Excerpt from press release:

(TORONTO — May 31, 2017) You Are Perfect is a new and uniquely original dramatic stage play that delves into the psyche of Charles Manson and his followers, a group that has both reviled and fascinated the public for nearly a half century. You Are Perfect’s Toronto Fringe run at the Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace marks the first Canadian-staged production for White Horse, New York City’s 14-year-old off-Broadway theater company. The play is directed by Rhys J. McClelland, winner of a 2004 Directors Guild of Great Britain Award.

You Are Perfect takes a unique view on the Manson murders by chronicling the experience of one singular Family member: Susan Atkins. As Manson’s most ardent disciple, Atkins was implicated in at least eight coldblooded killings, including the infamous Tate/LaBianca murders. Set in Atkins’ prison cell on the eve of a key moment in the Manson murder trial, You Are Perfect is a theatrical re-imagining of her life and inner demons.

“After debuting You Are Perfect off Broadway, we strongly felt a need to share this story with audiences across the border,” explains acclaimed writer/director Cyndy A. Marion, “with people for whom these horrific events don’t hit as close to home. We’re very interested in seeing if Canadian audiences can help us better understand this tragedy.”

You Are Perfect features Lindsay Danielle Gitter (Crashlight, The Scarlet Letter) as Susan Atkins, Kristin Samuelson (A Lie of the Mind, Johnny) as The Woman, and Alexander Reid (His Girl Friday, Mindflood) as Charles Manson. “What hopefully makes this production distinctive is its highly theatrical structure,” Marion notes. “We play with time and space in a way that aims to entertain, enlighten, and surprise.”

Details

• You Are Perfect plays at the Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace. (16 Ryerson Ave.)
• Tickets are $12. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Scadding Court, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• Content Warnings: Sexual Content, Mature Language.
• This venue is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible seating is in the very front row.

Performances

• Friday July 7th, 01:45 pm
• Saturday July 8th, 09:15 pm
• Monday July 10th, 05:00 pm
• Tuesday July 11th, 08:00 pm
• Wednesday July 12th, 03:30 pm
• Friday July 14th, 11:00 pm
• Saturday July 15th, 08:45 pm

Photo of  Kristin Samuelson, Alexander Reed &
Lindsay Danielle Gitter by John Robert Hoffman.

Excerpt from press release:

Toronto, ON – Nourishment is an intergenerational exploration of female relationships, how we pass down traditions from one generation to the next, as well as societal and cultural definitions of womanhood. Inspired by the many ways and places women have gathered to discuss politics, share stories, and nourish one another throughout history, we dedicate this play to the strong women we know and love – our heroes of today, yesterday, and every day.

Nourishment weaves together feminist history with the complex lives of a family of four very different women. Using a medley of stylized choreography, soundscapes, and theatricalized audio description, Nourishment is made accessible to visual and hearing impaired audiences. Incorporating creative methods that resonate with and reach a more diverse audience is a necessary and important part of our practice.

ECM Theatre is comprised of three Canadian feminist theatre-makers (Erin Maxfield, Gloria Mok, and Jessica Watkin), who share a healthy fascination with food, theatre, and activism. Inspired by French salons in the early 18th century, Nourishment began as a weekly meeting and writer’s circle to discuss current events and share ideas. Featuring a cast and creative team entirely comprised of female-identified artists, Nourishment is a collection of love letters, recipes, and protests about what it means to be a woman.

Writer and Lighting/Sound Designer Gloria Mok was the co-creator of the 2017 Next Stage Festival hit Silk Bath (NNNN). Writer and choreographer Jessica Watkin was the Blind Community Consultant on lemonTree creations and Buddies in Bad Times 2016 co-production of Body Politic (NNN). Actor Isabel Kanaan is a cast member on CBC’s Royal Canadian Air Farce 150 special, and has been praised for her roles in Hey ‘90s Kids, You’re Old (Winner of Toronto Fringe 2014 Patrons’ Pick) and Women at the 2016 Toronto Fringe (NNNN).

Details

• Nourishment plays at The Theatre Centre’s Franco Boni Theatre. (1115 Queen St. W.)
• Tickets are $12. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Scadding Court, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• Content Warnings: Sexual Content, Mature Language.
• This venue is accessible.

Performances

• Wednesday July 5th, 07:00 pm
• Friday July 7th, 11:30 pm
• Sunday July 9th, 01:45 pm
• Tuesday July 11th, 05:00 pm
• Thursday July 13th, 09:45 pm
• Friday July 14th, 05:45 pm
• Saturday July 15th, 12:00 pm

Photo of Kira Renee, Catherine Wylee, Grace Thompson and Isabel Kanaan by Hashmita Alimchandani.

Excerpt from press release:

Robin Henderson, creator of the Best of Fringe hit Dance Animal, is thrilled to be returning to the Toronto Fringe Festival with Pineapple Club, from July 7^th-16^th, 2017at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. The opening performance is on Friday July 7^th at 3:15pm. Then Sat July 8th at 7:30pm; Mon July 10th at 9:00pm; Tues July 11th at 1:15pm; Wed July 12th at 11:30pm; Fri July 14th at 7:30pm; Sun July 16th at 12:00pm. Media is welcome at all performances.

One part comedic dance, one part sketch, one part social commentary, Pineapple Club provides a joyful, yet dark take on the emotional fallout of 2016. Loosely anchored in the five stages of grief and borrowing from the catalogues of artists who passed in 2016, Henderson blends the diverse talents of Paul Barnes, Jonathan Shaboo and Pascale Yensen. The Pineapple Club is a blazing mash-up of comedic dance, sketch comedy, puppetry, and music.

Welcome to the Pineapple Club. Come for the comedy. Stay for the calamity.

Details

• Pineapple Club plays at the Factory Mainspace. (125 Bathurst St.)
• Tickets are $12. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Scadding Court, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• Content Warnings: Audience Participation, Mature Language.
• This venue is wheelchair-accessible through a secondary route.

Performances

• Friday July 7th, 03:15 pm
• Saturday July 8th, 07:30 pm
• Monday July 10th, 09:00 pm
• Tuesday July 11th, 01:15 pm
• Wednesday July 12th, 11:30 pm
• Friday July 14th, 07:30 pm
• Sunday July 16th, 12:00 pm

From Press Release

The first ever musical on plastic surgery and the trials and tribulations of going under the knife! Comedian, Stephanie Herrera, delves into a journey of insecurity and “never quite fitting in”. We get a first hand account, from “Ugly Duckling” to “MILF” and why she pays homage to Colin Mochrie in her song “Thank you Colin Mochrie for my boobs!” Whether you are curious about plastic surgery or you just can’t fathom why anyone would do such a thing, this show will keep you laughing and tapping your feet as Stephanie examines race, gender, motherhood, and Liza Minnelli in 60 min.

Directed by Conrad Coates (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Tron: Legacy, Star Trek: Discovery, CBC’s Save Me, and Acting Professor at Seneca College and at his own studio: Coates and Company), this unique look at the world’s obsession with youth and beauty will be hilarious and touching. Based on her actual life, Herrera examines race and first generation Canadians living just outside the norm, and recounts her surgeries (in detail) all in the pursuit of trying to feel “pretty”.

Written and starring, Stephanie Herrera, a Toronto native who moved to Durham Region to have a family and ended up also creating the not-for-profit Durham Improv Collective Inc., producing a plethora of plays, and hosting/creating/producing five shows on Rogers TV in Oshawa. Stephanie is a Canadian Comedy Awards and Latin American Achievement Awards nominee and winner of the “Best Entertainment” Art of Transition Award and is a THEA winner for Best Female in a Musical. She is an actor, director, producer, writer, singer, and voice-over artist who has just released her first book: The Ten Commandments…of Improvising!

Herrera’s original musical score will be backed up by local piano man extraordinaire, Donald Guinn, and yes, Colin Mochrie makes an appearance, albeit, in photo form.

Details

• “Am I Pretty Now?”: A Musical Romp through Plastic Surgery! plays at the Al Green Theatre. (750 Spadina Ave.)
• Tickets are $12. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Scadding Court, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• Content Warnings: Unsuitable for Minors, Sexual Content, 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, and may have poor sightlines for certain productions.

Performances

• Friday July 7th, 01:15 pm
• Saturday July 8th, 08:45 pm
• Sunday July 9th, 10:15 pm
• Monday July 10th, 06:45 pm
• Wednesday July 12th, 07:00 pm
• Thursday July 13th, 03:30 pm
• Saturday July 15th, 09:45 pm

Photo of Stephanie Herrera by Giancarlo Osaben

From Press Release

From the winner of Best Short Film (NYC Indie Film Awards, LA Shorts Awards, Mindfield LA Film Festival), Valentyn Korotkevych and Tragical Fun Productions is proud to present an original play: CONTAGIOUS. A story with dance about two strangers, with nothing in common…until they see each other for who they really are.

Adam has his future planned out for him by his family, but he is struggling. Adam has never admitted to anyone what his true passion in life is. We meet Martha, who works day to day as a bank teller trying to keep a smile on her face. But she is unhappy; working for the man and feels it is too late for her to start again. Contagious is a story of unlikely mentors, dreams, and overcoming fear. Will Adam and Martha ever find their true purpose in life?

Amanda Nuttall (Choreographer: Talk is Free Theatre, Hart House Theatre, Randolph Academy) was the apprentice choreographer for Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s Bittergirl: The Musical. Director Paige Foskett is critically acclaimed for her work in New Ideas Festival and InspiraTO. Actor Jada Rifkin won the Back Doora Award for Best Female Performance at the Toronto Fringe Festival 2015. Stage Manager Madison Kalbhenn (App. Stage Manager: Factory Theatre, Capitol Theatre) was an intern stage manager for Wicked on Broadway, and recently completed her contract as production assistant for the Stratford Festival.

Details

• Contagious plays at the Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace. (16 Ryerson Ave.)
• Tickets are $12. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Scadding Court, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• This venue is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible seating is in the very front row.

Performances

• Friday July 7th, 05:45 pm
• Sunday July 9th, 08:45 pm
• Monday July 10th, 01:00 pm
• Wednesday July 12th, 07:30 pm
• Thursday July 13th, 10:30 pm
• Friday July 14th, 03:30 pm
• Sunday July 16th, 04:30 pm

Photo of Jada Rifkin by David Leyes