Sex, Religion and Other Hangups (Gangland Productions) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review

I just saw Sex, Religion and Other Hangups and I have to say that Jams Gangl has huge balls. I mean that figuratively, not literally.

This is a painfully honest, hilariously funny one-man show on the topics the title claims: mostly sex and religion, with some hangups about trying to make it as an actor while having a corporate day job also making an appearance. There is no way this is fictionalized.

There is no doubt in my mind that James Gangl actually did have a panic attack response to the prospect of sex for many years and that this stemmed from being a very devout Catholic for much of his youth.

Gangl starts the show by telling the audience that he has a very specific goal in putting on this show: he wants to find a girlfriend. It’s a pretty good tactic: if I were a single girl, and interested in marriage and babies (He’s gotten over the sex-before-marriage thing but he definitely still wants a conventional family)  I’d probably be pretty smitten.  Mostly because I highly value a sense of humour, and Gangl makes up in comedy what he lacks in carnal experience.

I found him a bit too actorly at times, but I can’t blame him for that – it can’t be easy to lay yourself so bare onstage. It also made the moments where he settled into a more conversational register that much more powerful.

I saw an 11 pm show on a Monday, after I had just come back to my 9 to 5 job after camping all weekend. As I was going to Sex, Religion and Other Hangups, I thought to myself “If this show is anything less than stellar, I’m sure to fall asleep.” I didn’t even remember how exhausted I was for an hour, and I’m not sure I can give a show any higher praise than that.

And I really hope the girl of Gangl’s dreams comes to see the show and introduces herself afterwards. I think he deserves it.

Details

Sex, Religion and Other Hangups plays at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace,Venue 11

– Playing at:

Fri, July 8 6:30 PM 1110
Sat, July 9 3:15 PM 1114
Sun, July 10 6:15 PM 1122
Mon, July 11 11:00 PM 1130
Tue, July 12 1:30 PM 1131
Wed, July 13 10:00 PM 1142
Fri, July 15 7:00 PM 1152
Sun, July 17 2:15 PM 1162

– 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

8 thoughts on “Sex, Religion and Other Hangups (Gangland Productions) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review”

  1. This article should have a spoiler alert. I saw this show last night, as well, and this article gives away a HUGE reveal in the show. Y’all should respect that in your reviews.

    Other than that, this was the best show I’ve seen all Fringe. Go see it. Buy advance tickets for the final show so this article will scrub itself from your mind by then.

  2. The trick with spoilers is that what one person considers a spoiler, another doesn’t. Some feel it’s context, some feel it’s a ‘teaser’ others feel it’s spoilers. On the rare occasion the artist themselves asks us to remove the notice of a plot point within our review because of spoilers, then we will remove it. Otherwise it is up to the writers discretion.

  3. Discretion is expected, but a writer should be able to discern between what is and is not going to give away a the single biggest plot point/reveal of the whole show. You know, being a writer and all.

    That being said, everyone should still go see this show. Everyone.

  4. I agree with KPR (rare, LOL). The mere mention of this reveal is irresponsible. As a member of Gangl’s crew I am asking you to please omit it from the review, for the sake of the show.

    Thanks,

    D.

  5. Darryl, I will happily do so, but you’ll have to let me know which part is the spoiler. You can email me, or msg me on Facebook and let me know and I’ll pull it.

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