Misprint (1st Issue) is an interesting concept, and an enjoyable musical. It takes place in a homogenized suburb in 1962 called Sunnydale, where it is pre-Beatles, pre-Viet Nam, pre-civil rights, pre-ERA… I suspect that even the chocolate chip cookies taste bland in Sunnydale.

It may seem odd, but the name Sunnydale reminds me of Sunnyvale Trailer Park, the location of Trailer Park Boys. The characters obviously come from different sides of the tracks. They are quite unlike everyday people, but they are fascinating to watch.

Elly (Lauren Toffan) is initially unaware that she is living in a comic book. When she discovers the truth, she has to decide what is more important: living her life or sales of the comic book.

Toffan also wrote Misprint (1st Issue) and has promised that future issues are just around the corner.

Elly’s counterpart, Monica, is played by Kristen Sehn. I found Sehn incredibly charismatic. There’s a kind of Laverne and Shirley relationship between the two women. Monica is the type of girl who steals boyfriends, and Sehn is the type of performer who steals scenes.

Yan Li is a co-writer and composed, directed and performs the music. He is an incredible talent with a tremendous future in front of him. It’s going to be great being able to say “I saw him when…”

This is a good play to “lose yourself in”. See it with a few friends and you will have a great time. There’s a great teaser available online by clicking  here.

Details:

Misprint (1st Issue) is onstage at The Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse

60 min.

Fri, July     8    7:00 PM
Sat, July    9   Noon
Sun, July 10 10:45 PM
Mon, July 11   2:45 PM
Tue, July 12 10:30 PM
Fri, July 15     3:30 PM
Sun, July 17   7:30 PM

Ticket Price: $10.00

Tickets: www.fringetoronto.com / (416) 966-1062

Advance Ticket Box Office at the Randolph Centre, 736 Bathurst St.

photo of Lauren Toffan and Kristen Sehn