Click Here and Here to listen to our Fringe Audio Preview.

Click Here to find our Fringe Landing Page where reviews will be posted throughout the festival.

 

My Own Private Shakespeare (A-)

I loved this unassuming solo show that seamlessly weaves Shakespearean text into a personal story that wields its unadorned realism strongly enough to somehow hit the one-two-three punch of marriage strife, a family death, and a medical crisis without ever slipping into overdramatic territory. Writer/performer Justin Hay’s dramaturgy is next level and his scholarship is clearly strong as he cleverly pulls exactly the right lines of text for each beat of his story, slipping in and out of verse with perfect ease. A must-see for any fellow members of the Shakespeare cult or anyone looking for strong direct address storytelling.

 

CAMP! (A-)

With a cast from the Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts, this original musical set at a summer camp is a perfect use of young actors. Teenagers just straight up can’t play adults (see below) and adults very rarely can play convincing teenagers so this work is, refreshingly, in exactly the right hands. It helps that Bravo’s supplied an ensemble of really solid kids, every one of whom has strong vocal chops and at least a passing grade in the rest of the triple threat. The floor is high with Ben Kopp’s charming but samesy score and Margot Greve’s direction fills the stage with lots of action. Cameron Kuwayti and Alicia Gonçalves’ younger sibling characters are a highlight but Greve’s book could use a second subplot to keep things from dragging (Fern Wallenberg’s go-getter Clara has real “main character relegated to sidekick” energy, I would have loved to hear more from that perspective). While there may be some pacing issues, the book’s central story is surprisingly complex for such a light piece, bringing a deft hand and optimistic eye to the absolute devastation of growing apart.

 

The Astros (B)

A blazing performance from Emma Cuzzocrea as team hothead Scotty is the centrepiece of this ensemble drama about high school hockey players. The script could use more story focus but the character development is strong and the capable ensemble fleshes out their archetypes admirably.

 

Questing Through Life (C+)

Great practical effects help lift up this shaggy adventure about a group of friends whose D&D game starts rippling into real life. With a super young cast and a surprise moral that I think is maybe about the dangers of capitalism(?), there’s a bright earnest energy fuelling this passion project and I liked the lack of easy answers in the bittersweet ending. I attended the opening day preview so there’s room for some of the kinks to iron themselves out a bit more but this piece could still use polish.

 

War Dog (C)

Heartfelt and earnest, Mike D. Smith’s autobiographical solo show tells the story of his upbringing in a military family and the solace he finds in the companionship of a stray dog he befriends on base. At the preview performance that opened the festival, Smith’s performance was marred by some memory issues that I assume were more nerves than ill preparation and are likely to resolve as the festival continues. More consistent use of his visual aids and some dramaturgical tightening could certainly elevate the piece and give it more of a clear throughline but Smith’s infectiously joyful ending is surely what his show will be remembered for.