Loren Marsden

August 21st, 2025

Where the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks do I even START. I don’t even know how this artist managed to pull it off, but she tackled everything from weird butt stuff (please don’t ask me-okay, maybe ask me a little bit😳) to world peace. ☮️

Aliya took those gross things we don’t want to talk about, the things we pretend, and had us gently confront it in the mirror. I think some of us needed alcohol to get through that, so sipping margaritas at the Spotlight Cabaret helped. 🤩 I didn’t drink that night, but she stole someone’s beverage and claimed she discovered it to illustrate the impact of Colonialism. 👏🏼 #ShotsFired

She made me laugh my head off, and gave a clear, no holds barred exposé of how we have all moved through the world without a hint of obnoxious preachiness.

I was chosen as an object lesson.-W/ chart paper, markers, it was a whole entire thing and I was THERE for it. She pointed out that although our economic status, gender, sexual preference, orientation and age were the same/similar, the world typically only notes our differences —our ethnicities and faith backgrounds. I found that to be more comforting than one could possibly know. I feel very isolated from others right now, and she reminded me that we are all connected.

I understand I’m waffling here, but this show really got me thinking. All the best Fringe shows do.

Especially the bravery of doing a one-person show. That is NOT an easy thing to do. It’s an extremely intimate experience to be so vulnerable with your audience, because you don’t know how they are going to respond. Comedians are magic-makers, and no one is going to convince me otherwise.

To quote Disney: “I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob.”

UnclenchYourself IfYouKnowYouKnow

💎 Two actors played multiple characters 👗 The antics and physical comedy remind me of Steve Martin’s work 💃The gentleman out of the pair had sweat absolutely pouring off of him halfway through the play from all his running around on the stage. Now THAT is DEDICATION. Your standing ovation was from me that night. 😘

He and his costar were exceptional, and I wish I could have had the opportunity to tell them. 🛗I couldn’t wait to see what character would pop out of the elevator next. 😂

CheckedOutFringe2025 SlapstickHumour AComedyOfErrors

Unbelievably hilarious. Had a delightful Steel Magnolias vibe to it!!

I could not stop laughing because of all the spot-on passive aggression. It was so awesome.

The handbells played at the end were so gorgeous, my hair stood on end and I began weeping. Hip Hip Hooray!

August 17th, 25 19:00-20:15

My expectations were incredibly high for this production, as I’ve witnessed playwrights Jeff Halaby and Aimée Beaudoin hit it out of the park (since I started Fringing regularly) in the summer of 2022.

They delivered. This parody of Romeo & Juliet subbed out the Montagues & Capulets for the Yellowheads & the Hendays. (OH yeah. They went there).

Absolute hilarity ensued. Jeff with his diverse range of voices. Aimée with her expansive repertoire of facial expressions that never fail to crack me up. Tyler Pinset & Abby Vandenberghe played the ill-fated lovers, and they too were brimming over with talent. I saw Tyler in last year’s Fringe show, (Alison Wunderland) and he is such a powerful and versatile vocalist.

At the end of their show, they told us we were the best audience they had so far, and that the play felt like it had a laugh track on it. So I guess you could say we as an audience also delivered.

Jeff and Aimée run the Spotlight Cabaret year-round, so they live, breathe, sleep and eat show business. Hat’s off to the 4 of you. You guys were amazing.

FANTASTIC music! Beautiful costumes. Such a versatile and creative use of props! The songs were a perfect mix of lively and haunting. The dancing was on POINT, and the choreography sublime.

Yellow Flag: The performers were often drowned out by the band. Mainly when they were singing an individual piece. Otherwise, it wasn’t a problem.

The story was compelling, and it was a wonderful balance of hilarious, heartwarming, and heart wrenching. You really hit the trifecta.

The duet between the two main characters by the water was so chilling. I wish I had a recording of it because I would play it over and over and over again.

The solo by the character that had written a song for the woman he has a crush on was so good!!! Such pure vocals.

I hope to hear and see all of you again, no matter what production it is.

Polished, exceptional comedic timing. Impeccable costumes. The attention to detail. 🤌🏾 The way they encouraged the audience to be a part of it. I wasn’t a passive audience member. I was a part of the unfurling plot.

Co-directed by my friend Tegan. Take a bow, sweetie. You’ve more than earned it.

I can confidently say this was one of the absolute best plays I have seen and will see at the Fringe Festival, and this has only been the first one I have seen this season. I wanted to bawl at a couple points but had to keep it together. Tremendously moving.

An absolutely scathing indictment of our history, and what we observe unfolding in our present. As for our future? I guess that part is up to us.