{"id":811388,"date":"2026-07-19T03:34:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T03:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/811388\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T03:34:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T03:34:18","slug":"fringe-reviews-12-game-over-not-even-close-winnipeg-free-press","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/811388\/","title":{"rendered":"Fringe reviews #12: Game over? Not even close \u2013 Winnipeg Free Press"},"content":{"rendered":"

52\u00a0STORIES\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dave\u00a0Morris<\/p>\n

Th\u00e9\u00e2tre\u00a0Cercle\u00a0Moli\u00e8re\u00a0(Venue\u00a03),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a026<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\u00a0\u00bd<\/p>\n

Dave\u00a0Morris\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0regale\u00a0the\u00a0audience\u00a0with\u00a052\u00a0different\u00a0stories\u00a0during\u00a0his\u00a060\u00a0minutes\u00a0on\u00a0stage.\u00a0But\u00a0he\u00a0could.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Victoria-based\u00a0magician,\u00a0improviser\u00a0and\u00a0expert\u00a0storyteller\u00a0instead\u00a0plucks\u00a0precious\u00a0moments\u00a0from\u00a0a\u00a0deck\u00a0of\u00a0cards\u00a0while\u00a0demonstrating\u00a0the\u00a0power\u00a0of\u00a0mnemonic\u00a0memory\u00a0tricks.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0a\u00a0bid\u00a0to\u00a0improve\u00a0his\u00a0own\u00a0working\u00a0memory,\u00a0Morris\u00a0has\u00a0learned\u00a0how\u00a0to\u00a0memorize\u00a0a\u00a0random\u00a052-card\u00a0sequence\u00a0by\u00a0assigning\u00a0a\u00a0person\u00a0\u2014\u00a0real,\u00a0imagined\u00a0or\u00a0famous\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and\u00a0their\u00a0story\u00a0to\u00a0each\u00a0card.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0result\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0slow-burn\u00a0card\u00a0trick\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0both\u00a0relaxing\u00a0and\u00a0slightly\u00a0nervy.\u00a0Will\u00a0he\u00a0be\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0recall\u00a0the\u00a0sequence\u00a0after\u00a0pausing\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0a\u00a0sweet,\u00a0winding\u00a0story\u00a0about\u00a0his\u00a0son\u00a0and\u00a0fatherhood?\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0worry,\u00a0Morris\u2019s\u00a0\u201cmemory\u00a0palace\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0safe\u00a0and\u00a0predictable\u00a0place.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0set\u00a0is\u00a0clean\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0show\u00a0is\u00a0polished,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u00a0could\u00a0do\u00a0with\u00a0less\u00a0repetition.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Eva\u00a0Wasney<\/p>\n

BLACK\u00a0BUTTERFLY<\/p>\n

Blackwestward\u00a0Productions<\/p>\n

John\u00a0Hirsch\u00a0Mainstage\u00a0(Venue\u00a01),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a025<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\/
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

We\u00a0meet\u00a0Laide\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0night\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0engagement\u00a0party.\u00a0She\u2019s\u00a0surrounded\u00a0by\u00a0joyous\u00a0celebration\u00a0but\u00a0is\u00a0clearly\u00a0unenthused\u00a0about\u00a0her\u00a0arranged\u00a0groom-to-be.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately,\u00a0the\u00a0narrative\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0progress\u00a0much\u00a0from\u00a0there.\u00a0At\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a075-minute\u00a0play\/musical\/contemporary\u00a0dance\u00a0production,\u00a0Laide\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0more\u00a0self-awareness\u00a0but\u00a0her\u00a0motivations\u00a0and\u00a0desires\u00a0remain\u00a0unclear.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0costuming\u00a0is\u00a0beautiful\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0dance\u00a0numbers\u00a0\u2014\u00a0set\u00a0to\u00a0an\u00a0original\u00a0Afrobeat-infused\u00a0score\u00a0\u2014\u00a0are\u00a0affecting.<\/p>\n

There\u00a0are\u00a0standout\u00a0performers\u00a0among\u00a0this\u00a010-piece\u00a0ensemble\u00a0from\u00a0Toronto,\u00a0but\u00a0more\u00a0energy\u00a0and\u00a0conviction\u00a0are\u00a0needed\u00a0overall.\u00a0Opening\u00a0night\u00a0also\u00a0suffered\u00a0from\u00a0blocking\u00a0and\u00a0mic\u00a0issues\u00a0that\u00a0negatively\u00a0impacted\u00a0the\u00a0onstage\u00a0dialogue.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Eva\u00a0Wasney<\/p>\n

BURNS\u00a0AND\u00a0ALLEN:\u00a0COMEDY\u00a0DUO<\/p>\n

Dog\u00a0and\u00a0Pony\u00a0Shows<\/p>\n

John\u00a0Hirsch\u00a0Mainstage\u00a0(Venue\u00a01),\u00a0to\u00a0Friday<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e \u00bd<\/p>\n

This\u00a0one-hour\u00a0tribute\u00a0is\u00a0an\u00a0accurate\u00a0re-enactment\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0show\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0legendary\u00a0team\u00a0of\u00a0George\u00a0Burns\u00a0and\u00a0Gracie\u00a0Allen.\u00a0Burns\u00a0(Stephen\u00a0Sim)\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0cigar-wielding\u00a0straight\u00a0man\u00a0to\u00a0Gracie\u00a0(Caity\u00a0Curtis)\u00a0who,\u00a0the\u00a0show\u00a0makes\u00a0clear,\u00a0only\u00a0played\u00a0dumb.<\/p>\n

Both\u00a0actors\u00a0play\u00a0their\u00a0characters\u00a0well\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Curtis\u00a0is\u00a0especially\u00a0delightful\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0costumes\u00a0and\u00a0production\u00a0perfectly\u00a0encapsulate\u00a0the\u00a0Golden\u00a0Age\u00a0of\u00a0comedy.\u00a0The\u00a0show\u00a0goes\u00a0through\u00a0their\u00a0career\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0comedy-duo\u00a0and\u00a0couple\u00a0from\u00a0radio\u00a0to\u00a0TV\u00a0with\u00a0breaks\u00a0in\u00a0between\u00a0for\u00a0Burns\u00a0to\u00a0narrate\u00a0the\u00a0story.<\/p>\n

Sim\u00a0and\u00a0Curtis\u00a0are\u00a0seasoned\u00a0professional\u00a0improv\u00a0artists\u00a0(see\u00a0for\u00a0yourself\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0comedy\u00a0Four\u00a0Hearts\u00a0at\u00a0Venue\u00a03),\u00a0but\u00a0this\u00a0returning\u00a0show\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0their\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0follow\u00a0a\u00a0well-travelled\u00a0script\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0sense\u00a0of\u00a0improv-like\u00a0immediacy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a0timeless\u00a0act\u00a0and\u00a0will\u00a0have\u00a0you\u00a0laughing\u00a0so\u00a0much,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0hate\u00a0to\u00a0say,\u00a0\u201cGood\u00a0night,\u00a0Gracie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Tiago\u00a0Resko<\/p>\n

DOUBLE\u00a0DARE\u00a0MAGIC\u00a0<\/p>\n

Double\u00a0Dare\u00a0Magic<\/p>\n

Kids\u00a0Venue\u00a0MTYP\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Mainstage,\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a026<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e<\/p>\n

This\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a045-minute\u00a0magic\u00a0show\u00a0created\u00a0for\u00a0kids\u00a0by\u00a0kids.\u00a0Or,\u00a0rather,\u00a0a\u00a0pair\u00a0of\u00a0magic-loving\u00a0teens.<\/p>\n

Siblings\u00a0Tanek\u00a0and\u00a0Wynter\u00a0from\u00a0Narol\u00a0have\u00a0crafted\u00a0a\u00a0sparkly,\u00a0colourful\u00a0production\u00a0with\u00a0some\u00a0solid\u00a0sleight\u00a0of\u00a0hand\u00a0and\u00a0inventive\u00a0illusions\u00a0involving\u00a0scarves\u00a0and\u00a0balls\u00a0and\u00a0carrots\u00a0big\u00a0and\u00a0small.\u00a0Their\u00a0bandana-banana\u00a0bit\u00a0is\u00a0particularly\u00a0clever.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0action\u00a0continues\u00a0between\u00a0tricks\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0series\u00a0of\u00a0entertaining,\u00a0well-produced\u00a0interludes\u00a0featuring\u00a0a\u00a0silent\u00a0crew\u00a0member\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0great\u00a0sense\u00a0of\u00a0comedic\u00a0shrugging.<\/p>\n

Though\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a0valuable\u00a0message,\u00a0the\u00a0adopt-don\u2019t-shop\u00a0(for\u00a0your\u00a0next\u00a0pet)\u00a0section\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0tad\u00a0clunky.\u00a0The\u00a0reveals\u00a0and\u00a0punchlines\u00a0could\u00a0also\u00a0be\u00a0improved\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0bit\u00a0of\u00a0breathing\u00a0room.\u00a0Kudos\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0brother\u00a0and\u00a0sister\u00a0for\u00a0carrying\u00a0on\u00a0unfazed\u00a0despite\u00a0microphone\u00a0issues.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Eva Wazney<\/p>\n

LOOKING\u00a0FOR\u00a0LOVE\u00a0IN\u00a0ALL\u00a0THE\u00a0WEIRD\u00a0PLACES<\/p>\n

M.P.M.M.\u00a0Productions<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Output\u00a0(Venue\u00a012),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a025<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e \u00bd<\/p>\n

Joel\u00a0Passante\u00a0knows\u00a0a\u00a0thing\u00a0or\u00a0two\u00a0about\u00a0getting\u00a0put\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0friend\u00a0zone,\u00a0the\u00a0uncomfortable\u00a0place\u00a0where\u00a0someone\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0interested\u00a0in\u00a0only\u00a0wants\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0pals.<\/p>\n

Passante\u2019s\u00a0one-man\u00a0hour-long\u00a0show\u00a0is\u00a0akin\u00a0to\u00a0someone\u00a0telling\u00a0you\u00a0a\u00a0story\u00a0about\u00a0how\u00a0hard\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0find\u00a0love\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0person\u00a0who\u00a0lacks\u00a0confidence\u00a0and\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0good\u00a0at\u00a0starting\u00a0conversations.\u00a0He\u00a0was\u00a0married\u00a0once\u00a0(he\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0say\u00a0for\u00a0how\u00a0long)\u00a0and\u00a0has\u00a0since\u00a0tried\u00a0every\u00a0method\u00a0of\u00a0meeting\u00a0members\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0opposite\u00a0sex,\u00a0from\u00a0online\u00a0apps\u00a0to\u00a0speed\u00a0dating:\u00a0all\u00a0result\u00a0in\u00a0failure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0like\u00a0mould\u00a0\u2014\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0weird,\u00a0but\u00a0I\u00a0will\u00a0grow\u00a0on\u00a0you,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0says.<\/p>\n

Passante\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0competent\u00a0storyteller\u00a0with\u00a0some\u00a0humorous\u00a0one-liners,\u00a0clever\u00a0observations\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0personality\u00a0that\u00a0does\u00a0indeed\u00a0grow\u00a0on\u00a0you,\u00a0but\u00a0your\u00a0appreciation\u00a0of\u00a0his\u00a0take\u00a0on\u00a0relationships\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and\u00a0eventual\u00a0basic\u00a0advice\u00a0\u2014\u00a0depends\u00a0on\u00a0how\u00a0much\u00a0you\u00a0care\u00a0about\u00a0a\u00a0stranger\u2019s\u00a0dating\u00a0history.\u00a0He\u00a0has\u00a0the\u00a0tinder\u00a0ready\u00a0to\u00a0burn,\u00a0but\u00a0needs\u00a0to\u00a0add\u00a0more\u00a0fuel\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0this\u00a0show\u00a0fully\u00a0ignite.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob\u00a0Williams<\/p>\n

MIDDLE\u00a0CHILD\u00a0<\/p>\n

Snafu<\/p>\n

PTE\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Colin\u00a0Jackson\u00a0Studio\u00a0(Venue\u00a017),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a026<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\/
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

This\u00a0hysterical\u00a0hour-long\u00a0comedy\u00a0is\u00a0about\u00a0a\u00a0middle\u00a0child\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0two\u00a0siblings\u00a0who\u00a0constantly\u00a0overshadow\u00a0her.<\/p>\n

Co-creators\u00a0Kathleen\u00a0Greenfield,\u00a0Jack\u00a0Widow\u00a0and\u00a0Tony\u00a0Adams\u00a0also\u00a0star\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0show\u00a0and\u00a0deliver\u00a0incredible\u00a0performances\u00a0playing\u00a0exaggerated\u00a0stereotypes:\u00a0the\u00a0golden\u00a0child\/older\u00a0brother,\u00a0the\u00a0attention-seeking\u00a0younger\u00a0sister\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0overlooked\u00a0middle\u00a0child.<\/p>\n

Through\u00a0their\u00a0distorted\u00a0recreations\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0own\u00a0births\u00a0and\u00a0memories\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0cold\u00a0alcoholic\u00a0father\u00a0and\u00a0judgemental\u00a0almond\u00a0mom,\u00a0they\u00a0explore\u00a0the\u00a0childhood\u00a0that\u00a0made\u00a0them.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0humour\u00a0is\u00a0often\u00a0very\u00a0raunchy,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u00a0works\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0tell\u00a0the\u00a0performers\u00a0are\u00a0having\u00a0fun\u00a0with\u00a0what\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0doing,\u00a0which\u00a0rubs\u00a0off\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0crowd.<\/p>\n

Even\u00a0factoring\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0exaggeration,\u00a0the\u00a0show\u00a0proves\u00a0very\u00a0relatable.\u00a0You\u00a0may\u00a0recognize\u00a0your\u00a0own\u00a0family\u00a0members\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0characters\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0crazy\u00a0family.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Tiago\u00a0Resko<\/p>\n

OVERSHARER<\/p>\n

Einarson\u00a0Productions<\/p>\n

Son\u00a0of\u00a0Warehouse\u00a0(Venue\u00a05),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a026<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"christache\"\/
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tchristache\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Locals\u00a0know\u00a0Kristen\u00a0Einarson\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0successful\u00a0standup\u00a0with\u00a0numerous\u00a0credits,\u00a0but\u00a0fewer\u00a0know\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0late-adult\u00a0diagnosis\u00a0of\u00a0ADHD,\u00a0attributable\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0phenomenon\u00a0called\u00a0patriarchal\u00a0medicine,\u00a0where\u00a0women\u2019s\u00a0health\u00a0concerns\u00a0are\u00a0ignored.<\/p>\n

Delivered\u00a0in\u00a0sections,\u00a0dealing\u00a0with\u00a0childhood\u00a0through\u00a0puberty\u00a0and\u00a0into\u00a0adulthood,\u00a0this\u00a060-minute\u00a0show\u00a0includes\u00a0the\u00a0predictable\u00a0job\u00a0firings\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0roller\u00a0coaster\u00a0of\u00a0impressing\u00a0others\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0disappointing\u00a0them.\u00a0You\u00a0could\u00a0nearly\u00a0hear\u00a0the\u00a0forceful\u00a0nods\u00a0of\u00a0neurotypical\u00a0folks\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0house.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0the\u00a0tradition\u00a0of\u00a0Australian\u00a0comic\u00a0Hannah\u00a0Gadsby\u00a0(Nanette),\u00a0this\u00a0brave\u00a0and\u00a0vulnerable\u00a0woman\u00a0stops\u00a0letting\u00a0us\u00a0off\u00a0the\u00a0hook\u00a0with\u00a0laughs\u00a0and\u00a0exposes\u00a0the\u00a0immense\u00a0pain\u00a0this\u00a0invisible\u00a0disability\u00a0can\u00a0cause.<\/p>\n

Now\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0few\u00a0bucks\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0grow\u00a0wise\u00a0and\u00a0more\u00a0understanding\u00a0while\u00a0laughing\u00a0out\u00a0loud.<\/p>\n

Laughter\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0medicine\u00a0(unless,\u00a0to\u00a0quote\u00a0Norm\u00a0McDonald,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0diabetic,\u00a0then\u00a0insulin\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0medicine).\u00a0Kudos\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0well-organized,\u00a0focused,\u00a0informative\u00a0and,\u00a0finally,\u00a0deeply\u00a0moving\u00a0show.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lara\u00a0Rae<\/p>\n

PRIVATE\u00a0PARTS:\u00a0THE\u00a0SECRETS\u00a0WE\u00a0KEEP\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gravity\u00a0Theatre<\/p>\n

RRC\u00a0Polytech\u00a0(Venue\u00a011),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a026<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e \u00bd<\/p>\n

Can\u00a0you\u00a0keep\u00a0a\u00a0secret?\u00a0Joanna\u00a0Rannelli\u00a0can.\u00a0Maybe\u00a0too\u00a0well.\u00a0And\u00a0now,\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0spilling.<\/p>\n

Written\u00a0and\u00a0performed\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Kelowna,\u00a0B.C.-based\u00a0actor,\u00a0this\u00a0funny,\u00a0moving\u00a050-minute\u00a0storytelling\u00a0show\u00a0is\u00a0all\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0secrets\u00a0that\u00a0haunt\u00a0us,\u00a0taunt\u00a0us\u00a0and\u00a0make\u00a0us\u00a0who\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0\u2014\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0little\u00a0white\u00a0lies\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0big\u00a0bads.<\/p>\n

Rannelli\u00a0has\u00a0such\u00a0a\u00a0warm\u00a0and\u00a0comfortable\u00a0stage\u00a0presence,\u00a0energetically\u00a0playing\u00a0herself\u00a0at\u00a0various\u00a0ages\u00a0\u2014\u00a0there\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0hilarious\u00a0sequence\u00a0in\u00a0which\u00a0rebellious\u00a0teenage\u00a0Joanna\u00a0cranks\u00a0the\u00a0Nirvana\u00a0and\u00a0lights\u00a0up\u00a0a\u00a0cigarette\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0bedroom,\u00a0but\u00a0not\u00a0before\u00a0she\u00a0lays\u00a0out\u00a0the\u00a0many\u00a0accoutrements\u00a0to\u00a0hide\u00a0the\u00a0smell\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0a\u00a0lifetime\u00a0of\u00a0secrets.\u00a0Hers,\u00a0but\u00a0also\u00a0her\u00a0mother\u2019s.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0show\u00a0like\u00a0this\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0work\u00a0nearly\u00a0so\u00a0well\u00a0if\u00a0Rannelli\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0willing\u00a0to\u00a0\u201cgo\u00a0there,\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0go\u00a0there\u00a0she\u00a0does,\u00a0offering\u00a0up\u00a0a\u00a0genuinely\u00a0revealing\u00a0and\u00a0insightful\u00a0work\u00a0that\u00a0feels\u00a0not\u00a0only\u00a0brave\u00a0but\u00a0generous.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jen\u00a0Zoratti<\/p>\n

THE\u00a0TRUTH\u00a0IS\u00a0OUT\u00a0THERE:\u00a0AN\u00a0IMPROVISED\u00a0X-FILES<\/p>\n

Tolzbad<\/p>\n

Centre\u00a0culturel\u00a0franco-manitobain\u00a0(Venue\u00a04),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a026<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e \u00bd<\/p>\n

Come\u00a0with\u00a0your\u00a0spookiest\u00a0stories\u00a0and\u00a0unexplained\u00a0mysteries\u00a0and\u00a0watch\u00a0the\u00a0members\u00a0of\u00a0Winnipeg\u2019s\u00a0Club\u00a0Soda\u00a0improv\u00a0troupe\u00a0turn\u00a0them\u00a0into\u00a0an\u00a0X-Files\u00a0episode.<\/p>\n

Dressed\u00a0in\u00a0FBI-issued\u00a0trench\u00a0coats,\u00a0Kevin\u00a0Ramberran\u00a0and\u00a0Kerri\u00a0Woloszyn\u00a0assume\u00a0the\u00a0roles\u00a0of\u00a0agents\u00a0Fox\u00a0Mulder\u00a0and\u00a0Dana\u00a0Scully,\u00a0simmering\u00a0sexual\u00a0tension\u00a0and\u00a0all,\u00a0while\u00a0Luke\u00a0Cecelon,\u00a0Thomas\u00a0Toles\u00a0and\u00a0Jesse\u00a0Bergen\u00a0take\u00a0on\u00a0various\u00a0victims,\u00a0bystanders\u00a0and\u00a0paranormal\u00a0phenomena.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0story-building\u00a0is\u00a0solid\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0give\u00a0and\u00a0take\u00a0is\u00a0smooth,\u00a0as\u00a0expected\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0Club\u00a0Soda\u00a0production.\u00a0But\u00a0the\u00a0hour-long\u00a0show\u2019s\u00a0scaffolding\u00a0leaves\u00a0little\u00a0room\u00a0for\u00a0riffing,\u00a0resulting\u00a0in\u00a0something\u00a0closer\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0faithful\u00a0retelling\u00a0of\u00a0an\u00a0episode\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0long-running\u00a0sci-fi\u00a0series\u00a0rather\u00a0than\u00a0an\u00a0improvised\u00a0parody.\u00a0Potential\u00a0for\u00a0more\u00a0silliness\u00a0is\u00a0out\u00a0there.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Eva\u00a0Wasney<\/p>\n

UNZIPPING\u00a0THE\u00a0CAT<\/p>\n

3L\u00a0Theatrics<\/p>\n

Son\u00a0of\u00a0Warehouse\u00a0(Venue\u00a05),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a025<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e<\/p>\n

We\u00a0read\u00a0a\u00a0lot\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0male\u00a0loneliness\u00a0epidemic,\u00a0but\u00a0few\u00a0insights\u00a0about\u00a0steps\u00a0men\u00a0can\u00a0take.\u00a0Perhaps,\u00a0lonely\u00a0men\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0unzip\u00a0the\u00a0cat.\u00a0(Explaining\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0a\u00a0spoiler,\u00a0so\u00a0we\u00a0won\u2019t.)<\/p>\n

In\u00a0this\u00a060-minute\u00a0storytelling\u00a0show,\u00a0Ottawa\u2019s\u00a0Kevin\u00a0Reid\u00a0(now\u00a0based\u00a0in\u00a0Winnipeg)\u00a0aptly\u00a0explains\u00a0how,\u00a0in\u00a0middle\u00a0age,\u00a0he\u00a0found\u00a0himself\u00a0at\u00a0a\u00a0crossroads.\u00a0So\u00a0he\u00a0agreed\u00a0to\u00a0look\u00a0after\u00a0a\u00a0cat\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0set\u00a0a\u00a0goal\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0good\u00a0enough\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0a\u00a0story\u00a0about\u00a0looking\u00a0after\u00a0a\u00a0cat\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0public\u00a0stage.<\/p>\n

There\u00a0are\u00a0setbacks,\u00a0but\u00a0he\u00a0pushes\u00a0through.\u00a0And\u00a0now\u00a0he\u00a0can\u00a0deliver\u00a0a\u00a0flawless\u00a0story,\u00a0well-written\u00a0and\u00a0compelling\u00a0and\u00a0eventually\u00a0heartbreaking.\u00a0This\u00a0shy\u00a0mensch\u00a0is\u00a0no\u00a0Robin\u00a0Williams;\u00a0he\u00a0knows\u00a0his\u00a0limits\u00a0and\u00a0chooses\u00a0simple,\u00a0quiet\u00a0movements.\u00a0In\u00a0fact,\u00a0the\u00a0show\u00a0seems\u00a0practiced\u00a0and\u00a0rehearsed\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0point\u00a0of\u00a0automation,\u00a0reanimated\u00a0by\u00a0a\u00a0solid,\u00a0impressive\u00a0performance.<\/p>\n

Some\u00a0theatrical\u00a0monkey\u00a0business\u00a0that\u00a0looks\u00a0really\u00a0hard\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0is\u00a0often\u00a0literally\u00a0smoke\u00a0and\u00a0mirrors.\u00a0And\u00a0sometimes\u00a0shows\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0just\u00a0one\u00a0person\u00a0talking\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0reveal\u00a0that\u00a0what\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0viewing\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0masterclass\u00a0in\u00a0courage\u00a0and\u00a0very\u00a0boring\u00a0hard\u00a0work.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lara\u00a0Rae<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"52\u00a0STORIES\u00a0 Dave\u00a0Morris Th\u00e9\u00e2tre\u00a0Cercle\u00a0Moli\u00e8re\u00a0(Venue\u00a03),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a026 \ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\u00a0\u00bd Dave\u00a0Morris\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0regale\u00a0the\u00a0audience\u00a0with\u00a052\u00a0different\u00a0stories\u00a0during\u00a0his\u00a060\u00a0minutes\u00a0on\u00a0stage.\u00a0But\u00a0he\u00a0could. The\u00a0Victoria-based\u00a0magician,\u00a0improviser\u00a0and\u00a0expert\u00a0storyteller\u00a0instead\u00a0plucks\u00a0precious\u00a0moments\u00a0from\u00a0a\u00a0deck\u00a0of\u00a0cards\u00a0while\u00a0demonstrating\u00a0the\u00a0power\u00a0of\u00a0mnemonic\u00a0memory\u00a0tricks. In\u00a0a\u00a0bid\u00a0to\u00a0improve\u00a0his\u00a0own\u00a0working\u00a0memory,\u00a0Morris\u00a0has\u00a0learned\u00a0how\u00a0to\u00a0memorize\u00a0a\u00a0random\u00a052-card\u00a0sequence\u00a0by\u00a0assigning\u00a0a\u00a0person\u00a0\u2014\u00a0real,\u00a0imagined\u00a0or\u00a0famous\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and\u00a0their\u00a0story\u00a0to\u00a0each\u00a0card. The\u00a0result\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0slow-burn\u00a0card\u00a0trick\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0both\u00a0relaxing\u00a0and\u00a0slightly\u00a0nervy.\u00a0Will\u00a0he\u00a0be\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0recall\u00a0the\u00a0sequence\u00a0after\u00a0pausing\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0a\u00a0sweet,\u00a0winding\u00a0story\u00a0about\u00a0his\u00a0son\u00a0and\u00a0fatherhood?\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0worry,\u00a0Morris\u2019s\u00a0\u201cmemory\u00a0palace\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0safe\u00a0and\u00a0predictable\u00a0place. The\u00a0set\u00a0is\u00a0clean\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0show\u00a0is\u00a0polished,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u00a0could\u00a0do\u00a0with\u00a0less\u00a0repetition. \u2014 Eva\u00a0Wasney BLACK\u00a0BUTTERFLY Blackwestward\u00a0Productions John\u00a0Hirsch\u00a0Mainstage\u00a0(Venue\u00a01),\u00a0to\u00a0July\u00a025 \ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e\ud83d\udc7e We\u00a0meet\u00a0Laide\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0night\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0engagement\u00a0party.\u00a0She\u2019s\u00a0surrounded\u00a0by\u00a0joyous\u00a0celebration\u00a0but\u00a0is\u00a0clearly\u00a0unenthused\u00a0about\u00a0her\u00a0arranged\u00a0groom-to-be. Unfortunately,\u00a0the\u00a0narrative\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0progress\u00a0much\u00a0from\u00a0there.\u00a0At\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a075-minute\u00a0play\/musical\/contemporary\u00a0dance\u00a0production,\u00a0Laide\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0more\u00a0self-awareness\u00a0but\u00a0her\u00a0motivations\u00a0and\u00a0desires\u00a0remain\u00a0unclear. The\u00a0costuming\u00a0is\u00a0beautiful\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0dance\u00a0numbers\u00a0\u2014\u00a0set\u00a0to\u00a0an\u00a0original\u00a0Afrobeat-infused\u00a0score\u00a0\u2014\u00a0are\u00a0affecting.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":811389,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194296],"tags":[49,48,22073],"class_list":["post-811388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-winnipeg","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-winnipeg"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=811388"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811388\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/811389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=811388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=811388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=811388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}