Sure, the Fringe is still months away, but the cold winter months have their own little festival gems. In a couple of weeks, Vancouver and Ottawa will have Push and Undercurrents respectively, Montreal is currently taking a walk on the Wildside, and here in Toronto, well, we take things to the Next Stage.
Checking out the Next Stage show list, I wish I could see everything, but my time and, more importantly, my funds are limited. I have yet to score the number of any theatre invitations in this city like I used to in Ottawa, but all in good time. So without further ado, here's what I will be seeing at the Toronto Fringe's big brother festival. (Not to be confused with the Toronto Fringe Big Brother Festival where they put cameras into the homes of your favorite Fringe artists and the footage is streamed online.)
Please note that I know absolutely nothing about these shows and am basing my choices solely on promo blurbs. Everything presented at the festival is probably pretty good since most of these shows are remounts of favorite fringe shows and/or proven performers. Really, you can't go wrong with any show; this is just what I want to see.
MUST SEE
LOVESEXMONEY
Great title, cool promo shot, and I was in a student film with one of the actors. That normally would have been enough to get me out, but then my roommate, whose theatrical opinion I dearly respect, told me this was the best script she'd seen in a long time. That endorsement took LOVESEXMONEY from a "probably going to see it" to "absolutely must see this."
MORRO AND JASP: GO BAKE YOURSELF
I sleep in a Morro and Jasp t-shirt so... Listen, I have an unreasonable crush on these clowns and I would sit there as they read through the phone book. Let's just say I am not going to miss this show.
MODERN LOVE
It's a one-woman show, which I love, and it seems to talk about social media so my interest is piqued. Plus a friend of mine is seeing it tonight and I told her I'd go with her. See you there?
WILL SEE IF I HAVE THE TIME AND/OR THE MONEY
LIVING WITH HENRY
The subject matter speaks to me and I'm going to try and catch it if I can.
PROBABLY WON'T SEE IT BUT ONLY BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT THREE TIMES ALREADY
UNCALLED FOR PRESENTS HYPNOGOGIC LOGIC
GO. SEE. THIS. SHOW. Or you are not my friend anymore. I love Uncalled For and HYPNOGOGIC LOGIC is their best show yet. I've seen it three times. I've brought friends to see it. I was even asked to be a part of it this time around, but I am too swamped with work. And that makes me sad because I love this show so much. I love this show so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant and then fall asleep snuggling and wake up and get it pregnant again. That's love, man and it's all good. So, you know, go out there and feel the love... what was I talking about again? Oh yeah. You should totally go see this show.
And if you like, let me know in the comment section if there is something else that I absolutely can't miss and why. See you at the (Factory) theatre!