Kylie Flanders

One hallmark of art is its ability to evoke feeling; whether that be unyielding joy, harrowing sadness, or some ineffable boiling in your gut is entirely up to the creator’s choice. Maigan van der Giessen’s Maiden Voyage exemplifies this quality to the utmost degree.

Through spoken word poetry, entrancing layered vocals, and careful rituals, van der Giessen expresses deep vulnerability whilst highlighting struggles regarding houselessness for indigenous and non-indigenous individuals alike. In the intimate theater, Maigan’s scalpel-sharp words are completely invigorating, like a whisper to your soul— she creates an atmosphere that allows for deep introspection as the production unveils itself. Van der Giessen is undoubtedly a well rounded artist as her use of movement, music, tone, and silence are all tailored to create a completely unique home where her themes thrive.

This is a heavy show. If you are seeking a light-hearted, jolly time, I would not point you towards Maiden Voyage. However, if the absorption of intelligent and emotionally rich poetry and a reckoning of your presupposed beliefs regarding property are your cup of tea, absolutely see the show. Maigan presents such incredible political and emotional lane of thought that are impossible to not ponder on the way home— this show and its contents will stick with you well past its end. Even experienced passively without an intense investment in the precise meaning of the poem’s metaphors, Maiden Voyage will deliver a feeling without a name, an impression on your heart.

What Maigan van der Giessen has created with Maiden Voyage is entirely unique. For any fringe-goers specifically seeking intellectual discussion or desire the sheer power art can hold, I cannot recommend Maiden Voyage enough!

The ultimate history buff show. If you love the intricate details of tragedies past— especially when told from an individual’s own perspective— you will certainly enjoy Fly Boy: From There and Back Again.

Told by Devon Tayler, this show details the experiences of her father, John Edward Tayler before and during the Second World War. Backed by a magnificent set, Devon acts as the mouthpiece for various letters sent to and from her father, filling in the empty moments with her own script. One of the best elements of this show was the way progression within John’s story was displayed through hanging outfits. This shifting backdrop acts as the eye candy of the show— something to scour as Devon tells the story of her father.

The power of this story cannot be denied. It is one of survival and resilience unlike anything most Canadians will ever experience and a testament to the perseverance of human kind. However, I found myself most engaged by the moments Devon strayed from her father’s story towards experiences more personal to herself. Her brief recollection of doing commando training with her father was a highlight within the greater presentation. Someone more in tune with the events of history would most likely be more enthralled by John Edward Tayler’s experiences than I was, so my qualms with the engagement of the show probably stem from a general disinterest in history. Still, Fly Boy: From There and Back Again could be served by creating a more engaging atmosphere.

This show was not for me, but that does not mean you should pass on it! Fly Boy: From There and Back Again is a beautiful tale of humanity in the face of the least humane and will be completely satisfactory for anyone with a deep interest in history.

This show embodies the spirit of the fringe: perfectly eclectic, unlike any conventional theater production, and an ode to individuality.

Bremner Fletcher acts as Onwards!’s sole member, manning the lights and sound whilst simultaneously performing for the audience. His unique use of lamps to light the stage adds an aura of authenticity to the production and undoubtedly lends itself to the show’s staunch pro-individual themes. Through song and storytelling, Bremner creates a kind of one-man-musical where— as the sole character— he leads the audience through the trials of maintaining free will in a world constantly vying for your submission. Bremner champions radical happiness, inviting the audience to choose joy for themselves in the face of all the tragedies of our modern day and reject the suppression of our internal wants.

One gripe I have with the execution of this show was the use of Suno AI during Bremner’s critique of AI. Use of AI in any fashion— even a critical lense— is awkward given the way it steals from the very artists that populate spaces like the fringe, so it’s minor involvement in Onwards! left a bad taste in my mouth. Bremner does take the time to air out all of AI’s downsides, however the point he makes through the use of Suno AI could have been done without the controversial application. Despite this unfortunate facet, the show still stands as a very profound and thought-provoking piece that calls the audience towards the betterment of themselves and society as a whole.

The fringe is all about taking a chance, so why not do just that by purchasing a ticket for Onwards! If you aren’t the cerebral type, I can’t promise this show will be for you. However, if you enjoy a little bit of thematic depth and a lot of unique design elements, give Bremner’s one-man-show a go!

From the moment she steps on stage, Tahina Awan throttles expectations and flips any assumption you could have made; an honest reflection of the rest of this show.

Punjabi Wabi Sabi is a one-woman storytelling show that details the life of Awan as she details the vibrant events of her youth. Tahina recalls events with an incredible fluidity, shifting from colonial factoids to lucid flashbacks with a natural ease that only adds to the production’s messaging.The themes is question are those of race, identity, and resilience, though the generally lighthearted tone makes these otherwise weighty topics incredibly digestible. Tahina’s bubbly personality is the anchor of this show— her presence on stage feels more like a conversation between friends than a blunt, one sided retelling, which is honestly a feat in itself.

Though this production is largely humorous, there are moments of deep, cutting honesty that are only amplified by the show’s comedic nature. Tahina’s use of tension and release in this way is masterful: she has truly mastered the art of storytelling. Overall, the heavier themes embedded within the story’s narrative are handled with stunning precision and remain deeply personal to Tahina’s own life. To support the comedy surrounding these weighty topics, Tahina utilizes an incredible knack for physicality to embody the caricature-esque characters that composed various aspects of her lives— this was a huge highlight.

If you want to challenge racist, colonial rhetoric while enjoying a guaranteed laugh… or two… or ten, Punjabi Wabi Sabi will not disappoint!

This musical is exactly what it is advertised as: an excited reproduction of the classic musical Legally Blonde with a little more youth!

Written by Laurence O’Keefe and Neil Benjamin with Kendra Humphrey at the helm, Legally Blonde Jr follows the unabashedly feminine Elle Woods— played by Danika Reinhart in the first portion of the show’s run— as she leaps from her UCLA sorority into the serious world of Harvard Law. Chasing the coattails of her former boyfriend (nearly fiancé) Warner— played by Jacklyn Boulay— Elle navigates the preconceived notions of her peers and learns to value herself beyond the eyes of a man. As a fantastic portrayal of feminist empowerment, Legally Blonde in all its forms will be a great watch.

The highlight of the show for me was the incredible vocal prowess of our Elle Woods, Danika Reinhart. There were vocal talents throughout the cast, however Reinhart stood out as particularly exceptional in her projection and vocal control; every riff she took on was handled with terrifying ease and was supported by deliberate acting choices. One particular song where Reinhart’s talents were made totally obvious was “So Much Better” where, during the popular chorus, Reinhart could have been a part of the broadway cast recording and I would have been none the wiser. All of the iconic moments within this production were handled with stellar grace and were an absolute joy to watch.

If you’re seeking some lighthearted joy and want to witness the incredible power of youth theater, Legally Blonde Jr should be on your list tenfold. Go support the future of Edmonton’s theater community and enjoy some feminist fun on the way!

What happens when the product sold by pioneers of technology isn’t a cellphone or computer, but a final goodbye— a final alleviator of grief?

Directed by Richard White and written by Kristy Woollam, A Curated Exit follows Zoe as she navigates the death of her husband, Steve— played by Devon Sands—, in a world where your last breath is not your last impression. Woollam presents a dystopia in which a general desensitization towards death has altered individuals’ ability to cultivate human connection and grapple with grief. Zoe acts as an almost influencer-esque figure, promoting “A Curated Exit”— an implant that replaces the freshly dead with their desired, holographic legacy— in a jubilantly detached fashion.

In addition to its exploration of influencer culture, A Curated Exit delves into the emotional effects of artificial intelligence through the chipper AI, Bob. As Zoe sinks deeper into her grief, Bob acts as an anchor, dragging her further into an ocean of despair. The themes of this show are of an incredible caliber and sincerely relevant to modern discourse, however their delivery is somewhat hindered by other elements of the production. Some of the lines came off as stilted and the visible transitions between scenes killed the magic of the nonlinear narrative. Nonetheless, the main ideas within the play came through.

Ultimately, A Curated Exit presents a nuanced understanding of many facets of our modern day. From the dangers of technology to the human truth of grief, every theme within this show is intertwined in a beautiful dramatic tapestry and is absolutely worth the watch if you’re seeking something unique and profound.

This is a rollercoaster of a show: surreal and constantly shifting, blink and you’ll miss the introspective genius of tony wrestles a stranger!

Through invigorating physical comedy and perfectly vulgar scripts, Tony creates a bizarre tapestry of all things “masculine”. From downing hot dogs like a glizzy-gobbling machine to doing a frightening number of burpees, Tony and their dedication will leave you awestruck and possibly sick to the stomach. Be prepared for audience interaction, dirty jokes, and a sledgehammer of honest deconstruction as Tony guides you through the intricacies of masculinity.

Despite the previous paragraph, this show is nearly impossible to describe. The emotions conjured within the theater and the absurdity of the show’s contents do not translate to simple, concise descriptions. Tony’s profound, metaphorical approach to performance seems completely unique to tony wrestles a stranger and can only be brought justice through physical, face-to-face consumption. You will never be certain of Tony’s next tangent or stunt, a lack of predictability that adds to the viewing experience. Every aspect of this production is obvious in its thoughtful selection and serves the ultimate themes of the show.

If you’re looking to be exhausted by laughter with a pinch of heartfelt honesty, tony wrestles a stranger will satisfy your desire tenfold. As stated previously, my description does not do this show justice; see it for yourself and witness this perfectly ridiculous show!

Imagine your grandmother’s hearth: weighty incense in the air; plush arm chairs and photo albums; a symphony of shared laughter.

Ranee’s heartfelt and humorous retelling of her life, Rose with no thorns, warps the sterile Gateway Theater stage into exactly that— a home. Through her infectious personality, Ranee welcomes every audience member into the wiles and woes of her vibrant life, navigating from tear-jerking heartache to light-hearted boasts with absolute mastery. Prepare to be completely engrossed in every aspect of her life she shares— not a single moment in this show is dull.

The lasting value of Rose with no thorns is not the instant gratification of Ranee’s bubbly personality nor her impeccable story weaving (though those are absolutely bonuses), rather the wisdom integrated in the contents of Ranee’s life is the true treasure of this show. Everyone will find a tidbit of insight: from new parents to teens with relationship troubles, the vignettes Ranee presents in Rose with no thorns caters to all. Ranee is no hypocrite; the human values of compassion and resilience that she calls the audience towards are exemplified through her own personal experiences all retold in a joyously intimate manner.

Rose with no thorns is a truly universal show. Whether you’re seeking a quick laugh of truly poignant wisdom, Ranee has you covered. No matter your walk of life, I promise you will not leave Gateway Theater empty handed.

Chaos at a (kind of) Cost

How would you like to have your hand in the creation of a completely unique improvised production? Bribe the Director does exactly this, and it is so incredibly worth watching for it. Spend some big dumb bills to help pay for Paul’s-- the director-- costly divorce and see some unpredictable improv all at the same time. You can even pool your money with other Fringe-goers to buy something catastrophically hysterical, maybe even becoming an actor or director yourself. I absolutely love how dynamic, flavourful, and fun the bribing system of this show is and I bet you will too. Of course, audience influence is a major staple of the improv artform, however Bribe the Director brings this influence to an exciting new level, allowing interaction throughout the entire show, adding to the experience. This is undoubtedly a show to see-- more than once if your wallet allows-- and a fantastic experience for anyone who loves to instigate (or watch) a little bit of chaos.

Surreal and Self-Introspective

It’s not every day you meet someone from a town with no name, but 100% UnTrueBador is your chance to truly immerse yourself in the unreal. Written by Paul Strickland, this musical comedy places the audience into a surreal world of wool and soup, listening as themselves as Strickland tells tales of his elusive home town. Through his fantastic vocals and intensely playful guitar, you are guided step by step, story after story, as the unintelligible world of 100% UnTrueBador is translated and brought into your reality. Despite all of its self-contained whimsy, Strickland’s creation ultimately culminates into themes completely grounded in the strife of reality. Community, self expression, and grief all play major roles in the show’s various fables and songs, ideas that can then be applied to nearly anyone’s life. Alongside the fantastic comedy, this show is a fantastic watch for anyone who loves knowing the unknowable and understanding that which was not meant to be understood, so if that sounds like a good time, sign yourself up for 100% UnTrueBador.