"110% Wizard”, Fringe Festival, Native Earth's Aki Studio, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw 110% Wizard with Keith Brown, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival, this afternoon. We discovered Keith at Fringe in 2022 and have been going to see him every year since. His show is a combo of magic and storytelling.

"Celine and Cher: Divine Divas”, Fringe Festival, Factory Theatre, Toronto, ON

I saw Celine and Cher: Divine Divas, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival, this afternoon. It was free to see for volunteers. 

Marysia told stories about Celine and Cher and encouraged us to sing some of their songs with her.

"Romeo and Juliet, Part 1 - Shakespeare: Say It!”, Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I saw Romeo and Juliet, Part 1 - Shakespeare: Say It!, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival, this afternoon. It was free to see for volunteers.

It was a fun way to experience Shakespeare. There was lots of audience participation since we read aloud as a group the conversations and did what was in the screen. Plus we were given individual parts if we wanted (I was the nurse and Lord Capulet) and read aloud when they “spoke”. Dana was amazing acting out the bits in between.

Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering at The Toronto Fringe Festival (my last of four shifts) at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District.

I ushered and got to see Sincerely, E and Cult Following.

“Tango After Midnight”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Tarragon Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Tango After Midnight, part of the Toronto Fringe Festival, this evening at the Tarragon Theatre (north of Bathurst Street and Dupont Street).

The two dancers were fabulous! There was an accompanying video that explained the story as they went along and it could have been brighter.

"Evie and Alfie: A Very British Love Story", Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I used a voucher I got for voluntering and saw Evie and Alfie: A Very British Love Story, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival. It was cute and well done.

"Jon Bennett: American’t", Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I used a voucher I got for voluntering and saw Jon Bennett: American't, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival. It was a funny show.

Fringe Festival, Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering (my third of four shifts) at The Toronto Fringe Festival at Theatre Passe Muraille (Ryerson Avenue, north of Queen Street W).

I ushered so got to see The Wounds of Love and Other Gifts and A Non-Canonical Musical Adventure With Pookamhura: Mistress Of B-Roll.

Fringe Festival, Sweet Action Theatre, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering (my second of four shifts) at The Toronto Fringe Festival at Sweet Action Theatre at Youngspace (Shaw Street, north of Queen Street W).

I ushered so got to see Tortoise, the Hare and the Truth and El Jefe.

"Dead Lucky", Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Dead Lucky, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival. It was good.

I used a voucher I'd gotten for volunteering today for my ticket.

Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering at The Toronto Fringe Festival (my first of four shifts) at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District ... it's my fourth year volunteering.

It got there a bit early and walked around the Distillery District.

“Mysteries & Lies”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Sweet Action Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Mysteries & Lies with James Alan, part of the Toronto Fringe Festival, this evening at the Sweet Action Theatre at Youngspace (Shaw Street, north of Queen Street W). 

Some people lie to themselves and say magic isn't real. Some people lie to themselves and say that it is. James Alan—an actual magician—creates an unrepeatable, interactive hour; built live, in the room, with you. Your choices will leave you lying awake in bed at three o’clock in the morning wondering if the people in charge of the universe are personally messing with you.

Magicians always amaze me and I’m still trying to figure out how James Alan did what he did. Fun show with lots of audience participation and worth seeing!

“Me and You and the Highland Coo”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

While volunteering for The Toronto Fringe Festival this afternoon at the TD Finance Studio at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, I got to see Me and You and the Highland Coo.

Gord and I were in Scotland in the fall of 2023 so it was fun to relive it! There was lots of amusing audience participation.

Buckle up because Jackie and Charlie have a plan: road trip across Scotland, find the perfect Highland coo, and definitely not think about their problems back home in Canada. With carpool karaoke, trivia and too many snacks, what could go wrong? All that’s missing, is you!

Starring an award-winning Montreal cast, ‘Me and You and the Highland Coo’ is a heartfelt and hilarious road trip adventure about hope, friendship and change, with a hint of magic.

“Acting Lessons”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

While volunteering for The Toronto Fringe Festival this afternoon at the TD Finance Studio at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, I got to see Acting Lessons. I met the actors and their team last evening on the Fringe patio so was looking forward to it. 

When Molly and Keegan meet at a callback, it’s practically love at first sight. Fast forward a few years, and the honeymoon phase has dwindled a bit. Trying to make ends meet as a couple of actors in the city is no easy feat! Molly is working overtime on a junior Shakespeare production and struggling to get auditions. Keegan is a part-time server and auditioning around the clock. With two different work ethics and approaches to the craft, tensions rise as Molly’s career takes a step back and Keegan’s propels forward …

It was really good. The range of emotions between the actors was very realistic, not surprising since they are partners in real life. They have one more show tomorrow, which is sold out. 

“Bitty-Bat and Friends”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I  saw Bitty-Bat and Friends, part of the The Toronto Fringe Festival at Soulpepper’s Tank House Theatre this afternoon.

Join Bitty-Bat as she charms and intimidates the audience deep into her world, only to be interrupted by a strange know-it-all voice interfering with her daily rituals. Each Bitty-Bat performance will feature a guest opening act, making every show an incredible night to remember!

I discovered Bitty-Bat at the Comedy is Art Festival at The Theatre Centre in October and thought she was a hoot … and she was again today. Just two shows left and you should go check it out!