Book of Ooka: The Immaculate Misconception
Once again FAOC delights with their goofball energy mixed with poignant personal experience and commentary. Ooka was a heart forward show with lots of laughs and a wickedly talented cast of characters. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hilarious, witty, and super cute as always <3! I always make a point of catching FAOC's shows and so should you!
An ephemeral, yet grounded experience for the audience. We follow our heroes Roula and Maryem to the streets of Bethlehem with puns, slapstick humor, and Palestinian stories helping us along. I'd recommend taking your mum, aunty, or uncle! :)
This play is a boatload of wacky fun. I think Mel Brooks would love it!
Telling important timely, truthful stories with completely accessible hilarity is not easy. Roula, Maryem and all in the Book of Oola do just that. Whether it’s a Palestinian auntie or a Eastern European mobster and his side kick, this story of heart, lightness and human connection is what unites us all- and yes it is so cheeky, super well crafted, and boasts a cast of stellar musicians actors and storytellers A MUST SEE
A hilarious and wildly imaginative show. For a thoroughly engaging hour, we get to peak into the imagination and zany wit of Maryem Tollar and Roula Said.
Great show! Similar to last year's Very Shady Arab Ladies, it's another wild and wonderful ride, a delightful mix of clown and music, with some serious undertones. Maryem and Roula's duo are their usual hilarious selves, and Rajaram's character work as Ooka and The Russian is both hilarious and mesmerizing. Don't miss this one!
Heart-warming and hilarious. Shawarma shop owners and friends tell a story of displacement and longing for a homeland that holds meaning for so many. Dance scenes were moving - one with the elderly auntie (who's mind seems lost and in a land all her own) and another that transported us to a nostalgic old world market. Their whacky journey home finds the ladies bumping into a bunch of absurd characters (some deliciously uncomfortable, some super dramatic - all ridiculous and funny). Music was very cool. Strong singing, and musicians playing live along with pre-recorded tracks added much to the production. Felt good to be cracking up along with the rest of the audience. You'll leave believing in the magic of kindness.
Great show. Funny, wacky and wild. And guest appearance by Wonder Woman herself! Great venue as well!
Delightfully chaotic, hilarioisly clever and surprisingly heartwarming. If there is one must see performance this year ts this one!
I LOVED last year's Very Crazy Arab Ladies, created by the same team. It was smart, very funny and well-paced. By comparison, Book of Ooka was none of these things. As well, the storyline was weak and as a result, the play was laboured and plodding. It almost felt that after last year's success, the creators looked for a follow-up that picked up on last year's themes. Sadly, the result was not credible or worthy. After the performance, we chatted with other attendees outside the theatre. All shared our disappointment in the Book of Ooka.
Book of Ooka is one of the most memorable productions I've seen in a long time. It's genuinely funny, but beneath the laughter is a story full of heart, intelligence, and humanity. The performances were outstanding, and every actor brought incredible energy and authenticity to the stage. I left the theatre smiling, inspired, and grateful for such a creative and meaningful experience. Congratulations to everyone involved in Book of Ooka—this was truly one of the highlights of the Toronto Fringe Festival. Highly recommended!
I was thrilled to see that these Very Shady Ladies have returned to the Fringe this year! The Book of Ooka musical is funny, heartwarming, poignant and had me craving Shawarmas!! Definitely a must see!