Toronto Fringe is back with its Next Stage Festival; similar to Fringe, it’s short form works which are now in their next stage of development. This year’s festival is their sixteenth year giving artists another opportunity to showcase their works and their talents on the Toronto Fringe stage. The whole festival takes place at Buddies in Bad Times theatre and there are some impressive works on display. I was able to take in all six shows in just two nights, and I’ll be discussing them in the order in which I attended the productions. You’re definitely going to want to check out this amazing festival and everything they have on offer this year!

Scantily Glad Theatre’s “Something in the Water”

Travelling to us all the way from Saskatoon is S.E. Grummett and their fabulous show Something in the Water. This solo show, directed by Deanna Fleysher, is a beautifully absurd look at the gender norms society has set out for us and what happens when we stray outside of those norms. Taking parts of their own experience with their gender and transitioning, Something in the Water is unique and delightful from start to finish.

I loved the multi-media elements in this production: everything from video to live shots, to puppetry and more, Something in the Water has it all. It makes for an entertaining and interactive experience between the audience and Grumms which is so quintessentially Fringe Festival. The story is the true focus of the work, and it certainly gets its point across about the ridiculousness of our gender binary system and the fear (and fear mongering) directed towards those who do not strictly adhere to it.

The blend of comedy and heartfelt moments makes Something in the Water a pleasure to witness, and the message of self-love is prevalent throughout. Grumms is an entertaining performer and I give them so much credit for putting their heart (and body!) out there for us; through them sharing their experience, we all get to learn a great deal, and see a great show! For more information and tickets, visit: https://fringetoronto.com/next-stage/show/something-water

Artists in Motion’s “Black in Canada”

Black in Canada is a poignant and impactful piece created by Artists in Motion. Directed and Choreographed by Shameka Blake, Black in Canada is a combination of spoken word and dance which focuses on what it truly means to be Black in Canada. From micro-aggressions to outright racism, systemic oppression to the Black people who have helped to shape our nation, Black in Canada is an eye opening experience.

Black in Canada is performed by four principal dancers/performers: Onija Bennett, Diane Jean-Louis, Marquihsa Sparkes-Whonder, and Kayla-Renée Wilson. These incredibly talented performers let their talents dazzle us as they both act and dance throughout the production, and all four are on stage almost the entire time.

I know that they have already done some school performances, but Black in Canada NEEDS to be done in schools ALL OVER this nation. The best part is that it could be easily adapted to fit whichever location the production goes! This is the kind of information and perspectives that most of us don’t receive in school, and therefore is essential viewing. For more information and tickets, visit: https://fringetoronto.com/next-stage/show/black-canada

Bremen Town Collective’s “Bremen Town”

The subtitle for this play is perfect: A Rural Folk Tragedy With Humour. Bremen Town is that and so much more – it’s a charming tale of a woman’s long journey from her former place of employment to Bremen to live with her son. Making friends along the way, this woman learns invaluable life lessons as she plods along to her journey’s end. Featuring older characters with hilarious personalities and backstories, Bremen Town is ready for an even bigger stage.

Gregory Prest both writes and directs this moving play featuring some of Toronto’s most outstanding performers. Leading this incredible cast is Nancy Palk as Frau Esel (the unfortunate lady who just lost their job of 45 years), along with Oliver Dennis as Herr Hund (a failed magician/musician), William Webster as Herr Katze (an older man who has come home to find his village long ago destroyed) and Deborah Grover as Frau Henne (an unfortunately abused older woman who is Herr Katze’s sister). These four are powerhouses and bring such a vibrant life to this play. Their mastery of their craft is evident in every moment and I loved seeing more tenured actors take centre stage. The whole cast is delightful, always bringing out the humour in this somewhat dark tale.

Run, don’t walk, to see Bremen Town while it’s on at Next Stage. It’s a well told story, full of adventure and fun characters, and has a heartwarming message behind it. Make sure to get your tickets before it sells out! For more information and tickets, visit: https://fringetoronto.com/next-stage/show/bremen-town

Dead Parents Society’s “Dead Parents Society: A Dark Sketch Comedy Revue”

Grief is difficult at any age, but the loss of a parent at a young age is a formative life event. Yet it’s this tragedy that’s created the Dead Parents Society and lead them to making comedy together! Dead Parents Society: A Dark Sketch Comedy Revue, directed by Kirsten Rasmussen, is just that, hilariously dark sketches all informed by the fact that the three members have each lost a parent. At times touching and heartwarming, at others devastatingly funny, this comedy show is unique and certainly not to be missed!

The official members of the Dead Parents Society are Anne Mcmaster, King Chiu, and Shohana Sharon Sicilia. The three of them alternate throughout the comedy sketches while also taking time to tell personal stories about their own loss. I loved the grief fairy as a returning character throughout the sketches; not only is Mcmaster’s delivery of the character hilarious, it’s also spot on as to how grief can just sneak up on you at the most inopportune moments. I also really loved the part where they were talking about what they inherited from their parents. Not only did it show the differences in cultures, but also gives them a nice opportunity to talk about their experience and how it still affects their lives. Also, I have never ever before seen an Angel Food Cake knife and would also like to know who eats enough Angel Food Cake to make that a worthwhile object to own!

Dead Parents Society: A Dark Sketch Comedy Revue is another reminder of why I love festivals like this so much; it’s refreshing, funny, and filled with such dark humour you’re not sure if you should laugh or cry. This show is not to be missed! For more information and tickets, visit: https://fringetoronto.com/next-stage/show/dead-parents-society-dark-sketch-comedy-revue

Garner Theatre Productions & Guildwood Collective’s “Guildwood”

Toronto’s history meets beautiful music in Guildwood, a haunting yet hopeful tale about the Guild of All Arts in what is now Scarborough. If you’ve ever been out to the Guildwood Festival Theatre, then you’ve walked thought the sculpture gardens of the Guild of All Arts. Written and directed by Braeden Soltys, Guildwood is a moving, poignant piece which warmed my heart.

I won’t lie, Guildwood brought a tear to my eye, and still does, when it was describing the utopia world of the Guild of All Arts; to think that a place like that existed, where artists were free to create without worrying about bills or rent, is a little slice of heaven to me. Guildwood brings the last days of that heaven alive, and somehow makes us long for something which was lost long ago.

The whole cast of Guildwood is amazing. Not only are they acting, but they all sing, dance, and each play MULTIPLE instruments on stage. To have assembled such a talented cast could not have been a small feat, and they certainly blew me away. It was a pleasure to see familiar faces like Donna Garner, while also seeing up and coming actors like Kryslyne-Mai Ancheta, Camilo Diaz-Varela, and Taran Kim. They all worked together as such a cohesive unit and you could tell how passionate they are about telling this story.

You simply must get out and see Guildwood. It’s also ready for a main stage showing, I think the beauty in the simplicity of this staging, along with the catchy songs and powerful performances, make for a fantastic play. For more information and tickets, visit: https://fringetoronto.com/next-stage/show/guildwood

A Front Company’s “ECHO”

Greek mythology comes to modern times in ECHO, written by Kole Durnford and directed by Robert Morrison. ECHO tells the heartbreaking story of Echo and Narcissus if they lived in modern-day Toronto. With a beautiful set and incredible storytelling, ECHO swept me off my feet.

ECHO’s story is told in such a unique way; for the majority of the lines, the actors are portraying what the other said, and thus acting like the other character as well. It made the moments when they switched back to speaking for themselves all the more distinct. I haven’t seen a story told like this before, and I think it’s a perfect fit for the material, as he’s obsessed with his own reflection and she’s meant to reflect others back to themselves.

Portraying these mythical beings are the wildly talented Jennifer Tan and Tom Shoshani. Their chemistry is electric; they’ll make you want to fall in love all over again. The way their physicality changed when they were playing their character versus the other was so subtle but just enough to make it clear whose voice we were hearing out of which body. They give stellar performances and make ECHO the enchanting and engaging story it is.

ECHO is definitely another that you’ll want to see this year at Next Stage, and I’m truly hoping to see it on an even larger stage soon! For more information and tickets, visit: https://fringetoronto.com/next-stage/show/echo

This was my first year attending the Next Stage Festival and I had a wonderful time. I love that all of the programming is taking place at the same venue; it’s much less stressful when you’re not having to rely on transit to get you from one show to the next. I was also so pleased that each show had its own physical program! As a reviewer, it makes things so much easier for me if I have the paper copy beside me as I write. Ticketing functioned just like the Fringe, which is paperless and painless! As always, accessibility is front and centre for this festival and I’m happy to see the lengths they go to to make this accessible for everyone! Make sure you get out and check out one, if not all, of these incredible shows! The Next Stage Festival runs until October 29th.