Review: THE BLACK DRUM (Soulpepper/ DEAF CULTURE CENTRE)

Photo of Ensemble of Black Drum at Soulpepper

The World’s First Entirely Deaf Musical Is Now on Stage in Toronto

The Black Drum is a fairy tale that feels like Alice meets Dracula in a black & white wonderland –  and sharing the music and love we carry in our hearts and bodies defeats the evil, at least for the moment. Sounds familiar? Maybe, but I can assure you that what you can see and feel at this show is truly extraordinary.

Produced by Soulpepper and the DEAF CULTURE CENTRE, a project of the Canadian Cultural Centre of the Deaf (CCSD), The Black Drum is a visually stunning spectacle and an emotionally-engaging performance. It is also the world’s first entirely Deaf musical.

Continue reading Review: THE BLACK DRUM (Soulpepper/ DEAF CULTURE CENTRE) →

Sidney Needs a Kidney – Toronto Fringe 2019 Press Release

From Press Release:

SIDNEY NEEDS A KIDNEY: AN INAPPROPRIATELY MEDICAL DINNER PARTY

Sidney Needs a Kidney is an original story about a couple with a plan. And it’s a good plan. Isn’t it? Well, Mark says it’s a good plan, Sidney says it’s the only plan they’ve got. Desperate and out of options, Mark and Sidney have decided to take things into their own hands – with a dinner party. They didn’t want it to be this way. But he made up his mind, and there’s no changing it. Join us at Theatre Pass Muraille during this year’s 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival for the premiere of this strangely funny dramatic thriller about love, survival, and morality that is set exclusively in Mark and Sidney’s kitchen.

The play is an original story collaboratively created by four new generation writers. Mirroring the characters in Sidney Needs a Kidney, the writers are two couples, connected by two sisters. The writing process was one of close collaboration whereby each week the team would meet, map out the next 7 pages, and assign them to one of the writers. Regular editing meetings and close planning created a well-blended show with one strong voice that successfully portrays and explores the depths and limits of love and community.

The cast is made up entirely of new generation actors, all of whom have a connection to Sheridan College’s joint acting program with the University of Toronto. This has truly been a collaborative and hands on process from start to finish with the four writers also taking on roles as producers, directors, stage manager, and even cast member. Notable accomplishments of some of the company members are Eric Gordon’s work on the shows Fear Thy Neighbor and Unexplained, and his performance as Jimmy in Paul Downs Colaizzo’s Really Really. Jake Settle’s work on Disasters at Sea, and as Hamlet in Theatre Erindale’s production of Hamlet are also of note; along with Kat White’s performance as Geraldine Moodie in Photographic Evidence during the 2018 Hamilton Fringe Festival.

We invite you to join the company members for dinner this July – you’ll be thankful there isn’t a place set for you at Mark and Sidney’s table.

Little Fish Productions
In association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents
Sidney Needs a Kidney
Written by Bronwyn Fischer, Hannah Fischer, Eric Gordon, Emma Workman
Directed by Hannah Fischer
Assistant Directed by Bronwyn Fischer
Starring Max Ackerman, Eric Gordon, Karen Scora, Jake Settle, Kat White
Stage managed by Emma Workman

Opens July 3rd runs to July 13th.
THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE – MAINSPACE, 16 Ryerson Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 2P3.

Performances:
July 3, 8:30pm
July 5, 3:00pm
July 7, 10:30pm
July 8, 5:45pm
July 10, 8:00pm
July 11, 9:30pm
July 13, 3:15pm

Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

Tickets:
Tickets go on sale June 6th, 2019.
Purchase online: https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/sidney-needs-kidney
By Phone: 416-966-1062
In Person: During the festival at POSTSCRIPT, the patio at the Toronto Fringe. Located in the Hockey Rink at 275 Street (Dundas + Bathurst).

Scadding – Toronto Fringe 2019 Press Release

From Press Release:

Common Boots Theatre, in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival, is proud to present,

Scadding
A site-specific audio event

Created and performed by: Jennifer Brewin, Alex Bulmer, Leah Cherniak, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, John Gzowski, Maggie Huculak, Anand Rajaram, Jenny Salisbury, and Stephon Smith.
Directed by: Jennifer Brewin and Alex Bulmer
Sound design by: John Gzowski
Dramaturgy by: Leah Cherniak and Alex Bulmer

Grab your headphones and favourite pair of shoes for this walkabout audio event. Produced with binaural audio recording, the Cadillac of recording technology, 6 short plays bring to life the hidden, hilarious world of Scadding Court. This immersive audio experience bursts open the box of radio drama, bringing you right to where the story happens. Armed with a map and some helpful guides, find your own play while exploring the world of Dundas and Bathurst.

Adventure across the skate park, pool, playground, and fish tank that make up Scadding Court Community Centre. Bring your own headphones and device, or borrow one from our box office.

At the heart of this piece is the spectacular artistry of Jennifer Brewin (Jesse Richardson Award; Dora Mavor Moore Award; Armstrong Award for Excellence), Alex Bulmer (AMI International Radio Award; Dora Mavor Moore, Chalmers and BAFTA nominee; Society of Canadian Musicians Award) and John Gzowski (six-time Dora Mavor Moore Award; Juno Award nominee). Together, these three lead a powerful ensemble to leap the gap between physical and aural performance, asking the question “how can you hear someone slip on a banana peel?”

Joining Alex, John and Jennifer is an extraordinary group of theatre creators: Leah Cherniak(Chalmer’s Award; Pauline McGibbon Award; George Luscombe Award for Mentorship), Maggie Huculak (Dora Mavor Moore award; Chalmers award), Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah (Actra Toronto Award Nominee), Anand Rajaram (Dora Mavor Moore Award; Canadian Comedy Award Nominee), Jenny Salisbury (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts graduate; co-Artistic Director of Common Boots Theatre), and Stephon Smith ( 2019 Humber College Theatre Performance graduate).

Scadding – come see with your ears.

Audience Notes
Bring your own smartphone or tablet and headphones. We have a limited number to loan at the box office.
This show contains some coarse language.

Accessibility: This audio event has been imagined and produced with a diverse audience in mind.Access for Blind Audiences or those With Low Vision: Audiences who are Blind or have low vision will enjoy an audio-led performance. A professional sighted guide is available for each performance.

Touch Tours: Touch tours are available at 1 pm on each performance day, by request. Please contact Jenny Salisbury, jsalisbury@commonbootstheatre.ca, to book.
Access for Deaf Audiences or those with Hearing Loss: Transcriptions of the audio is available to borrow from the box office at each performance.

Relaxed Performance: All of our performances function as a Relaxed Performance. Patrons can set their own audio volume, move at their own pace, make noise, and take breaks.
Access for those Using a Wheelchair: All locations are accessible for those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. The route is on level ground or over ramps.

Scadding is part of the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival
Dates: July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, at 2 pm and 4 pm.
Location: Scadding Court Community Centre, 707 Dundas Street West.
Tickets: $11 + $2 surcharge.
Purchase online: fringetoronto.com
By Phone: 416-966-1062
In Person: During the festival at POSTSCRIPT, the patio at the Toronto Fringe. Located in the Hockey Rink at 275 Bathurst Street (Dundas + Bathurst). https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/scadding
http://www.commonbootstheatre.ca/scadding/

Sarah and Lucy – Toronto Fringe 2019 Press Release

From Press Release:

SARAH AND LUCY

Thelma and Louise gone funny , except these two have an RV and the only

thing that hangs off a cliff at the end is their friendship

Megan Jeannette Smith–Actor, NYC

Inspired by the acclaimed television series, Trailer Park Boys, Irena takes the two main female characters who normally would be relegated to very minor and uni-dimensional roles and gives them a platform. “ It’s also loosely based on a personal break up with a best friend. “says Irena.

This project started as a suggestion by Irena`s mentor and former New York acting teacher Belinda Mello.“It was disappointing to see two female characters on a successful television series be nothing but arm candy for the boys. This play is a response to that. There is definitely a Me Too feel about it “ says, Belinda. In November 2017 a reading in Manhattan was held under Belinda’s supervision. Belinda has continued to oversee the development of Sarah and Lucy for the 2019 Toronto Fringe production. Future workshops are set for next fall.

``One thing that surprised me about this project was that I found myself rehearsing the show in my dreams. I never did that before.“- Irena mentions.

This is the first time actors Nicole Fairbairn and Irena Huljak have teamed up. Nicole says “Rehearsals are hilarious. We need to recollect ourselves constantly“. Nicole loves using improvisation in rehearsals. Nicole also has worked on The Trailer Park Boys set. “I didn’t think that would come in so handy later, but has it ever“.

Nicole Fairbairn has appeared in Tower (an official selection at MoMa for new films) Irena Huljak : Toronto Fringe hits such as Ruby Shakespeare Wars, Soccer Shakespeare and her one-woman show to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008.

Company Name: Runnaway Hotel Kollective in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival

Written by Irena Huljak

Cast Nicole Fairbairn and Irena Huljak

Featuring Nicole Fairbairn

Stage Manager and Lighting Milena Fera

PUMP! – Toronto Fringe 2019 Press Release

From Press Release:

Toronto Fringe Festival and Cat and the Queen presents the world premiere of

PUMP!

Written and Performed by Cat and the Queen Directed by Bri Proke

Cat and the Queen is the brainchild of singer/songwriter/theatre artist, Cat Montgomery. Cat, through all of her creative pursuits, aims to use strengths gained from personal experiences to empower all individuals in times of struggle. Through live music and imaginative storytelling, PUMP! takes the audience on a journey through the difficult yet relatable themes of over consumption in regards to booze, food, loneliness and love. Indie film & theatre creator Bri Proke (Blood Pact Theatre/Grand Canyon) is dipping her toes into the world of directing to help actualize Cat’s experiences, and together this dynamic duo has created a piece you won’t want to miss at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival.

PUMP! is inspired by personal experiences and hardships, and also includes music off her latest EP, Heart For A Ride. This rock-anthem performance explores the need for connection, the sense of expectations on one’s self and the private vs. public persona; what’s really going on behind that filtered Instagram post? Many of us are a part of the global epidemic of escaping our lives through our curated online presence, but what happens when you strip that all away?

Expect the following: comedy, cabaret, music, heartbreak, battle cats, and of course, Patrick Swayze. PUMP! is a charged, raw, and playful piece that will transform THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE into an intergalactic musical playground, complete with the magic of storytelling, projections, and sweet sweet live music.

Cat and the Queen presents the World Premiere of PUMP! at Toronto Fringe Festival, July 4-13, 2019
Starring Cat Montgomery Directed by Bri Proke
Produced by Emma Bulpin
Set design by Jessica Whyte Lighting design by Imogen Wilson Projections by Nathan Schwartz

July 4 @ 6:15pm | July 6 @ 2:30pm | July 7 @ 5:45pm | July 9 @ 8pm | July 10 @ 4:30pm | July 12 @ 10:45pm | July 13 @ 6:45pm
Theatre Passe Muraille – 16 Ryerson Ave. www.catandthequeen.ca