Rating: NNNNN
There’s no end in sight for Chris Earle ‘s Radio :30 . The play, about a smooth-talking pitchman (Earle) who loses it during the taping of a 30-second radio spot, premiered five years ago at the Toronto Fringe Festival, earning raves (including a 5N review in NOW) and sold-out houses. The darkly comic piece – directed by Shari Hollett and also starring the voice of Robert Smith – travelled to the Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, in 2000, and a remount at the Tarragon Extra Space won a Dora Mavor Moore Award, a Canadian Comedy Award and a Chalmers Canadian Play Award. Well, it ain’t over. The piece is now travelling to the New York International Fringe Festival , where it’s playing six shows at the Puffin Room (435 Broome), August 19-25. Think T.O.’s Fringe is competitive? Manhattan’s features 194 productions at 20 venues. But don’t expect Radio :30 to go unnoticed. This Sunday’s (August 15) New York Times Arts And Leisure section will feature an excerpt from the play. Talk about good pre-press.
Meanwhile, those who want to catch a single performance of the gem or wish Earle, Hollett and Smith well can head over to the Tim Sims Playhouse Sunday (August 15) at 8:30 pm. $15. 56 Blue Jays Way. 416-343-0011.
