The Jackson Elementary Grade 6 Drama Club presents: BLOOD & SNOW: THE DONNER PARTYS FATAL FORAY INTO THE SIERRA NEVADA WILDERNESS
A delightful foray into the darkness of man’s heart (colonialism>cannibalism) and middle school theatre politics. One of my favourites, for sure! Excellent use of concept and the stage. 10/10 would watch Lara Lewis make out with her human wife stuffed platypus again.
You can always rely on Dan Bray to write something silly and macabre, and I can see how this play won the Toronto Fringe 2026 24-hour Playwriting Competition. This truly felt like I was watching a plucky group of kids put on a school play, complete with a hoarde of stuffies to fill out the ensemble and uncomfortable auditorium seating. It was educational, funny, AND traumatic! The costumes were characters themselves at times, and every single person on that stage is a friggin star.
I need to see this show again, and I want everyone I know to see it so we can all talk about it. I could not stop smiling the entire show. The constant movement and changing of characters and grade 6 energy was so delightful and entertaining. My only critique was it felt like it lost a bit of steam near the end. Nevertheless, I'd like to personally shake the hands with everyone involved. Seriously, there were no weak links. The writing, the acting, the directing, the choreography and the musical performances, all perfect. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful!! Neat story! And the kids were terrific. Lara Lewis makes a very creepy teacher!!
Everyone's performance was A+ !! So funny, so talented, script is incredible, every actor should get every award possible.
If there’s one thing I love it’s a show about children being feral, and this show delivers that all around! An excellent ensemble cast full of great performances, a standout feature by several teddy bears (no spoilers!) and a perfect number of hats. The Villains have done it again!
I audibly said “oh god” several times knowing the history behind this one - an amazing comedy that is taking one of the microcosms of American colonialism and saying something really profound about Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism as a whole. The props and set are also beautiful and awe-inspiring (if you know you know). Can’t recommend enough!
A very funny premise having an elementary class reenact unsettling historical content. The actors were wonderful, the song choices and props hilarious. Well done!
A chaotic production from Dan Bray featuring a cast of some of the city's best young actors, each doing a terrific job differentiating their core character from the remaining dozens(?) represented by a moustache, accent, or hat swap. Nimble and demented, with three truly showstopping numbers of classic songs built on harmonies beautifully layered by Gabrielle Papillon. The church gym setting, despite its echoes, effortlessly adds a layer of reality to this wild cannibal party. What Fringe is all about!
A brilliant meta-theatrical concept that turns every wink, nod, and hokey needle drop into something sincere, adorable, and hilarious. The no-bullshit anti-colonialism is the cherry on top
Ridiculously funny, perfectly awkward, and excellent performances from everyone! A must-watch
Kids performing plays within plays are my soft spot. Like, I consider a bad play within a play to be peak comedy. This is what I hoped it would be. Dan Bray made a really cool thing here, and every performer (and designer) crushed it! So many great moments. But there’s one moment that I won’t spoil that is equal parts hilarious and horrific and totally startling. You’ll know what I mean when you see it.