From Press Release

IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT.

A fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre premieres at Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival.

Climate Change. Overpopulation. Pharmaceutical industry ethics. These are news stories that dominate the media spotlight and our cultural debates today. Inspired by these issues, Here After imagines a hypothetical future where the discovery of a drug that grants immortality means that we have to face the long term consequences of the way we live today.

Four people who have survived the political upheaval and the dissolution of society as we know it have taken refuge in an underground bunker to wait out the environmental apocalypse. But they must also fight against the immortality-inducing drug’s unintended side effect – when the human mind can no longer keep up with its immortal body, people go “blank” and slip into a coma-like state. The only way to fight this is to keep constantly mentally stimulated. But after hundreds of years in a bunker with the same people, going blank begins to look like the only way out.

In a stylistic homage to classic existentialist narratives, Here After asks what is worth living for when there is no end. Though set in the future, the play is rooted in our contemporary world and presents a future that is not only possible, but plausible.

Here After is the second production by Upstart Theatre, the creative collaboration between playwright and director Meg Moran and producer Meara Tubman-Broeren. Their inaugural production, The Seagull in Four Movements, a site specific adaptation of Chekhov’s classic play, was performed at the Winchester Kitchen and Bar in 2013. For Here After they are joined by a cast and creative team of exciting emerging artists.

Upstart Theatre presents

In association with the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival

Here After

Written and Directed by Meg Moran

Featuring Owen Fawcett, Elizabeth Tanner, Chiamaka Ugwu, and Enzo Voci

Produced by Meara Tubman-Broeren Dramaturged by Brooklyn Doran Stage Managed by Ashley Panzarella Set and Lighting Design by Steph Raposo

Costume Design by Vera Kostiuk Sound Design by Steven Retsinas

July 3rd-13th

Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace – 16 Ryerson Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2P3

Performances:

Thursday July 3rd, 2014 at 7:45 p.m.

Saturday July 5th, 2014 at 3:15 p.m.

Sunday July 6th, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.

Monday July 7th, 2014 at 2:15 p.m.

Wednesday July 9th, 2014 at 10:00 p.m.

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.

Friday July 11th, 2014 at 8:45 p.m.

Sunday July 13th, 2014 at 2:15 p.m.

Tickets: $10 at the door/$12 in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062, or at the door.

For more information, go to http://hereafterfringe.wordpress.com.

From Press Release

WEDDINGS SUCK, COME TO #WEDDINGMUSICAL INSTEAD!

Opens July 3rd at the 2014 Toronto Fringe Festival

Abbie and Ebbie are getting married, and their friends are NOT happy about it. While the bride and groom are occupied with day-of disasters, their bridal party takes the spotlight. Obstacles on the way to the altar include: a best man who’s in love with the groom, a veil set aflame, lost flowers and a missing officiant.

#WeddingMusical explores the second, unexpected coming-of-age that twentysomethings face as Generation Y gets married (Hashtag youwillneverbeashappyasweare, apply Valencia Instagram filter). Our characters’ Facebook feeds are covered in engagement announcements and wedding pictures, and all they have to post is a picture of their brunch.

Bad Dress Productions won a Patron’s Pick Award for the original musical “21 Days” at the 2012 Toronto Fringe Festival which was also written by Tabia Lau, directed by Jessica Kostuck, and produced by David Poon. Composer and lyricist Greg McLeod is a Vancouver-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose most recent album, “Little Gwaii”, was released November 2013. Tabia Lau is currently completing her MFA in Playwriting at Columbia University in New York City.

#WeddingMusical is 60 minute long family-friendly musical romantic comedy appropriate for all ages.

Bad Dress Productions
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents

#WeddingMusical

written by Tabia Lau with music and lyrics by Greg McLeod
directed by Jessica Kostuck
starring Astrid Atherly, Mandy MacLean, Adam Borohov, Michael Wisniowski

Opens JULY 3 runs to JULY 12

Al Green Theatre (at the Miles Nadal JCC)

750 Spadina Avenue

Toronto, Ontario M5S 2J2

Performances:

Thursday               July 3, 2014           6:30pm
Saturday                July 5, 2014           9:15pm
Monday                  July 7, 2014           6:45pm
Wednesday           July 9, 2014           4:00pm
Thursday               July 10, 2014        11:00pm
Friday                     July 11, 2014        2:15pm
Saturday                July 12, 2014        5:45pm

Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

Tickets:
$12 Advanced
$10 Door
Purchase online: www.fringetoronto.com starting June 12, 2014
By Phone: (416) 966-1062 starting June 12, 2014
In Person: During the Festival the Box Office is in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor Street West)

From Press Release

THE DYING PICTURE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS:
DREAMS OF SUMMER’S END

Four people struggle along the string that holds life together. Sexuality follows every relationship, every lifelong decision, but what gets left behind? Follow this group as they are intertwined in an exploration of modern sexuality.

This piece was inspired by Chris Brown’s admission of losing his virginity at the age of 8 to a 16 year old girl. From this concept of finding the origins of violent and abusive relationships we explore the depths of human experience. This story follows the varied relationships with each have with our sexuality and how those relationships have festered within us. From family, to marriage, to children; sexuality is the force that dictates how we live our lives. At the heart of this play lies one question; how deeply does sexuality dominate each one of us?

The cast of Dreams of Summer’s End is a varied one. We are from as far away as Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal, to home grown talent from right here in Toronto. From Daniel Cristofori who has appeared in two screenings at Cannes Film Festival and won The Best Actor Award at The Miami International Film Festival, to Karina Lynn who is an actress to watch out for in 2014. Tristan Rivé, writer and director of the piece, has a unique background in Theater, Film, and Journalism, that allows him to write honest and relatable pieces.

To experience something unlike any other play in this year’s Fringe come find yourself in Dreams of Summer’s End.

Written by Tristan Taylor Rivé Directed by Tristan Taylor Rivé
Starring: Nisheeth Proshanti, Daniel Cristofori, Karina Lynn, Tristan Taylor Rivé Lighting design by Tristan Taylor Rivé Stage Manager: Renata Durán

Performances:
July 2 @ 10:30 PM – Robert Gill Theatre (214 College St.) July 5 @ 12:30 PM – Robert Gill Theatre (214 College St.) July 6 @ 11:00 PM – Robert Gill Theatre (214 College St.) July 7 @ 5:15 PM – Robert Gill Theatre (214 College St.) July 9 @ 7:45 PM – Robert Gill Theatre (214 College St.) July 10 @ 9:15 PM – Robert Gill Theatre (214 College St.) July 11 @ 4:30 PM – Robert Gill Theatre (214 College St.)
-use St. George St. entrance only – 3rd floor

Tickets:
Purchase online: fringetoronto.com.
In Person: During the Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St W).

From Press Release

You’re invited to a party…
not a play.

Site specific.
Fully immersive.
Entirely interactive.

ANDY WARHOL PRESENTS: Valerie

Valerie Solanas: radical feminist writer, academic, wit, homeless, raw, relentless.
Andy Warhol: Artist, socialite, ringleader, king, host, doomed.

Valerie Solanas is best known for her SCUM Manifesto, a ferocious satire that calls for the eradication of all men in order to end sexism.

While trying to get Andy to produce her play Up Your Ass, Val became part of his offbeat gang at the Factory in NYC.

After a misfit friendship with the prince of pop, Valerie shot Andy in the summer of ’68.

…IMMERSIVE: We return to the Factory studio where Andy and his sidekick

Gerard Malanga are hosting a fab party in honor of Val. Cameras! Candy! Chaos!

…INTERACTIVE: Our performance space fits an audience of 25 people. They are invited to move throughout the space during the event, interacting with each other, Andy and Valerie. Cell phones, side conversation and heckling are all welcome.

…IMPULSIVE: Our show will shift and change each night along with our unique audiences.

…INVENTIVE: We’ve drawn on Warhol and Solanas’ writing, interviews, documentaries and art to create a brand new piece.

Influx Creative Space
Studio 7

141 Spadina Ave.
(Spadina & Richmond)

July 3 – 13, 8pm
(+ 2pm July 10)

BOX OFFICE < fringetix.ca <416-966-1062 <$10 door/$11 advance

http://fringetoronto.com/fringe-festival/

From Press Release

Prisoners & Criminals

“The hit one-man show. 4 ½ Stars” Ottawa.com
“I sat spellbound the entire show, brilliant!” Cabaret Hotline, NYC

An exciting and visceral solo performance that explores the psychology and circumstance of 6 real life “Prisoners” & “Criminals”, ranging from an obsessive-compulsive animal lover to a mafia hit-man whose childhood trauma still haunts him to a veteran of WWII making his last will to a mentally deficient child unable to comprehend his violent actions to name a few.

Jarret Wright, the highly critical acclaimed international actor returns to his homeland with his hit solo show: “Jarret Wright performs with a passionate ferocity that renders the fragile machismo, of legends like Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro.” -BACKSTAGE, NYC. The show is based on REAL PEOPLE then adapted to the stage. All are trapped in circumstances that seem excruciatingly unendurable… “The resulting stories are unforgettably heart breaking or side-splitting dark comedies.” Ottawa.com

The characters and their personal stories are a result of 10 years of research into real life people, outcasts and those demonized by society, their lives and psychology. They were found in newspaper articles, psychology case studies, direct one on one interviews and video archives.

Jarret Wright: Actor, Singer, Writer, a citizen of North America, spent the last 20 years in the USA. He has appeared in several television, film, theatre and opera productions: House MD, Heroes, Day of Our Lives, Passions, All My Children, The Eleventh Hours, Zoey 101, USA National Touring Productions of Romeo & Juliet and The Three Musketeers, Bare Foot in the Park and Carmen. The Star Ledger nominated him for Best Actor of the Year for New Jersey State for his stage portrayal of Lt. William Seawright in Dear Ruth. His One man show Prisoners & Criminals received an Umbrella Award nomination in Florida and a nomination for Best Solo Performance of an Actor in New York City.

Real People are much more compelling then fiction!!!

Escape Velocity Productions in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents
Prisoners & Criminals (52 min runtime)
Written by Jarret Wright
Directed by Jarret Wright, Creative: Chris Fabbro, Sal Destro
Starring Jarret Wright
Opens July 3 runs to July 13
THE GEORGE IGNATIEFF THEATRE, 15 Devonshire Place, Toronto, Ontario (AIR CONDITIONED)

Performances:
List the days and times
Thursday, July 3, 2014 – 6:30pm – 7:30pm Sunday, July 6, 2014 – 8:15pm – 9:15pm
Monday, July 7, 2014 – 10:15pm – 11:15pm Wednesday, July 9, 2014 – 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursday, July 10, 2014 – 2:15pm – 3:15pm Saturday, July 12, 2014 – 9:45pm – 10:45pm
Sunday, July 13, 2014 – 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating.

Tickets:
THE GEORGE IGNATIEFF THEATRE, 15 Devonshire Place, Toronto, Ontario
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)