From press release

Mark Shyzer returns to the Fringe with solo musical Great Battles in History

When an ambitious project to present the greatest battles in world history as a spectacular musical falls apart, one man is left to pick up the pieces and soldier on. Mark Shyzer returns to the Toronto Fringe with a hilarious one‐man show­‐within­‐a­‐ show: one man left to play every part and every instrument, simultaneously acting out world and personal history.

Pitting personal tragedy against a backdrop of global chaos, Great Battles in History is a comedic examination of failure, perseverance, and failure again. Going beyond ordinary solo shows which simply feature one performer, this show is a true one-­‐man endeavor: completely abandoned, the play’s protagonist must also perform the duties of stage manager, technician, and show band, playing without the benefit of backing tracks or access to the theatre’s lighting grid.

Toronto audiences may remember Shyzer from his solo character comedy Fishbowl, which has toured to 12 cities across North America since its debut in Buddies in Bad Times’ 2008­‐09 season. Fishbowl won multiple awards on the Fringe circuit and was praised by critics as “an impressive bit of character writing… beautifully performed in a delightful little show,” (Toronto Sun) and “Funny, insightful, intellectually stimulating and excellently performed.” (Edmonton Sun). Shyzer will also be writing and performing in Highbräu’s sketch show Only Human at this year’s Fringe.

Attempting to do with world history what Fishbowl did with quantum physics, Great Battles in History promises to be a hilarious gut‐wrenching lo­‐fi spectacle befitting of the Fringe.

Mark Shyzer
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents
Great Battles in History
Written and Performed and Composed and Sung and Played and Stage Managed and Sort Of Danced by Mark Shyzer

Opens July 2, runs to July 12
THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE BACKSPACE, 16 Ryerson Ave, Toronto

Performances:

Wednesday, July 2, 2014 ­‐ 6:30pm
Friday, July 4, 2014 ‐ 6:30pm
Saturday, July 5, 2014 ­‐ 10:15pm
Sunday, July 6, 2014 ­‐ 8:00pm
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 ­‐ 1:30pm
Wednesday, July 9, 2014 ‐ 4:45pm
Thursday, July 10, 2014 ­‐ 6:15pm
Saturday, July 12, 2014 ­‐ 4:30pm
Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

Tickets:

Purchase online: fringetoronto.com. By Phone: 416-­‐966-­‐1062 In Person: During the Festival: Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St W) or at the door 30 minutes prior to showtime at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace (16 Ryerson Ave).