Almost, Again (go, go, go productions) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review

By Crystal Wood

Almost, Again is a sweet and funny romantic comedy with enjoyable performances.  This came almost as a relief to me, because I still don’t think the general premise always works.

In a storyline that mirrors Groundhog Day, the play is about Jack and Ginger, who keep redoing their first date because they’re afraid to move forward until they get it just right. (it’s mostly Ginger who’s afraid).  Isn’t that part of the fun of dating, though?  You spend some time with someone, get to know them, embarrass yourself a bit (or a lot, usually), and keep seeing them until you decide to stop.  Jack and Ginger act as their own worst enemies here, illustrating the idea that you can kill a good thing simply by overanalyzing it.  By their twelfth date – or “date one, take 12,” as they would refer to it – even they don’t seem to know why they started this odd idea in the first place.

Regardless, Jack and Ginger are entertaining characters, and there’s a lot about them to sympathize with.  There are also more than a few laugh-out-loud moments in the script.  Haley McGee and Roger Bainbridge are good as the two leads, and I enjoyed Briana Brown’s direction too (although I was slightly horrified by the amount of flagrant book-tossing.  Someone, please, think of the books!  Alright, I’m over it.)

If you enjoy romantic comedies, or have ever let your fears get in the way of a good thing, then Almost, Again provides for a nice hour of entertainment.  Pencil it into your Fringe schedule if you can.

Details:

– Venue 13, Factory Studio Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street

– Showtimes:

Mon, July 5 3:00 PM – 1328
Wed, July 7 2:15 PM – 1340
Thu, July 8 4:15 PM – 1348
Fri, July 9 5:30 PM – 1356
Sun, July 11 9:00 PM – 1370

– All individual Fringe tickets are $10 ($5 for FringeKids) at the door (cash only). Tickets are available online at www.fringetoronto.com, by Phone at 416-966-1062, in person at The Randolph Centre for the Arts, 736 Bathurst Street (Advance tickets are $11 ($10+$1 convenience fee)

– Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows