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FESTIVAL VENUES St. Vladimir’s Theatre (620 Spadina), Robert Gill Theatre (214 College), Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace and Backspace (16 Ryerson), Factory Theatre Mainspace and Studio Theatre (125 Bathurst), Tarragon Theatre Mainspace and Extra Space (30 Bridgman), George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place), Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse (79A St George), Royal St. George’s Auditorium (120 Howland), Glen Morris Theatre (4 Glen Morris), Palmerston Library Theatre (KidsVenue) (560 Palmerston), Fringe Club/Tranzac (292 Brunswick), and various bring-your-own venues. Rating: NNNNN


Toronto’s busiest 12 days of theatre kick off Wednesday (July 2). Here’s the list of opening night shows. Look for a special on 20 years of the Fringe and complete listings in next week’s issue, plus online reports and reviews starting Wednesday at nowtoronto.com/fringe

indicates show longer than 60 minutes

About An Hour (Hatzenbaker). Improvisers Jim Annan, Rob Baker, Jan Caruana and Alex Hatz create a one-act play based on an audience suggestion. Jul 2-12 at 8 pm. Fringe Club.

Adam Growe’s The Mom And Pop Shop by Adam Growe (Adam Growe Ent). A prenatal teacher’s husband tries his hand at teaching a class of expectant parents. Jul 2 at 8:45 pm, Jul 5 at 9:45 pm, Jul 7 at 1:15 pm, Jul 10 at 1:45 pm, Jul 12 at 5:15 pm, Jul 13 at 9 pm. Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace.

Another Problem With H-Theorem by Cam Cobb (Molecular Chaos Productions). A man trapped in his house for 147 years tries to figure out the universe with his dead buddy. Jul 2 at 7 pm, Jul 3 at 8 pm, Jul 4 at 1:30 pm, Jul 5, 10 and 12 at 7 and 9:15 pm, Jul 8 at 5 pm, Jul 11 at 1:30 pm. Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor W.

Babies In Danger! by the company (Players Players). Drawing from their monthly sketch gigs, the troupe creates a comedy show using live music, video and babies. Jul 2-4 and 8-11 at 5:30 pm, Jul 5-6 and 12-13 at 2:30 pm. The Supermarket, 268 Augusta.

Baggage by Reese Baguio, Vincent Galvez, Aura Carcueva, Darrel Gamotin and Christine Mangosing (Pulang Maleta Collective). The playwrights draw from their backgrounds in film, dance, poetry and music to share their stories. Jul 2-4 and 8-11 at 8 pm, Jul 5-?6 and 12-?13 at 2:30 pm. Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture, 167 Augusta.

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The Barbecue King by Mark Brownell and Steve Thomas (Pea Green Theatre). Cottagers duke it out in a winner-?take-?all cooking competition in this musical. Jul 2-?6 and 8-?13 at 7 pm. Miles Nadal JCC (Rm 318), 750 Spadina.

Blastback Babyzap by Uncalled For (Uncalled For). The improv troupe presents a scripted show that shifts scenes in a stream-?of-?consciousness manner. Jul 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 at 7 pm, Jul 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 at 8:30 pm. Comedy Bar, 945B Bloor W.

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Bluebeard by Pericles Snowdon (GromKat Productions). Raised inside an abandoned church, four women meet an outsider and consider emerging. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 5 and 13 at 5:15 pm, Jul 7 at 8 pm, Jul 8 at 3 pm, Jul 10 at noon, Jul 11 at 8:45 pm. Tarragon Mainspace.

A Brief History Of Petty Crime by Jimmy Hogg (The Roodie Pancake Experiment). Hogg uses physical, fast-?paced storytelling to recount his life of petty crime in this solo show. Jul 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 at 8:30 pm, Jul 3, 5, 9, 11 and 13 at 7 pm. Comedy Bar, 945B Bloor W.

Casa De Los Fantasmas by the company (Canadian Space Opera Company). A honeymoon in Argentina is interrupted when hotel guests start dying in this play based on 1930s suspense radio shows. Jul 2-?6 and 9-?13 at 8 pm and Jul 5-?6 and 12-?13 at 3 pm. CIUT, 91 St George.

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The Christian Republican Fundraiser In Dayton Tennessee by Grant Tilly (Bloomfield Productions). Posing as the musical entertainers, liberal protesters crash the Republican fundraiser in this country/rock musical. Jul 2 and 12 at 7 pm, Jul 4, 7 and 9 at 7:30 pm, Jul 5 at 4:30 pm, Jul 6 and 11 at 5:15 pm, Jul 8 at 5 pm, Jul 13 at 3 pm. Cameron House, 408 Queen W.

DAM Madness by Amelia Josephson-?Laidlaw, Darby Gibbs and Ming Hon (maDAM). Combining dance, theatre, comedy and music, this piece explores the crazy in everyone. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 5 at 11 pm, Jul 7 at 4:45 pm, Jul 9 at 9:15 pm, Jul 10 at 1:45 pm, Jul 11 at noon, Jul 12 at 7:30 pm. Helen Gardiner Phelan.

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Dogs Barking by Richard Zajdlic (Easy Tiger Productions). A couple struggle with passion, jealousy and moving on. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 4 at 1:15 pm, Jul 5 at 5:45 pm, Jul 7 at 8:15 pm, Jul 8 and 13 at 4:30 pm, Jul 10 at 7 pm. Tarragon Extra Space.

Einstein’s Wife by Julia Course & Nicolina Lanni (Einstein’s Wife Productions). Three women question female roles in an absurd and tragic tale. Jul 2-?6 and 8-?13 at 7 pm, Jul 5-?6 and 12-?13 at noon. Hub 14, 14 Markham.

Every Girl Wants A Skirt Like Frida’s by Paula Rivera (Arriba Las MaNos). A Mexican woman living in Vancouver ponders her failed marriage and her struggle to be accepted as an artist. Jul 2 at 7 pm, Jul 5 at 2 pm, Jul 6 at 11 pm, Jul 9 at 9:45 pm, Jul 11 at 12:15 pm, Jul 12 at 8:45 pm, Jul 13 at 1 pm. Factory Studio Theatre.

The Faith Show! by Madeleine Donohue and Ben Clost (Down n’ Out Productions). Two performers examine the role of faith in modern society in this comedy. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 5 at 9:30 pm, Jul 6 at 7:30 pm, Jul 7 at 1:15 pm, Jul 10 at 11:15 pm, Jul 11 at 3:45 pm, Jul 13 at 2:45 pm. Factory Studio Theatre.

Follow Your Bliss by Sophia Le Fevre (The Queen Of Hearts). Using a self-?help book, three bridesmaids seek spiritual zen while planning a wedding. Jul 2 at 8:45 pm, Jul 5 at noon, Jul 6 at 7 pm, Jul 7 at 3 pm, Jul 9 at 11 pm, Jul 11 at 1:45 pm, Jul 12 at 9:15 pm. Helen Gardiner Phelan.

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Four Ways ‘Til Rain by T Berto (Pencil-?Neck Theatre). Six men find both acceptance and hostility as their lives entangle. Jul 2 at 8:15 pm, Jul 5 and 9 at 5:15 pm, Jul 7 at 10:15 pm, Jul 8 at 6:30 pm, Jul 11 at noon, Jul 13 at 7 pm. Factory Theatre Mainspace.

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Giants Without Footprints by Stephen Kunc (Infinite Furnace Productions). Characters in a quirky family tell stories in a fireside chat. Jul 2 at 6:30 pm, Jul 3 at 8:15 pm, Jul 4 at 1:15 pm, Jul 7 at 10:45 pm, Jul 8 at 1 pm, Jul 11 at 4 pm, Jul 13 at 8:30 pm. George Ignatieff.

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Hockey: The Musical! by Rick Wilson and Justin DeMarco (Off Sides Entertainment). A star player’s private life becomes public. Jul 2 at 6:30 pm, Jul 4 at 10:30 pm, Jul 6 at 1:15 pm, Jul 7 at 8:15 pm, Jul 8 at 1 pm, Jul 11 at 5:15 pm, Jul 13 at 7 pm. Helen Gardiner Phelan.

Hung To Dry by Peggy Harowitz, Donna Maloney and Carly Spencer (RumRaisin Productions). Three performers expose people’s quirks in this sketch show. Jul 2 at 8:15 , Jul 4 at 3 pm, Jul 5 at 8:30 pm, Jul 7 at 4 pm, Jul 8 at 5 pm, Jul 10 at 2:45 pm, Jul 12 at 6:15 pm, Jul 13 at 5:45 pm. Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace.

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Inspiration Stump by Janet Banks (Gilmore Theatre Company). A supernatural character deals with his appetite for human fulfillment. Jul 2 at 10 pm, Jul 5 at 5:15 pm, Jul 7 at 6:45 pm, Jul 8 at 12:45 pm, Jul 10 at 2 pm, Jul 12 at 8:45 pm, Jul 13 at 1:45 pm. Royal St. George.

JEM ROLLS: How I Stopped Worrying And Learnt To Love The Mall by jem rolls (big word performance poetry). Song, theatre, clown and movement are fused in this performance poetry piece. Jul 2 at 8:30 pm, Jul 4 at 8 pm, Jul 6 at 3 pm, Jul 9 at 12:30 pm, Jul 10 at 2 pm, Jul 11 at 10 pm, Jul 12 at 5 pm. Glen Morris.

Johnny Jackson And His Heavenly Passion by Robert Gontier (Studio 905). An boy looks for his sister and for answers to life’s big questions in this solo show. Jul 2 at 8:45 pm, Jul 4 at 11 pm, Jul 5 at 1:45 pm, Jul 9 at 7:30 pm, Jul 10 at 10:30 pm, Jul 12 at 3:30 pm, Jul 13 at noon. Robert Gill.

The King The Musical by Michael Pollard and Gerard Chrysostum-?Louis (MW Productions). A bizarre night backstage with the King of Rock and Roll changes a young couple’s lives forever. Jul 2 at 6:30 pm, Jul 4 at 8:45 pm, Jul 6 at 1:30 pm, Jul 9 at 11 pm, Jul 10 at 7:45 pm, Jul 11 at 1:45 pm, Jul 12 at 3:30 pm. Royal St. George.

Ladylike by Sky Gilbert (Femme Productions). A transsexual talks about her life and our cultural relationship to femininity. Jul 2-?12 at 6 pm. Fringe Club.

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Lupe: Undone by Melissa D’Agostino (Fault Line Theatre). A Spanish woman plans a hot rendezvous while dodging her jealous ex-?husband. Jul 2-?7 and 9-?13 at 8:30 pm. Honest Ed’s Loading Dock, 581 Bloor W.

The Maddest Kind of Love by Natasha Boomer (Take Your Mark Productions). A woman deals with being dumped on her anniversary. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 5 at 7:30 pm, Jul 6 at noon, Jul 8 at 9 pm, Jul 10 at 11 pm, Jul 11 at 2:15 pm, Jul 12 at 5:15 pm. George Ignatieff.

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Mating Rituals Of The Urban Cougar by Andrea Thompson (Firebelly Performance Poetry). Poetry, storytelling, humour and myth are used to look at love in the urban jungle. Jul 2 at 10 pm, Jul 5 at 3:30 pm, Jul 6 at noon, Jul 7 at 8:30 pm, Jul 9 at 2 pm, Jul 10 at 12:30 pm, Jul 12 at 6:30 pm. Glen Morris.

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Middle Of The End by Danielle I. Szlawieniec-?Haw (Sighing Angel Productions). Three people face desire and fear in this examination of humanity, love, family ties and violence. Jul 2 at 8:45 pm, Jul 4 at 1:30 pm, Jul 5 at 11:15 pm, Jul 7 at 3 pm, Jul 9 at 4 pm, Jul 10 at 6 pm, Jul 12 at 7 pm. Factory Studio Theatre.

A Mirror Up To Nature by Rodger Barton (Shakespeare Out Loud Inc). This solo show looks at how Elizabethan society inspired the Bard’s plays. Jul 2 at 7 pm, Jul 4 and 10 at 5:15 pm, Jul 6 at 11 pm, Jul 8 at 1 pm, Jul 9 at 2:30 pm, Jul 12 at 8:45 pm. Tarragon Extra Space.

The Movies (Abridged) by Elan Wolf Farbiarz (Wolf Productions). The Hollywood movie culture is satirized in this comedy. Jul 2 at 7 pm, Jul 4 at 1:45 pm, Jul 5 at 5:45 pm, Jul 8 at 10:45 pm, Jul 10 at 5:15 pm, Jul 11 at 8 pm, Jul 12 at noon. Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace.

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My Autopsy by Hamish Boyd (Curried Haggis Productions). This dark comedy dissects death and rebirth in a quest for mystical wisdom. Jul 2 and 10 at 10:30 pm, Jul 5 at 7:30 pm, Jul 7 at 3 pm, Jul 8 at 8:30 pm, Jul 9 at 2 pm, Jul 13 at 4:30 pm. Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace.

Nan Loves Jerry by Sue Kent (Newfoundlandartistx). An immature man moves in with his injured grandma. Jul 2 at 10 pm, Jul 4 at 8:15 pm, Jul 5 at 6:45 pm, Jul 7 at 5:45 pm, Jul 8 at 8:30 pm, Jul 9 at 3 pm, Jul 10 at 9:45 pm, Jul 13 at 4 pm. Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace.

Notes From The Pit: A Monologue With Music by Helen Kopec (Helen Kopec). Ministers, conductors, brides and others are skewered in this look at the classical music in the Deep South. Jul 2-?3, 6, 9-?10 and 13 at 7 pm, Jul 4-?5 and 11-?12 at 6 pm. The Rivoli, 332 Queen W.

1 Third by WM Kennedy (conTent Production). A man veers between disorientation and seething melancholy. Jul 2 at 7 pm, Jul 4 and 8 at 1:15 pm, Jul 6 at 6:30 pm, Jul 9 at 11 pm, Jul 11 at 3:30 pm, Jul 12 at 8 pm. Tarragon Mainspace.

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Opera On The Rocks by Leanna Brodie, Dave Carley, Lisa Codrington, Krista Dalby and David Ogborn (The Ambient Opera Society). Characters sit amidst bar patrons and sing about love, loss, hockey and karaoke. Jul 2-?4, 6, 8-?11 and 13 at 9 pm, Jul 5 and 12 at 4 pm. Paupers Pub, 539 Bloor W.

Phat Love & the Thin Girl by Tara Duffy (Cruelly Comedic Productions). A woman seeks self-?acceptance. Jul 2 at 6:30 pm, Jul 4 at 1:15 pm, Jul 5 at 5 pm, Jul 6 at 9:45 pm, Jul 8 at 10:15 pm, Jul 10 at 6:15 pm, Jul 11 at 5:15 pm, Jul 12 at 1 pm. Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace.

Rule Of Thumb by Dave Deveau, Sarah Dineen, Maya Rabinovitch, Shannon Roszell and Jason Sharman (Theatre in Limbo). Five people come together to fight a limb-?rotting disease. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 4 at 5:15 pm, Jul 6 at 3 pm, Jul 8 at 8:45 pm, Jul 10 at 4 pm, Jul 11 at 7:30 pm, Jul 13 at noon. Factory Theatre Mainspace.

Rum And Vodka by Conor McPherson (Cart/Horse Theatre). Ties of responsibility come undone during a sex-? and alcohol-?fuelled weekend. Jul 2 at 8:45 pm, Jul 5 at 2:15 pm, Jul 6 at 9:15 pm, Jul 7 at 3 pm, Jul 11 at 11:30 pm, Jul 12 at noon, Jul 13 at 9 pm. Tarragon Extra Space.

Sara Hennessey Time (Sara Hennessey). Comic Hennessey talks about the big city, overcoming heartbreak and suburban angst. Jul 2 at 8:45 pm, Jul 5 at 5:45 pm, Jul 6 at 1:45 pm, Jul 8 at 10:45 pm, Jul 9 at 6 pm, Jul 11 at 8 pm, Jul 12 at noon. George Ignatieff.

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Sherlock Holmes & The First English Gentleman by Doug Warwick (Seventeen Steps). The detective debunks the Piltdown Man hoax. Jul 2 at 6:30 pm, Jul 4 at 3:30 pm, Jul 5 at 10:30 pm, Jul 7 at 4:30 pm, Jul 9 at noon, Jul 11 at 5:15 pm, Jul 12 at 10:30 pm. Robert Gill.

The Shift by Tee Schneider (We Few). Living in a hard and harsh world, two kids take comfort in the Calgary Flames appearance in the Stanley Cup finals. Jul 2 at 8:15 pm, Jul 5 at 1:45 pm, Jul 6 at 9 pm, Jul 9 at noon, Jul 10 at 6 pm, Jul 12 at 7 pm, Jul 13 at 4 pm. Royal St. George.

Sitting In A Tree by Ronit Rubinstein (Mom & Pop Productions). Real and surreal characters interact in a story of love, marriage and a baby carriage. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 6 at 6:30 pm, Jul 7 at 2:45 pm, Jul 8 at 3:30 pm, Jul 9 at 11 pm, Jul 11 at noon, Jul 12 at 8:45 pm. Robert Gill.

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The Son Of The Man by Omar Hady and Michael Orlando (SolSona Productions). A grifter claims to be a rich man’s son and takes over his business empire. Jul 2 at 8:15 pm, Jul 4 at 3 pm, Jul 6 and 10 at 5:15 pm, Jul 7 at 8:30 pm, Jul 8 at 1 pm, Jul 12 at 10:30 pm. St. Vladimir’s.

The Swearing Jar by Kate Hewlett (6AM Tango Productions). At her husband’s birthday party, a woman must deal with one of his lies. Jul 2 at 8:45 pm, Jul 4 at 10:30 pm, Jul 6 at 1:15 pm, Jul 8 at 7 pm, Jul 9 at 4 pm, Jul 10 at 2:15 pm, Jul 12 at 9:45 pm. Tarragon Mainspace.

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Taking Liberties by Dave Carley (Uncivil The­atre). Citizens deal with issues of Holocaust denial, censorship, affirmative action and the right of a newspaper to ruin a life. Jul 2-?6 and 8-?13 at 9 pm. Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina.

Thick-Skinned by Laura Ross (Risking Insanity Theatre). Recently diagnosed with scleroderma, a woman deals with a new relationship and life. Jul 2 at 10:30 pm, Jul 5 at 5:45 pm, Jul 6 at 1:45 pm, Jul 8 at 3:15 pm, Jul 9 at 9:45 pm, Jul 11 at 8 pm, Jul 12 at noon. St. Vladimir’s.

Unbearable Prospect by Apolonia Velas­quez and Ofilio Coto Portillo (Gadfly). Contemporary, jazz, hip-?hop and other dance styles are used to look at how we face challenges. Jul 2 at 6:30 pm, Jul 4 at 10:30 pm, Jul 6 at 8:45 pm, Jul 9 at noon, Jul 10 at 2:15 pm, Jul 11 at 11 pm, Jul 12 at 4 pm. Factory Theatre Mainspace.

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What the Hell Am I Doing?! by Yasmin Siddiqui (Soft Revolution Productions). Musicians and a university student explore decisions and their consequences. Jul 2, 4, 7 and 10 at 7 pm, Jul 3, 5, 11 and 12 at 8 pm, Jul 6 at 2 pm, Jul 13 at 3 pm. The Dragon Academy, 35 Prince Arthur.

Without Whom by RJ Downes (Beautiful Lie Productions). This play looks at love, loss and the inability to let go, even after death. Jul 2 at 6:30 pm, Jul 5 at 7:30 pm, Jul 6 at noon, Jul 8 at 9 pm, Jul 10 at 11 pm, Jul 11 at 2:15 pm, Jul 12 at 5:15 pm. St. Vladimir’s.

Wooster Sauce inspired by Edward Duke and PG Wodehouse (By the Book). An unflappable valet takes care of a bumbling bachelor. Jul 2 at 7 pm, Jul 4 at 2 pm, Jul 5 at 9:30 pm, Jul 8 at 10 pm, Jul 9 at 3:30 pm, Jul 10 at 6:30 pm, Jul 11 at 5:30 pm. Glen Morris.

The Zombie Dialogues Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love My Master by Jim Annan, Sean Browning and Brian Froud (Busted Compass Productions). A pharmacist is commissioned by the government to breed zombies as weapons. Jul 2-7 and 9-13 at 9 pm. Bread & ­Circus, 193½ Baldwin.

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