It was my longest day of the Fringe, with four shows spread out over the day (and it was a hot day at that!) I really enjoyed seeing so much theatre all within a few blocks of one another! I’m also so thankful for the lovely conversations I got to have with some Fringe performers, as well as other theatre makers and theatre critics throughout the day; it makes the day go by so much faster in such good company!

Questing Through Life – Dodo Tree Productions

Have you ever wished that the adventures you were having in your fantasy games happened in real life? Tanya Yong’s Questing Through Life puts that wish to the test. When some friends start playing D&D together, they find that the events of their quest and their struggles at home are eerily similar. But what does that mean for the fate of our heroes? Questing Through Life is a magical journey about bonds of friendship and what we’re willing to sacrifice for the good of the campaign.

Allie and her best friend Emma aren’t fully loving adulthood: with work woes, break ups, and more, they’re not sure how to get out of their current rut. Isaac, a mutual friend, sets up a D&D Campaign for them and some of their friends old from high school. As the friends reconnect, and new connections begin to form for Allie outside of the game, they set off on an adventure full of fighting, rescuing princesses, and overthrowing evil kings. It’s only when these events begin to echo in their out-of-game lives that the team realizes that something might be different about this one-off campaign.

This talented group of young performers bring Yong’s story to life with vivacity and passion. Jenna Lawton gives a heartbreaking performance as Allie; although when she said that her character Elanor was an elvish bard, I nearly exclaimed “me too!” Xin Pilkiw’s Emma is feisty, which they bring over into their D&D character of Chike the Fearless. Deniz Ölmez’s Tara plays beautifully opposite Lawton’s Allie; they made an adorable couple and I loved getting to see that queer representation on stage. Queenie Li, Nikko Oey, Shana Rose, Quennie Yap and puppeteers M Parkhi, Merve Zeybekoglu, round out this impressive cast.

Questing Through Life is a fun yet powerful piece of theatre you won’t want to miss!

https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/questing-through-life

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At Home with the Bards – Home at Bards

Stratford is known for its plethora of Bed and Breakfasts, which are usually booked well in advance for each season with regulars often returning to their favourites every year. The Bards is one such B&B, but when a new guest comes to stay at the last minute, rumours abound. Eric Petersen’s At Home with the Bards, directed by Jamie Johnson, is a laugh-out-loud comedy with a decidedly theatrical flair!

What makes At Home with the Bards so hilarious are the characters and the various stereotypes they’ve tapped into for this story. Brian Russell and Lynn Weintraub play Robin and Rhea Bard, the meddling owners of the B&B who are hilariously wrong about every assumption they have about their mystery guest. Bonnie Gray and Ted Powers are Lisa and Lester, a couple who comes every year but have a few skeletons in their closets. Eric Benson and Alex Stamp’s Jasper and Jeff are perfect as the musical theatre-loving gay couple. Mark Terene’s Frederick is blissfully naive yet passionate about his craft. Sean Fisher’s Felix drives a hard bargain, and would be a heck of an agent to work for. But Jane E Smythe’s Abby takes the cake. She’s a former librarian from Michigan who is doing everything within her power to NOT go back to the US. She’s wants to get a work visa from Robin and Rhea, while also attempting to seduce every other guest at The Bards; she’s going to get that green card by any means necessary!

At Home with the Bards is a quirky, funny show that’ll have you longing for a day along the Avon river.

https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/home-bards

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Will and the Amazingly Obsessive Theatrical Vinyl Collection – Vinyl Collection Productions

Did you know that Ethel Merman did a disco album? Neither did I until I saw Will and the Amazingly Obsessive Theatrical Vinyl Collection by Will Parry, directed by Dean Deffett. And now, I simply must add it to my ever-growing vinyl collection. Like Will, I have a stack of cast albums always at the ready for when I need a pick-me-up, so it was a joy to witness this show and hear Will’s life stories as told through his vinyl collection. Moving, joyous, and entertaining, Will and the Amazingly Obsessive Vinyl Collection is a slumber party with your besties you won’t forget!

Right away, I noticed the record player sitting centre stage; I was bought the exact same one for Christmas over a decade ago. With even a few familiar album covers scattered around the stage, I knew this was going to be a show I’d enjoy. What I didn’t expect was how vulnerable and heartfelt this play was going to be. Through projected videos and images, songs, and the albums themselves, Will talks about some of the most troubling times in his life, but also how these cast albums were able to help him through. I think one of my favourite aspects of the play was hearing him talk about how the songs have meant different things to him as he’s grown and changed; it’s one of the things which, to me, makes theatre so special. Even though the show stays the same, you have likely changed a great deal since you last saw or heard it.

Will and the Amazingly Obsessive Vinyl Collection is a beautiful play about the way theatre, and in particular musical theatre, can influence and change our lives “For Good.”

https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/will-and-amazingly-obsessive-theatrical-vinyl-collection

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CAMP! – Mixtape Projects

Good morning campers! It’s time for another summer at Camp Clover! But when the camp’s most famous best friends, Nova and August, barely even acknowledge each other on the first day, the whole camp is sent into a tailspin. Ben Kopp and Margot Greve’s CAMP! is an ode to the wonders of summer camp, and the harsh reality of growing up. It’s no wonder that CAMP! is already sold out: with powerhouse performances from some talented teens and a heartrendingly beautiful score, you’ll want to try and see CAMP! any way you can!

It’s the last summer at Camp Clover for best friends Nova and August; they’re legends around the camp and everyone’s excited that they’ll be the lead counsellors for the year. But when they arrive, they’re acting strange with one another, and suddenly everyone’s summer is at risk!

I have to talk about this stunning cast: all of them are in high school or just recently graduated, and yet they performed like seasoned professionals. Tackling intricate music, plenty of choreo, costume changed, you name it! My immediate thought was “where did they find these kids?”; they’ve absolutely just that talented. The cast is comprised of John Beer Principe, Kayla Morgan, Alicia Goncalves, Jordan Gurbin, Arabella Ho, Cameron Kuwayti, Elliot Metcalf, and Fern Wallenberg. Keep an eye on these names, folks, it won’t be the last time you’re seeing them in your programs at the theatre.

CAMP! further cements Mixtape Productions as a Fringe mainstay, and they show us time and time again what’s possible in the realm of new musical theatre. Keep an eye out for the Best of Fringe performances – I have no doubts that CAMP! will make the list!

https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/camp

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Cover Photos: Jenna Lawton, Queenie Li, and Deniz Ölmez. Photo by Tao Yong. The cast of “At Home with the Bards”. Will Parry. Photo by Jae Yang. Kayla Morgan, Jordan Gurbin, Fern Wallenberg, Elliot Metcalf, Arabella Ho, John Beer Principe, Alicia Goncalvez and Cameron Kuwayti. Photo by Stefi Kopp

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