Coming to 2023 Edmonton Fringe

It’s been a wonderful year seeing shows on the Fringe circuit. Given that we’re coming out of the pandemic, the number of high quality productions is surprising.

So why am I writing recommendations for the Edmonton Fringe?

For nine years I’ve posted recommendations for the upcoming Edmonton Fringe via the #yegfringe hashtag, based on what I’ve seen at the Winnipeg Fringe, and the Ottawa Fringe. First on Facebook then eight times on this blog.

There are more than 185 shows scheduled at the Edmonton Fringe this year. I’m going to stick to shows that I’ve seen already; there will be lots of good shows outside this list. More about that below.

So here are shows that I’ve seen, that are coming to the Edmonton Fringe this year, and that I’m recommending. I’m going to attempt some sort of rough rank order, but, like reviewing, that order is definitely subjective. (Many of the differences in my ranks are miniscule.) Your mileage may vary. Some shows are not for everybody, no matter what my recommendation. Some will not be your cup of tea. Read the reviews carefully.

There are 18 recommendations below. I don’t expect you’ll see them all. So read the descriptions and reviews and decide which appeal to you personally.

Tango in the Dark

This was my personal highlight of this year’s Ottawa Chamberfest (the largest chamber music festival in the world). PointeTango combines tango, ballet and other dance forms to produce a unique show that received a standing ovation the night we saw them. Erin Scott-Kafadar performed the show in combinations of ballet pointe shoes, stiletto heels and bare feet. Her chemistry with Alexander Richardson was electric. Their performances were sensual, romantic, athletic, beautiful and even dangerous.

They performed at Chamberfest with live music by The Payadora Tango Ensemble. For the Edmonton Fringe, the program has been abridged to 60 minutes with recorded music. The dancing will still be stunning. Run, don’t walk to get tickets.

Nashville Hurricane

Chase Padgett brings back his 2016/19 Edmonton Fringe hit. Joff Schmidt of CBC Manitoba wrote: “Nashville Hurricane is a Fringe force of nature. Don’t let it pass you by.” 

This year, Ben Waldman wrote in his Winnipeg Free Press review: “When perusing your fringe program, make sure to hand-pick this tale of a fingerpicking phenom drawn from the mind and soul of Chase Padgett, a festival veteran with transformative capabilities and undeniable talent.”

If you missed it, now’s your chance. If you saw it and want to have Padgett blow you away again, don’t wait until the last minute.

Eleanor’s Story: an American Girl in Hitler’s Germany

Best coming-of-age story ever.

Eleanor’s Story won the Jury’s Choice Award at this year’s Ottawa Fringe. 

From the Apt613 review:

“Garner gives an extraordinary view of wartime, seen through the eyes of a girl of nine who grows to become a young woman of 15. The story covers a huge span: from Hitler Youth to the Gestapo, from a public hanging to mass bombings, from rationing to starvation and much more.”

This sellout hit of the 2015 and 2022 Edmonton Fringes returns to Edmonton. Winnipeg Free Press reviewer Pat St. Germain described it in her review as:

“Harrowing, occasionally humorous and brutally honest”.

Take a teenager. Take a young adult. Take a parent, Take yourself.

But see this show.

Anatolia Speaks

This sleeper about a Bosnian immigrant in Edmonton starts out slowly, then worms its way into your heart … and doesn’t let go. Written and directed by Ken Brown (Spiral Dive). As Randall King of the Winnipeg Free Press put it: “Candice Fiorentino really delivers the goods, delineating a character arc that takes her from a cute comic figure to a tragic heroine in breathtakingly subtle increments.”

Breaking Bard

This was one of the big surprises of this year’s Winnipeg Fringe. We were intrigued by the premise in the program: improvised Shakespearean style tragedy. But then one of Seismic Shift Productions cast flyered us: they improvise in iambic pentameter! Like Shakespeare, not all of the performance is in pentameter, but most of it is. We were so impressed with how good this show was, we saw it THREE times. Each show was completely different with only one exception: at the end the stage is littered with bodies. Given that there are 12,000 deaths in Shakespeare, there’s plenty of source material to use as inspiration.

Don’t take my word for it. Denise Duguay of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote in her review: “This nimble, talented troupe, taking their show on the road for the first time, is incapable of disappointing any audience.”

DieNasty! Edmonton’s Live Improvised Soap Opera

Edmonton Fringe fans need no introduction to the long-running Die-Nasty improvised soap opera. But if you’re visiting the Fringe for the first time, you owe it to yourself to check out this fine long-form improv show. When we attended the Edmonton Fringe we made sure to catch Die-Nasty. Some of the best improv we’ve seen at both Edmonton and Winnipeg. See the show early, though. Tickets sell quickly. With 100% of tickets available in advance, if you snooze, you’ll lose.

Horseface

Hell hath no fury like Alex Dallas scorned. The women in the audience laughed in recognition and solidarity. I laughed. The men laughed. 

Don’t take my word for it. Jen Foratti of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote:

“Dallas is furiously funny in her observations and insights — delivered with that signature dry British wit — but she’s also a master of the one-two punch, swinging from hilarious to harrowing. The most powerful moments of the show are at its sharp edges, where Dallas really gets to the heart of what it means to be treated like prey in a world full of wolves.”

jem rolls MAXIMUM CRUSOE

7500 words in 55 minutes! Even for jem rolls, this is close to a speed record. Or as Apt613 reviewer, Bruce Burwell wrote:

“jem delivers the whole show at high speed and we’re left digesting a deluge of words and rhymes. You have to pay close attention since there are Indian gods, unfamiliar place names and even less familiar people names – Prachi Pande from Pune! “

But this is far more than a feat of performance endurance. As Burwell concluded:

“I’ve seen a lot of jem’s shows and in my opinion this was definitely his funniest.”

Every Good Story Ends with One

We caught the first performance of this Martin Dockery one-hander at the Winnipeg Fringe. Good thing too, because he sold out most of his run. The  subject starts with how Dockery bombed his first time at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. With all the twists and turns, we didn’t see the end coming. In the meantime, he had the Winnipeg audience on the edge of their seats.

Winnipeg Free Press reviewer, Alan Small, wrote in his review: “Dockery’s boisterous style and his 60-minute, sometimes meandering buildup to Every Good Story’s climax is definitely one to add to second-week fringe lists.”

Get your tickets in advance.

Mail Ordered

This collaboration between Singapore’s Shanice Stanislaus and Calgary’s Aaron Cates had the most street buzz of any show at the Winnipeg Fringe.

We had seven independent recommendations for this show by the time we finally fit it into our schedule. The first recommendations came day one. We were not disappointed.

As Ben Sigurdson wrote in his Winnipeg Free Press review: “Patience is a virtue; while things start off a bit sluggish, the second half of Mail Ordered offers a couple surprises, including an oh-my-gosh payoff at the end that brings this comedy home in a mostly satisfying way.”

Opera Mouse

We (and her parents) took our 4 year old niece to see opera singer Melanie Gall’s first childrens’ show (directed by Erik de Waal) in 2013. Before the show started, we asked her parents if she would want to meet the performer after the show. We needn’t have asked. Our niece was the first of seven children to go on stage for audience participation with Gall’s puppet mouse. Gall had the children singing Mozart on stage. Multiple times. Each time displaying a different emotion. As well, Gall had the audience singing scales, opera tunes, and “helping out” with the high notes of an aria. Lovely show for kids (and their parents). CBC Manitoba dubbed it Outstanding Kids Show.

Gall has toured Opera Mouse to multiple countries and continents. She’s brought it back to Edmonton Fringe again. If you missed it, bring kid(s) and have a good time.

The Long Night of the American Dream

Much as I enjoy Martin Dockery’s solo shows, I’ve developed a taste for his two and six-handers. His scripts for Moonlight after Midnight and The Stakeout still have me awe-struck after seeing them at the Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton Fringes. 

This meta play within a play had the Winnipeg audience laughing throughout while they kept track of the many layers of the script. Theatre for patrons who want something more demanding than just a straightforward comedy.

As Ben Sigurdson of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote in his review:

“Dockery and Broaddus play brothers, the former a playwright and the latter an actor.”

“the brothers have spent the bulk of the hour garnering sympathy (and loads of laughs) from the audience, who by this time have become wholly invested in the imperfect pair.”

The American Songbook Experience

Melanie Gall takes a more personal tack with her latest show, which is a love letter to both the American Songbook and her late father. Gall’s operatically trained voice is a treat as always, but her tale of her father gives the show added depth.

As Holly Harris of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote in her review: “The operatically trained soprano belts out greatest hits by Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and others, as she recounts Young’s big band roots in Toronto with a “booming baritone” voice rivalling Sinatra’s. Her showstopper, Brother, Can you Spare a Dime?, is worth the price of admission alone”

Field Zoology 101

In 2019, I got advance notice of this show from Victoria Fringe doyenne Janis LaCouvée. Thank you, Janis.

Matt TenBruggencate of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote of Shawn O’Hara’s performance: “His delivery of set material as — a list of most dangerous/sexy animals, his quest for vengeance against a neighbourhood raccoon — is note-perfect, while his off-the-cuff responses to audience questions prove a first-rate comedic talent.”

If you missed it, O’Hara’s deadpan delivery alone is worth the price of admission.

A.W.O.L.

OMG! Rob Gee (Forget Me Not) and Jon Paterson (How I Met My Mother) on the same stage. The show premiered at the Regina Fringe. Opening night in Winnipeg was still something of a hot mess, but we and the audience were all prepared to run with it anyway. I was reminded of Paterson and Ryan Gladstone’s Hockey Night at the Puck & Pickle Pub, where part of the fun was to see how much they could mess up the script while still keeping the audience laughing. 

The Fool

While there are comic lines (and fart jokes), Ryan Gladstone’s script and direction give Jon Paterson (House) a chance to show off both his comedic and dramatic skills. 

As Ben Sigurdson wrote in his Winnipeg Free Press review: “The strength of this show is Paterson’s energetic physical comedy, particularly his ability to jump back and forth among characters, playing the king and queen as well as guards, the fool’s BFF (an ox named Drew), and more.”

Deux

The title is a triple entendre. This is the second Merkin Sisters show. There are two performers on stage. And some of the performance consists of interpretive dance including pas de deux. 

How to describe a show where the performers themselves ask the audience: “If you figure out what this show is about, tell us.”?

Don’t come expecting a profound analysis of the meaning of life. The closest Deux comes is answering the type casting question: “Why am I always the…?”

This isn’t a show for everyone. Those easily offended will be offended.

I didn’t see the first Merkin Sisters show, but their fans definitely showed up for their second show. Like their fans, I laughed, a lot. You may too. Or not.

Stephanie Wobensmith of Apt613 captured the content best in her review:

“The Merkin Sisters is bursting with physical comedy. It sometimes pays homage to the comedic legends of the past, but it does so in a way that feels fresh and modern. It incorporates burlesque and drag performances of all gender presentations, from high masc to high femme and everything in between.”

Muse

One of the great things about the Fringe circuit is that you pay for your venue and you get to do whatever you want with your time slots. In this case, Cameryn Moore provides the opportunity to participate in a life drawing art class, while she fills the time with personal stories.

True confession time. I didn’t actually see Moore’s show in Ottawa. BUT I did see the results of two happy participants who were very pleased with the experience. I can barely sketch constellations with a pencil. Their charcoal renderings were memorable. 

So if you would like to hire (share) a life model for Fringe prices and practice your sketching skills, Moore’s show is a bargain.

Or as Apt613 reviewer Stephanie Wobensmith wrote:

“Built with honesty, accessibility, and approachability in mind, Muse: An Experiment in Storytelling and Life Drawing was a refreshing break from more traditional theatre shows at the Ottawa Fringe Festival this year.”

I saw 23 shows at the Ottawa Fringe this year, and 44 at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe. Consequently I haven’t seen all the shows touring this year’s Edmonton Fringe. Plus my tastes don’t necessarily match yours. So go see some shows that I haven’t recommended.

Happy Fringing!

Coming to 2017 Edmonton Fringe

It’s been another wonderful year for seeing shows on the Fringe circuit. The number of high quality productions continues to expand.

So why am I writing recommendations for the Edmonton Fringe?

Reason one. For five years I’ve posted recommendations for the upcoming Edmonton Fringe via the #yegfringe hashtag, based on what I’ve seen at the Winnipeg Fringe and Ottawa Fringe.  First on Facebook then four times on this blog. Two years ago there were 371 hits. So there’s a demand. (Last year we didn’t go to the Winnipeg Fringe, so I had fewer recommendations, resulting in less traffic.)

Reason two. Once again we saw early sellouts at the Winnipeg and Ottawa Fringes. We saw a lot of shows sell out on the first or second performance. Advance ticket sales were way up from two years ago, even before they started. I expect that the same will be true for the Edmonton Fringe. Pick your shows early.

My list is based on shows I’ve seen at the Ottawa and Winnipeg Fringes this and previous years. It’s also based on shows I’ve seen at the Montreal Fringe and Ottawa’s Undercurrents Festival in previous years. I’m posting it on my blog so it’s visible to all my Twitter followers as well as my Facebook friends.

There are over 220 shows scheduled in 42 venues at the Edmonton Fringe this year. I’m going to stick to shows that I’ve seen already; there will be lots of good shows outside this list. More about that below.

So here are shows that I’ve seen, that are coming to the Edmonton Fringe this year, and that I’m recommending. I’m going to attempt some sort of rough rank order, but, like reviewing, that order is subjective. (Many of the differences in my ranks are miniscule.) Your mileage may vary. Some shows are not for everybody, no matter what my recommendation. Read the reviews carefully.

There are 29 recommendations below. I don’t expect you’ll see them all. So read the descriptions and reviews and decide which appeal to you personally.

Prophecy

From the people who brought you the Sterling Award winning The Fall of the House of Atreus, Impossible Mongoose brings you Jessie Ardern’s new play, Prophecy. Based on the myth of Cassandra, Prophecy explores the Trojan War from female perspectives.

Barry Sawatzky of CBC Manitoba says “Jessy Ardern is a powerhouse of a writer. The previous winner of two Harry Rintoul Awards, her writing keeps getting stronger.” His conclusion? “The writing, the direction, the performance – this show delivers it all.”

CBC Manitoba chose Prophecy as one of its top 10 picks for the Winnipeg Fringe closing weekend.

A Soldier’s War

This Saskatoon production became a big hit in Winnipeg this summer. This moving drama had a big impact on Winnipeg’s normally staid reviewers. While they had praise for the entire production, one character in particular touched them deeply. Bradley Sawatzky wrote in his review: “the journey that Devin Wesnoski takes us on, showing us the cost of surviving, has me crying as I type this.” Similarly Melissa Martin wrote: “Devin Wesnoski’s portrayal of sheltered young Leslie is particularly haunting, even unforgettable.” Get your tickets early before word of mouth hits the street.

The Inventor of All Things

The Inventor of All Things is Ottawa’s favourite jem rolls show. It’s one of Winnipeg’s favourite jem rolls shows. He last performed this show at the Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton Fringes in 2015. Unfortunately, some people missed it then because jem rolls sold out. Fortunately for those people, he’s brought the show back to Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa.

Two reasons for the sellouts: (1) The show appealed to audiences beyond jem rolls’ fan base. (2) Many audience members saw the show more than once.

The Ottawa version was 60 minutes. It sold out again this year. Furthermore it won a Best of Fest award.

The Edmonton version is 75 minutes.

Executing Justice

Bill Pats has revised his 2014 hit show from the Winnipeg Fringe. We missed it then because we couldn’t get tickets by the time word of mouth got to us. Meghan Mast of CBC Manitoba wrote: “Pats plays different characters with conviction. You’ll forget the story is fictional.”

Pats performed Executing Justice at the Ottawa Fringe to acclaim. Amanda Dookie of Apartment 613 wrote: “In terms of the acting this was the best solo performance I’ve ever seen at the Ottawa Fringe Festival, in the several years that I have been reviewing plays.” The reviewing team at Apartment 613 gave Pats a Runner-up for Best Performance.

Riveting!

Fruit Flies Like a Banana: World Tour

Flyering works. Greg Jukes of The Fourth Wall Ensemble flyered us early at the Winnipeg Fringe and convinced us to see their show. We saw it twice, bringing our 6 and 8 year old nieces the second time. I think this show is such a wonderful introduction for children to music that I pitched it in person to Roman Borys, the Artistic Director of Ottawa’s Chamberfest.

They play Chopin’s Minute Waltz while interweaving on stage on hoverboards! They play Astor Piazzola while dancing a tango de trois! Bring children. If they’re enthusiastic, the kids will have a chance to determine the order of the show.

Jill Wilson of the Winnipeg Free Press called this show “a one-hour trip around the globe, from French Canada to Tuva, in this madcap mashup of music, dance and theatre.”

Watch Out Wildkat

Toronto’s Sex T-Rex blew Winnipeg audiences away in 2015 with this cinematically inspired production. It’s no accident that this story about WildKat MacReady seeking revenge for her father’s death resembles the storyline of the film Cat Ballou.

Rosie Fernandez review for CBC Manitoba is a cornucopia of pull-quotes: “W.O.W is an appropriate acronym for Watch Out WildKat!” “This play is a fast-moving, high-energy, side-splitting romp that grabs you and takes you on a galloping ride through the Wild West.” “A stellar cast, imaginative choreography, and non-stop laughs make this show is a must-see – so giddy-on up.”

Forget Me Not

Rob Gee’s second in his psychiatric nursing trilogy is one of his best shows. Lots of sellouts at the 2013 Winnipeg Fringe Festival, resulting in a Patrons’ Pick. The performance poetry is there, but now it serves a plot with an arc: a murder mystery set in an Alzheimer’s ward. One of the detectives has incipient Alzheimer’s, and he knows it. A humourous, clever, and highly sympathetic look at a condition that some of us will face in our future.

“Forget Me Not is by turns sad and funny, and just plain fun. This one-man triumph is equal parts mystery, comedy, storytelling, social commentary — and 100 per cent entertaining.” – Janice Sawka, Winnipeg Free Press. “the best way to draw attention to an issue is make it as funny -and heartbreaking – as hell.” – Sara Tate, CBC Manitoba.

Weaksauce

Sam S. Mullins brings back to the Edmonton Fringe his 2013 show with the worst title of that year: Weaksauce. We saw it at the Montreal Fringe. Here’s my Apartment 613 review. Parents should bring their teenage sons. Young men should bring a date. Young ladies swoon. As CBC Manitoba put it, “Show most likely to leave you pantsless: Weaksauce.” – “So appealing that when the lights went up I was surprised to see I was still

dressed – I was sure he had charmed the pants right off of me.”

The Pre-History of Moses P

Moses P has just been elected as an MP and he moves to Cape Town with his wife to take up his duties. Then he discovers a cache of photographs in their newly purchased house and his world unravels. As Wendy King of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote in her review: “South African storyteller Erik De Waal deftly spins out a moving 60-minute tale that details not just the social injustices, but the arbitrary and intimate cruelties of the country’s apartheid system.”

I missed De Waal’s performance in 2011 at the Winnipeg Fringe. I’m so glad I got a chance to see it this time. It’s new to the Edmonton Fringe.

Letters to West 113th

Very early at the Winnipeg Fringe an enthusiastic young woman flyered us about Jeff Newman’s mentalist show. We went early in the run and confirmed that her enthusiasm was well founded. Several of his mentalist tricks still have me scratching my head. Or as CBC Manitoba reviewer Joff Schmidt wrote: ‘there are plenty of moments in this entertaining magic show that will leave you asking, “How did he know that?”’ We were at the same show as Schmidt and left asking the same question. As Schmidt concluded: “it’s a magically intriguing fringe experience.”

What Newman didn’t know was the identity of the woman who flyered us. For good reason: she was a patron who had seen Newman’s opening night show. She loved the show so much that she grabbed a deck of Newman’s flyers and went out to sell his show to anyone who would listen! Now THAT’S word of mouth!

Macbeth Muet

This was a treat of the 2016 Ottawa Undercurrents Festival. It was SO much fun! I wrote in my review: “This is the silliest production of Macbeth I’ve ever seen. And it is well-crafted silliness.”

Let’s be clear. Although there were many chuckles in the audience on opening night, Macbeth Muet is more silliness than laugh out loud comedy. This is a light-hearted pastiche. Shakespeare would probably approve.

It’s not all yucks however. I saw it again in Winnipeg. When the Macduff family is slaughtered the room turned eerily quiet in horror.

Don’t just take my word for it. Randall King of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote: “This is a display of sheer theatrical invention, certainly a must-see on your fringe menu.”

Harold of Galactus: the Improvised Comic Book

Strictly speaking I haven’t seen this year’s show, but then neither has anyone else. Because it’s improvised, duh! But I did see Mark Meer and Chris Craddock work their improv magic last year. Impressive! I hear they’ve added a new member to the team: improv artist Jacob Banigan will be doing live animation.

Hockey Night at the Puck and Pickle Pub

We saw this show early in its premiere run at the 2013 Winnipeg Fringe. Ryan Gladstone and Jon Paterson were trying (successfully) to throw each other off their lines. Their stumbles and recoveries were as funny as the script. In spite of the rocky performance, as John Sadoway of CBC Manitoba wrote: “It was hilarious.” But he did suggest waiting for them to settle into the script.

It’s a fast madcap script that apparently took some time to gel on the Fringe circuit. However, by the time of the Vancouver Fringe, Lois Patterson of Plank Magazine wrote: “The timing of the piece is impeccable. You do feel like you are in a nail-biting, continually exciting game.”

We loved the rough cut version. We saw the polished version this year at the Winnipeg Fringe. We loved it even more. We brought relatives. They loved it even more than we did.

The Canada Show

In 2001, Monster Theatre brought The Canada Show to the Winnipeg Fringe. According to co-author Ryan Gladstone, “The morning after watching the show, our billet in Winnipeg made us waffles for breakfast, and when we were all together and fed, she got out a notepad and started giving us notes.”

They must have paid attention, because in 2002, Monster Theatre brought The Canada Show to the Ottawa Fringe:  The entire history of Canada in one hour (minus the boring bits).  Their premise was that Canadian history could be interesting, provided that you skipped the parts that made people yawn.

It was a sensation. Sold out houses and five-star reviews across the Fringe circuit.

Now Monster Theatre has updated and remounted the show with a new cast. They had sellouts in a big venue at the Winnipeg Fringe. Go early before the crowds hit.

Blind to Happiness

… is my favourite Tim C. Murphy show. Period. Dramaturged by T.J. Dawe and it shows. I enjoyed every minute.

But don’t take my word for it. Nick Bachusky of Apartment 613 peppered his review with pull quotes: “Do yourself a favour and buy tickets in advance for this performance.” “Murphy loves what he does and brings with him a perfected script.” “I can highly recommend this play and you will be lucky to see it for sure. Blind to Happiness is well worth every penny.”

Wooster Sauce

In 2008, Patrick Langston of the Ottawa Citizen called John D. Huston’s Wooster Sauce “a ‘must-see’ at the Fringe”. The Ottawa Fringe that is.

Huston plays all the characters, including the eponymous Bertie Wooster and his ever practical butler, Jeeves.

We saw this show again in Winnipeg this year. Huston’s performance is impeccable.

Huston performed Wooster Sauce at the Edmonton Fringe in 2008. High time for a remount.

Swordplay: a Play of Swords

If Watch out Wildkat! leaves you wanting more from Sex T-Rex, they’re offering a double bill at the Edmonton Fringe. This new show is a mashup of The Princess Bride and 8-bit video games. The imagery is less cinematic than W.O.W! and more low-res video effects. There’s less emphasis on plot and more on unexpected twists and turns (like a video game). Randall King of the Winnipeg Free Press sums it up best: “Intricately staged, but with a freewheeling sense of fun”.

Olive Copperbottom

Penny Ashton follows up on the success of her Jane Austen sendup Promise and Promiscuity, with a mashup of Charles Dickens.

Randall King of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote: “No fringe performer is quite as adept as New Zealand’s Penny Ashton when it comes to blending high and low comedy.” He calls the show “a frothy margarita of theatrical fun, with a pronounced tequila kick.”

Michelle Palansky of CBC Manitoba says “Ashton is a one-woman-show wonder.” and “Olive Copperbottom is a delicious slice of Victoriana with something to please every palate.”

6 Quick Dick Tricks

Tim Motley is back with his signature film noir character Dirk Darrow. We saw this show at last year’s Edmonton Fringe. My wife loved it so much, she saw it again at this year’s Ottawa Fringe. Ottawa audiences loved it too, resulting in a Best of Fest.

What’s the attraction? David Currie of Apartment 613 wrote: “Having the opportunity to watch six incredible acts of illusion in one hour is certainly worth the cost of admission.” Yup!

Motley was performing in a relatively small space last year, so many people probably missed him. Consider yourself lucky to get another chance.

Lovely Lady Lump

Lana Schwarcz returns for the first time since her 2009 show Grandpa Sol and Grandma Rosie. Previously she took on the topic of aging. This time her show about cancer won the Outstanding Solo Award at last year’s Ottawa Fringe.

The Apartment 613 reviewer concluded: “True to her promise, she finishes with humour. But if her final material is so funny, why were two warm tears sliding down my cheeks when I stopped laughing to applaud?”

Shannon Sampert of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote “There are moments of great hilarity and moments that leave you sobbing,”

African Folktales with Erik de Waal

Joff Schmidt of CBC Manitoba says it best about this kids favourite: “Erik de Waal has become a reliable Fringe mainstay with his delightful renditions of traditional folktales.” “for toddlers and elementary school-aged kids, de Waal is a reliable bet.”

Each year, de Waal has new tales for his young audience.

73 Seconds

For a while this was a sleeper at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe. We went to see it because the same company produced No Belles in 2015. We liked the background stories of these remarkable people who are known only for the Challenger Shuttle disaster. Then we kept running into people who said “Have you seen 73 Seconds yet? I loved that show.”

It turns out that Mary Agnes Welch agreed with them. In her Winnipeg Free Press review she wrote: “It makes for a tight, absorbing hour.” and “evolves neatly into a poignant meditation on our connection to history,”

Circus Firemen

Reviewers at Fringe Festivals ignore outdoor buskers and musicians. By the time the buzz found us, we had missed the Circus Firemen in 2014 at the Winnipeg Fringe. But they flyered us, and told us why we should see their show, on a train leaving Toronto last fall. So in 2015 I made time in my busy schedule to catch their outdoor act. They juggle flaming batons while balancing on straight ladders! And they’re funny! What more do you need to know? Don’t forget to put some money in their hats afterwards.

Big Wheel Show

I had a spare hour so I sat down at the outdoor stage at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe to check out Hannah Cryle’s acrobatic show involving a big steel wheel out in the open. Cryle starts out slowly to gain the confidence of her audience as she rolls among the crowd inside the heavy wheel. Then she recruits a couple of volunteers and the tricks become more and more impressive. Her finale is a real crowd-pleaser. Lots of people put folding money in her hat afterwards, myself included.

Szeretlek

This is the most family friendly show of the bunch. Definitely kid friendly. Adults seem to like it too. The night I went, the performers had the entire audience up on their feet learning a Hungarian folk dance. In staid old Ottawa!

Brie McFarlane of New Ottawa Critics wrote: ‘Definitely in the running for “Most Adorable Show” at the 2017 Ottawa Fringe Festival, Szeretlek: A Hungarian Love Story will satisfy your sweet tooth.’

Julia Bueneman of Apartment 613 wrote: “I really enjoyed this show – it’s family-friendly, funny (I laughed out loud several times) and adorable.”

C-

From the Fringe program, you might be fooled into thinking that C- is just another millennial’s story about being a few years out of university. In fact, storyteller Eric Jaffe covers a few decades with insights gained from the school of hard knocks.

In Ottawa, audiences seemed to fall into two camps. Geeks (engineers, computer programmers, mathematicians) liked the show. Folks from the Arts, especially theatre, were much less enthusiastic. Be forewarned.

As Vanessa Turpin of Apartment 613 wrote: “Jaffe is an excellent storyteller. On stage he is relaxed, captivating, and commands the audience’s attention with ease. Many laughs were to be had from his effortless jokes and relatable storyline about how perspectives change as you age.”

Aspergers; a Tale of a Social Misfit

High functioning individuals with Aspergers can do very well in Mathematics and Science … but stand-up comedy? It turns out the answer is yes. For example:

When Adam Schwartz was 12, his mother told him he was autistic.

“At the time I was like, ‘Sweet!’ ” he says. “So I tried my hand at painting, but that didn’t take. Pottery didn’t work out so well, either.” Winnipeg Free Press

Schwartz has been performing stand-up comedy for 7 years. We saw him at the 2013 Winnipeg Fringe.

We saw his show because Andrew Friesen (CBC Manitoba) wrote: “Schwartz’s experiences with Asperger’s prove to be a surprisingly deep well of comedy.” We took a chance on Schwartz. You can too.

Reuben Dot Dot Dot

This is one of the highest busker shows I’ve seen at any Fringe Festival. But Reuben performs his high pole act solo! He does recruit four strong volunteers to keep him aloft, but none of them have any training or experience with the act. Well worth folding money in the hat.

Undead Newlyweds

This is a zombie show unlike any other I’ve ever seen. This busking couple in wedding clothes work with fire in extremely close proximity. They have a fire extinguisher nearby, but those flames come awfully close to the gauzy material of the Bride’s wedding dress. Remembering this show still sends shivers up my spine.

Familiar performers are bringing brand new shows to the Edmonton Fringe that I haven’t had the opportunity to see. Don’t just stick to my above recommendations. Check out some new shows by A Little Bit Off, Keith H. Brown, Colossal Productions, Dead Rabbits Theatre, Die-Nasty, Guys in Disguise, Ingrid Hansen, Al LaFrance, Tim Mooney, Chase Padgett, Pop Goes the Opera, Randy Rutherford and Gemma Wilcox.

And Teatro La Quindicina is remounting The Exquisite Hour which premiered at the Edmonton Fringe in 2002.

I saw 28 shows at the Ottawa Fringe this year, 54 at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe, and 39 shows at last year’s Edmonton Fringe. Consequently I haven’t seen all the shows touring this year’s Edmonton Fringe. Plus my tastes don’t necessarily match yours. So go see some shows that I haven’t recommended.

Happy Fringing!

Coming to the 2015 Edmonton Fringe

It’s been another wonderful year for seeing shows on the Fringe circuit. The number of high quality productions continues to be expand.

So why am I writing recommendations for the Edmonton Fringe?

Reason one. For three years I’ve posted recommendations for the upcoming Edmonton Fringe via the #yegfringe hashtag, based on what I’ve seen at the Winnipeg Fringe and Ottawa Fringe.  First on Facebook then twice on this blog. Last year there were 380 hits. So there’s a demand.

Reason two. We’ve seen more sellouts at the Winnipeg Fringe and the Ottawa Fringe than ever before. Especially early sellouts. We’ve seen a lot more shows start to sell out on the first or second performance. Advance ticket sales at both Fringes were way up, even before they started. I expect that the same will be true for the Edmonton Fringe. Pick your shows early.

My list is based on shows I’ve seen at the Winnipeg Fringe and the Ottawa Fringe. I’m posting it on my blog so it’s visible to all my Twitter followers as well as my Facebook friends.

There are over 200 shows coming to the Edmonton Fringe this year. I’m going to stick to shows that I’ve seen already; there will be lots of good shows outside this list. More about that below.

So here are shows that I’ve seen, that are coming to the Edmonton Fringe this year, and that I’m recommending. I’m going to attempt some sort of rough rank order, but, like reviewing, that order is subjective. (Some of the differences in my ranks are miniscule.) Your mileage may vary. Some shows are not for everybody, no matter what my recommendation. Read the reviews carefully.

There are over 25 recommendations below. I don’t expect you’ll see them all. So read the descriptions and reviews and decide which appeal to you personally.

6 Guitars

Returning to the Edmonton Fringe, here’s another chance to catch this sellout show.

2013’s new kid at the Ottawa and Winnipeg Fringes, Chase Padgett, tied for Outstanding Solo Performance Award at the Ottawa Fringe Festival for his wonderful show, 6 Guitars. We saw the 60 minute version in Ottawa. We also saw the (even better) 90 minute version at the 2014 and 2015 Winnipeg Fringe Festivals, and at a benefit for the Ottawa Fringe. How does Padgett keep this show so fresh?

Here’s what Michelle Palansky of CBC Manitoba had to say about Padgett and the 90 minute version in her review: “Chase Padgett himself, who is clearly a superior type of alien being transported to Earth to deliver some fine Fringe fare. See this show.”

The Inventor of All Things

Performance poet Jem Rolls has stepped out of his comfort zone and changed genres from poetry to storytelling. In this case he has researched the story of Leo Szilard, a colleague of Albert Einstein. Together they wrote a number of patents. Szilard escaped Nazi Germany when he realized that German physicists might create an atomic bomb. This was at a time when no one knew that such a bomb was possible. Szilard worked with Enrico Fermi to demonstrate nuclear fission and critical mass. Szilard then drafted a letter for Einstein to send to President Roosevelt to recommend building the atomic bomb before the Nazis did.

Rolls has received critical praise for his story. Alvina Ruprecht of Capital Critics Circle says: elements of Rolls story “stimulate our attention and keep us glued to this history lesson for a whole hour”. Of Rolls himself:

“Jem Rolls is a gem of a performer. Definitely worth seeing.”

Similarly Emily Bradley of Apartment 613 says: “Rolls has created something truly tremendous” and “don’t miss the opportunity to share in Jem Rolls’ passion”.

Alex MacPherson of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix wrote: “Rolls is a deeply compelling speaker. He understands how to use his rich voice and angular body for maximum effect. He is also a good researcher, cobbling together an obscure story from shards and fragments.

The Inventor of All Things is terrific.”

Rolls sold out his last performance at the Ottawa Fringe. He sold out at the Winnipeg Fringe. Go early before he sells out in Edmonton.

Shylock

John D. Huston reprises his 2003 hit, Mark Leiren-Young’s Shylock. His three city tour that year sold out the entire run. Get your tickets early.

A Jewish actor playing Shakespeare’s notorious moneylender, Shylock, as a villain attracts protests and controversy. This response to his critics is still so hot that a certain theatre festival won’t touch it. See why for yourself.

This year, Huston is directed by Natalie Joy Quesnel (52 Pick-Up). Leiren-Young has added a small number of important updates to the script.

Kelly Stifora of CBC Manitoba wrote a glowing review: “It may be Fringe in its scale and cast size, but in what it says, and in Huston’s performance, Shylock encompasses all of what theatre is.”

The Bike Trip

Patrick Langston of the Ottawa Citizen wrote in his review: “Wherever he gets those thought processes, they’re a sheer and hilarious delight to witness, especially since we recognize our own mental leapfrogging, albeit exaggerated, in them. Dockery’s delivery is flawless, his connection with his audience superb, his brain way more fun than any acid trip.”

What can I possibly add?

Channeling Kevin Spacey

From the same duo who also perform Becoming Banksy, this show (about a New York milquetoast who decides to abandon his Kevin Spacey-like persona) pleased huge audiences at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe. It was particularly popular among fans of Hollywood films.

As John Sadoway of CBC Manitoba wrote: “Both actors’ transitions are sharp, shiny and their characterizations use sleaze, smarm or sweetness as appropriate.”

Becoming Banksy

Who is Banksy, the renowned but mysterious graffiti artist?

This sellout show doesn’t actually answer that question, but it quickly became a goto show at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe. The chemistry between David Michaels (Michael Banks) and Jamil Chokachi (dozens of supporting roles) is amazing. Get tickets early, folks.

As Michelle Palansky of CBC Manitoba wrote: Becoming Banksy “may shake you to your very core. Or not. But it’s got a really strong structure, plenty of laughs, and memorable dialogue.”

Shadows in Bloom

After the house lights came up, my wife turned to our friend and asked, “So how did you like the show?”

“Oh, Wow!!!”

Gemma Wilcox tends to have that effect on audience members.

Gemma Wilcox brings back her 2010 hit back to the Edmonton Fringe.

As Bill Bows of Variety wrote: “Wilcox moves easily through the nuances of London’s class-tinged dialects and accents, mixing vocal virtuosity with imaginative expressions and postures to herald each new personality”

Inescapable

This two-hander from Fringe veterans Martin Dockery and Jon Paterson won Dockery an award as Runner-Up for Capital Critics Circle Best Performer. The show had one sellout, and sellouts at the Winnipeg Fringe, so expect sellouts at the Edmonton Fringe.

Dockery’s script has two friends trapped in a time loop at a holiday party. Each repetition reveals a little more intriguing information as the situation becomes darker and darker.

Inescapable drew rave reviews. Capital Critics Circle: “A winner all the way”, “Simply superb”, “Jon Paterson and Martin Dockery have an electric rapport on stage”. On Stage Ottawa: “Inescapable is one of the most polished shows you’ll find at Ottawa Fringe”

Michelle Palansky of CBC Manitoba called it: “an excellent opportunity to let your brain run wild and crazy for an hour.”

God is a Scottish Drag Queen III

Having tried (and failed) to see versions I and II, we finally managed to buy tickets just half an hour before the show sold out on a Saturday night. (We bought a lottery ticket.) Mike Delamont has built up a huge following on the Fringe circuit, so get your tickets early.

As self-professed Drag Queen virgin, Joff Schmidt wrote: “God here is exactly what you expect — the towering Delamont dressed in drag, and imparting her wisdom in a thick Scottish brogue. It’s irreverent, and gently sacrilegious, but mostly played for good laughs.”

Zach Zultana: Space Gigolo

This new show from Jeff Leard (The Show Must Go On) is a combination of space soap opera and union/mining company conflict. The script makes the low budgets of touring Fringe performances an asset. Playwright Ron Fromstein replaces hugely complicated and expensive cinematic effects with Leard’s considerable physical theatre skills. Leard paints the special effects so vividly with his words and actions that the described effects appear in the audience’s imaginations instead.

As Barb Popel of Apartment 613 wrote: “if you love a good story, put Zach Zultana: Space Gigolo on your ‘must see’ list.”

On Stage Ottawa thought enough of Zach Zultana to send three reviewers to see it. They wrote: “Easily the funniest scripted show at Ottawa Fringe and a do not miss.” “Your Fringe is not complete until you’ve seen Zach Zultana: Space Gigolo.”This is a show that deserves to be selling out!”

Nantucket

This sleeper had local Ottawa Storytellers buzzing amongst themselves. We lost track of the number of people who asked us: “Have you seen Nantucket yet?” In spite of this, the show stayed beneath most people’s radar.

Performer Mark Kenward kept Emily Bradley of Apartment 613 engaged throughout the 80 minute show. She wrote: “By the end of the play I was hanging off his words and the edge of my seat.”

Valerie Cardinal of On Stage Ottawa wrote: ”Kenward is an expert; he knows how to draw in his audience using eye contact, movement and body language.” This should be no surprise, given that Kenward directed Howard Petrick in Breaking Rank!.

Teaching Shakespeare

Did you miss this show when Keir Cutler brought it to the Edmonton Fringe in 2009? You have another chance at a show with a LONG history of performances and positive reviews.

Katie Nicholson of CBC Manitoba wrote in her review last year: “A seasoned performer, Cutler has precise and playful comic timing”

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

From the moment when Hunter S. Thompson (Adam Keefe) flyered us on Winnipeg’s Main Street, we knew we had to see this portrayal of Thompson’s alternate ego, Raoul Duke.

“When the going gets weird,” Thompson wrote, “the weird turn pro.”

Joff Schmidt of CBC Manitoba added: “Keefe is both in this mad, but clever, adaptation.”

This in-your-face performance blasts the fourth wall to smithereens. If you want fringey, this is for you. But even if you’re not a risk taker, the audience was a widely mixed demographic; they all seemed to love it.

RiderGirl

This is a little show that could.

RiderGirl has stirred up #RiderNation in Winnipeg, Regina, Ottawa, Hamilton, Estevan and Calgary. Calgary’s show was held over an extra night. Saskatchewan Roughriders fans flock to this show wherever it plays, wearing green. Word of mouth has preceded it to each new city or town that it plays. The Roughriders quarterbacks coach, Khari Jones, booked a private performance for his team’s players. And included Regina Mayor Michael Fougere.

CBC’s The National sent reporter Bonnie Allen to Estevan to report on the phenomenon. See the video.

But it isn’t just Riders fans who love this show. In Winnipeg, Bombers fans turned up in blue and gold (there’s a special price for audience members wearing CFL gear). The Bombers sent two mascots to the premiere.  Each new location draws more critical acclaim and testimonials. A Christian radio station in Winnipeg gave the show a 4 1/2 star review in spite of over 30 instances of strong language. (Hey, it’s football.)

“This play is not just for football fans.” (Nicole Williams review at Hamilton Fringe.) You don’t have to be a CFL fan or a football fan to like RiderGirl. Even people who hate football love this feel good story of seeking passion and accomplishment in your job in the face of adversity.

Apparently many Rider and CFL fans in Edmonton missed this show in 2013. Let them know that they’re lucky to have another chance.

No Belles

Let’s be up front about this. I’d like to see No Belles performed in high schools across North America. This terrific script played to packed houses at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe. Actresses will be jealous of Jade Hobbs, Melissa Murray, and Melissa Schenter who get to tell these tales of well-known and little-known women in science.

Bradley Sawatzky of CBC Manitoba wrote: “these tales, these educational stories, are doled out as treasures to be savoured with love and awe.”

Late breaking news: No Belles won Best of Festival at the Saskatoon Fringe!

Eleanor’s Story: An American Girl in Hitler’s Germany

This harrowing tale is not for the faint of heart. This adaptation of Ingrid Garner’s grandmother’s autobiography yields a child’s view of Nazi culture and the war it produced. A child forced by events around her to grow up far too quickly.

Word of mouth made this show a sellout early at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe. Line up early and get a seat close to the front and in the middle.

Al Rae of CBC Manitoba (and co-creator of Little Mosque on the Prairie) wrote: “Garner honours her grandmother in this production which, although harrowing, is well worth attending. Exceptional!”

2 For Tea

Don’t look for James and Jamesy to solve the problems of the world with exploratory discussion of redeeming social value. This is cotton-candy summer entertainment. Delightfully so.

James and Jamesy did so well with this show last year on the Fringe circuit that they’ve brought it back to the Edmonton Fringe. You now have another chance to see it if you missed it because of sellouts.

Dana Ewachow of Mooney on Theatre captured it well here: “2 For Tea is a play that really understands how to please an audience. The play entertains with physical whimsy, delightful props, and general silliness.”

High Tea

If you like(d) 2 For Tea, then check out this entertaining sequel whose expanded scope requires the participation of the entire audience. This time, Jamesy’s imagination floods the stage to epic proportions.

This was a sellout at last year’s Winnipeg Fringe, so get your tickets early. As Kevin Prokosh of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote: “Their characterization is so nuanced, the choreography so precise, they don’t have to do much to be entertaining.”.

Mars

Fringe patrons are very familiar with Jayson McDonald as a versatile solo performer (Giant Invisible Robot, Underbelly). They’re typically less familiar with him as a playwright. I expect that Mars will change that. This two-hander intertwines two stories expertly performed by Valerie Cotic and Mark Nocent.

As Allan Mackey of OnStage Ottawa wrote: “Mars is at the same time tragic and hopeful. It’s both stirring and smart. It’s engaging and a wonderful piece of Science Fiction.”

The Seven Lives of Louis Riel

I’ve read several reviews of Ryan Gladstone’s performance, including this review by Pat St. Germain of CBC Manitoba: “tempered with a massive dose of salty humour, Gladstone’s play is, ultimately, a tribute. And a terrifically funny one at that.”

None of these reviews mentioned the one thing that truly impressed us on seeing his opening night performance at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe: the way Gladstone built a rapport with his late night audience. By the end of the hour, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand.

What a wonderful way to end our first night of Winnipeg Fringe!

Truth or Dare?

We caught this improv duo on speculation last year and we’re glad we did. Mullan and Northan promise improvisation based on truth and dare to deliver. Every show is going to be different, but they lived up to their promises when we saw it. Some of their improv was so deeply revealing that I was deeply touched and definitely impressed.

As Matt TenBruggencate of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote: “while the improv is deft, leaning heavily on mental rather than physical comedy, the real heart of the show is watching two friends hang out. There are as many laughs between scenes as inside them.”

If you missed them last year at the Edmonton Fringe, catch them this year.

2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick: A Dirk Darrow Investigation

This show was so popular on the Fringe circuit last year that Tim Motley has decided to bring it back. It sold out at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe.

Since this is a prequel to Tim Motley’s Dirk Darrow NCSSI, you don’t have to have seen Motley’s previous Fringe show. Ruby Knockers is even more popular, having won a Patron’s Pick at last year’s Winnipeg Fringe. As Pat St. Germain of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote: “Amazing card tricks, mind games and groaners galore add up to 60 minutes, or more, of pure entertainment”. Keep your pencils for use during the show.

Beau and Aero

Flyering works. This couple of clowns seemed to come out of nowhere (Portland, Oregon actually) to try their luck on the Fringe circuit. They flyered us the first evening of this year’s Winnipeg Fringe and made us laugh. So we decided to see their show. They made us laugh some more. This sweet, family-friendly clown show tugs at the audience’s heart strings.

Stephanie McKay of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix writes: “Though he has plenty of his own comedic moments, Beau (David Cantor) is typically the foil to Aero’s (Amica Hunter) sweet mischief. Their balance, including literal balance, and chemistry are spot-on.”

If you can, bring kids.

There is audience participation in this show. No seat in the theatre is safe, but don’t worry, this isn’t Red Bastard. Aero will treat you kindly and Beau is a gentleman.

Warning: Aero may steal your heart.

How Often Do I Dream

This sleeper quickly got a lot of buzz on the street at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe.

One of the advantages of the Fringe circuit is that you have a chance to see shows unlike anything you’ve seen before. I don’t remember ever seeing a show like this one. If you like Fringey, this is for you.

Fringey or not, what is also impressive was the wide audience appeal that eventually drew sellout crowds. Get your tickets early.

Rosie Fernandez of CBC Manitoba wrote: “How Often Do I Dream is a profoundly touching experience you will not soon forget.”

Nothing to Declare

At first glance this set of personal travel stories seems like a simple travelogue. What you’d expect sitting in a train station swapping stories with other fellow travellers. But…

Erik de Waal spices up the tales with a much larger context that makes this worth an hour of your time.

As Cam Fuller of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix wrote: “The monologue is well delivered and cleverly structured. He leaves and returns to a long hitch hiking trip across South Africa, bringing the politics of racism and resistance into the picture.”

Grandma’s Dead

Sam Mullins has built up a well-deserved following on the Fringe circuit with Weaksauce, The Untitled Sam Mullins Project, and Tinfoil Dinosaur. As a storyteller he has appeared on the popular podcasts The Moth and Risk! He (like Peter ’n’ Chris) is one of the writers of CBC Radio’s The Irrelevant Show.

As the title indicates, this new show (premiered in Winnipeg) takes a more serious bent than previously. His fans will want to add this show to their collection, if only for his portrayal of a deer.

As Kelly Stifora of CBC Manitoba wrote: “his performance as a deer in a couple of scenes is almost worth the admission price on its own.”

I saw only 59 shows at the Winnipeg Fringe, and 31 at the Ottawa Fringe this year. Consequently I haven’t seen all the shows touring to the Edmonton Fringe. Nor have I seen any of the local productions. Plus my tastes don’t necessarily match yours. So go see some shows that I haven’t recommended.

Also, don’t just hit the indoor shows. Edmonton Fringe has the biggest outdoor Fringe in North America. Catch The Circus Firemen on the Outdoor Stage. There are also 34 buskers coming to the Edmonton Fringe. Check the daily busker schedule for magician Keith Brown.

Happy Fringing!