Monthly Archives: June 2018

THE ABCs OF LOVE WITH ADULT BABY CUPID – TORONTO FRINGE 2018 PRESS RELEASE

From Press Release: 

The ABCs of Love with Adult Baby Cupid is the absurdly literal struggle of a woman making sense of possibly outdated romantic ideals and their impact on her career…which happens to be Cupid’s assistant in a traveling romantic advice show that’s been protested from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Join the doxed and glitter-bombed Kristen Mueller-Heaslip, playing herself, as she invokes Adult Baby Cupid to answer your questions about love and romance in the post #MeToo world at the Tarragon Theatre Solo Room during the Toronto Fringe July 5-15.

Written by Mueller-Heaslip and Adam Bailey, The ABCs of Love takes the popular character of Adult Baby Cupid, which Bailey created for the Lunacy Cabaret in Toronto, and gives him his first Fringe appearance. Mr. Bailey has created or directed several touring Fringe hits including The Life Henri (Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Production – Now Magazine, 5 Stars – Edmonton Fringe, Best of the Best – Saskatoon Fringe), Adam Bailey is on Fire (Patron’s Pick – Toronto Fringe), Skunkweed (Patron’s Pick – Toronto Fringe) and The Assassination of Robert Ford: Dirty Little Coward (Best of Fringe – Toronto). Mueller-Heaslip, who’s musical career includes opera credits such as Elvira in Ipuritani (Opera in Concert), winning the 2007 Eckhardt-Grammate National Music Competition, and being the lead singer of the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra, joins Bailey after working with him on the 2012 Fringe hit, The Enchanted Crackhouse. Their zany take on love and Romance is sure to spark lots of conversation at this years Fringe tent, ensuring another must see show from Still Your Friend.

Details

  • THE ABCS OF LOVE WITH ADULT BABY CUPID plays at the Tarragon Theatre Solo Room. (30 Bridgman Ave.)
  • Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
  • Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
  • This venue is wheelchair-accessible through a secondary route. Check in at the venue box office at least 15 minutes before showtime, and a staff member will escort you to the venue. Accessible seating is in the front row.
  • Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

Thursday July 5th, 7:45 pm
Sunday July 8th, 4:30 pm
Monday July 9th, 9:15 pm
Thursday July 12th, 6:15 pm
Saturday July 14th, 2:45 pm
Sunday July 15th, 2:15 pm

UNDER THE KNIFE – TORONTO FRINGE 2018 PRESS RELEASE

 From Press Release:

Under the Knife’s World Premiere
at the Toronto Fringe Festival!!

Losing health insurance; popping pills; working under the table;loading trucks; emphysema; unemployment; finding Jesus; no car; illegal immigration, life in the United States.

An international production from Two Planx Theatre
and US playwright, Brandy Baker
with an all Canadian cast and Canadian director.

Two Planx Theatre in association
with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents

Under the Knife

written by Brandy Baker
directed by Spencer Gilbert

starring Kay Bailey, Andrew Bee, Karen Brown, Donovan Jackson,
Jeremy Knapton, Alicia Payne, and Connor Thomas

 

Opens July 6 runs to July 14
The Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathhurst St Toronto

Details

  • Under the Knife plays at the Randolph Theatre. (736 Bathurst St.)
  • Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
  • Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
  • Content Warnings: Mature language; Sexual content; Unsuitable for minors.
  • This venue is wheelchair-accessible through a secondary route. We recommend checking in with the venue box office at least 15 minutes before showtime.
  • Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

  • Friday July 6th, 3:00 pm
  • Saturday July 7th, 11:00 pm
  • Monday July 9th, 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday July 10th, 2:30 pm
  • Wednesday July 11th, 8:45 pm
  • Friday July 13th, 8:45 pm
  • Saturday July 14th, 7:00 pm

PRTNR – TORONTO FRINGE 2018 PRESS RELEASE

From Press Release:

Toronto, ON… Dave Told Me To Do This Productions is proud to present the premiere of PRTNR at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival. Written and performed by Natalie Kulesza & David Rowan, PRTNR is an original sketch show that not so much seeks to answer the question “What is a Partnership?” but wants to have a good time trying! Using sketch and physical comedy, PRTNR navigates the audience through some ideas of Partnership in all it’s glorious forms (not just romantic! C’mon guys!). You’ll meet Geri & Jerry, Cops Kulesh & RoRo and whole slew of different characters sharing some of their lives with you. Also there’s a strong possibility of a chair dance, an 80’s throwback and some skits that are way too long that you may not understand. (But you’re in our world now, so whatever goes, GOES…) This is the first collaboration between Kulesza and Rowan, and certainly won’t be the last… if they can get through tech week successfully!

Details

  • PRTNR plays at the Annex Theatre. (736 Bathurst St.)
  • Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
  • Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
  • Content Warning: Audience participation.
  • This venue is wheelchair-accessible through a secondary route which requires a staff escort. Check in at the box office at least 15 minutes prior to showtime.
  • Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

Friday July 6th, 8:45 pm
Sunday July 8th, 7:30 pm
Monday July 9th, 1:00 pm
Wednesday July 11th, 5:15 pm
Thursday July 12th, 3:30 pm
Friday July 13th, 11:30 pm
Saturday July 14th, 5:45 pm

THE BROTHERS GENTLE – TORONTO FRINGE 2018 PRESS RELEASE

 

 From Press Release:

This comedic drama follows Samson and Birdie Gentle as they grow up forging a complicated relationship with their confounding father. Inspired by questions of family and masculinity, this is the first original theatrical piece by Sock Monkey, a creative collaboration between Marc Blanchard and Scott Kuipers.

Over the course of eight months and over three hundred cups of coffee, Marc and Scott met, spoke, debated, and have refined something very personal to themselves. They’ve used a variety of tools to develop this story, from character mask and improvisation to live reading workshops, and the process could carry on forever. But they have arrived at a story fantastical and simple, silly and sad, about brothers, fathers, family, and time. Share three brief scenes featuring the Brothers Gentle, Samson and Birdie, as they navigate their lives with an emotionally turbulent father.

Anthony Perpuse, from Fringe hits Rowing and Madeliene Says Sorry, directs. Marc Blanchard, winner of the Ottawa Little Theatre’s National one act playwriting contest, co writes and stars. Scott Kuipers, featured with the Festival Players of Prince Edward County, Dave Carely and the Main Street Theatre Collective, co writes and stars.

Equal parts absurd, sweet, sad, and silly, The Brothers Gentle asks, “How do I look my father in the eyes?”

Details

  • The Brothers Gentle plays at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. (16 Ryerson Ave.)
  • Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
  • Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
  • Content Warnings: Mature language; Sexual content; Nudity.
  • This venue is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible seating is in the front row.
  • Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

Thursday July 5th, 9:30 pm
Saturday July 7th, 5:00 pm
Monday July 9th, 2:15 pm
Tuesday July 10th, 8:30 pm
Thursday July 12th, 6:15 pm
Friday July 13th, 10:30 pm
Saturday July 14th, 4:30 pm
Sunday July 15th, 5:45 pm

Wounds To the Face – Toronto Fringe 2018 Press Release

Photo of Abigail Carey in Wounds to the Face

From Press Release

QUESTIONS OF IDENTITY AND POWER EXPLORED IN WOUNDS TO THE FACE,
DIRECTED BY MATJASH MROZEWSKI
What is a face? What does it mean to “lose face”? And what if it was literal? Theatre of Catastrophe founder – and enfant terrible of contemporary British theatre – Howard Barker explores these questions of identity and power in the poetic, violent and, at times, humorous Wounds to the Face, presented by Randolph College for the Performing Arts at the Toronto Fringe Festival, July 4-15, 2018. Wounds to the Face is directed by Matjash Mrozewski.
Mrozewski, who is a multiple Dora Award nominee, brings a unique background comprising 20 years in dance and the last five years immersed in text, to his work on Wounds to the Face, paying equal attention to text, design and the physical body in space. “Barker’s work is not easy – for the audience or the actors – but it stretches our imaginative capacity,” says Mrozewski. “Barker’s text is so muscular and precise, I want the audience to experience that without distraction. The command his characters have of their language is thrilling; we should all be alive again to the power of carefully chosen words and articulate, powerful expression.
He continues, “As with all of my work, there will be a theatrical lift. I want to invite the audience into this strange and disturbing world to witness a range of human behaviour that shocks, disturbs and delights.”
Considered one of the major writers of modern European theatre, yet largely unknown in his home country of Britain, Howard Barker is known for plays that fearlessly explore power, sexuality and human motivation. Like a taut piece of chamber music, Wounds to the Face weaves themes and variations dealing with how we perceive ourselves and those around us. While touching on myriad subjects–beauty, decay, disguise, vanity, injury and propaganda–this play moves beyond how we read and, in turn, wish to be read by others, and examines how we choose to move through life. To accept or defy? With cruelty and wit, Howard Barker sets his characters in a time of upheaval, and we witness their struggles to dominate or conciliate.
The cast features a troupe of emerging artists who are all in their final year of training at the Randolph College for the Performing Arts. On working with a group of emerging artists, Mrozewski says, “Randolph College is going in lots of exciting directions in terms of its programming and this work is a bold choice. Howard Barker’s imagination and language challenge the actors and the audience in a way that few playwrights do. For these young actors, his plays are an immense gift in terms of text and dramatic possibilities.”
Randolph College in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents Wounds to the Face by Howard Barker, directed by Matjash Mrozewski, and featuring: Angelica Bonacini (Italy), Abigail Carey (Nova Scotia), Hope Clarkin (Ontario), Amanda Coochey (Quebec), Rachel Fehr (Saslatchewan), Kayla Ironside (Ontario), Nikki Kuehnel (New Brunswick), Diana Lavelle (Ontario), Adriana Longo (Ontario), Lee-Orr Orbach (Ontario), Catherine Ouimet (Quebec), Justin P. Douglas (Ontario), Talia-Marina Street (Ontario), and Arthur Yip (Ontario).
An amateur production presented by the Randolph College in community partnership with the Toronto Fringe Festival.
Performances: July 6 at 3 p.m., July 8 at 9:15 p.m., July 9 at 2:45 p.m., July 11 at 8:45 p.m., July 12 at 7 p.m., July 13 at 4 p.m., July 15 at 12 p.m.
Randolph Centre for the Arts — Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.
Tickets: $13 ($11 + $2 service charge) – ON SALE JUNE 7
If available, at-the-door tickets will be sold at the Annex Theatre starting one hour prior to show time, cash sales only, limit of 4/person
Purchase online: fringetoronto.com
By Phone: 416-966-1062
In Person: During the festival at Fringe Festival Box Office, Scadding Court – 707 Dundas Street West.
ABOUT THE RANDOLPH COLLEGE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Since 1992, the Randolph College for the Performing Arts has transformed aspiring artists into multi-talented performers through a rigorous training program that integrates the core disciplines of acting for stage, film and TV; voice; and dance, taught by a pre-eminent faculty of entertainment industry professionals. Faculty and alumni have appeared on Broadway, West End-London, Toronto, Stratford Festival, and Shaw Festival stages, as well as U.S. Tours and in feature films and TV series; worked with Disney, Cirque du Soleil, Vancouver Opera, Globe Theatre, Citadel Theatre, Neptune Theatre, Rainbow Stage, and Charlottetown Festival; and distinguished themselves as singer-songwriters, playwrights, music directors, directors, choreographers, producer, and arts entrepreneurs. www.randolphacollege.ca

Photo of Abigail Carey by Aleksandar Antonijevic