Fringe #18 My 2 cents...are they worth 5 cents?

Is it that time of year again already... festival season in Montreal is already well underway and that means that there is probably so much to Fringe and so little time. In year #18 I'm committing to see eighteen productions (at least). (Updated Monday, June 23rd 2am) So now (21) productions in my coin purse:

Go CIT! I decided to put in my two (2) cents ... and combined with the Franco expression "it isn't worth five (5) cents" as the rating system that will be represented by 'cents' 1 through 5...The more 'cents' the better the recommendation. Make sense? 5 cents = Exceptional! 4 cents = Excellent, Go CIT!! 3 cents = very good CIT!. 2 cents = good, CIT. 1 cent = fair, maybe skip it. No cents = avoid at all costs!

"DISHPIG"  = 5 cents. Co-created by T.J. Dawe & Performed by Greg Landucci. My early pick of the Montreal Fringe. Go CIT! I would see it again. Leave the kids at home with the sitter! (Congrats on the nod from the Centaur.) My early 'pick of the Fringe' that survived all 21 productions that I visited.

"Shavirez, le tsigane des mers" = 5 cents. Unfortunately there are no more performances at the Fringe :-( I'd CIT again! This was truely a treat for the eyes and ears. No dull moments and brilliantly 'executed' (pun intended) by the cast. A Play 'for all' and all for one. If it ever gets a remount; Go CIT! (Congrats on the win from Chapters.)

"The Particulars" = 4 cents. Brilliantly directed by Patrick Lundeen! Performed by Alex Furber, very enjoyable to watch, and who looks a lot like a cross between Tom Welland (Young Superman) from Smallville and the character Berger from Sex and the City. Good writting by Matthew Mackenzie and cleverly delivered. Go CIT! (Congrats on the nod form the Centaur.)

"Cody Rivers Show" = 4 cents. Utterly enjoyable to watch these two hamming it up in quality camp style. Go CIT! (Congrats on the JFL win; I guess if you missed it you will get to CIT.)

"Cobra II Cobra Christ Superstar" = 4 cents. I'm not a big fan of cartoons, nor do I pretend to know anything of the background material, I saw part 'I' liked it and still enjoted 'it' (Part II) and that's all the more reason to ... Go CIT!

"The Sputniks" = 4 cents. Elison Zasko in collaboration with Jonno Katz is a spell binding solo performance from start to finish. The one hour mid-night performance zipped by with the very touching and elequent story. One flaw in the seamless direction was 'watch for your light' a cardinal rule in theatre performance, stear away from 'right of center' (pun intended) and more 'center' and 'left of center' and you'll be A-okay. One chance left to catch the Sputniks Sunday at 16:15. Go CIT!

"See How They Run" = 4 cents. An unexpected 'girl power' play. Great chemistry in the ensemble with equally strong, refreshing acting, and seamless direction from Liz Valdez in her distinctive influencing style. Go CIT!

"Throwing Gnomes" = 3 cents. Not a huge dance fan, this piece caught my eye at the F4A and I am glad I got to see it. Very original and entertaining; full of energy at the beginning, some levels seemed to falter as the ambitious piece progressed. Could have had an extra cent if it been a few (8) minutes shorter. CIT!

"Totem Figures - TJ Dawe" = 3 cents. For those who appreciate TJ's famous story telling stylized elaborate monologues this is a treat at almost 90min. If this is your first time I fear some may wonder what is it all about. This piece comes across almost like a 'farewell tour' (hopefully not) in that it is really deeply personal for TJ. Almost scary in that it could seem potentially self absorbed 'all about me' more so than his usual comical style. This piece requires being very awake and focused so a very late show is not a good idea, or if your are coming directly from the beer tent. A double latté will help you keep up to TJ's speedy delivery. My only complaint is that he stands virtually stationary (already a tall west coast guy) on the already high rise TSC stage throughout. This removes him from the 1-on-1 feeling that the story telling genre requires; add to that the large microphone held to a 45 degree angle in the right hand, only helps to depersonalize his natural smooth warm style.Go CIT!

"Peg Ass Us" Pack Of Others = 3 cents.  Okay I can wrap this production into one sentence..."An instructional presentation on how females can pleasure their men through penetration." However, they: John Leo & Sophie Nimmannit, manage to entertain us for a full hour, so I recommend it in the end. 'Get it?' Go CIT!

"This Hour Has 88 Years" Quint Productions = 3 cents. A very ambitious production. Maybe for a first time out, 58 years would have made for a more successful and tighter result. However, what is lost in the direction and lack of concern for a technically tight production and some noticably weaker than others performances, is made up for with some very powerful homages to history through dance and music, originality, and the energy and drive of the overall performances. The music/sound selections and quotes need some serious editing and quality improvement. But Go CIT! (Congrats on the nod from the Centaur.)

"Blast Back Babyzap" Uncalled For = 3 cents. A very well round and polished set of skits from beginning to end. Will win over even the most ardent skeptic. Go CIT! (Congrats on the win from JFL.)

"Barbie World" Scream Dance = 3 cents. Great moves. Go CIT!

"See Bob Run" = 3 cents. Very well performed. Great script. Only the constant black outs and dim lighting needed revision. Go CIT!

"Degrassi The Musical" = 3 cents. Not quit as enamored as the other buzz noted by the critics; the piece is too short in some respects, particularly in regards to the story line, and at times the 'singers' are drowned out by a sound track playing too loud. But avid fans of the 'show' will no doubt enjoy all the camp retro. CIT!

"Lard" Big Moves = 2 cents. Plenty of big dance numbers. Everyone seems to be getting their fill. At 90min the production could use some trimming and improvement on pacing and transitions. CIT!

"Apnée" Équipe de création = 2 cents. Natalie Baroud creation and direction. Performed by Jacqueline Van de Geer. A non-dance multi-media interpretive movement piece. Brilliant and intreaging performance by Van de Geer who holds her own against the 'upstaging' of the video medium. CIT!

"Beth" Zero-Sum Games = 2 cents. Interesting and sharply dramatic performance by Fringe vet Angela Potvin of this 'Scottish play' inspired production, which is unfortunately held down by the lack of direction and supporting cast. CIT!

"Argument with a Dolphin" Without Annette = 1 cent. Maybe it was an off night, but still no excuse when your touted as 'masters of improve'?! A very un even distribution and unoriginal delivery leaving us ready to argue for more than what the talent offered up.

"The Dragpiper" Dragpiper Productions = 1 cent. Take away the tassled tits, the highland dancers, the piping in drag, strip away the superfluous amount of copious cast and then re-cast a strong talented lead 'actor' and get a director who specializes in developing solo performances; then the playwright can go back to the pen and paper and rewrite the actually story...there is one here but it is unfortunately camouflaged and got buried in fluff.
(Congrats on the MainLine win from Jeremy. If anyone can pull this story together he will, even if he has to reach up under your kilt to do so. Looking forward to seeing the revised remount.)

"Transendental Masterbation" Glen Callendar = No cents. Literally! This apparently 1:30 production cut down to 1:00 is 0:30 minutes too long. What won us over in the first half was lost on us in the second.

Well another Fringe has gone by. I made my deadlines and exceeded my goal of reviewing 18 productions. It has been a slice folks! Next year 19+ ? TBA! Now for 'all that Jazz!'

Fringe For All with my eye on the ball...

Normally the Fringe For All (F4A) for a threatrephil is like falling into a giant pile of 'blow' for a crack head. More Fringe than you can handle in two and half hours. This season's edition was a well paced, well hosted and well attended F4A filled with delectable tidbits of drama, comedy, and plenty of dance...

Remarkably, although the Fringe usually has a more 'anglo' appeal with the majority of its' productions in English, it was the local Franco productions that stood out among the vast array of talent. Here are some of the standouts that I noted as must and maybe sees...

En francais:

Mademoiselle Lafleur - Théâtre du BuildinG  Oui
Belzébrute - Shavirez, le tsigane des mers   Oui
Les Filles-Canon - Les Dames                     Peut être
CoCu Clan - La Troupe du Scélofanne          Peut être
Apnée - Natalie Baroud                             Oui
Ggagné - Lancer du nain                           Oui
Spectacle pour emporter - Les Néos            Oui
Le musée des vieux animaux québecois       Oui

English:

Dishpig - Chipped Paint Productions            CIT
This Hour Has 88 Years - Quint Productions CIT
Lard (Like Grease, but Thicker) - Big Moves MAYB
Argument with a Dolphin - Without Annette CIT
Beth - Zero Sum Fears                            CIT
Barbie World - Scream Dance Company     MAYB
The Particulars - Syd Trinity                     CIT
Blastback Babyzap - Uncalled For              CIT
Teaching Fringe - Doctor Keir                   CIT

If you have to ask what CIT stands for then maybe this isn't 4U.
Stay tuned for next weeks review of the 1st weekend of Fringe.