Phone It In Productions) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review