TOSketchFestBlog
During the annual Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, you can fill your calendar with shows by top notch comedy talent from across North America. But don’t take our word for it, get the insider recommendations. We asked some TOsketchfest favourites and die-hard fans to share what they’re most excited about seeing at TOsketchfest26. Read on. Grab a pass. Book some tix. Have some laughs.
Zoe Marín
Zoe Marín is an Argentine-American comedian (sketch, musical comedy, improv) who is so excited to be doing Toronto Sketch Fest for the 3rd year in a row (4th if you count the random year when she was an usher). You can catch her performing with her sketch-troupe Small Friend Tall Friend (March 12 and 14)! Or if you want to see a hilarious show she directed, go watch Amish Famous: The Musical (March 5 and 12).
Her recommendations…
- First.. A double bill. The Red Hot Sili Peppers are so so silly, while also playing on gender stereotypes in such a smart and ridiculous (non-derogatory) way that I LOVE! And you can catch them on a double-bill on March 6 with Boy Crazy — a queer (woo!) troupe from NYC whose new show I’m uber excited to watch.
- My sisters, Potato Potato, are the queens of political-satire, zillenial pop-culture references, and just overall silliness. Became a fan at TOsketchfest 2023, and they have been killing it every year!
- If you are craving some hilarious solo-sketch, go see BEASTMODE- Sarah Bennett! She is one of the funniest sketch/improv/stand-up comedians I know, and portrays such a fun array of weirdos and freaks that I can’t wait to watch at Sketchfest.
- Breaking the “Week 1” rules of part one in this blog series to tell you to go see 24 Double B in the Belly of the Beast. I’m serious when I tell you their Spotlight at the Second City show is one of the best things I’ve ever watched and I’m so in awe of them as performers/writers/improvizers. And they’re both gingers ! ✊🏼
Rami Khan
Rami Khan is an actor, writer, comedian who’s been a part of Toronto Sketchfest for FIVE YEARS now (holy moly) with his sketch troupe Potato Potato. As a pillar in the community (that’s a real housewives reference for those who don’t get it) Rami is beyond excited to share his recommendations for Sketchfest this year – even though you can NEVER go wrong with this year’s line up.
His recommendations…
- Cheap Wine is one of the most iconic, absurd and hilariously dead pan troupes in the city. As last year’s Audience Choice Award winners at Sketchfest they truly embrace sketch comedy with the most heart and soul. Their comedy always leaves me wanting more and I cannot wait to see what their Sketchfest show brings!
- If you love a witty, silly song look no further than Small Friend Tall Friend. Small Friend Tall Friend has been one of my favourite troupes to watch rise through the comedy ranks. Their humor and wit has grown over the years with a precise POV and one of my favourite sketches of all time about having an intimate experience with Nosferatu.
- As for a “troupe to watch” I will be putting my life’s savings on Debit, Cash, and Credit. I’ve gotten to know and love this troupe’s silly yet satirical work over the past year and seeing their growth in such a short time has been exciting to watch. Definitely check them out to see what the cool kids are up to these days.
Emily Jeffers
Emily Jeffers is an actor, comedian and clown known for zany, fantastical characters like the Mathemagician (at Sketchfest March 4 and 13!) and Bitty-Bat. She performed with fellow Sketchfest babes Legally Brown at Spotlight at Second City in February!
Her recommendations…
- Vivek Srikanthan is one of the top solo sketch performers in Toronto, and he’s just getting started! Having already smashed it with his first solo show appearing at festivals across North America, whatever he’s cooking up for this new show is a sure bet!
- Having made the leap from the humble stages of their childhood living rooms in Sarnia, Ontario, to twice appearing on Canada’s Got Talent, Carson and Taylor are a delightful and idiotic duo with impeccable chemistry, ridiculous gags, and the ability to generate the kind of laughs that hurt your cheeks. Can’t wait for this one!
- For a high-energy, high-quality (not necessarily high-brow) comedy sampler, Monster Island is just the ticket! The weirdos running this show are hell-bent on bringing the most random characters to the stage, and the Toronto comedy scene is all the better for it. Stage time for this show is in high demand, so whoever is on the lineup is sure to impress!
- Amanda Xeller is a returning Sketchfest favourite who consistently BRINGS IT with full commitment and utter brilliance. If you haven’t seen her perform, you simply must. Hugely inspirational and completely unforgettable.
Robyn Slack
Robyn Slack is a writer, illustrator, comedian and musician from Edmonton, Alberta that Toronto Sketchfest die-hards might know as one half of musical comedy duo Success 5000. They’re thrilled to be performing in their fifth(??? lost count at some point during the pandemic) TOsketchfest this year at the Comedy Bar Cabaret Space.
His recommendations…
- Cam Wyllie is the funniest man in sketch. I probably don’t have to tell you that, but if you’re somehow just hearing about him, it is my honour and privilege to quantifiably improve your life. His show directly overlaps with one of mine, but I’m such a huge Cam fan that I’m recommending him anyway.
- If you’re going to see ONE ACT from Edmonton at this year’s festival, you’ve GOTTA see Sketchy Broads. They’re clever, raunchy, and hilarious. Each cast member is an incredible performer and comedian in her own right, and the fact that they got together and formed a supergroup is absurd and should maybe be illegal? They’re TOO funny. They MUST be stopped.
- Finally, festivals like this are all about getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. In that spirit: go look at the listing for One Butthole After Another. Take a moment to really appreciate that title, and the artistry with which Leonardo DiCaprio’s orifices have been Photoshopped into anuses in the accompanying image. I haven’t seen this show. I don’t know this performer. But I’m excited to go in with only this title and image and see what awaits me.
See you at TOsketchfest
Got all that?! That’s a full dancecard. And we can’t argue with these picks.
We hope you enjoyed the first installment of our TOsketchfest Insiders’ Guide. Stay tuned for Part Two, featuring tips from EVEN MORE TOsketchfest artists and insiders.
Now go get your TOsketchfest Festival Pass and get ready for 12 days of the best live comedy on earth!
Comedians’ recommendations may have been edited for length and clarity.
