There are lots of reasons why festivals are awesome, but one of the reasons why I especially love the Toronto Fringe Festival is all of the great dance performances.  Starting six years ago Fringe, in partnership with Dance Umbrella of Ontario, opened its doors to dance with the Dance Initiative. Every year eight spots are reserved specifically for dance shows.

So why is this a big deal?  A few years before Fringe started doing this the Toronto Dance Festival had to call it quits. Fringe seized the opportunity and has welcomed dance artists to share the stage ever since, and so have audiences. Continue reading Dance at the Toronto Fringe Festival →

gun shy theatre presents STOP KISS BY DIANA SON
TORONTO FRINGE 2013

In their inaugural production, gun shy theatre presents the Toronto premiere of Diana Son’s (Satellites, The West Wing) award-winning STOP KISS directed by Shaun Benson (Heartland, Populaire, Steel Kiss). Melissa Hood (Dirty Singles, The Listener), a graduate of the CFC Acting Conservatory will take the stage and co-produce with 2013 Dora-award nominee Kate Ziegler (Laws of Motion, Flashpoint). Opening July 3rd, STOP KISS will play at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace as part of the 25th Anniversary of the Toronto Fringe Festival.

Set in New York City, this powerful love story explores an unexpected attraction between new female friends. First we meet Callie Pax (Hood), a savvy city-girl who relies on her magic eight-ball to make life decisions whilst maintaining an on-again off-again relationship with ladies man George (Stefano DiMatteo; The Listener). Enter Sara (Ziegler), a plucky teacher from St. Louis who has recently left her long-term boyfriend Peter (Mark Paci; Pains of Youth) to pursue a controversial teaching fellowship in the Bronx.

What follows, is an arresting and real portrait of new love interrupted by a shocking and random act of violence. In what the New York Times (1998) called “a sweet, sad and enchantingly sincere play”, the story engages both characters and the audience in an exploration of commitment, identity and profound love.

Toronto audiences will be struck by the brutal relevance of STOP KISS, 15 years after it premiered off-Broadway (with Canadian actress Sandra Oh as Sara). Despite the jarring themes in the play, Diana Son heeds, “I would never personally say ‘This is a play about homophobia. This is a play about gay bashing. This is a play about the civil rights of gays and lesbians in America.’ I would describe the play as a love story.” (American Theatre Magazine, 1999)

Rounding out this cast are Trish Adams (A Chorus Line), Ronnie Rowe (The Firm) and Anthony Ulc (Rookie Blue). First-time director Shaun Benson will collaborate with two-time Dora award-winning lighting designer Sandra Marcroft (Laws of Motion, The Monument.

Tickets are $10, advance tickets are $9 (+$2 service fee, per ticket)
http://www.fringetoronto.com/ Box Office:  (416) 966-1062 x 1
Runtime: 90 minutes; no intermission.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 10:30pm-Midnight
Saturday, July 6, 2013 – 5:15pm – 6:45pm
Sunday, July 7, 2013 – 10:00pm – 11:30pm
Monday, July 8, 2013 – 8:00pm – 9:30pm

Tuesday, July 9, 2013 – 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Thursday, July 11, 2013 – 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Sunday, July 14, 2013 – 5:15pm – 6:45pm

KIN crosses borders and comfort zones at Toronto Fringe

Tavistock Arts marks festival premiere at Tarragon Theatre July 4 to 13

“Ellipses… they change everything” – KIN

In Anna’s world, punctuation defines everything. A university scholar with few love or career prospects, she is left dangling in her own ellipses.

KIN is the story of Anna’s improbable relationship with Sean, an Irish personal trainer, and their struggle to stay together. Each bound to their extended families, their relationship is told through the lens of others. Over the course of seven years, two continents and several generations, their dots connect – both psychologically and geographically – and an unlikely new family is forged.

Directed by Jim Ivers, (The Early Hours, Killer Joe, The Mundy Scheme) KIN explores expatriation and distance, and the influence that friends and family have in our lives. Recently fleeing economic turmoil in Ireland, Ivers seeks to celebrate Toronto’s cultural cross-pollination.
The cast is comprised of talented actors including Lesley Ballantyne (Dora Mavor Moore Award), Deborah Joy (Five seasons at Stratford) and Dwight McFee (Jessie Richardson Award, Vancouver). 

JULY 4 to JULY 13
TARRAGON THEATRE: MAINSPACE
30 Bridgman Ave 
Toronto, ON M5R 1X3

Performances:
July 48:15pm
July 53:00pm
July 910:30pm
July 1012:00pm
July 117:30pm
July 128:45pm
July 134:00pm

Tavistock Arts was founded by Jim Ivers in Newbridge, Ireland. The company features an ensemble of actors and technicians who are encouraged to contribute creatively throughout the process of bringing theatre to the stage. Contrary to the current popularity of focus on body and movement, Tavistock Arts unashamedly advocates a text-based theatre, with an emphasis on contemporary international playwrights and new writing.

For anyone who ever had a dream that just wouldn’t die.

The Sidekick becomes The Leading Lady she always suspected she was.  Devon Hubka throws down on the stage in a One Woman Show about how everything she thought was wrong with her life is actually worth talking about.

Everything I Need is Devon Hubka’s first solo show and her first work as a writer.  It’s the show she’s been meaning to write since she moved out of her parents’ house and into the city of Toronto to live her life.  Years later, still a virtual unknown in the industry, she’s not letting that stop her now.  Everything I Need incorporates stories about how when it seems that nothing has turned out the way it was supposed to be, it really makes for a grand life.  (And there’s a little song and dance as well.)

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director Marcia Bennett (May Silverstone on Slings and Arrows/Ms. Mackinaw in The Woods),  Stage Manager David Liotta (Princess of Porn: The Musical 2012 Fringe/The Mousetrap at Lower Ossington Theatre)  Musical Consultant Jeannie Wyse (Vocal Coach CBC’s Over The Rainbow/Assistant Conductor & Keyboardist for Jersey Boys (Dancap).  Choreographer Dana Thody (One half of the Daunting Diva’s, a Vaudevillian Jazz Dance Duo, Green Peace Ad Clover Leaf Kills More Than Just Tuna.)  And Dramaturge PJ Hammond.

PERFORMANCES:

The Annex 730 Bathurst Street

Friday July 5: 5:15 pm

Saturday July 6: 9:15pm

Sunday July 7: 2:15 pm

Tuesday July 9: 8:30 pm

Thursday July 11: 3:30 pm

Friday July 12: 11:30 pm

Saturday July 13: 4:00 pm

Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

TICKETS:

$10 (Cash Only one hour prior to show time.)

Advance tickets: $11 Online: fringetoronto.com.  Phone: 416-966-1062, ext 1.

In Person: During the Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St W).