Hamilton Fringe Reviews 2012

The Actor’s Nightmare

Billy Walsh, Brantford, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Christopher Durang
Featuring (cast list): Steve Bain, Tara Jones, Layna Lowe, Victor Kulinski, Samantha MacAlonen
Show Type: black comedy
Plot Summary:
In a dream turned nightmare, mild-mannered accountant and non-actor George Spelvin – who “presumably” knows his lines – is thrust on to the stage to replace an ailing actor. Having no knowledge of what play he’s in (it doesn’t help that it keeps changing) and, in an aside to the audience, George tells us that he has lost his faith so, literally and spiritually, he’s winging it. Thankfully for George’s sake, no one can really die in a nightmare.
Show length:        50    (minutes)
Performance Schedule

Awkward Jack

Perplexed Productions, Stoney Creek, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Esther Huh
Featuring:   Tyler Brent, Allison Edwards-Crewe, Esther Huh
Show Type: Comedy
Audience: General Entertainment
Plot Summary:
Winnie is awkward. But it’s not really her fault that she always finds herself in uncomfortable situations and never says the right thing. It’s Awkward Jack’s fault. Winnie would tell him to go away if it weren’t for the fact that Awkward Jack is her imaginary friend, embedded in her sub-conscious. Plus, saying that to him might be awkward. Awkward Jack is a lighthearted, comedic play about girl finding herself with a little help from her imaginary friend.
Performance Schedule

Betrayal

NorteSur Artistic Productions, Burlington, Ontario
Playwright/Author:  Harold Pinter
Featuring (cast list): Mischa Aravena, Chad Thurlow, Kayla Whelan,
Plot Summary:
Written by Nobel Prize winning writer Harold Pinter, and considered one of his major works, Betrayal uses common discourse as a battlefield of hidden emotions and veiled motivations, face-saving dishonesty, and self deception. Pinter probes the corrosive nature of betrayal through the multiple dimensions of infidelity, disloyalty in friendship and unfaithfulness to one’s life purpose.
Intended Audience:  Mature Audience
Show length:   90 minutes
Performance Schedule

Broken Butterfly

Unicorn Productions, Burlington, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Sondra Learn
Featuring: Valeri Kay and Kirsten Feldner-Brown.  The music for the songs in the play has been composed by Paul Kennedy of Hamilton.
Plot Summary:
“I turned the dial until I had a shiny, sharp new blade.  I was shaking but I made six straight perfect cuts on each arm.  It hurt but the pain made me feel better, calmer.  And I could breathe again.”    Caitlin, 16, is in a psychiatric hospital and a self-injurer.  Her psychiatrist, Dr. Althea , has demons of her own which come to the surface  and threaten Caitlin’s recovery.  “THE WAY IN IS THE WAY OUT”.
Show length: 50 (minutes)
Performance Schedule

Charlie: A Hockey Story

Jim Sands Presents, Vancouver, BC
Playwright/Author:  Jim Sands (with contributions from Wong Wing-Siu and Thomas Jones)
Featuring (cast): Jim Sands
Plot Summary:
Hockey meets Shakespeare for a rock ‘em, sock ‘em theatrical experience! Using music, storytelling and acting Jim weaves a tale about his love of Shakespeare, his father’s love of hockey and the important lesson in forgiveness he learned while exploring the NHL career of an uncle he never met — Charlie Sands, who played during the ‘30s and ‘40s for the Leafs, Bruins and Habs. “A human story about relationships and perseverance and family and mistakes and triumphs.” (Plank Magazine)
Performance Schedule

The Cooking Show

Riverslea Productions, Campbellville, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Ray Z Rivers
Featuring (cast list):  Sonny Goldstein, Jasmine d’Costa, Rachel Grasby, Dimitrios Tsirgiellis, Ray Rivers
Plot Summary:
Mario has his own highly successful cooking show on the Food Network but his wife Betty can’t stand his cooking.  Mario takes her on a trip to France to relax and lower his blood pressure but our hero gets all steamed up and boils over while visiting the famous restaurant where Julia Child once ate. A little cheesecake and beefcake add spice to the comedic mix. The only Fringe show that feeds its audience. From Julia Child to Jamie Oliver, this is one comedy that leaves you feeling like you’ve had a full meal.  And you will get fed in this show.
Show length:        85    (minutes)
Performance Schedule

Dairy-Free Love

Savory Entertainment, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Victoria Murdoch
Featuring: Victoria Murdoch, Directed by Susan Wilby
Plot Summary:
Marrying a Naval Officer and living by the Sea sounded right out of a fantasy, but real life isn’t that simple…Meet Dawn, 1950’s housewife wannabe, and hostess of nightly Internet cooking show “Dawn’s Delights.” Come for the food, (made live onstage!) and stay for the laugh-out-loud stories, and touching personal discoveries as Dawn invites you into her home, her life and her heart.  Dairy-Free Love is an emotionally fulfilling treat that will leave you wanting seconds.
Show length:        55    (minutes)
Performance Schedule

Desperate Church Wives

Under The Blood Productions, Mississauga, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Diane L. Johnstone
Featuring: Diane L. Johnstone
Show Type: comedy/drama
Audience:   Mature Audience (18 and over)
Plot Summary:
One woman show, portraying 6 characters, in the modern day version, of  biblical story, about Prophet Hosea and his prostitute wife, Gomer. Isn’t she the Sunday school teacher??? Arrested, with picture in the newspaper! The words out!!! Bourgeoisie southern-belle, Clarissa dares to say, ‘that hoe has to go!’ Elder, Grandma Word recounts, ‘I thought you and her was friends?‘ Church women are upset!!! Come join this church meetin’. Refreshments served.
Show length: 60 minutes
Performance Schedule

The Donnelly Sideshow

Ausable Theatre, London, Ontario
Playwright/Author:   Jeff Culbert
Featuring (cast list):   Jeff Culbert
Show Type:   Storytelling with dramatization and songs
Audience: General Entertainment
Plot Summary:
The family came to be known as “The Black Donnellys”. But Johnny O’Connor, the boy who hid under the bed during the Donnelly murders of 1880, is all grown up, packing a guitar and ready to set the record straight.
Show length:    55 minutes
Performance Schedule

Drafts

Fulcrum Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Aaron Jan
Show Type:  Drama/Dance/Physical Theatre
Plot Summary:
“Drafts” is an experimental piece of theatre about validation, connections and moving on. Using a fusion of ensemble-based choreography, movement, music and text, “Drafts” is a love story that explores the rejection, obsessions and bonds that come with the journey of the emerging artist. Originally mentored and workshopped by Lauren Brotman as a part of the 2012 Paprika Festival in Toronto, “Drafts” asks its audience why – at the very end of it all – “we do what we do.”
Show length:    50 minutes
Performance Schedule

Drive-Up Counter of the Universe

Gadabout Productions, Hamilton, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Lesley Strutt
Featuring: Janine Heaven.  Directed by Al French
Plot Summary:
After suffering a tragic accident, Julia looks at her life retrospectively believing that in life you are given many choices. The gift is how you respond to them. Julia believes you can create the life you dream of living by making the right choice.
The Drive-Up Counter of the Universe written by renowned Ottawa poet, Lesley Strutt, is the winner of the 2012 Hamilton Fringe Playwriting Competition.
Show length:    45 minutes
Performance Schedule

Ganga’s Ganja

Red Betty Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario
Playwright/Author:  Radha S Menon
Featuring: Ashima Suri, Asha Vijayasigham, Ronica Sajnani, Tony Sciara, Ernie Tollar (music)
Show Type:  Drama with dance/musical elements
Plot Summary:
Ganga’s Ganja is a dramatic play, about two sisters living together in a downtown flat. Having quit her job, Ganga cares for her invalid sister, Mena who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Finding marijuana to be the only substance to effectively ease Mena’s debilitating symptoms, the sisters grow cannabis on their secluded to avoid cruising seedy streets at night in search of the drug. Their crop is stolen one night and thrusts them into misery.
Show length:    64 minutes
Performance Schedule

The Girl in the Window

Cross Culture Productions, Brantford, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Samuel Chang and Derek Hung
Featuring: Tom Costie, Allison Warwick, Carissa Bowerman, Jesse Horvath, Hannah Wayne
Show Type: Tragedy, Drama
Plot Summary:
Witness the story of a young director struggling to capture an honest portrayal of Anne Frank, who finds the answer beyond the boundaries of the rehearsal space and the stage, in a realm that brings the truth of our dreams to life.
Have you ever found the gate to realizing your most precious dream? Wouldn’t you walk through that door if you could? That is the story of Hal Hammond, a  director who struggles to find a theatrical portrayal of Anne Frank that speaks the truth. Through his desperate search, Hal’s realizes that bringing Anne Frank to life must be found beyond the stage in a way that has never been imagined.
Show length:     60 minutes
Performance Schedule

Here Not There

GOTB Productions, Hamilton, Ontario
Playwright/Author: David Laing Dawson
Featuring:  Vince Carlin and Jo Skilton
Show Type: Drama, but let’s not get too serious.
Plot Summary:
In their golden years Charles and Shirley have downsized to a small Condominium. Charles comes home one night very late, a little drunk, carrying a mysterious box. He has decided this is the night he and his wife should confront their failures, their diminishing opportunities, the state of the world, and the very meaning of life. Shirley would rather go back to bed.
Show length:        55    minutes
Performance Schedule

Jump! A Musical From The Edge

Third Kid Productions, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author:  Toni Maggio
Featuring:  Toni Maggio, Chris New and AJ Vaage.
Show Type:  A Musical Comedy
Plot Summary:
Mayor Plush is cutting funding to community programs and the people of Big City are powerless to oppose him. That is, until a desperate employee climbs out her window, getting the attention of not only a handsome rookie cop, but also the entire city. From Third Kid Productions, the same company that brought you Missed Connections – winner of the 2011 Hamilton Fringe Patrons Pick Award. This is a musical- comedy that you don’t want to miss!
Show length:   45   minutes
Performance Schedule

Lies, Damn Lies and Magic Tricks

Abracadabret, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author: James Alan
Featuring: James Alan
Show Type: Theatrical Magic
Plot Summary:
What wouldn’t we give to know whether someone was telling the truth? What if someone told you he was lying, but you believed him anyway?
What if a magician held the secrets to making money without working? To becoming a perfect judge of character? To making you smarter? To know what you were about think and do before you did?
What if it were true? Would it be real or just a bunch of Lies, Damn Lies and Magic Tricks?
Show length: 60 minutes
Performance Schedule

Lost Identities

MEMORIES PRODUCTIONS Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaA BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) at the PEARL COMPANY THEATRE – 16 Steven Street
Playwright/Author: Mr. X, AJ Hodges
Featuring:     Philip Zelazny, Robbie Brewer
Show Type: Lost Identities is a life drama– a true story
Plot Summary:
One man is challenged to do the right thing – keeping silent or reporting an extortion to the authorities. He calls them, and his life goes from a semi-conventional existence to an inconceivable aberrant reality where nothing normal can be taken for granted ever again. Not even now.
Show length:  90 minutes
Performance Schedule

Maria Biasi Loved the German Soldiers

Winepress Productions, Hamilton, Ontario
Playwright/Author:   Angelo Costanzo
Featuring:     Heather Baer, Tamara Kamermans, Rose Pye, Kitty Varley, Anna Maria Morris.  Directed by Dia Frid
Show Type: Tragicomedy
Plot Summary:
Concetta, Rachele, Luigina, Assunta and Teresa are farm workers in southern Ontario.  They were all born in southern Italy before WWII and  share an earthy sense of humour and their heritage.. and when one of their own shows that she is not “one of them”.. well, what is one to do but show her what is right…?  Just like Maria Biasi – who ran off with the German soldiers.. Tolerance, Bullying, Culpability. Challenging words, aren’t they?
Show length:   60 minutes
Performance Schedule

Occupy: The Musical!

Sustainable You Productions, Hamilton, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Michael Nabert, Peter Ormond, Margaret Bardos
Featuring: Michael Nabert, Peter Ormond, Margaret Bardos
Show Type:  A Playfully Seditious Musical Call To Arms
Other  : Occupy the Musical presents serious threats to established social and political dogma.  Theatregoers having faith in the wisdom of free market economics in particular are warned that such comforting beliefs may be willfully brutalized by this production.
Plot Summary:
Robin Hood was right.  For generations, as productivity rose, incomes and quality of life followed.  Suddenly, productivity skyrocketed, 99% of incomes declined, and 1% enjoyed all the gains.  It wasn’t spoken of much; we lost our voice for a while. Now we’ve found it again, but did camping change anything?  Whether you saw an annoying hippie drum circle or game changing heroism, encampments were only act one. 99% includes you, and our time has come.  Come hear how we win.
Show length:          57 minutes
Performance Schedule

One Flew Over the Cubicle

Awe! Theatre, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Janice Israeloff and Michael Smith
Featuring: Janice Israeloff
Show Type: Comedy/Drama
Plot Summary:
Pathologically optimistic Libby Gutman embarks on a hellishly hilarious journey through a variety of telemarketing jobs searching for meaningful work. She learns about phone sex, cold calling, corporate call centres and how to love someone who has forgotten your name.
Show length: 60 minutes
Performance Schedule

Out of Mind! (Back in Five)

Majik Man Productions, Hamilton, Ontario
Playwright / Author:  Robert LP Savoie
Featuring:  Shilo Nelson, Jennifer Sherk. Director: Chris Shaver
Show Type: DRAMA
Plot Summary:
No one grows up saying they’ll get involved with Street Life, panhandling, prostitution, the drug scene etc.  We all have dreams, but what if one day Street Life becomes your reality and your worst nightmares come to life?   This happens to Raivynn, and from that moment on, everyone looks down on her.  As she slips further into the life, she overdoses and falls into a deep coma.  Yet this nightmare just might be her ticket back from a lonely trip.
Show length:  60 minutes
Performance Schedule

Paul & Marie

RGV Productions, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Roberto Angelini
Featuring: Roberto Angelini, Genevieve Jack-Sadiwnyk, Luis Arrojo, Ryan Jeffrey, Brandon Zakkai
Show Type: Comedy
Plot Summary:
A comedy exploring the lives of Paul and Marie Gianetti. They are tired of the nine-to-five grind and decide to risk everything they have been told should make them happy (job, home, marriage) for a dream of becoming artists.
When life gets you down, your job depresses you and marriage is not the answer, what do you do? Paul & Marie risk their sanity to pursue a dream; a dream to discover what truly makes them happy.
Genre: Comedy, Clown
Show length:  90 minutes
Performance Schedule

Pickin’ N’ Shtick

Global Village Idiot Productions, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Tony Molesworth
Featuring (cast list):  Tony Molesworth
Show Type:  Comedy Banjo Variety.
Plot Summary:
Tony Molesworth Has created his 4TH new Hip-Larious Fringe show “Pickin n’ Shtick” A hip-larious ban-joke-ahloic rollercoaster of funny banjo songs, parodies, variety and cartoon 1 liners.
Show length:  50 minutes
Performance Schedule

Significant Me

Dutch Girl Productions, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Christel Bartelse
Featuring: Christel Bartelse
Show Type:   Comedy
Plot Summary:
A comic romp about a headstrong woman who married herself and now that the honeymoon phase is over, struggles with the demands of married life.
Show length:        60     minutes
Performance Schedule

That the Multitude May Live

Bandler Corp, Dundas, Ontario
Playwright/Author: John Bandler
Featuring:  Brenna Rae MacNaughton, Steve O’Brien,  Matt Szpirglas
Show Type:  Science Fiction, Psychological Drama
Plot Summary:
Decades from now, in an era of altered realities, mind-augmentation and institutional terrorism, the dirty bombing of the Luton Maxwell Tower leaves Manhattan uninhabitable. Actress Naomi Verne, believed to have perished alongside billionaire-inventor Luton Maxwell, challenges Walter O’Dwyer, the new President of the American Union—the man she calls Daddy—to a rendezvous. Now on board the hyper-yacht “Luton Maxwell” a struggle ensues between the players—one of whom seems all but dead.
Show length:    60   minutes
Performance Schedule

Trashman’s Dilemma

Scruffy Productions, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author/Director: Bruce Gooch
Featuring: Michael Adam Hogan, Eric Bleyendaal, Andrei Preda
Show Type:  Sci Fi Dystopian Dramedy
Plot Summary:
Two soldiers; an elite Sock Troop and a cannon fodder Disposable end up in a building where their telecommunication doesn’t work and they have to “speak and go vocal the old fashioned way” to communicate. They are confronted by Pale Person, the single strange occupant of the dead- zone building who has the ability to disappear. Pale Person has an agenda; one of the soldiers will live and one will die.
A crazed killer with a dark past, a lost soul with no direction, and a hopeful hermit jaded by the world must work together to unlock mankind’s only hope in an oppressive world. This intense psychological thriller follows two “Trashmen” and a mysterious “Pale Person” who, although living under the oppressive CORP regime, find sanctuary in a theatre and re-discover language, the power of words, friendship, and their purpose.
Show length:    60  minutes
Performance Schedule

Two Weird Ladies Bomb the Fringe

Two Weird Ladies, Toronto, Ontario
Playwright/Author: Laura Salvas and Mandy Sellers
Featuring: Laura Salvas, Mandy Sellers
Show Type: Sketch Comedy
Plot Summary:
Take neuroses, paranoia and lack of sleep and you get weird. Follow Two Weird Ladies through a labyrinth of eccentric sketch comedy spun from reality, insanity, awkwardness and rage. Be prepared for a smart, fun, fast-paced show designed to self-destruct in 60 minutes.
Show length:  60  minutes
Performance Schedule

Wealth Secrets

Superior Anti-Theatre Company, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Playwright: A.I. Tolvanen
Featuring: Dennis Dubinsky, Riitta Uusitalo, Uko Abara, Dixie Adduono, Aaron Proud, Graem Thacker, Martti Ahonen
Show type: anti-drama
Plot Summary:
The story tells of an African whose Freetown home is destroyed by diamond pillaging rebels and thereafter flees to Canada. After the newcomer and a  Canadian boss discover possible blood diamonds among the investment products their company deals in, their careers take a sudden downturn as the company, with back-up from the regulators, tries to lose them and cover up everything.

The play thus tries to provide insights into  the paradox of how in a society like Canada, where citizens celebrate basic rights and freedoms, the financial industry is able to turn these same citizens into “investors” who form multinational resource and other companies which often trample the rights and freedoms in the poorer countries.
Show length:    60    minutes
Performance Schedule

Working at the Dollar Store – an Opera

This Bag is Not a Toy Productions, Hamilton, ON
Playwright/Author: Lydia and Cinzia Di Franco
Featuring: Lydia Di Franco, Cinzia Di Franco, Robyn Bennett
Show Type: Musical Comedy
Plot Summary:
Olivia, lives in Italy but is disillusioned by how expensive everything is. She travels to Canada to work for her uncle’s dollar store.   Avast! Will inflation cause the store to become a *gasp* $2 store? Also what’s up with the mysterious pizza store owner next door? Can Olivia adjust to Canadian life by watching the Nonna News Network? Singing and hilarity ensues.
Show length:    60 (minutes)
Performance Schedule