The Syllabus
A really unique show, structured like an introductory class following a syllabus. Much of the humour came from Michael’s rules and regulations, as well as some clever audience involvement through the “questions” taken after each set of rules. I found that the show dragged in a few places, but its deeper commentary rang true, and I ultimately enjoyed it despite these moments.
Michael Gougis’ The Syllabus was the ultimate guide to surviving the next eight weeks in his class. It was hilarious, witty, and dark, and had the room erupt in laughter more times than we could count.
Underneath the jokes, the show was a sharp, dystopian social commentary on stereotypes, the patriarchy, and the bleak learning environment that’s faced by students in our modern world.
As a one-man show, the second the performance began, Gougis had an immediately powerful stage presence, enrapturing the audience. His nuanced acting and simple set and slideshow placed the crowd instantly in a school setting, where he used stark imagery to set the scene on the issues faced by today’s youth.
More physicality and movement around the stage would have made the show more engaging, as well as more precise comedic timing, particularly in the first half. Despite this, the performance confidently tore down the “same tired stereotypes we’re used to” and redefined them simply as a way to profit off of the marginalized groups.
By the end of the show, the audience felt the weight of the systemic barriers and could clearly picture the true societal issues. The performance felt humorous and entertaining, yet forced us to realize the impacts of these issues, and how they’ve become integrated into social norms. The Syllabus was truly a lesson in refusing acceptance and complacency in the face of destructive societal conventions, and how to go about reconciling them.
Normally on this day I would be doing a syllabus or building a course. Instead I retired and enjoyed this deja vu at Fringe. Prof Gougis took us to college media 101 with a fun blend of audience/student interaction. Still LMAO at his witty imrov responses. Pretty sure I need to write a good review because he said he might accept such bribery for extra credit. Does anybody remember what kind of sandwich he likes? Dialing door dash...
I did not know the actor and picked this show as it was set as a community college class which sounds fun. The setting for the class is Santa Monica, I might have preferred a Canadian version. Still lead is charming, confident in his delivery. I wasn't disappointed just not blown away.
Hilariously funny, intuitive, and imaginative. The show moves at a comfortable pace and the performer keeps you engaged not wanting to miss a moment. We laughed so hard and kept talking about how good the show was long afterwards. Definitely a must see.
It is a very creative solo performance that has clearly thought with the heart. Thank you Michael for the jokes, insights and character.
This performance navigates the bleakness of how to communicate with our current tech obsessed and screen locked generation with such enormous sass and spunk that I wanted desperately for this classroom to be real! I had so much fun being a student again, watching the modern struggles of overworked, underappreciated, and frankly quite done-with-it-all professors through the hilarious lens of Michael's stellar comedic performance. With a wink to the audience, and an even cheekier wink to society in general, this show will have you wishing you could go back to school!
Flashback!...right back to post-secondary school. In my case, university. Loved the use of the audience as the classroom. It involved the audience as a whole and gave those who wanted further participation, the chance to do so. Very good storyteller. Brings all his previous life experiences to the stage. Definitely worth seeing.Only thing missing...an apple on the desk!
Caught Professor Gougis at the Ottawa Fringe — thank God I did! As funny as it is educational, The Syllabus places your in a familiar place — first lecture of a uni course — just to send you off any which way, sometimes delightfully funny, sometimes awfully tragic. A class I wouldn’t want to skip.
As a professor myself, I felt this hit all the right notes. A fun and immersive experience where you get to be thrown back into the role of the student and laugh at how things were and always have been in the halls of academia. Be prepared to raise your hand, raise some questions, and maybe even raise a little hell. You will definitely leave this show wanting to take the full class, but at the same time, you’ll be grateful that your academic pursuits are in your past.
Funny as hell and insightful and important - delivered by a fantastic performer who mixes his real-life experience with fantastic(al) story and humor. It's really hard to be completely engaging as a solo performer, but Michael nailed it with aplomb. Go see it! The message is important and timely (about how media shapes our lives) but presented in a sugar-coated package dripping with sarcasm and biting humor. This is why you go to fringe theater - discover truly worthwhile and entertaining works by superb actors! A true "Don't miss"!
Michael Gougis’s The Syllabus is an acerbic, awesome one-man show that skewers our modern media culture through the lens of modern academia with razor-sharp wit. Gougis is astute in his observations, effortlessly blending the absurdity of academia - and the broader culture - with his biting social commentary. It’s fast, funny, and packed with surprising observations —exactly the kind of humor that sticks with you long after the curtain falls. An A+ performance
What a creative and engaging show! It took what seems like a pretty simple concept -- starting a university class during a political contentious and socially conscious time -- and built something very original and thought provoking. Kudos!
The syllabus was a hilarious reminder of all of the quirky ways a teacher can be distracted or frustrated by his students. Micheal’s performance was a one man, fun filled walk down memory lane. His anecdotes about students’ misconduct and how he perceived them had us laughing and gave my partner and I new inside jokes. It was a well rounded play, it didn’t drag on. If anything, by the end I was looking forward to what his actual lesson about media! The play had jokes they kept giving when he brought them back around again (I feel this is a key to the best comedy). The show ended with an enlightening and thought provoking monologue. Go see it for yourself.
Thank you for the fun and hilarious gift of comedy before the dark days of fall are here!
Michael broke down the role media plays in our lives in ways we rarely notice. The meta concept was illuminating and worth exploring. Highly recommend to everyone who cares about the way the world learns and reacts to knowledge.
This is why I loved the Syllabus! Professor Gougis brought to life the challenges of keeping the attention of students who have many other things on their mind. He entertains the audience with the surprising array of dos and don'ts that need to be stated to students of today. It is no wonder he somewhat jaded.
Michael occasionally gives us a glimpse into his real-life experiences, which are both surprising and interesting. And best of all, he invites questions, but not outside of class or office hours!
I so enjoyed Michael Gougis' real life tales from the classroom, and I actually learned something, too!
The Syllabus sparkles with charm and wit and I often found myself wondering - did that really happen? Is he telling the truth? Did he really have to tell his students that?
Gougis' confidence and clarity shines throughout as he transforms years in the trenches of post-secondary education into a delightful and sincere performance.
Would definitely see it again!
Wonderful performance, great true story. Highly recommended
It was funny but true.
Brilliantly exposes the man pulling the levers behind the curtain in modern media. This funny and thought provoking "first day in class" at a community college, kept me laughing and at the same time reexamining the world around me. Prof G earns a perfect grade.
I saw this show at the Nanaimo Fringe Festival a few weeks ago. Prof. Gougis is genuinely funny. I wish I’d had him as a professor when I was in college. He tries to play the grumpy professor character, but you can tell he really does care about his students. His stories about his time as a reporter are really funny, but they are also truly disturbing. I laughed a lot, but I'm still thinking about some of the things he said. I plan to see the show again at the Vancouver Fringe.