I finally made it down to Soulpepper! I got to check out three shows while also exploring the patio, and the offerings in the Young Centre atrium. 

Next Stage Festival – Songs by a WANNABE – WANNABE

Millennials Unite! Barbara (Babz) Johnston has written us a play! AND it has music! Songs by a WANNABE is the incredible true story about Johnston and her Spice Girls tribute band WANNABE. Detailing their rise to fame, the troubles they’ve overcome, and the “tour from hell” Songs by a WANNABE will have you dancing in your seat while also shedding a tear or two.

Former WANNABE bandmates Suzy Wilde and Anika Johnson, along with Johnston, have composed a host of fun and funky songs for Songs by a WANNABE. Performing a solo show looks hard enough, performing a solo musical is a true feat of theatre excellence. The songs have a decidedly 90’s pop feel to them, making them such a perfect fit for this story. Of course, there’s the occasional snippet of a classic Spice Girls song, which immediately brings back floods of lyrics, music videos, and learning the dances with my friends.

A highlight for me was how Johnston uses the Barbie versions of the various characters to help tell the story. You better believe I had a Spice Girls doll as a kid! I carried around my Scary Spice everywhere, and I loved her glittery jumpsuit. The story that Johnston tells during the play about those dolls and how she came to have them made me cry.

Johnston is charismatic, vulnerable, and vivacious in her delivery of this show. The audience hangs on her every word and she deftly guides us on this journey. I loved that she didn’t shy away from how hard this career was for her; she talks about the hecklers, the times the vehicles broke down, all of the nitty gritty details. And yet we also get a beautiful story of resilience and passion for what we do.

Songs by a WANNABE | Toronto Fringe Festival

---

Pornstar(i) –  7Studios & Events Inc.

What would you do if you found out your son had become a Porn Star? Ari’s folks don’t take it particularly well at all. Pornstar(i) features an entirely South Asian cast and creative team bringing its story to life. While the execution of this story betrays the inexperience of the team, Pornstar(i) could certainly go places. 

Ari had moved to Montreal to become a doctor, but dropped out after his first year. He initially became a director, but it wasn’t getting him anywhere. Then he discovers the realm of adult films and his life changes forever. None of his family knows about this until his Aunt somehow comes across one of his videos. With angry messages being left by his father, there’s nothing left to do but be rid of him…or is there? The story itself is quite amusing, and the family dynamics are clearly set out right from the get go. Though the sets are simple, they’re effective in helping us differentiate the locations of the play.

Where Pornstar(i) unfortunately falls short is in its delivery. Tharshan Raj’s Ari never loses his odd “sexy” persona, which then makes me think that he’s trying to come on to his mother, sister, and aunt when he encounters them. Sumathy Balaram and Jereen Ignatious are a tad over the top, but they definitely understand their roles. Sahana Srikandarajah shines as Ari’s younger sister. She’s funny, getting the majority of the laughs, and her delivery is great.

I love seeing new and fun stories on stage, and getting to experiment with a show in front of an audience is what Fringe is all about! Hopefully Pornstar(i) will only grow from here!

PORNSTAR(i) | Toronto Fringe Festival

---

Tamar Broadbent: Plus One – Tamar Broadbent

Being a new mother is hard…like REALLY hard, and Tamar Broadbent is here to tell you about her experiences as a new Mom with Tamar Broadbent: Plus One. Talking about everything from not wanting to be a stereotypical “Mum” to breastfeeding to being brainwashed by the natural birthing clinic, Tamar Broadbent: Plus One goes through it all! With hilarious songs and great jokes, this is a fun night out at Fringe!

Several of my friends and family are new mothers right now, and having been told a great deal about the process, there’s plenty I was able to relate to with this show. Actually, as I was sitting there I was wishing I could show it to some people in my life, purely because I think they could use the validation which Broadbent provides with this show. Because she doesn’t shy away from any particular topic, it allows for plenty of avenues wherein you can find yourself in her story. 

Broadbent herself is a witty and delightful entertainer. She does a whole number towards the beginning of the show which she makes up on the spot about an unsuspecting audience member. Her comedy is totally on point, setting up a joke and then hitting us with a surprising punch line. I belly laughed several times throughout her performance. Yet her vulnerability hits just as hard; I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to speak about such intimate and scary things in your life with a room full of strangers. Yet Broadbent does so with a smile on her face and a cute song to boot!

Whether you’re a new mother, an auntie (like me), or you’re just in for a good hour of storytelling and laughs, Tamar Broadbent: Plus One is the show for you! 

Tamar Broadbent: Plus One | Toronto Fringe Festival

---

Thank you to my Patrons:

N. Bushnik, S. Fisher, B. Kinnon, D. Moyes, E. O’Brien

And to my supporters who’ve bought me a coffee:

Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, Caitlin, Jonathan, and Jada

Would you like to become a Patron? Check out my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/AViewfromtheBox

Or, you can buy me a coffee at: buymeacoffee.com/aviewfromthebox