I don’t do a lot of research before I pick my shows for the Toronto Fringe Festival.  I just read the blurbs in the Fringe program and pick the ones that sound interesting. It wasn’t until I sat down to write this that I realized that Zack Adams is actually Australian actor Shane Adamczac.

I have to admit I’m shattered. Does that mean that Zack wasn’t actually on Big Brother 7? Probably. Does it matter? No. The Complete History of Zack Adams is a lovely coming of age story, funny, sweet, and at times sad. It’s a play about the journey to real life.

For an hour Zack shares the ups and down of his life so far; definitely more downs than ups. His story takes us from his stage debut in the school pageant at 7, to becoming a small fish in a big pond in high school, going to drama school but not enrolling – just hanging out, moving to the big city and realizing that he’s once again a small fish, back home not knowing what he’s going to do, off to England and Big Brother 7 – the highlight or lowlight of his career, depending on how you look at it, and then back home to try again.

Zack/Shane gives us a monologue, mime, singing, dancing and the best sing-along ever. The humour is self-depracating, the pathos didn’t leave me sobbing in my seat. Zack is endearing as he learns what we all have to learn, it might not be easy to get where you want to be. The competition is fierce.

The show wasn’t what I expected, it was funny – I expected that – but it wasn’t shallow. I enjoyed it a lot. Definitely worth seeing.

Details:

– ZACK ADAMS: A Complete History Of Zack Adams is playing at Tarragon Solo Room (30 Bridgman Ave.)
– July 06 08:15 PM
– July 07 06:45 PM
– July 09 05:45 PM
– July 10 10:15 PM
– July 11 04:45 PM
– July 12 06:15 PM
– July 15 02:15 PM
– Tickets are $10.00 – Value packs of 5 and 10 tickets are available
– Tickets can be purchased online – www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062
and at the Box Office – The Fringe Club (281 Bloor St W.)