From Press Release

Young artists mount classic Canadian play ‘Never Swim Alone’ for Toronto Fringe Festival

Two businessmen, Frank and Bill, duke it out in a battle of words to see who is the better man.  The rounds are judged by a beautiful woman who holds a dark secret from their past.  Each round features a different challenge and posses a new question, such as, “Who has the bigger house?” “Who makes more money?” “Whose wife is more faithful?”.  But as the competition goes on, the attacks get more and more personal, leading to a deadly confrontation where only one man is left standing.

emerGENce Theatre is dedicated to the production of new and innovative work created by up and coming artists at the start of their promising careers.  All the members of the company are under the age of 25, with the Artistic Director himself being only 20 years old.

The production features Sean Jacklin, Michael Ruderman, and Zara Jestadt, all of whom are currently enrolled in their 2^nd year at George Brown’s Acting Conservatory.  The director, Brandon Nicoletti, is also in his 2^nd year at George Brown’s Acting Conservatory.  Brandon appeared as the lead in Golem, a Toronto Fringe show that had its run back in 2012.   The biggest name in the production is the writer (Daniel MacIvor), whose name alone is sure to draw attention.  MacIvor has written numerous award-winning plays and has been a recipient of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, as well as the Siminovitch Prize for Theatre.  He is currently the playwright in residence at Tarragon Theatre.

Never Swim Alone has been hailed as a landmark of Canadian theatre.  emerGENce Theatre seeks to bring a fresh new take to this classic play, and in doing so give way to a new generation of Canadian theatre artists.

 

emerGENce Theatre
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents

Never Swim Alone

Written by Daniel MacIvor

Directed by Brandon Nicoletti

Starring: Sean Jacklin, Michael Ruderman, Zara Jestadt
Lighting design by Brandon Nicoletti and Solange Ribeiro

Stage managed by Solange Ribeiro

Opens July 4^th runs to July 13^th

Theatre Passe Muraille, Mainspace Theatre

16 Ryerson Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2P3

 

Performances:

July 4^th, 7:30pm

July 5^th, 11:30pm

July 8^th, 8:00pm

July 9^th, 6:00pm

July 10^th, 2:15pm

July 12^th, 9:15pm

July 13^th, 1:00pm

Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased starting June 12^th, $10 at the door, $12 in advance

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).

At the door: If available, will be sold at the theatre starting one hour prior to show time, cash sales only

From Press Release Do not panic. No need for caution! Haggard Bitch Productions would like to invite you to the hilarious new epic adventure Fringe Comedy where nothing is going wrong, and well… everything is… Everything. Is. Fine. 8 of Toronto’s freshest comedians and improvisors have gotten together under the direction of Fringe favourite, Ken Hall, to write a truly personal, truly absurd, truly real …and imagined, comedy extravaganza. These Second City conservatory graduates will stop at nothing to get you un-safely rolling in the aisles, in an experience that’s not to be missed. Official Show Website: everythingisfine.ca About 8 of Toronto’s freshest Humourists Bring a Truly immersive Experience to the Stage in Their Fringe Debut of Everything is Fine… Everything is Fine… is an honest reflection of eight 20 & 30-somethings encapsulating where they presently are in their lives. A group of Conservatory graduates of Toronto’s acclaimed Second City have written a Fringe show that edges between the absurd and sincere as they deal with topics as trivial as living situations and as grave as environmental issues. When their world is crumbling around them how do they keep on convincing themselves that everything is fine? This fresh batch of eight crisp comedians have come from as far as B.C., to the Maritimes, and even Auckland, New Zealand. Each have studied at Toronto’s Second City Training Centre and from there have made lasting and influential bonds with one another. Under the direction of Ken Hall, who is a three-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee and national Fringe favourite with his award-winning improv/sketch comedy duo 2-MAN NO-SHOW, the cast has developed material through improvisation & writing, that is revealing, vulnerable, challenging, thrilling, scary, and as always, funny. They are on a journey of constant discoveries and invite all to come along for the ride. Audiences need to see this show because it is a celebration of being truly alive – And what is life without recognizing the beauty, tragedy, and hilarity in all things? Do not miss your chance to see this outstanding group transform a seemingly regular sketch show into an interactive meltdown. No matter where you are, they promise you, Everything is Fine… Haggard Bitch Productions in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents Everything is Fine… Written by: Gil Anderson, Gillian Bartolucci, Kristie Gunter, Ted Hambly, Steve Hobbs, Marshall Lorenzo, Nicky Nasrallah, Allana Reoch Directed by: Ken Hall,Stage Managed by: Greg Roberts Friday, July 4th to Sunday, July 13th Tarragon Theatre: Mainspace, 30 Brigman Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1X3 Performances: Friday, July 4th 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm Saturday, July 5th 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Sunday, July 6th 8:45 pm – 9:45 pm Monday, July 7th 10:15 pm – 11:15 pm Tuesday, July 8th 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Wednesday, July 9th 11 pm – 12:00 am Sunday, July 13th 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm Tickets: Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman Ave (416-531-1827) Purchase Online: http://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) Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

From Press Release

The Toronto Fringe Festival presents

This Ain’t The Yellow Brick Road

Jake Steele has led one hell of a life. Well, actually, he’s led several, though not entirely by choice. HIV positive from a blood transfusion in his teens, Jake refused to take his diagnosis – and the terrible stigma associated with it in those days – lying down. Told he would never work again, near death three times (so far!), Jake’s spirit is irrepressible, and his life an adventure that will take you down a path few will ever walk. THIS AINT THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, plays  July 2-13 at the Theatre Passe Muraille ExtraSpace as part of the 2014 Toronto Fringe Festival. Tickets are available via www.fringetoronto.com or 416-966-1062 ext. 1, or at the door.

“I remember the first time I met Jake, and I thought: this guy can’t be for real. He sees life in a way that very few can ever imagine. You can’t help but be drawn in.” ~ Geoff Wyndeorff, Denmark

THIS AINT THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD is an evening of fascinating stories that span Jake’s incredible life and his unique way of looking at the world.  He’s been a dancer/singer, a hospitality industry executive, a network marketing expert and training specialist, and an LGBT/AIDS activist who helped fund and support the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, and Casey House (Canada’s first stand-alone treatment facility for people with HIV/AIDS). THIS AINT THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD developed after Jake’s most recent brush with death in 2010—a brain tumour that left him without his memories, paralyzed for over a year, and not expected to recover. But Jake fought back, regained his health against near-impossible odds, and wrote a book about his life using a series of memoir recordings he made before the tumour laid him low.

“I have watched him take audiences on dream trips, goal-setting marathons and life-changing journeys… I love being in his audience. Enjoy the journey, and buckle up… because the ride will be life-enriching!”  ~ Sean Murphy, Dallas TX

“His simple yet wacky approach to life’s challenges will literally blow you away. He makes it seem so easy. He approaches every challenge head-on and always believes that there isn’t a challenge that can’t be overcome.”   ~ Danial Reading, London England

Jake knows his story could be seen as horrific by many standards, but his way through it all is to poke fun at it—poke back at it—and never let himself lose his sense of humour.  THIS AINT THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD is a darkly quirky comedic review of his challenges, crazy antics, and the fact that after all this, as he puts it, “All I want to do is provide hope, and a smile…Fourth time’s a charm, right? I’m still here.” Jake Steele and THIS AINT THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD truly is a storytelling experience not to be missed!

SHOW INFO for THIS AINT THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD:

Venue: Theatre Passe Muraille Extra Space, 16 Ryerson Ave, Toronto.

Dates & Times:

Wed, July 2 @ 8:15pm

Fri, July 4 @ 6:30pm

Sun, July 6 @ 1:15pm

Mon, July 7 @ 4:30pm

Wed, July 9 @ 7:00pm

Fri, July 11 @ 1:45pm

Sat, July 12 @ 11:00pm

 

Tickets:

$10 at the door (cash only) or $12 in advance (Visa or MasterCard, service charge included)

Beginning June 12 via www.fringetoronto.com, by telephone at 416-966-1062 (ext.1), or at the door.

Show running time is 45 minutes.    **Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating**

 

 

From Press Release

Dealing with the romantic relationship of two teenagers, the new comedy Myth Of The Ostrich is loaded with sex, drugs, deception, and even a missing condom… and that’s just  the mothers…

After Pam finds an inappropriate letter from her teenage son to his mystery girlfriend, she arrives unannounced at Holly’s house to discuss their children’s relationship. What starts as a pleasant visit, quickly takes a complicated, bizarre, and hilarious turn. This fast-paced comedy is an exploration of two mothers with polar-opposite parenting styles, values and beliefs, and their dealings with the inaccurate realities surrounding their teenager’s relationship.

Myth Of The Ostrich is the second play from Matt Murray, co-writer of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival hit Remember, Maggy?, which played to sold out houses and was chosen as Best Of Fringe. Remember, Maggy? has since gone on to have three subsequent productions – Sarnia, Orillia, South Dakota – with a fourth happening at the Toronto Centre For The Arts this January, 2015.

Directed by Steven Gallagher (Craplicker, Memorial, Stealing Sam), Myth Of The Ostrich features a stellar cast: Dora Award Winner Astrid Van Wieren (This Wilde Night, Hatched, Mamma Mia!) Alanis Peart (Remember, Maggy?, West End’s The Postman Always Rings Twice) and Renee Hackett (Tempting Providence, Leaving Home).

Offside Productions in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents:
Myth Of The Ostrich
Written by Matt Murray
Directed by Steven Gallagher
Starring Astrid Van Wieren, Alanis Peart, Renee Hackett
Lighting Design and Stage Management by Kierston Drier

Performances: July 2nd – July 13th at St. Vladimir’s Institute – 620 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2H4
Wednesday, July 2, 2014 – 10:30pm – 12:00am
Friday, July 4, 2014 – 1:15pm – 2:45pm
Sunday, July 6, 2014 – 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Monday, July 7, 2014 – 8:15pm – 9:45pm
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 – 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Thursday, July 10, 2014 – 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunday, July 13, 2014 – 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Ticket Info – $12 in advance/$10 at the door
Online: June 12th at www.fringetoronto.com
By Phone: June 12th call (416) 966-1062 x1 Visa and MasterCard
In Person: Tickets not purchased in advance are available at the venue, one hour before performance.
Box Office July 2nd – 13th, 12pm – 9pm – will be located in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St. W.)
Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.