Krissy Berkholtz

Emil Amok: 69 - “Be rebellious” By: Krissy Berkholtz

With muppet like charisma and a bright comedic style, Emil teaches the lucky audience on how to “give Amok” about today’s current political climate. “Emil Amok: 69” is a one man, raunchy comedy show about a man’s life. Following in perfectly cut segments, Emil dives deep into his personal life and relates it to the issues his family has generationally faced, what his daughter has faced, and what he’s faced- and all overcame. Emil doesn’t hold back on his opinions. Calling attention to the truth by both presenting factual and credible sources, while he charmingly entertains the audience. The set was cleverly designed to be in disarray, such as the world is, while the lighting and sound complemented Emil and his creativity by shifting between colours as the topics became ‘higher stakes’. “Emil Amok: 69” will have you hollering at the end of the night, but will make you think about all the work that still needs to be done in this world. “Emil Amok: 69” runs from August 20th-24th.

Final Girl: A New Musical - “I Hate Teenagers” By: Krissy Berkholtz

They say when “Mercury is in retrograde,” everything around you gets shaken up. Whether that be no wifi over the weekend, hurting your weak ankle, or even…a camping trip gone wrong. Who knows? “Final Girl: A New Musical” does! “Final Girl: A New Musical” is a hilariously written musical thanks to Seth Gilfillan and Stephan Allerd that is a take on your classic horror movie tropes but now set in modern day. Enveloped in social media, “Final Girl” is the ‘yassified’ version of “Friday the 13th” Followed by an incredible cast of singers/actors and a live band, “Final Girl: A New Musical” never missed a beat while making the audience erupt with laughter throughout the show. Alyson Horne, Bella King, Jaimi Reese, Josh Travnik and Liz Janzen take us on the twisting ride while their smooth vocals and impressive dance skills leave the audience with an itch satisfyingly scratched. So make sure your shoes are laced and hold onto your allies dearly as “Final Girl: A New Musical” has you guessing who the real final girl will be… “Final Girl: A New Musical” runs from August 20th-24th.

YegDND - “Redemption is a choice” By: Krissy Berkholtz

In a far off land called Whyt Ave, there’s a mystical Journey about to unfold. With the help of 9 party members, and an ecstatic audience, be prepared for “YegDND” to envelope your senses as magic fills the room and carries you away into an action packed ride full of music, quick quips, and tender moments as the first D20 takes a roll. “YegDND” is an audience driven, live DND campaign that leaves its fate in the crowd’s hands as four main characters take to the stage portraying their enchanting designs to create a mystical world within a single room, where every single choice made in the show is not only a shock to the engaged audience, but to the actors themselves. The cast of “YegDND” includes a Dungeon Master; Matt Ness from “Sorry not sorry Improv” who centres the Dungeons and Dragons world the characters live in, while setting them on course of their future decisions, and making them pay the toll for their actions by the roll of a dice, setting their fate in stone. Matt Ness proves himself as an intuitive director who knows how to keep the element of surprise throughout the course of the campaign, not losing the on-edge audience for a moment. The actors, including three Non-Player characters who bring Matt’s given circumstances to life are Laena Anderson, Liam Creswick, Joel Dinicola, Corina Dransutavicius, Lea DuCoeur, Adam Keefe, Liam McKinnon, Jesse Tollestrup, Ross Zimmerman and other various members from “Sorry Not Sorry Improv”. This group of actors are beyond hilarious and committed to the work they do on stage. With their quick wits and endless dedication, they can make any audience swell with laughter while continuing an emotional and heroic show. “YegDND” is not only a thrilling ride that's fun for the whole family, but every show is a continuation of the previous night, meaning you can follow along with this group of adventurers for the entire run of their show! Everyone is welcome to join this loving community of chaotic good theatre goers! “YegDND” runs from August 19th-24th.

Screwball! - “You ever get Deja Vu?” By: Krissy Berkholtz

Is this a Murder Mystery? An eccentric dinner party? Perhaps a dentist visit gone wrong? Why not all 3! "Screwball!" had the audience constantly guessing “what next” as the troupe of 5 improvers smoothly imagined their collective fictional world to life off of the 3 words given by audience members: “Egg” “House keeping” and “Floor boards” as their live pianist underscored their shenanigans. The Troupe includes members from Rapid Fire Theatre and various improv companies, Paul Blinov, Quinn Contini, Susan Evans, Matthew Kusmire, Dill Prusko, and Kelly Turner take their direction beyond the imaginary world. Being the designers, directors, writers, and actors all bunched into a single world is hard work! Yet this cast seamlessly pulls it off with two boxes free for their use and a live pianist who contrasts the mood in whatever way the scene may need. Every cast member brought a different and unique element to the show. Clever quips and hilarious choices made the performance feel out of this world, yet tied to Edmonton with the references to differing neighborhoods in the city. Allow this Troupe of actors to take you on an adventure by letting you decide what today's show will be. "Screwball!" runs August 18th-23rd.

Zombies Inc. - “The only musical where zombies have jazz hands” By: Krissy Berkholtz

If the apocalypse comes at the expense of angelic vocals…then call me undead! "Zombies Inc." is a fantastically rhythmic and comedic one man musical that explores one’s own humanity as the world’s humanity is lost. "Zombies Inc." can only be best described as the love child between Broadway and The Walking Dead. The entire performance was astonishingly hilarious with admirable vulnerability scattered throughout, giving more insight into the inner workings of the main character, Ray, thanks to co-writers Marcus Perkins Bejarano and Kim Jinhyoung. Damon Pitcher, who played the main role of Ray, did the comical writing justice, blowing the entire audience out of the water. With songs like “A Diamond in the Rough” and “Undying Love”, Damon Pitcher immediately shined as bright as a gem, making sure everyone’s eyes were transfixed on him. The set was elaborately shaped and draped with colour and mystery in every corner of the room, setting the tone when you first walk in the theatre with the spectacular lighting design, complimented by the eerie sounds of groaning from the undead. The space may have felt unsafe, but simultaneously intriguing! "Zombies Inc." is a show stopper of a performance that incorporates you into the post apocalyptic world of New York City. Making you ask yourself the question; “what am I willing to lose for my dreams?” So before you go to the theatre- count how many fingers you enter with and pray the undead won’t want your brain, but either way get ready to watch the wild ride that is "Zombies Inc." "Zombies Inc." runs from August 17th-23rd.

“A Lesbian in a Bear Store” - Witchy Wonderful By: Krissy Berkholtz

A show that’s as snuggly and vulnerable as a Beany Baby. “A Lesbian in a Bear Store” is a one woman ecstatic performance full of hilarious jokes, clever quips and heart warming stories that fulfill an audience’s hearts and prove that community is a powerful tool to confirm the love and acceptance that is needed in this modern day society. Not only a brave testimony from the writer and actor of “A Lesbian in a Bear Store”; Willow Rosenberg offers a sanctuary, complimented with her crowd interaction work and open personality. “Lesbian in a Bear Store” teleports you to a room from the late 90’s complimented by the smart details scattered across the room. Boxes signed with “Pronouns” and “Gender identity” provides a well planted Easter eggs that add so much honest flair to the overall performance. The warm lighting shifts between vibrant colours, to dimmer pastels adds an element of us travelling with the performer as the show goes on, and the deeper we get into her mind. “A Lesbian in a Bear Store” is a purely human show full of love and magic that explores to answer the questions “what makes us human? What makes us ourselves?”. “A Lesbian in a Bear Store” runs from August 18th-24th.

GORDON'S BIG BALD HEAD: Play-garism - The Improv masterclass. By: Krissy Berkholtz

They’re proud, they’re loud, they’re not bald? But they’re the kings of improv! “GORDON'S BIG BALD HEAD: Play-garism” is a completely improvised comedy show featuring a fantastically stellar group of improv friends, the troupe that is “GORDON'S BIG BALD HEAD". The troupe members consist usually of 3 members, with 2 of them performing at this show. Mark Meer and Jacob Banigan are comedic geniuses with a knack for sparking bursting laughter from every audience they perform in front of. With a simplistic set, this troupe takes you on an adventure while skillfully creating a fantastically interesting world around you that sucks you in immediately. Thanks to a wonderfully intuitive tech team, whatever “GORDON'S BIG BALD HEAD" improvises they get an immediate backing track and lighting change to complement their work even more. With a labour of love, creativity, imagination, and most importantly; quick witted thinking, “GORDON'S BIG BALD HEAD: Play-garism” is a one of a kind show- since one performance will never be like another! “GORDON'S BIG BALD HEAD: Play-garism" runs from August 16th-24th.

red dirt / red storm - A Connection in a Star System By: Krissy Berkholtz While “Living the dream of the future” may sound appealing, what will the cost be and what are you willing to give up? red dirt / red storm unlocks the imagination and teleports you to a sci-fi wonderland space station where we shift back and forth from present day to histories past in the hopes that a couple's thriving love will reach cosmic bounds before it’s crumpled by spaces vacuum before they can answer that question themselves. With back and forth banter that inspires true stage chemistry between co-actors Ashley Victoria Robinson and Zach Counsil, the two on a challenging pursuit to show the jumps from past to present while keeping strong characterization with faithful commitment and convincing performances. Not only did the acting duo perform as a unit, but they designed, wrote, and directed as one as well. The set had multiple uses that explored the spacing of the stage and showed the clever use of how a stage space can be converted into outer space! The lighting design between each jump in the show was clear and gratifying, with swirls of light and iridescent stars on the ceiling of the stage that transported you to a new galaxy, complimented by the sound design that both raises the stakes of the show but comforts everyone sharing the space, sparking new hope between each scene. red dirt explores the hard conversations of what our future may look like. How much of yourself can you give before you’re lost completely? Truly giving everyone that enters this theatre space a new outlook on not only an ideal reality, but what may be holding you back from your current one. Strap on your space suits, and study up on your astronomy, because red dirt / red storm will take you to unknown worlds. red dirt / red storm runs from August 16th-23rd

The Alberta Hospital for the Insane - Who’s to say what’s real? By: Krissy Berkholtz

A passion project of puppets, mask, and absurdist care. The Alberta Hospital for the Insane was an adventure of the psyche that takes you down the twisted roads of Ponoka County to finding the truth that may lay underneath your subconscious. With a grim sense of humour and clever storytelling, Alberta Hospital had the audience cackling in the first minute, while still performing a thoughtful and introspective show that gave much food for thought. Written and performed by Calla Wright, along with her co-star, Ekeajia Vieira, Alberta Hospital was given a strong voice of vulnerability, resistance, and eventual acceptance that is both unique to the character, but familiar to many people you may share an audience with. Bringing new life to puppetry combined with mask work, Alberta Hospital strives beyond the confines of material to show all that is possible to express yourself in infinite ways, while the characters break down that same wall themselves in the show. The detailed puppet booth had a fun design that left the audience in suspense of “what will happen next” while the sound design was filling the room with eerie intricacies that made everyone fall into the puppeteers hands. The gothic undertones of the entire show heavily contributed to how much character interaction we saw in multiple forms up till the very end. As we look into the eyes of whoever we think the real puppeteer may be, this show will have you repeating “We are whatever we are. It’s better to let ourselves go mad than stay," as you allow yourself to be swept away into this puppeteer polished performance that is The Alberta Hospital for the Insane. The Alberta Hospital for the Insane runs from August 16th-24th.

Iggy Beamish Destroys Traditional Marriage - Love is an Acceptance By: Krissy Berkholtz

With the “grace of a ginger swan” Iggy Beamish Destroys Traditional Marriage placed its respective mark on the Walterdale theatre by entrancing their opening night audience with a dazzling performance of love and care that will make every comedy theatre goer swoon. Iggy Beamish Destroys Traditional Marriage is a play that plays into the balance between its hilarity, and soft moments in a story. Written and performed by Johnnie McNamara Walker, Iggy Beamish is an incredibly riveting one person performance with as much heart as there are clever gay jokes. Iggy Beamish represents the best and most…difficult aspects of being human and undeniably yourself. Unapologetically true in what he knows while showing the vulnerability that is needed to create progression in conservative mindsets. While inducing conversations that cannot be had without these incredibly human pillars in many given societies, communities, and…even families, to then open the gateways to more inclusivity.

The simplistic set with smart sound design and moody lighting gave way to the true story, that not all love can fit into a single mold, and that that older mindset is ready to be retired. Although you may keep digging…and digging…and digging yourself down, Iggy Beamish Destroys Traditional Marriage will take you on a journey to not only help you find yourself in the end, but show that there is a light at the end of a tunnel, and that light is a rainbow that you cannot keep your eyes off of. Iggy Beamish runs from August 16th-23rd.