Krissy Berkholtz

“The American Dream” - By: Krissy Berkholtz

If The Naked Gun, every Bond movie, and Mission Impossible had a baby together, it would be RIGHT PLACE, WRONG MAN: Another Grant Canyon Mystery. RIGHT PLACE, WRONG MAN follows the life of an Insurance Investigator who finds himself in a constant loop of dangerous situations that lead to tomfoolery, amazing one liners, and plot twists that’ll make you clutch your pearls. Ryan Gladstone plays the role of Grant Canyon, and takes on the incredible challenge of how to master a one man show. Every moment of comedic timing was performed perfectly and any moment of silence in the audience was quickly filled with laughter, gasps, or asking the question “what just happened?!” Grant Canyon comes with his own theme song and a splendid lighting design that accentuates all of the hilarious narrated moments in the show. The set was simplistic, but helped propel the story further by making Canyon the main focus as he combats his foes with his jaw dropping mime fight scenes in this late 70’s period piece. Every entrance into a joke was well timed and well met. There wasn’t a single dull moment in the entire show, and you could see how much Ryan enjoyed putting on this show and playing the beloved buffoon, Grant Canyon. If you’re looking for a knee-slapping level of a hilarious show, come see RIGHT PLACE, WRONG MAN: Another Grant Canyon Mystery and enjoy the ride of mischief and clownery!

“When I remember that you are me and I am you” - By: Krissy Berkholtz

In a world with so much malice, what can you do to stop the on going “hate plague”? The vaccination of love from the one and only Lover Girl herself with straighten you out! Lover Girl is a tale about a young girl who makes the promise to love unconditionally and love all who cannot love themselves or something to the fullest extent. Through hilarity and humility, we learn about Tamara Lynn Robert the writer, and actor of Lover Girl’s experiences as a social worker, forensic psychologist, and in the current day: a relationship therapist. Detailed story telling through subtle lighting switches and soft, caring music welcomes the crowd into the vast mind of, Tamara Lynn Robert, writing style. Tamara re-developed this show multiple times till she found the right fit for her and her creative expression, which was clear from the bold character choices and the hilarious stories throughout the show. As you sit in the crowd, her story telling displays a reality that the audience naturally gravitates toward. Stating that we may all be people pleasers at one given time or another, but self love is the key to finding the humbleness in our modern day way of living. Instead of choosing to shy away, Lover Girl plunges into the deep end and makes you question what more you can be doing for others, yourself, and your community. A sweet show of kindness, support, and believe it or not…love. You’ll be wanting a bubble bath with a side of poutine after this show.

“Dinosaurs aren’t on the spectrum” - By: Krissy Berkholtz

Arturo Grijalva describes The Flail as an urban legend. Something you learn to fear that can eventually make its way into your life. The Flail is a one man show performed by Arturo Grijalva in a fast pace, hilariously dark, and heart breaking manner where we follow his journey from the start of his childhood experiences into modern day. We feel with Arturo as he goes onto describe the trials and tribulations he faced growing up, and as cold and long addiction follows him into his teen years, and adult hood. The Flail is brutally honest and truly personal. We all have heard cautionary tales on what we believe is right from wrong. How drugs are bad and should be avoided. We most likely all know someone who has had an experience with addiction. The Flail explains and explores the mindset of a man who’s trying to get better, but must conjure up the strength to do so while facing the separation of mind and body. This is a story of never giving up will make you weep, it will make you grateful, and it’ll make you take a look at the world around you and say “I choose to be better today. For myself, and for the people who can’t choose yet.” Everyone has their Flail, but how they pick themselves up is what transforms you. Heals you. Makes you find the light.

Thy loins will doth quake! - By: Krissy Berkholtz

We all love a good romance novel, but it takes true expertise to truly understand a romance novel. A Woman’s Guide to Romance Novels takes us on a sensual, thrilling and hilarious adventure on this one woman show where we learn about the history of romance novels, while we’re wined and dined by our hostess into a calming and erotic atmosphere for our show. It’s a masterclass on how to structurally understand a romance novel, enjoy yourself to the fullest extent next time you read one, and possibly write your own. With a hearty amount of audience participation, no show will be the same as the writer, director, and actor, Holly Brinkman, improvs her way through, giving us a juicy and new piece of desirable literature that will have you craving more. What other Fringe show can you go to to be able to hear words like: “Meat Stick” or even “Hot pocket” in reference to human anatomy?! Every show Holly performs we are introduced to a new special guest she brings into the space that is another working actor, or artist at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. With riveting, hilarious, and often horny tales of lust, you find yourself invested in every story shared. A Woman’s Guide to Romance Novels is a flirty and fantastic show that’ll make you grateful to be in a comfortable and open space that is constantly upheld by our hostess, where you can let your freak flag fly and have a genuinely fun time with friends, your partner, or even for a solo show.

This show will make you wish it were Halloween. - By: Krissy Berkholtz

We all love summer camps! Archery, going swimming, the camp counselors getting possessed by demons…the good ol days. Fear fables: The Horror Drag Anthology was a haunting, sexy, hilarious, and fierce time! With every performer bringing their own quirky, yet spooky personality with their mini fear fable that acts as the introduction to who they are as a performer. When you first enter the theatre you’re greeted with a bloody amazing set, as if taken straight out of a horror movie. Every individual performance was full of life…which was shocking since there was so much death. The lighting designs complimented the sound designs perfectly, setting up an amazing atmosphere for a dreadful evening. Every outfit and custom makeup look was done to excellence to match the horror filled thriller they put on for us. With dynamic burlesque dancing, every monster captivated the audience with their unique looks and attractive spectacle. If you’re a thrill seeker, and ready to get down and bloody, then get ready for the best summer camp you could ask for and sign your name on the dotted line to have both your soul and breath stolen away.

Gorgeous, grotesque, and completely captivating.

Are you ‘hip’ enough to get it? - By: Krissy Berkholtz

What happens when your local Edmontonian high school has an improv team ward off vaping and support sexual representation? You get Vaping Gay! Vaping Gay is a satirical parody on Breaking Bad combined with our current day's politics, with the cherry on top being they almost exclusively communicate through “brainrot” phrases heavily popular on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Watching a show with twists is one thing. Watching a show that is purposefully everywhere is another. You’ll have an absolutely hilarious time as you try to keep up with the ever changing plot with the show's quick transitions that never loses your attention or over explains itself to you. The sound, set, and lighting design all complimented each other and the comedic style of the show. It is fast paced and interesting. Vaping Gay is unafraid to let you know its political stance as each joke comes at you like a punch. Everyone on stage seemed like they were having the best time performing with one another which translated to the audience, since there was never a dull moment in the show. This show had everything you could conjure up in your head! It’s a play that’ll make you ask “what did I just watch” but you'll know that you got to see a play that has truly never been done before.

What will happen next? You can genuinely never guess! - By: Krissy Berkholtz They say a sister's bond is unbreakable, but they never said a sister's bond may be…absurd… The Merkin sisters bring a truly unforgettable performance with their quirky, strange, but yet charming senses of humour. This clowning duo, Stephanie Morin-Robert & Ingrid Hansen, have been working together as stage artists for 9 years. Proving their well seasoned comedic acts are standouts from the rest. If you’ve ever dreamt it, the Merkin sisters have beaten you to it. They are so free in their physical and puppetry comedy to do so as they please and bring us along with them in audience participation that makes you feel as if you are performing with them. Although you may hear some exasperated gasps among your fellow crowd members, the grotesque charm of these “incestious” family members will make you not only roar with laughter, but make you realize that theatre in general is an art form that doesn’t need to be restricted by what we as an audience could consider as appropriate or inappropriate. The kooky and crazy charisma brought by The Merkin Sisters is what creates these carefree and hilarious performances that form into a generosity as you sit with your cohort and chat about what you just saw. Community is brought together through this strange and unrelenting comedy, and the Merkin sisters are paving the way to prove so. Have a queasy stomach? Best get ready to be challenged. You’ll laugh, you’ll squirm, you’ll ask your fellow audience member “did I miss something?” But that’s all the charm of getting to sit through a once in a lifetime show.

How do you like your tea? With one sugar? Two? Or perhaps…set on fire? - By: Krissy Berkholtz

Chamomile and the End of the World brings an interesting take on the idea of apocalyptic reality we all know thanks to widespread media movies like Armageddon or World War Z. But how would the apocalypse look to two people just trying to live normally amongst all the chaos? A refreshing take on the genre, Chamomile slowly builds the tension throughout the show by investing you in its witty humour, hilarious character duo, and the strong desire to survive as long as you can with the people worth living for. Both Janelle Jorde and Michelle Diaz, the dynamic duo of the show give humorous, in depth and well contrasted performances as the tea loving- and not so loving duo. The conversations felt human and genuine. As we are eased by these beloved characters, we slowly see how the end of the world displays itself through incredibly interesting and dynamic stage lights, while the sound score propels you into the unknown. Leaving you wondering what will come next, and excited for more. Perhaps your favourite tea is the infamous Cheery Cherry blend, or even the Live, Laugh, Lavender brew. The set itself was a character in the show. With its fully formed appearance and calming atmosphere. Every physical gag and joke the show throws at you will be responded with laughter from the audience thanks to Evelyn Rollans writing style and candour. Chamomile and the End of the World is incredibly charming, genuine, and outspoken with its opinions on what the changes we need to see in this world. Grab a cup of your favourite dehydrated leaves and cheers to having a good time at this treat of a Fringe show.

“How can I make YOU funny?” - By: Krissy Berkholtz

How far can we go before we break? What is the limit to what a comedy act can offer an audience of people seeking temporary relief from their reality? Punch Up explores these exact questions as we follow our main character Pat, “the funniest man alive”, played by Justin Spurr. As he finds himself trapped in a difficult situation where he's forced to reconcile with the question: How can I make someone funny when nothing is funny to me anymore? Each aspect of Punch Up was explored through stark contrasts in cuts with its lighting and audio design choices, leaving the audience in complete captivity of the performers as they whipped around corners, leaving us trying to guess what will happen next. Throughout the play, the history of slapstick comedy integrates itself into the story and acts as a mini history lesson. Leaving you with a heart warming, wacky feeling and more knowledge than what you entered with. Physical comedy and character chemistry- or rather- what appears to lack of is on full display from a standout performance from Duncan, played by Ryan Mattila, who performs the best of both worlds: the openness to abandon reality at the door and throw themselves into the chaotic weirdness of a character but still sustain the grounded moments of reality, showing the stakes of the story. It was a masterclass to see these three actors perform alongside each other, bringing a hilariously dire set of situations to light with its generosity and desire to be loved as much as you love someone else. Punch Up explores how love, death, and humour can inspire you to be a better person and abandon the harshness of our reality, even for just a moment of peace among chaos to have a good laugh.

Pork & Beans mopping up the competition! - By: Krissy Berkholtz

Have you ever needed a lawyer that’ll stay by your side? Ever wanted to sue someone just because? Have you ever wanted a duo that mops up all the other competitors? Look no further! Pork & Beans: Attorneys At Law have got you covered. Pork & Beans is an incredibly fun roller coaster of a musical that takes you through the most riveting court case to hit the wild 1970’s justice system. Pork & Beans played by Ethan Lang and Sam Daly play the duo of the millennia as the comedic protagonists of this musical. This punny musical never ceases to miss a beat with its incredible ensemble who are just as wacky and unpredictable as our main characters. A standout performer is the court room's resident bailiff who is always SERVING and protecting, Ben Healey, providing the audience with his physical comedy that left the audience hollering. The stand out show number was “Law Suit On”. With its dynamic ensemble dance sequences and vocal performances, it was hard to sit still in your chair. Every line delivery and dance sequence was full of energy and character. You can never guess where the plot will take us next and you become grateful very quickly for the show's unique quirks. Pork & Beans is campy fun ready for everyone to enjoy. A tale of friendship in its trials and tribulations. What will happen next!? You will have a blast with this show and at the end of it all, it’ll leave you wanting a hot dog real bad!