From Press Release
Toronto – The Beast Productions is eager to present a new musical comedy as part of the 24th annual Toronto Fringe Festival. SO WE THOUGHT WE COULD ACT was first produced at the Montreal Fringe Festival, where it received an award nomination and critical acclaim from local press.
Helen Prandekas and Rena Hundert bring satirical comedy to a whole new level with SO WE THOUGHT WE COULD ACT. This unique musical follows the lives of two desperate actresses who cannot seem to get a paid gig. We first meet the duo in their old age and then go back in time to the 1920’s when their journey first begins. Traveling through their lives, each era is brought to life with zany characters, quick-witted humor, dance and original music. Finishing on a bright yet sour note, we see them get their first paid gig, in their nineties, when they partake in a hilarious rap music video! Can their blood pressure take it? There’s only one way to find out…
Rena Hundert was hailed as “a standout” by the Montreal Mirror’s Amy Barratt for her performance in Judith Thompson’s I Am Yours, produced by Montreal’s up-and-coming Tableau D’Hote Theatre Company. Rena wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman show, THE LAST DANCE OF MARSHA KANE (Sugarcoating the Inevitable) which garnered success at both the Montreal Fringe Festival, and Fringe NYC. Rena wrote, produced and directed: MENTAL FLOSS A.K.A.The Fantastical Rescue of Franceen, the Waitress (a love story in her mind) which was produced in Montreal this past year. Rena is a member of Montreal’s famed comedic improvisation group On The Spot Improv. Read more here: http://renahundert.weebly.com/bio.html
Helen Prandekas has starred in many productions in Montreal and Toronto. She recently played the role of Mia in Under the Influence at the Hudson theatre, from which she received rave reviews from The Montreal Gazette. Helen has played Celine Dion (!!!) in the short Celine: My vengeance Will Go On (official selection for ‘Just for Laughs’ Short Film Festival of 2009) Helen played the lead role in the film Thanksgiving Dinner (a finalist at the World Film Festival 2011) She played the principal role in French for Binding Borders (Norman Jewison Award Best film production, Radio-Canada Diversity Grand Jury Prize Best Fiction 2007) Helen performs frequently in Skazmos Theatre Productions, a local theatre company in Toronto.
Dan Derkson is an actor/director/producer/writer. He has toured around Canada as a comedian off and on for 20 years. He is one half of the Montreal production company Good ‘n Evil Productions. He is currently a cast member of Montreal’s award-winning improv troupe On the Spot. On the other side, Dan was the youngest minister in the Jehovah’s Witness church, where he was raised. Luckily, he managed to run screaming from that, but it made for a truly unique talent.
Jennifer Walker a.k.a. Jeni May has performed regularly in Vaudeville shows as a burlesque performer. These include The Chicken Kerffule and Miss Sugarpuss Burlesque. She has played the role of Janet Weiss in the stage production of the Rocky Horror Show for 3 years in a row at venues such as Theatre National and Theatre L’Olympia in Montreal.
Venue #2 – Tarragon Theatre – Extra Space
30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto
Thursday, July 5, 2012 @7:00pm
Friday, July 6, 2012 @1:15pm
Saturday, July 7, 2012 @ 10:30pm
Monday, July 9, 2012 @4:30pm
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 @1:15pm
Friday, July 13, 2012 @11:00pm
Sunday, July 15, 2012 @5:15pm