James Alan’s stage magic leaves Toronto audiences stunned, at the Wychwood Theatre

“How did he do that?” I asked myself this countless times during James Alan: The Uncertainty Project which is currently playing at the Wychwood Theatre. The show, written by Alan and directed by James Biss, is one full of magic and illusion that is both impressive and entertaining.

Continue reading Review: James Alan: The Uncertainty Project (Abracadabaret) →

From Press Release The Bad Dog Repertory Players present: Toronto, I Love You Bad Dog’s award-winning resident cast is proud to present their unconventional love letter to the city at this summer’s Toronto Fringe Festival. Toronto, I Love You is an unscripted comedy about unexpected connections, set against a backdrop of neighbourhoods suggested by the audience. Toronto, I Love You features a handful of spontaneously-crafted storylines that intertwine and intersect each other in surprising ways. Nicolas di Gaetano (Mi Casa Theatre, Business As Usual) serves as musical muse for the piece, both underscoring and inciting the action with a mix of Canadian songs – some improvised, some well-known – chosen each night to complement the stories.  “It’s a little like P.T. Anderson’s Magnolia, only much less… depressing,” says director Julie Dumais Osborne. “We’re playing with light magic realism – which feels very natural for the Repertory Players. The cast is remarkable at drawing fantasy from the mundane and grounding the improbable in relatable, honest emotion.” “…painfully f***ing funny…” – thevisitorium.com “…among the best troupes doing unscripted comedy in North America” – NOW Magazine Stacked with improv heavy-hitters hailing from across the country, the Canadian Comedy Award-nominated BDRP specialize in creating new unscripted show formats that showcase Toronto & the Canadian experience (including: This Canadian Life, You Are Here, 63 South and People City). Since their inception in 2012, they’ve performed in Vancouver, Regina, Montreal, Ottawa, as part of NxNE & JFL42, and they were recently named Best Improv Troupe in NOW Magazine’s Best of Toronto Readers’ Choice Poll. The BDRP are: Craig Anderson (Peak Falls), Jess Bryson (Hawkins), Ashley Comeau (Second City), Kyle Dooley (Mark & Kyle), Liz Johnston (Final Frontier), Colin Munch (Sex T-Rex), Etan Muskat (The Bitter End), Paloma Nuñez (Throne of Games), Kirsten Rasmussen (Rapid Fire Theatre), Evany Rosen (Picnicface), Hannah Spear (Sexy Nerd Girl), Sean Tabares (Best Male Improviser – CCAs) & Anders Yates (Uncalled For). SHOWTIMES:  July 04 at 10:30 PM July 06 at 03:15 PM July 08 at 06:30 PM July 09 at 09:15 PM July 10 at 06:00 PM July 11 at 12:00 PM July 13 at 07:30 PM Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse 79 St. George St. Tickets are available at: www.fringetoronto.com Fringe Festival Box Office: 416-966-1062 Tickets are $12 in advance and $10 at the door.  Media Contact: Lisa Amerongen – tel: 416-706-1945, lisa@baddogtheatre.com badddogtheatre.com – Facebook – Twitter About Bad Dog Theatre Company For almost 30 years, the award-winning Bad Dog Theatre Company (previously known as Theatresports Toronto) has specialized in the art of unscripted comedy and improvised performance and has provided affordable, accessible improv training for thousands of people of all ages and experience. Dubbed “Toronto’s improv hub” by NOW Magazine and led by renowned improv veteran Julie Dumais Osborne, Bad Dog presents Theatresports, Toronto’s longest, continuously running improv show, every Saturday along with shows throughout the week at Toronto’s premiere indie comedy venue – Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. West).  Visit www.baddogtheatre.com for details.

From Press Release

Young artists mount classic Canadian play ‘Never Swim Alone’ for Toronto Fringe Festival

Two businessmen, Frank and Bill, duke it out in a battle of words to see who is the better man.  The rounds are judged by a beautiful woman who holds a dark secret from their past.  Each round features a different challenge and posses a new question, such as, “Who has the bigger house?” “Who makes more money?” “Whose wife is more faithful?”.  But as the competition goes on, the attacks get more and more personal, leading to a deadly confrontation where only one man is left standing.

emerGENce Theatre is dedicated to the production of new and innovative work created by up and coming artists at the start of their promising careers.  All the members of the company are under the age of 25, with the Artistic Director himself being only 20 years old.

The production features Sean Jacklin, Michael Ruderman, and Zara Jestadt, all of whom are currently enrolled in their 2^nd year at George Brown’s Acting Conservatory.  The director, Brandon Nicoletti, is also in his 2^nd year at George Brown’s Acting Conservatory.  Brandon appeared as the lead in Golem, a Toronto Fringe show that had its run back in 2012.   The biggest name in the production is the writer (Daniel MacIvor), whose name alone is sure to draw attention.  MacIvor has written numerous award-winning plays and has been a recipient of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, as well as the Siminovitch Prize for Theatre.  He is currently the playwright in residence at Tarragon Theatre.

Never Swim Alone has been hailed as a landmark of Canadian theatre.  emerGENce Theatre seeks to bring a fresh new take to this classic play, and in doing so give way to a new generation of Canadian theatre artists.

 

emerGENce Theatre
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents

Never Swim Alone

Written by Daniel MacIvor

Directed by Brandon Nicoletti

Starring: Sean Jacklin, Michael Ruderman, Zara Jestadt
Lighting design by Brandon Nicoletti and Solange Ribeiro

Stage managed by Solange Ribeiro

Opens July 4^th runs to July 13^th

Theatre Passe Muraille, Mainspace Theatre

16 Ryerson Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2P3

 

Performances:

July 4^th, 7:30pm

July 5^th, 11:30pm

July 8^th, 8:00pm

July 9^th, 6:00pm

July 10^th, 2:15pm

July 12^th, 9:15pm

July 13^th, 1:00pm

Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased starting June 12^th, $10 at the door, $12 in advance

Purchase online: fringetoronto.com.

By Phone: 416-966-1062

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

At the door: If available, will be sold at the theatre starting one hour prior to show time, cash sales only

From Press Release Do not panic. No need for caution! Haggard Bitch Productions would like to invite you to the hilarious new epic adventure Fringe Comedy where nothing is going wrong, and well… everything is… Everything. Is. Fine. 8 of Toronto’s freshest comedians and improvisors have gotten together under the direction of Fringe favourite, Ken Hall, to write a truly personal, truly absurd, truly real …and imagined, comedy extravaganza. These Second City conservatory graduates will stop at nothing to get you un-safely rolling in the aisles, in an experience that’s not to be missed. Official Show Website: everythingisfine.ca About 8 of Toronto’s freshest Humourists Bring a Truly immersive Experience to the Stage in Their Fringe Debut of Everything is Fine… Everything is Fine… is an honest reflection of eight 20 & 30-somethings encapsulating where they presently are in their lives. A group of Conservatory graduates of Toronto’s acclaimed Second City have written a Fringe show that edges between the absurd and sincere as they deal with topics as trivial as living situations and as grave as environmental issues. When their world is crumbling around them how do they keep on convincing themselves that everything is fine? This fresh batch of eight crisp comedians have come from as far as B.C., to the Maritimes, and even Auckland, New Zealand. Each have studied at Toronto’s Second City Training Centre and from there have made lasting and influential bonds with one another. Under the direction of Ken Hall, who is a three-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee and national Fringe favourite with his award-winning improv/sketch comedy duo 2-MAN NO-SHOW, the cast has developed material through improvisation & writing, that is revealing, vulnerable, challenging, thrilling, scary, and as always, funny. They are on a journey of constant discoveries and invite all to come along for the ride. Audiences need to see this show because it is a celebration of being truly alive – And what is life without recognizing the beauty, tragedy, and hilarity in all things? Do not miss your chance to see this outstanding group transform a seemingly regular sketch show into an interactive meltdown. No matter where you are, they promise you, Everything is Fine… Haggard Bitch Productions in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents Everything is Fine… Written by: Gil Anderson, Gillian Bartolucci, Kristie Gunter, Ted Hambly, Steve Hobbs, Marshall Lorenzo, Nicky Nasrallah, Allana Reoch Directed by: Ken Hall,Stage Managed by: Greg Roberts Friday, July 4th to Sunday, July 13th Tarragon Theatre: Mainspace, 30 Brigman Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1X3 Performances: Friday, July 4th 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm Saturday, July 5th 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Sunday, July 6th 8:45 pm – 9:45 pm Monday, July 7th 10:15 pm – 11:15 pm Tuesday, July 8th 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Wednesday, July 9th 11 pm – 12:00 am Sunday, July 13th 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm Tickets: Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman Ave (416-531-1827) Purchase Online: http://fringetoronto.com By Phone: 416-966-1062 In Person: During the Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St W) Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.