Shayne Demchuk
The production of Fakespeare is a classic retelling of Shakespeare’s best tales. The play was chosen by members of the audience while Patrick Hercamp took the stage as Master William Shakespeare, acting out the scenes with help from the audience. His stunning performance of Macbeth was a one to remember. Hercamp’s amazing energy on and off the stage hyped the audience and made them ecstatic with each scene.
His rendition of “the scottish play” was a funny yet witty retelling. His actions spoke louder than words as he described the characters in his own way. Each character had its own voice and actions to represent their uniqueness. He kept the audience on their toes by adding his own uniqueness to the tale. Although he told the classic story of Macbeth, the show had its own improvised charm.
Hercamp states that his favorite part of doing this production is “showing the audience that Shakespeare can actually be fun. I like the audience participation and getting to connect with my audience and become friends with them over the course of the show because we are all on Macbeth or Hamlet's journey together and bringing it to life.”
His theatrical performance took the stage by storm. He created a funny, energetic environment for anyone in the theatre. His acting skills were captivating to the entire audience. Many people who have watched his performance have already spoken about going back for more and even watching different versions of his show. I for one would love to be able to see his version of Hamlet, because his rendition of Macbeth was award winningly brilliant.
Sean Bedard’s realistic line reading of Ghostbusters 1984 classic, was a hilarious, time-crunched production. His ability to recite the movie word for word was impressive in its own, but his effortless talent of making the audience laugh is where he really shined. His performance of the final scenes of the movie were met with a beautiful ribbon dance and a mix of colorful flashing lights. Although this was a one man show I cannot ignore the amazing lighting cues that lit the stage. Whether it was just a day at the office or a ghost attack the lights matched each scene to perfection, with different colors and flickering.
His realistic interpretation was congratulated with an immediate standing ovation. The crowd was ecstatic to watch the talent of Bedard. I overheard people while in line talking about how they had already seen the show just the night before and already wanted to rewatch it. This sold out show brought ghostbusters fans and others together while donating money to a good cause. Bedard’s performance was a talented reenactment of the classic movie.
Art of the Con was a well crafted production put on by Kamal Alaeddine. His amazing energy captivated the stage. Each joke was delivered well and made the audience laugh. His eccentric personality made the performance an amazing spectacle. The audience captivated by his hilarious personality were amazed at the wit of his jokes. His prop slips and falls were well placed and done to their full potential. He never missed the chance to add in a little joke for the audience. This show had the perfect mix of emotion and comedy. Although his comedy was not to my taste, the energy he put on stage was captivating to watch.
When a lice outbreak takes place at Sunshine Daycare, the Novus Actors put on a stunning production of the inner workings of the scandal. The intricate set brought the story together. Children's artwork lined the walls, while cleaning supplies were scattered around bringing the story of a contaminated daycare to life. The golden lights created an ambience of a delightful daycare filled with cheerful children, but when the lighting turned to a ruby red, the chaotic parents took the attention away from the subject of their kids and focused on their own fears.
The Frankenstein’s also known as Mark Facundo and Marissa Tordoff took their roles as a loving married couple. Although they avoided most conflicts their involvement in the story contributed to the complexity of the production.
Jill Gamez played the workaholic mother, Sharon Callahan. Her eccentric behaviour towards her husband and other parents was a captivating performance, resulting in many laughs. Her husband Tim Callahan, played by Ed Picard, is a loving stay-at-home dad who spent most of the show trying to calm his hot-tempered wife. Their engaging on stage chemistry made it easier for the audience to picture their family dynamic.
As a couple of vegan, family bed-sharing, helicopter parents Sarah Rossman and Jeremy Schick took the roles of the Whitmore-Murray’s. The overprotectiveness of their characters was the main focus of their issues with the other parents. Rossman’s character was an overbearing mother which brought comedy to the couple's beliefs bringing laughs to the whole audience. While Schick’s character resisted some of his wife’s ideas, the actors brought a life-likeness to their characters with their impressive acting.
Overall the production of Lousy Parents was a comical representation of family complications. The Novus Actors brought the stage to life with their colorful personalities and humorous debates.
John Anderson’s, Boston Dip is a comedic story following the Mulligrub family as they encounter scandal, suitors, and the search for a new talent. The production begins in the dimly lit drawing room as sisters Ida and Ava, played by Melissa Masse and Lauren Tamke, enter the room. Their hilarious banter illuminated the stage alongside their longing suitors.
The stage is a simple but vintage display of the family drawing room filled with tons of hiding places for Moses Mulligrub, played by Dave McKay. The actors had amazing chemistry whether it meant family friends, a loving married couple, or two teasing sisters. The blind lavender kids, Ethan Handford shared an outstanding character to match with the other actors on stage. His unique stutter brought hilarious misunderstandings as he stumbled across the stage. The interesting array of characters brought the stage to life and made the production a comical feature to the fringe festival.
You never know what will happen in an improv show, King of the Hill is no exception. The gameful play put on by the Grindstone Theatre Improv Ensemble was a unique production of different improvised scenes. The production consisted of the group acting out multiple different scenarios in crunched time limits.
It was an interactive experience filled with competition, laughs, and exquisite improvisational skills. While the improvisers provided on stage contributions the audience was able to suggest subjects, places, and even relationships. The role did not stop there as they were also assigned with voting on which scenes were particularly more enjoyable. I would be a miss not to bring up the stand out acting of one specific improver, Aidan Spila. No matter who he acted with, Spila took a hold of the stage and came up with fun and witty ideas. Heidi, the host, brought a thrilling flare as she controlled the stage. Her energy hyped up the audience as voting and suggestions were placed. As the stage changed, “We are here now,” was said by one of the improvisers and it is an entertaining representation of the play. The improvisors switched on and off as the different scenes continued. Each scene was its own being nothing like the last.