Enter the mind of a comedian with the Fringe Festival’s Finding Funny

This July, Canadian Comedy Award Winner, Daniel Stolfi, will be taking the stage with a brand new one-person show. After touring his cross-country hit Cancer Can’t Dance Like This for the last 5 years Daniel thought to himself…what happens next?

“You’re only given a little spark of Madness. You mustn’t lose it.” – Robin Williams.

What happens when that little spark fades? How do you revive it? When comedian, Daniel Stolfi, no longer thinks he’s funny, he decides to rediscover what drove him to make people laugh in the first place. While backstage at an open-mic comedy night, hosted by one of the biggest hack comedians in the city, Daniel Stolfi, recounts the story of the first time he made someone laugh and the profound impact that moment had on his life. Finding Funny is a character driven comedy piece that invites the audience into the mind of a comedian, whose only desire has ever been to make people laugh.

“Finding Funny is comedic magic!” – My Entertainment World

A member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada, and Canadian Comedy Award Winner: “Best one-person show, Cancer Can’t Dance Like This,” Daniel Stolfi is the writer and performer of his newest comedic endeavor, Finding Funny. He is a graduate of the University of Guelph Theatre program, The Second City Toronto Conservatory program and studied improvisation at The Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC. A comedian, actor and writer, Daniel’s selected Film and Theatre acting credits include: Cancer Can’t Dance Like This, (2009 – 2015), The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine (2013), Mr. D Season 4 (2014 CBC) The Dishes (2015 You & Me Entertainment), The Amazing Gayl Pile Season 1-3 (2016, LaRue Entertainment), Suits (USA Television 2016), DINO DANA (TVO Kids 2016). Daniel currently resides in Toronto and is an official “Tetris Master”.

Details

• Finding Funny plays at the St. Vladimir Institute. (620 Spadina Ave)
• Tickets are $10 at the door, $12 in advance. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Honest Ed’s Alley, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• Content Warning: Mature Language.
• This venue is wheelchair-accessible.

Performances

• Friday July 1st, 08:30 pm
• Sunday July 3rd, 05:15 pm
• Tuesday July 5th, 10:15 pm
• Wednesday July 6th, 06:15 pm
• Thursday July 7th, 01:45 pm
• Saturday July 9th, 03:30 pm
• Sunday July 10th, 04:30 pm

Bruce Dow directs an all-new staging of The Comedy of Errors with the Randolph Academy

From press release:
Don’t expect a dusty airing of William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors when Randolph Academy Presents’ A Glass Hive AKA The Comedy of Errors at the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival. Stratford, Broadway, and Dora Award-winning theatre vet BRUCE DOW gives the classic comedy an edgy makeover in his contemporary adaptation which runs June 29-July 10, 2016, in the Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst Street, Toronto.

Having appeared in the Stratford Festival’s production of The Comedy of Errors — Artistic Director Richard Monette’s final production before his sudden passing — director and adaptor Bruce Dow wanted to examine the classic comedy beyond the customary slapstick/boffo-comedy/farce elements. As all Shakespeare comedies begin with a tragic situation, Dow wants to allow that danger to resonate throughout the piece and, through it, to delve further into the existential exploration of self and personal identity. In particular, Dow is inspired by the presence of death and the way the main characters of the twins are confronted by images of themselves in the eyes of others. Dow says, “Reflections of ourselves and our mortality-mirrors and death-are things we seem to ignore in the living of our lives.” The title of Dow’s adaptation found its focus in a quote from Jean Cocteau: “You have never seen death. Look in a mirror every day and you will see it working like bees in a glass hive.”

In A Glass Hive, an impoverished father, weary of searching for his lost twin sons, faces imminent execution unless he can raise an exorbitant fine. Coincidentally, two sets of twins, separated at birth, reappear in the same city on the same day. Anything can happen – and it does.

The cast features a troupe of emerging artists who are all in their final year of training at the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts’ Triple Threat® College Program. As Dow says, “Emerging artists — and theatre vets alike –experience the greatest growth and make the deepest artistic discoveries in the Fringe environment, where artists are given the freedom to explore the outer edges (the fringes) of their own work.” However, the challenge for all actors confronted by working on a comedy is how to “not play” the comedy. “Humour arises out of the absurdity of life and the absurd situations life presents us,” Dow says. “You can’t ‘play’ comedy; you have to play the truth – no matter how absurd the situation.”

Featuring: Matthew Barker, Madison Haste, Kat Hindle, Samantha Jamieson, Natalie Julien, Nicolette Lauzier, Megan McCabe, Faly Mevamanana, Naomi Ngebulana, Taylor Priel, Roberto Sapienza, Sabrina Shallop, Megan Starkman, Trisha Talreja, and April Wong.

Details

• A Glass Hive, AKA The Comedy of Errors plays at the Annex Theatre. (736 Bathurst St)
• Tickets are $10 at the door, $12 in advance. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Honest Ed’s Alley, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• This venue is wheelchair-accessible provided you arrive early (at least ~20 minutes) and notify the House Manager you require an accessible route.

Performances

• Wednesday June 29th, 06:30 pm
• Saturday July 2nd, 12:00 pm
• Monday July 4th, 05:00 pm
• Wednesday July 6th, 11:00 pm
• Thursday July 7th, 07:00 pm
• Friday July 8th, 01:45 pm
• Sunday July 10th, 03:30 pm

Crux, set in a working climbing gym, takes Fringe plays to new heights

From press release:
Crux takes you into the gripping world of climbing. This site-specific, immersive play takes you into Boulderz Climbing Centre with gravity defying stunts and off-the-wall dance choreography. Follow your favourite character through the no-holds-barred Bigger Better Boulder competition. Watch as friendships and romances struggle to hang on. Who will crush and who will crack under the pressure? Discover what drives people up the walls.

Crux is a fun, inviting, movement rich play written by Greg Borris. With the help of choreographer Eric Dahlinger, Crux brings the audience into the Bigger Better Boulder competition. Featuring an original soundtrack of Canadian artists, including Andi, Sea Perry, Ivory Hours, KC Roberts and the Live Revolution and more, the show gracefully showcases the beauty of climbing with stylized choreography and impressive acrobatics. Between jaw dropping numbers, the audience gets to explore the gym in a choose-your-own-adventure style play. Audience member can watch a surprise sweet sixteen birthday party derail or follow the members of a complex love triangle. They can help the route setter put the final climbing holds on the walls or can choose to stick with the gym owner as he oversees the boulder competition. The cast of 8 multitalented performers bring real climbing stories and a spirit of adventure to life. Crux delights the senses with your feet firmly on the ground, unless you’re feeling brave and want a challenge. Audience members are welcome to participate in the boulder competition in the show, competing with each other and the performers in the show.

Writer/director Greg Borris explains: “Climbing really brought me out of my shell when I was a preteen. I want to bring people into this world so they can see why climbing is such a fast growing sport for all ages!” According to Borris, climbing is unique in its ability to be an “individual team” sport. “When you’re climbing, it’s just you and the wall, but your friends are there cheering you on! The atmosphere is very friendly and collaborative with people offering helpful advice and tips.” With heart-warming stories and stunning dances above and beside you, Crux will be sure to inspire you to new heights.

Official Crux trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVWqryxaCNk

Details

• Crux plays at Boulderz Climbing Centre. (1444 Dupont St.)
• Tickets are $10 at the door, $12 in advance. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Honest Ed’s Alley, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• Content Warning: Audience Participation.

Performances

• Wednesday June 29th, 09:30 pm
• Thursday June 30th, 09:30 pm
• Friday July 1st, 09:30 pm
• Saturday July 2nd, 07:30 pm
• Monday July 4th, 09:30 pm
• Tuesday July 5th, 09:30 pm
• Wednesday July 6th, 09:30 pm
• Thursday July 7th, 09:30 pm
• Friday July 8th, 09:30 pm
• Saturday July 9th, 07:30 pm
• Sunday July 10th, 07:30 pm

Fractals is joyful and shamelessly honest storytelling, straight from the heart

From press release:
Tales to Boot Productions debuts its inaugural production of Fractals, at this years’ Toronto Fringe Festival.

Fractals marks Krista White’s long awaited return to the Toronto Fringe Festival after focusing on other creative projects as a singer/songwriter, a voice over and film actor and now, not only as the solo performing artist but also as the playwright.

In this creatively crafted Toronto Fringe Festival show, Fractals, moments of self-realization, fragility and strength are revealed through storytelling, and song. What moments define us? Who do we really think we are? Stories about writers block, growing up queer, loneliness and our underestimated interconnectedness with nature and with one another is examined in each piece through a variety of characters.

Krista White grew up on the east coast of Canada, specifically Saint John, New Brunswick surrounded by beautiful elements of nature, the ocean, the river, the highest tides in the world, beaches, forests…these elements almost always enshrouded in fog. Her life experiences and who she truly is deep at her core, compliments her natural ability to story tell. Krista vividly embodies multiple characters, building intimate and authentic experiences for her audience, as she reveals how they are entwined. “Krista writes from her heart”, says director Christopher Sawchyn, “her shamelessly honest feelings and breath-taking poetry melt onto the page. She’s making my job fun and playful!”

Fractals is a gift of stories inspired by growing up on Canada’s east coast. It’s a journey of self-discovery and defining the human spirit one moment at a time. It is a must see show for all those who appreciate that we all have stories to tell.

Details

• Fractals plays at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. (16 Ryerson Ave)
• Tickets are $10 at the door, $12 in advance. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Honest Ed’s Alley, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
• Content Warning: Mature Language.
• This venue is NOT wheelchair-accessible.

Performances

• Thursday June 30th, 06:00 pm
• Saturday July 2nd, 01:30 pm
• Monday July 4th, 05:45 pm
• Tuesday July 5th, 08:30 pm
• Thursday July 7th, 02:45 pm
• Friday July 8th, 10:30 pm
• Saturday July 9th, 06:15 pm
• Sunday July 10th, 04:00 pm

Energetic, Spontaneous Shakespeare BASH’d say Farewell to Fringe with A Comedy of Errors

From Press Release:
After four sold-out years at the Toronto Fringe, Shakespeare BASH’d, Toronto’s best-loved independent Shakespeare company, is back for one final festival and they’re going out with a bang. This exciting production of The Comedy of Errors is a party, and Toronto’s amazing Fringe audiences are the guests of honour. Fresh off a hugely successful, sold-out 2015/2016 season, Shakespeare BASH’d is ready to launch into the next chapter with this fast-paced, hilarious production. Come help us bid farewell to The Victory Café and the Toronto Fringe in the best way we know how: a huge, fun, Shakespeare bash!

Company favourite Julia Nish-Lapidus takes the director’s chair, leading a stellar cast of actors from across the Toronto theatre scene. Kelly Penner (Shaw Festival, Mirvish Productions, St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival) plays both Antipholus of Ephesus AND Antipholus of Syracuse, opposite Tim Welham (This Is Where We Live, SummerWorks 2015; King John & Edward II, Shakespeare BASH’d; Crookback, Edmonton Fringe) as Dromio of Ephesus AND Dromio of Syracuse. You can bet Shakespeare BASH’d will make the most of this bold, ambitious casting choice with more of the fun, clear, text-driven work audiences have come to expect from this company. The cast is rounded out with more company members audiences have loved in previous Shakespeare BASH’d productions: Suzette McCanny plays Adrianna, David Ross plays Angelo, and David Mackett is Egeon, with Nish-Lapidus joining them as Aemelia, the Abbess.

The Comedy of Errors is a veritable greatest hits of Shakespeare’s best comedic moves: love, revenge, duels, mistaken identity, reunions, confusions, and not one, but TWO sets of twins. You don’t want to miss this surefire hit!

Details

• The Comedy of Errors plays at Victory Cafe. (518 Markham St)
• Tickets are $10 at the door, $12 in advance. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Honest Ed’s Alley, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
• Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

• Friday July 1st, 07:00 pm
• Saturday July 2nd, 05:00 pm
• Saturday July 2nd, 09:00 pm
• Sunday July 3rd, 05:00 pm
• Tuesday July 5th, 07:00 pm
• Wednesday July 6th, 07:00 pm
• Thursday July 7th, 07:00 pm
• Friday July 8th, 07:00 pm
• Saturday July 9th, 07:00 pm
• Sunday July 10th, 05:00 pm