Steven Gallagher in Stealing Sam had me laughing, crying and on my feet clapping loudly by the end of the show. Whatever he was selling throughout his stellar performance, I bought into it. If you are looking for a Toronto Fringe show that tells a compelling honest story then Stealing Sam at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse is a show you don’t want to miss!

Now what would you expect if you see an average-looking middle-aged man dragging his medium-sized suitcase with him as he walked on to the stage? That maybe you are about to see a show of a typical business-like man who is possibly leaving town? Or maybe that he has a dead body inside his big suitcase and that body happens to be Sam? Neither of which is true. What you see is not always what you get. And that really is the underlying premise of the whole story.

Jimmy, played by Steven Gallagher, is a simple gay middle-aged man with a complicated life. Faced with multiple challenges that many of us can relate to, Jimmy struggles to find his way through life as a 48-year-old trying to find love, overcome grief and battle with being HIV positive. Not to mention his tumultuous relationship with technology that has him reflecting back into a life where things were much simpler without all the texting, Facebooking and Internet dating. A time when genuine heartfelt connections were readily available and accessible to everyone.

I loved everything about Stealing Sam. The well-written script by Steven Gallagher, the simple set design, the solid, convincing acting, the excellent directing and the unexpected moments when Steven glanced and interacted with the audience. Not surprisingly, this show was almost a full house and with everyone on their feet cheering by the end. I am sure that Steven Gallagher and the talented crew will be playing to sold out houses for the remainder of their run.

So if you want something that will tickle your funny bone, have you reaching for the nearest napkin to wipe away those tears and take you on a beautiful journey, then you don’t want to miss this Fringe show! Get tickets in advance. This is a must see!

Venue:

Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse – 79A Saint George St. Toronto, ON M5S 3L8

Performances:

July 04 08:45 PM
July 06 03:30 PM
July 08 09:00 PM
July 10 04:00 PM
July 12 12:00 PM
July 13 05:15 PM
July 14 12:00 PM

Tickets:

• At-the-door tickets: $10
• At-the-door tickets are available at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse starting one hour prior to show time – cash sales only.
• Advance tickets: $11
• Advance tickets go on sale June 15, 2013
• Purchase online: fringetoronto.com
• By Phone: 416-966-1062, ext 1
• In Person: During the Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St W)

Photo of Steven Gallagher provided by Next Step Productions