Why is Ryan G. Hinds‘ solo show, #KanderAndEbb, produced by colored lights, and playing as part of the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival. called what it’s called? Why the hashtag? What is KanderAndEbb?

Kander and Ebb are the songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb. They wrote about 20 Broadway musicals including Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Zorba. Hinds loves their work, passionately.

And the hashtag? I’ll let Hinds tell you about that when you see the show. Because you should see the show. It’s wonderful.

Hinds was a sparkling, shiny vision as he came down the stairs at the Annex Theatre. He was wearing a silver sequined jacket over a black tunic and blue velvet leggings. His makeup was gorgeous; very sparkly red lipstick that stayed on for the entire show, and subtler sparkles on his face and eyes.

I really don’t know how to describe singing voices but it seemed to me that Hinds’ voice easily went from quite gentle to powerfully  huge. There was a lot of whooping after quite a few of his songs.

He skipped the obvious and sang lesser known songs rather than singing the ones that are done all the time. It was like a gift, hearing so many beautiful songs for the first time. A couple of them made me cry.

He also had some great stories about working with Liza Minnelli, meeting Kander and Ebb, and the amazing thing that happened when he was 12. He’s had an interesting life.

This was a perfect show, great music performed fabulously by Hinds and a terrific band – Tara Litvack, Quinton Naughton, Julian “FatSound” Clarke, and Jeff Deegan.

Hinds got a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of the show.

Before leaving the stage he did something really gracious. After he introduced the band he thanked Heather Bellingham, the Stage Manager. I’ve never heard  a performer thank the Stage Manager. He also thanked the volunteers.

The only quibble I have with the show is the air conditioning in the Annex Theatre. I don’t think it was working, if there is any. It was hot in there!

Other than that, go see #KanderAndEbb. Ryan G. Hinds is fabulous.

Details

• #KanderAndEbb 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: Mature language.
• 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

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

Photo of Ryan G. Hinds by Dahlia Katz