From Press Release

Dynamite Lunchbox Entertainment of Orlando will be presenting Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play across Canada and The United States on a tour of 7 cities in over 3 months. The tour begins in Ottawa and then heads to Toronto for the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival. Josephine is a one-woman biographical musical that combines cabaret, theatre and dance to tell the story of the iconic Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century.

After debuting at the 2016 San Diego Fringe Festival and winning the distinctions of “Outstanding Solo Performance” and “Best Show”, Josephineplayed three sold out runs to rave reviews in hometown Orlando Florida before starting a 2017 North American tour. The first stop was the second largest Fringe Festival in North America, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, where it was touted as the “breakout hit” of the Festival, selling out the entire run and receiving 5-star reviews from both major publications. The show then went to Indianapolis Fringe where it won “Best National Production”, “Outstanding Female Performance”, “Audience Choice” and “Festival Top Seller”.  From there, the show was selected by The Soho Playhouse in New York City to be part of the 2017 Fringe Encore series in October, 2017. Josephine was then awarded the honor of the encore series “Outstanding Production” award, and in early 2018 was offered a limited 5-week off-Broadway run at Soho Playhouse, where it sold out shows and received high critical acclaim.

About Josephine Baker- Born in St. Louis in 1906, Josephine Baker achieved only moderate success in the United States, but became an international superstar after moving to France in the early 20’s. She starred alongside white romantic leading men in films in the 30’s, had multiple interracial marriages and homosexual relationships, and performed in men’s clothing before the term “drag” existed in the lexicon. She was also a spy for the French Resistance, a civil rights activist, and the mother of 12 adopted children from 4 continents. Her success in France and Europe often gave her the opportunity to live freely without the racial oppression of her home nation, though she never stopped yearning for acceptance in America.

Producer/Director/co-Creator Michael Marinaccio notes: “In a period of profound division in the world, we are excited to present the story of a woman who broke boundaries of race, gender, and sexuality in a time before America had begun coming to terms with the concept of diversity. You would be hard pressed to find a more remarkable human being than Josephine Baker, and it’s about time that extraordinary women of color like her have their stories known.”

Performer/co-Creator Tymisha Harris adds: “I am thrilled to bring the story of one of the most impactful yet often overlooked figures of the 20^thCentury to North American audiences. I hope Josephine’s story brings people together, but telling it has made me realize not only how far we have come, but also how far we have left to go as a society with regards to racial inequality.”

Details

• Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play 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; Unsuitable for minors; Sexual content; Audience participation; Nudity.
• 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

• Wednesday July 4th, 10:30 pm
• Saturday July 7th, 5:45 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 3:00 pm
• Tuesday July 10th, 8:45 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 7:00 pm
• Friday July 13th, 12:00 pm
• Saturday July 14th, 1:45 pm

Photo provided by the company

From Press Release

Cluster Fucked is a fast-paced, angry, hilarious and unnerving romp exploring the industrial production of social identities. Who do they think you are? The show uses verbatim excerpts from industry publications to explore how people are assigned to manufactured social groups (“Asian Sophisticates” for example, or “Urban Digerati” or “Arts and Affluence” or “Silver Linings”) in order to manage and persuade populations.

How does it actually work? Who does it? How is money made? What difference does it make? How do these algorithmic identities influence our own sense of ourselves?

Join us as we play in a world where we are coerced to produce the data that is used to structure our lives in the interests of the largest corporations the world has ever known!

Details

• Cluster Fucked 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.
• Content Warnings: Mature language; Audience participation; Sexual content.
• 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

• Wednesday July 4th, 8:15 pm
• Friday July 6th, 4:45 pm
• Saturday July 7th, 6:45 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 1:00 pm
• Tuesday July 10th, 8:30 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 10:00 pm
• Friday July 13th, 5:15 pm
• Sunday July 15th, 5:45 pm

Image provided by the company

From Press Release

The 2018 winners of the Paul O’Sullivan Prize for Musical Theatre are thrilled to announce the cast and creative team for the in-development Fringe presentation of The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel (Act 1), an extraordinary new Canadian musical by Julie Tepperman & Kevin Wong, as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival July 5 – 15, 2018.

The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel (Act 1) explores a family grappling with death through the eyes and imagination of a biology-obsessed eleven-year-old girl. Originally inspired by acclaimed Canadian painter Paul Peel’s ‘The Young Biologist’, an early incarnation was presented in 2016 at The Art Gallery of Ontario as part of The Musical Stage Company’s Reframed. This reworked Fringe production represents an exciting step in developing a new Canadian musical.

Creators Kevin Wong & Julie Tepperman note ‘ We are overjoyed to have been recognized with the Paul O’Sullivan Prize for Musical Theatre and look forward to showcasing this new Canadian work with such a dynamite Canadian cast. The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel (Act 1) has been in development for the past two years and we hope to follow the extraordinary Toronto Fringe musicals that have come before us.’

The exciting principal cast will be led by Toronto’s Hannah Levinson who was recently seen as Small Alison in The Musical Stage Company’s Fun Home, which earned her a Dora Award nomination and a Toronto Theatre Critics’ Award for Best Female Performance in a Musical. Levinson is joined by Dora Award-winner Richard Lee (The Humans), Donna Garner (Once – U.S First National Tour), Jessica Sherman(Rumspringa Break), Troy Adams (Shrek the Musical – The Grand Theatre/Neptune Theatre), and newcomers Faly Mevamanana, Ben Page, and Alan Cui. 

Behind-the-scenes, Aaron Willis, co-founding artistic director of Convergence Theatre, helms the production as director and dramaturg; Adam Sakiyama provides music direction; Nicola Pantin choreographs; Kelly Wolf provides set and costume design and Michelle Ramsay provides lighting design.

Director & Dramaturg Aaron Willis notes ‘The creation of a new musical is a long and winding road – and presenting the first act of Polly Peel at the Toronto Fringe is a unique opportunity for us to learn more about this piece as Julie and Kevin continue to develop it into a full two-act musical. This story of the Peel family grappling with a sudden death is remarkable for its exploration of the power of a child’s imagination, and how it affects the process of grieving. I’m thrilled to be directing this next stage of Polly Peel’s development, and to be working with such a phenomenal team of artists.”

The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel (Act 1)will be on stage at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace, July 5 – 15, 2018. Tickets are $13 and are available online (fringetoronto.com), by phone (416-966-1062) or in person at the Fringe main box office (Fringe Patio – Scadding Court – 707 Dundas Street West).

Details

• The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel plays at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace. (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.
• Content Warning: Mature language.
• This venue is barrier-free. Designated accessible seating is in the middle of the auditorium.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

• Thursday July 5th, 8:15 pm
• Saturday July 7th, 5:15 pm
• Monday July 9th, 1:00 pm
• Tuesday July 10th, 10:00 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 7:00 pm
• Friday July 13th, 3:30 pm
• Sunday July 15th, 5:15 pm

Photo of Hannah Levinson by Sam Gaetz

From press release

After winning the 2017 Parsec Award (the “Oscars of podcasting”) the podcasted audio drama SIX STORIES, TOLD AT NIGHT is making its stage premiere at the Toronto Fringe Festival. The first indie fantasy podcast adapted for live theatre, SIX STORIES weaves a narrative of complicated female friendship through five French-Canadian folktales. Produced by new theatre company Gangway! Theatre Co., it plays at the Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace through the Fringe (July 4 – 15, 2018).

Written and adapted by award-winning author KT Bryski, SIX STORIES showcases actor Blythe Haynes reprising her role as the work’s heroine, Samantha. SIX STORIES is the duo’s latest collaboration, which includes numerous audio dramas and theatrical productions.

SIX STORIES also features actors Alexandra Milne and Isaiah Kolundzic, director Blair Haynes, and stage manager/production designer Jeremy Pearson. It is the debut production for Gangway! Theatre Co.

Established in 2017, Gangway! Theatre Co. is the result of Haynes’ and Bryski’s longstanding creative partnership. The pair met working at Black Creek Pioneer Village, where they initiated the “History Actors” theatre program, exploring real people and realstories through drama. After much ad hoc collaboration, they founded Gangway! to promote and produce Canadian and female-focused works.

Details

• Six Stories, Told at Night plays at the Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace. (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 Warning: Sexual content.
• This venue is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible seating is in the very front row.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

• Thursday July 5th, 10:00 pm
• Friday July 6th, 5:45 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 8:45 pm
• Monday July 9th, 1:00 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 7:30 pm
• Friday July 13th, 3:30 pm
• Sunday July 15th, 1:00 pm

Photo of Blythe Haynes by Melanie Book

From Press Release

Always Unique, Totally Interesting, Sometimes Mysterious is a one-woman show about the challenges and triumphs of living with autism. It tells the story of Chloe, and her neuro-typical sister Olivia, as they try and navigate their way through high school and adolescence. Always Unique […] gives audiences a glimpse into Chloe and Olivia’s lives, where sensory overload and meltdowns are a daily occurrence. It also shows the perspective of both girls and the struggles they face while trying to define and fight for their independence.

“Always Unique, Totally Interesting, Sometimes Mysterious is a phenomenal piece of theatre. Funny, moving, awe-inspiring […] it is a work of astonishing creativity and maturity. A highlight of the Fringe 2015, it walks the fine line between being perfectly realized as is and offering a tantalizing glimpse of the work it might become.” (The View Magazine, Hamilton)

Details

• Always Unique, Totally Interesting, Sometimes Mysterious 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

• Wednesday July 4th, 10:00 pm
• Saturday July 7th, 1:30 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 8:00 pm
• Tuesday July 10th, 3:15 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 4:45 pm
• Thursday July 12th, 8:00 pm
• Friday July 13th, 3:30 pm
• Saturday July 14th, 9:45 pm

Photo of Alyson Parovel by Mark Kreder

From Press Release

At age twenty, Trent Arterberry decided that he would drop out of college, get married, buy a house, raise a family and pay for it all as a mime artist! After all, he reasoned, “how hard could that be?” In his third appearance at the Toronto Fringe Festival, audiences will discover the answer for themselves as the show provides hilarious and poignant anecdotes from the life and times of one of Canada’s most well-traveled mime artists.

This new show, written and performed by Arterberry and directed by Gregg Goldston, debuted at the 2017 Victoria Fringe Festival. The show employs Arterberry’s signature blend of scenes of mime and music, woven together with amusing and revealing stories.

In How Hard Could That Be? we get to re-experience with him the halcyon days of mime in the ‘70s and ‘80s, as Arterberry rockets to the top of his profession, getting tapped by Capitol Records and opening for major music acts like BB King, Aerosmith, Julio Iglesias and The Kinks at Radio City Music Hall and the Maple Leaf Gardens.

But with the cultural backlash against mime in the late ‘80s, Arterberry’s career comes crashing back to earth. During this difficult period, he is forced to re-think and re-shape both his art and his life. “This show traces the arc of my career from early confusion to a meteoric rise, a shattering fall, then rebirth and redemption,” says Arterberry.

How Hard Could That Be? is a funny, touching and ultimately uplifting performance. Running from July 6-14 at the Tarragon Theatre Extraspace, 30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto.

Details

• How Hard Could THAT Be? plays at the Tarragon Theatre Extraspace. (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 barrier-free. Patrons who use wheelchairs or who cannot climb stairs are seated in the front row.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

• Friday July 6th, 6:45 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 12:45 pm
• Monday July 9th, 4:45 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 2:00 pm
• Thursday July 12th, 9:30 pm
• Friday July 13th, 7:45 pm
• Saturday July 14th, 12:15 pm

Photo of Trent Arterberry by Derek Ford

From Press Release

A few years ago BICK/ANTZIS created a YouTube video called Settle This Thing in order to have the Internet provide a solution to an ongoing argument they couldn’t resolve on their own. Tamara Bick and Drew Antzis each laid out their argument and told viewers, “Vote for who you agree with and we’ll live with the results.” After a week the married couple tallied the votes and had a winner. Argument solved! “It’s crowd sourcing to solve our fights,” says Antzis, “and it worked!” The web series Settle This Thing was born.

The couple used this method to settle many unresolvable arguments like what’s appropriate in sexual fantasies, front seat driving and should we share dreams; then in 2017 decided to take their fights to the stage. Bick and Antzis both started out in theatre and realized it’s an immediate and exciting place to work on comedic material exploring their marriage, sex life, in-laws, and parenting, and began crafting live shows. The results were 5 completely different one hour ‘relationship seminars’ where the couple shares their scientific-ish conclusions on how to be an expert in all these many facets of life.

Bick explains, “We’d get hired to work for other people, and while we loved that experience, it’s not quite the same as creating your own work. We wrote many videos together when Drew first started directing at Funny Or Die. We wrote and directed a short black comedy, COMA, and then started getting hired as writer/directors shooting commercials and promos and a lot of projects for the web, and it just continued from there… but now, we get to do our own thing and that’s just really fun for us.” Antzis adds, “Plus our shows are usually at 8pm so it gets us out of bedtime with the kids, which is also a nice bonus.”

Now BICK/ANTZIS is coming to the Toronto Fringe Festival to put some fresh disputes in the ring for a vote. They’ve been workshopping the show for many months and when asked if audiences are enjoying it Bick thinks they really are, “Because we are unpacking and analyzing falling in love and sex and kids and all that stuff in a really scientific-ish way, they find it is very valuable info.” Antzis adds, “People love it. And want it. They eat it up.”

Details

• Settle This Thing plays at the Tarragon Theatre Extraspace. (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.
• Content Warnings: Mature language; Audience participation; Unsuitable for minors.
• This venue is barrier-free. Patrons who use wheelchairs or who cannot climb stairs are seated in the front row.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

• Friday July 6th, 8:30 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 4:45 pm
• Tuesday July 10th, 1:00 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 9:30 pm
• Thursday July 12th, 2:30 pm
• Friday July 13th, 3:45 pm
• Saturday July 14th, 11:30 pm

Photo provided by the company

From Press Release

Sky Gilbert (3-time Dora Award Winner, and recipient of the Pauline McGibbon Award and Silver Ticket Winner) teams up with Theresa Tova (Ragtime, Tough Jews, president of ACTRA Toronto) for a musical collaboration of Cheri.

An aging courtesan named Lea (Theresa Tova) is performing a musical about her checkered past — passion, love and the ever important issue: what are the best fashion choices for a woman who is no longer young? During her performance Lea is triggered by the beauty of her young male accompanist (Dustin Peters) who reminds her of a lover from many years ago — Cheri.

Cheri deals with topics of women’s sexuality and aging while asking; what is the true nature of love? Why does a person fall in love with someone who could potentially hurt them or use them? Is there ever a time when one should intervene? Can you ever really stop yourself from falling for the wrong person, and if so, how?

Don’t miss this feverish femme-fatale spectacular!

Details

• Cheri plays at the Al Green Theatre. (750 Spadina 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 Warning: Mature language.
• This venue is barrier-free. Note that only certain building entrances are wheelchair-accessible. Accessible seating is in front of the front row.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

• Wednesday July 4th, 10:30 pm
• Saturday July 7th, 12:00 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 5:00 pm
• Monday July 9th, 8:30 pm
• Tuesday July 10th, 9:00 pm
• Thursday July 12th, 7:30 pm
• Sunday July 15th, 1:45 pm

Photo provided by the company

From Press Release

The latest musical by Dora and Canadian Comedy Award nominee Scott White (Top Gun! The Musical, The Giant’s Garden, Bemused) will premiere on the main stage of Factory Theatre on July 4^th, the opening night of the Toronto Fringe. Compulsion  is a dark, fast-paced musical roller-coaster ride that asks “What happens when life’s decisions take you to the edge?” The show combines the suspense of a Hitchcock thriller with the pace of a contemporary television hospital drama through a plot that explores the darker side of love. Compulsion was the runner-up for this year’s Paul O’Sullivan Musical Theatre Prize.

The cast features; Matthew Bradley (Rock Of Ages, The Wedding Singer, Boys In the Photograph), Kate Madden (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Of Human Bondage), Dale Miller (Falstaff, James And The Giant Peach, Les Miserables) Michelle Nash (Evil Dead The Musical, Disenchanted), Sara Stahmer (Les Miserables, I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change, ) and Kristi Woods ( The Drowsy Chaperone, Legally Blonde). Text and Music Direction will be by Dora nominee Scott White. Movement Direction and Staging will be by Dora nominee Viv Moore with Stage Management by Debbie Read.

Details

• Compulsion plays at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. (125 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; Unsuitable for minors.
• This venue is wheelchair-accessible through a secondary route.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

• Wednesday July 4th, 8:15 pm
• Friday July 6th, 10:15 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 8:45 pm
• Tuesday July 10th, 6:30 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 11:30 pm
• Thursday July 12th, 12:00 pm
• Sunday July 15th, 1:45 pm

Photo of Sara Stahmer by Scott White

From Press Release

Last year, the immerse marching band theatre company, The Teeny Tiny Music Show premiered in Toronto with their show of the same name in the 2017 The Toronto Fringe Festival and are returning this year with their brand-new play, HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONY, a Big-Band “Mean Girls” tale of friendship, revenge, and if we ever REALLY
got over what happened in high school. This musical whirlwind is premiering July 5th, 2018, 7:00 pm at The Randolph Theatre, located at 736 Bathurst Street, Toronto.

A remarkable friendship between two young, Catholic grade school girls is tested when they get suspended for sexual harassment towards their teacher. The drama unfolds with a cast that consists of two BFF’s and a hidden eight-piece marching band, who crawl out of the woodwork during the duration of the show and double as hot teachers, best friends, the guy who only plays “Wonderwall”, and of course, the enemy popular group. Our marching band has decked the soundtrack with video game references, anime theme songs, and slicked-up sounds from the early 00’s that got every millennial through their pimply prepubescence!

Written by and starring Hayley Pace. The show was conceived after Pace revisited a Ziplock bag of over one hundred origami notes addressed to her from her high school girlfriends that were tucked away in her hometown bedroom for almost a decade. Within these notes were touching stories of first love’s lost, fleeing the friend-zone, provoking teachers, infamous dick jokes, and asking what matters most – boys or besties?

Details

• High School Symphony 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.
• 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

• Thursday July 5th, 7:00 pm
• Sunday July 8th, 1:15 pm
• Monday July 9th, 2:30 pm
• Wednesday July 11th, 3:30 pm
• Thursday July 12th, 11:00 pm
• Friday July 13th, 5:15 pm
• Saturday July 14th, 3:30 pm

Photo of the cast by Ron Van Zutphen