I admit it, I went to Visa Called This Morning hoping for a little financial advice. And while I didn’t get any of that, I still enjoyed myself anyway.

Visa Called This Morning is actor/comedienne Jen Gallant’s mostly autobiographical story of how becoming independent for the first time can really mean becoming dependent on the evil plastic – credit cards.

In this sketch-style show, Gallant takes us through her life, from a 5-year-old who got her first Loonie to an 18-year-old who got her first Visa, and we watch her financial life spiral out of control until she’s getting daily calls from her creditors.  The show is really relatable for anyone who has had trouble paying a few bills, which is just about everyone (and especially everyone living in Toronto).

Gallant is a fireball, and it’s her energy that makes the show such a delight.  She plays about two dozen different characters, and literally doesn’t stop moving for the entire 60 minutes.  She plays family members, bank tellers, nosy neighbours and a police officer who’s tailing her.  (Police?  How in debt is this woman?) She uses puppets, props and bursts into song.  This was yet another show where I am left amazed by the stamina of actors.

This almost seems like an odd thing to say, but Visa Called This Morning is the perfect show to see if you want to forget about your money troubles and laugh at someone else’s problems for a while.

Details: 

Visa Called This Morning is playing at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto. 

Showtime: 60 min.

Tue, July 12 8:30 PM 1135
Wed, July 13 3:00 PM 1138
Thu, July 14 9:45 PM 1148
Sun, July 17 4:00 PM 1163

– Individual Fringe tickets are available at the door for $10 ($5 for FringeKids), cash only.
– Latecomers will not be permitted.
– Tickets are also available online at fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 or in person at The Fringe Tent (behind Honest Ed’s). Advance tickets are $11 – $10 + $1 convenience fee.
– Money saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows.