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Sketch Comedy at the Toronto Fringe Festival

Posted on: June 28th, 2019 by TOsketchfest Staff No Comments

Summer is officially here, and what better way to celebrate than diving into over 160 shows at the Toronto Fringe Festival? From July 3 -14, 2019, Toronto Fringe will present a massive array of shows from clown to dance to drama to musicals to everything in between – but of course we are very biased to the plethora of sketch comedy shows!

If you grab a copy of the Toronto Fringe Program Guide you’ll see all of the comedy shows on pages 30 – 51. It is so overwhelming, in the best way possible, so we have complied a list of the sketch comedy revues and comedic shows featuring TOsketchfest alumni.

Happy Fringing!

ANESTI DANELIS: SIX FRETS UNDER
Tranzac Club Tiki Room, 292 Brunswick Avenue
Having been surrounded by loss this past year, Anesti Danelis took refuge in his guitar and created a brand new hour of comedic music. Directed by Tricia Black (A Sketch Comedy Extravaganza Eleganza) this brand show reflects on all the fun moments in life like: identity crisis, invincible youth, inescapable rumours, stealing from work, goats? and more!

CARPE INTO MY DMs
Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina Avenue
In a post-apocalyptic world, only a few millennials—and their smartphones—survive. Sketch comedy troupe, We Are Sports!, is desperate to escape the destructive mistakes of the past because this time, #thoughtsandprayers won’t be enough. Directed by Alastair Forbes (The Lusty Mannequins), join these selfie-obsessed survivors for the best, and probably last, sketch comedy revue anyone will ever see.

CLOTHESWAP
The Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Avenue
Directed by Dale Boyer, Clotheswap is a unique show featuring Amanda Barker, Cassie Cao, Ashley Comeau, Tarah Consoli, and Karen Parker. This co-production with The Textile Museum of Canada examines the seams of empathy among women, the high cost of fast fashion, and the stories our bodies tell. Audience can bring clothing to swap and donate to Sistering & Dress For Success.

COMEDY RECORDS presents JAY & EYTAN
Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street
Jay & Eytan are a New York based professional comedy duo, originally from Canada. They showcase a blend of sketch and stand up comedy in their one hour act – packed with energy, countless punchy premises, and just the right amount of spice.

DEATH RAY CABARET
The Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton Street
Second City veterans Jordan Armstrong and Kevin Matviw are back from the Edinburgh Fringe with a quick-witted musical comedy show that explores everything from libraries to a graveyard bash.

EMOTIONAL LABOUR
Factory Theatre Studio, 125 Bathurst Street
Emotional Labour is a new comedy directed by Gwynne Phillips (The Templeton Philharmonic). Women have to carry the emotional load in their relationships with men far too often. And it’s a load of exhausting, rage-inducing bullshit. So Jess Beaulieu and Luis Fernandes wrote a play to talk about it.

FRIENDLY FIRE: The Art and Execution of Friendship
Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College Street 3rd Floor
Friends are great, aren’t they? Wait, are they? They must be. Otherwise we wouldn’t try so hard to make them. Or keep them. Or avoid them. Until we can cut them out… hmm. Sketch revues are great, aren’t they? This one is!

HERBEAVER
Factory Theatre Studio, 125 Bathurst Street
HerBeaver – Katie Preston, Heather Gallant, and Mallory Morgan – will be taking 60 minutes of their best sketches and songs from their monthly show Bush Party to the Toronto Fringe! This show is entirely written, produced, directed, and performed by these three actor/comedian/best friends, with a fast-paced, feminist, and absurd style.

IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE
Annex Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street
It’s Getting Hot in Here is a sketch revue about changing climates, both political and environmental. With the world going up in flames, what’s a theatre company to do?!

IT GIRLS: A Pop Comedy Musical
Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst Street
It Girls has it all: fame, friendship, forbidden romance, girl power, camp, Showgirls-esque sabotage, and a hilarious collection of original early 2000s-inspired pop songs. A comedy-musical directed by Ashley Comeau, It Girls features a hilarious cast including Emily Richardson, Aba Amuquandoh, Erica Gellert, Devon Henderson, Tom Hearn, and Marshall Lorenzo.

MIDDLE RAGED
Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College Street 3rd Floor
Middle Raged stars Geri Hall (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and Gary Pearson (Sunnyside), in a hilarious sketch comedy show that explores the ridiculous nature of life from 30 to 65. We were thrilled to present Middle Raged at TOsketchfest19 – and we can’t wait to see what they have in store at Toronto Fringe!

PEACHES ON A CHERRY TREE
Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue
Upon learning that her wife Viv has a mysterious illness, Rose decides to die by her side. But their Doctor has a different plan.
Written and directed by Colin Sharpe (The Weaker Vessels), Peaches on a Cherry Tree features Christy Bruce, Lance Byrd, Kyah Green, and Alexandra Hurley.

THE RESISTANCE IMPROVISED
Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street
Inspired by The Resistance board game, and directed by Maddox Campbell (Interrobang), this improv comedy will be filled with cyber-hackers, sentient traffic robots, cyborg sports-stars, and serious laughs. The cast includes Jon Blair, Antony Hall, Ryan F. Hughes (Whisky Kids), Kat Letwin (1623), Carmine Lucarelli, Anne McMaster (Not Oasis), Nkasi Ogbonnah (1623), and Carley Thorne (Uber and Klonk).

SKETCHY ADVENTURES IN THE ENCHANTED FOREST
Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina Avenue
Sketch and theatre will collide in this laugh-out-loud, mystical Fringe fairy tale. Sketchy Adventures in the Enchanted Forest is a story of unexpected friendships, altered perceptions, monsters, duels, madness and finding out who you are.

SOME PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT
Streetcar Crowsnest Scotiabank Studio, 345 Carlaw Avenue
Some People To Think About is a solo comedy show from Paul Blinov (Gossamer Obsessions). It’s a finely curated collection of strange fools and plausible nonsense: an all-too-honest father, an all-too-desperate screenwriter, and more.

SWALLOWED WHOLE
Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St George Street
3 actors, 20 characters, 3 bad celebrity impressions, 3 songs, 55 minutes, 1 is the loneliest number, 4+2=7. Rachel Parry brings her unique style to the stage for the first time in this collection of peculiar sketches, featuring three of Toronto’s most axolautlomatic performers!

TITA JOKES
Tarragon Theatre Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Avenue
Join the TOSketchFest19 Steamwhistle Producers’ Pick winners, the Tita Collective, for a musical sketch comedy spectacle to remember. They sing, they dance, and they’re going to make you snort-laugh halo-halo through your nose!

THE WEIGHT OF IT ALL
Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue
Gillian Bartolucci balances the pressures of diet culture, fertility issues, and the ongoing struggle for self acceptance through full bodied comedy, characters, truths, songs, dance and fibroids. Directed by Carly Heffernan, The Weight of It All is a mission to find value and humour in the things that cannot be measured with a scale.

WOKE ‘N BROKE
Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St George Street
And lo! Jesus made the five loaves feed hundreds. And the millennials were like, “Can I get mine toasted with avocado?”

(WARNING: This comedy sketch revue may contain traces of millennials and avocados)
Directed by Anand Rajaram, Woke ‘N Broke features Carolyne Das, Neha Kohli, Nkasi Ogbonnah, Rob Michaels, Sima Sepehri, and Zohaib Khan.

PLUS! KidsFest at Toronto Fringe
All shows at George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place

Boy vs Fly
Adapted from the children’s book BOY vs FLY by Daniel Beitchman, this charming comedy will delight audiences of all ages 4+. Directed by Kerry Griffin, BOY vs FLY will feature the hilarious antics of Devon Hyland, Spencer Litzinger, Simon McCamus (Northwest Passage), Josh Symonds, and Brie Watson (The Utilidors)

Gremlin Hour
Written by Alex Kolanko (The Sketchersons), with additional writing by Chris Leveille (Dame Judy Dench), Gremlin Hour is a non-spooky comedy for ages 6-12. All Gremlins, including you, are invited to a meeting of gremlins. The child we have to scare is asleep all the time. It’s hard to be spooky when they don’t want to be awake. We need your help! What is a Gremlin to do?!

Philip & Lucinda Dino-Show
Philip and Lucinda (The Grand Salto Theatre), dinosaur explorers extraordinaire, set out to understand the Paleozoic Era with song, dance and acrobatics. Philip & Lucinda Dino-Show is an acrobatic comedy with a whole lot of silly that will leave you saying: “This show is Dino-mite!” This show is suitable for ages 2-10 and anyone who loves Dinosaurs (so . . . everyone!).

Tickets and passes are on sale now for the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival at https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/plan-your-festival/tickets-pass-info

Toronto’s Sketch Comedy in June

Posted on: May 29th, 2019 by TOsketchfest Staff No Comments

Fringe Festival season has begun and Just For Laughs is on it’s way, but until then check out these sketch comedy and variety shows across Toronto!

A Sketch Comedy Extravaganza Eleganza – June 6 – 13 at The Second City

It’s baaaaaaaaaack and more extra than ever! After multiple sold-out performances at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre as part of TOsketchfest19, A Sketch Comedy Extravaganza Eleganza is being remounted one final time at the Second City Toronto in partnership with Pride Toronto! Tickets

The Rise and Fall of the Dataman – June 12 & 16 at Bad Dog Theatre

Inspired by Ian McIntyre’s experience working in an office, and his decision to leave that life behind him, this tall, thin, and cerebral comedian transforms into many colourful and seamless characters to present a sketch comedy show that explores the boundaries of silliness and showcases the sadness behind the clown. Tickets

Yes Trespassing – Thursday, June 13 at Comedy Bar

Brought to you by The Lighthouse Troupe, the improv and sketch comedy group YES TRESPASSING is back at Comedy Bar for another night of shenanigans! Tickets

The Mystery Box – Saturday, June 15 at Social Capital Theatre

Hosted by Matt Laird and accompanied by The Argumentals, this is a monthly show that showcases sketch and improv comedy. What is going on inside the mystery box sketch show? Come up to the 3rd floor of Socap on the 3rd Saturday of every month to find out! Tickets

Wrestling Without Wrestling: Father’s Day Special – Sunday, June 16 at Bad Dog Theatre

Wrestling Without Wrestling is a sketch comedy show that has all of the pageantry and theatrics of professional wrestling, but without any of the violence or hurting. Equal parts WWE, WKRP and SNL: this satire-in-spandex show encourages audience participation as you get to cheer your favourites and boo the bad guys. Tickets

TAWA: A Filipinx Comedy Fest – June 27 & 28 at Bad Dog Theatre

A Filipinx Comedy festival with emerging and established comedians to celebrate the first ever Filipinx Heritage Month! Tickets

Toronto’s Sketch Comedy in May

Posted on: April 26th, 2019 by TOsketchfest Staff No Comments

Whether the NHL playoffs are making you very happy or very sad, you’re gonna need a good laugh. Never fear, we have listed five exciting sketch comedy and variety shows for the month of May! Plus we’re spotlighting some must-sees if you happen to be kickin’ it in Montreal or St John’s.

Diversity Showcase – Sunday, May 5 at John Candy Box Theatre

An exciting line-up of comedians and performers showcasing stand-up, sketch, solo material and more as part of the 6th Annual Diversity Weekend at The Second City Toronto. Tickets

Fusion Comedy – Wednesday, May 8 at Social Capital Theatre

Spotlighting material from a culturally diverse LGBTQ2+ perspective, Fusion is a supergroup of strong voices and unique styles. You might see some stellar improv and stand up from special guests before Fusion launches into their fresh sketches. This recurring show is always a warm and supportive room. Tickets

A Boys Memoir and The Toronto Make Me Laughs – Sunday, May 12 at Bad Dog Theatre

TOsketchfest alum My Chemical Bromance and the Toronto Make Me Laughs team up for an evening of “spellbinding song parody”. If you have not seen these troupes before, you are in for the treat of your life. Tickets

Herbeaver present Bush Party – Thursday, May 16 at Comedy Bar

Each and every month Herbeaver presents Bush Party, a full spread of new material. They indulge in mocking the world around them with musical comedy, satire and maybe a mustard salad – but it’s always fast-paced, feminist and in your face. Tickets

My Dark Holdings – Monday, May 27 at Comedy Bar

My Dark Holdings – Aine Davis,Connor Ferrera, and Ben Stager – are three comedy and regular geniuses that present this monthly show that will blow your mind and make you laugh! Tickets

If that’s not enough for you, from May 2 – 11, 2019 our best sketch friends Montreal Sketchfest will present ten nights of bonkers comedy including 17 Toronto troupes. Then go east(-er) on May 15 – 18 as Halfhandsome – Newfoundland’s most daring sketch comedy troupe presents Almost Baymous 3 at LSPU Hall in St John’s.

Accessibility in Comedy Info Sheet

Posted on: April 25th, 2019 by TOsketchfest Staff No Comments

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This year the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival hosted an info session about accessibility in comedy, hosted by Ophira Calof, at Crow’s Theatre as part of the Learning and Fun Professional Development program.

The group in attendance, including comedians, producers and venue owners, brainstormed what a typical experience of producing and attending a comedy show is like in Toronto. Everything from how the show is promoted to physical features of the venue to performer and audience expectations were shared. They talked about how to make adjustments to the show in order to increase access, along with tips on how to host a relaxed performance.

Ophira Calof, and our Coordinator of Learning and Fun Erin Conway, have gathered all of the notes and ideas from the info session and we are happy to share this with the world!

SOCIAL MODEL OF DISABILITY

Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians have a disability. Developed by the Disability community, this model says that people are disabled by societal barriers, not by any personal impairment or difference. Barriers can include many things, like buildings not having a ramp, no captioning in videos, and certain attitudes/expectations about disabled people.

By understanding the social model of disability, we can immediately start addressing accessibility in our community by:

Recognizing what we currently offer and communicating it clearly
Providing variations/changing what we currently offer to remove barriers and increase access, making our shows available to more people

ACCESS INFORMATION INCLUDES:

Online marketing:

Image description
Accessible PDFs
Captioning for videos
Clear contact person for accessibility concerns

Getting to the venue:

Transit options and their accessibility:
Drop off areas
Parking
Entry to the space

Entering the space:

Are there stairs? How many, how steep?
Is there a person on site who can assist people up and down the stairs?
Is there a railing or landing?
Is there a ramp? Is it permanent or temporary?
What are the measurements of the door / entryway and is there an automatic button?

Inside the venue:

Are there any additional steps once you get inside?
How do you get your ticket? Will there be lines?
Will personal support workers get in for free?
Is there seating available pre-show?

Seating:

Are the seats full back / bar stools / couches?
What are the measurements of the chairs? Do they have armrests?
What are the sightlines like to the stage?
Will priority seating be offered, and if so, at what point?

Washrooms:

Is there an accessible washroom?
What are the dimensions? Does it have grab bars?
How high is the toilet seat?

Content of the show:

Will there be ASL interpretation? Live captioning? Audio description? A touch tour?
Will it be a relaxed performance?
Is there a speaker system / announcements / loud music?
Are there lighting blackouts? Strobe lighting? Jarring effects?
Are people permitted to come and go during the performance?
Will there be audience participation? Can people opt out?

ELEMENTS OF A RELAXED PERFORMANCES:

Community outreach and consultation
Create and distribute a VISUAL STORY in advance (an example used at TOsketchfest19)
Quiet space in venue for patron use
Staff/volunteer preparation
Pre-show introduction (often one of the actors from the show) explaining to the audience what to expect during the show (show lighting / stage / house lighting, demo volume of sound as well as content and structure of the performance). Also explain the audience is welcome to move around the space and make noise.
Keep house lights up to a level where the audience can easily come and go
No sudden noises / light changes in the show tech
Make sure actors are prepared for the relaxed nature of the show

IDEAS ON APPLYING RELAXED PERFORMANCE TO SKETCH:

Instead of blackouts, try fade or other lighting, use keyboard instead of needle drops

Other Options/Examples for Edits:

Moving props in and out
Thematic transitions
Rethink blowlines
Actors resetting to the same space on stage to reset for a new scene
Establishing patterns to end scenes
Start clap or bow from the stage

EXTRA LITTLE TIPS AND TRICKS:

Here is an accessibility info sheet that TOsketchfest created which shares descriptions of each TOsketchfest Venue in 2019
Here is an example of a VISUAL STORY from TOsketchfest19
Hire accessibility and community consultants from the Dis/Mad/Deaf community wherever possible
Think about accessibility from the beginning of your project, as it will inform the way you create and produce in new and exciting ways
There is an extra accessibility fund with most Arts Grants, if your project team includes someone with a disability requiring accommodation

It is important to note that the above information is not meant to be a final check list, but is a peer-driven starter kit for your own research and work. TOsketchfest intends to host more of these info sessions in the future so that this resource is ever growing and changing.

Visit AccessTO to help find accessible performance spaces in Toronto.

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The Laughing Drum Live – Now Online!

Posted on: March 28th, 2019 by TOsketchfest Staff No Comments

TOsketchfest 2019 was the first time in our 14 year history that we hosted a network television taping. We were absolutely honoured to partner with APTN to bring The Laughing Drum from Winnipeg to Toronto to tape two episodes in front of a live audience!

Hosted by former journalist Tim Fontaine, The Laughing Drum is a weekly satirical news and talk show that looks at Canadian and Indigenous politics, entertainment, arts and culture with a sharp and unique sense of humour. By using news footage, interviews with guests and discussion from the Red Power Panel, each episode dissects issues facing Indigenous Peoples.

“It’s very gratifying to see one of the country’s top comedy festivals recognize and showcase Indigenous programming to a wider audience,” said Jean La Rose, CEO of APTN. “I know audiences will love them and I suspect they will be invited again and again to share their unique brand of humour.”

The Laughing Drum Live at TOsketchfest featured an all-Indigenous cast including Elissa Black Wolf Kixen (WOKE Comedy Hour) and the Red Power Panel: Craig Lauzon (AIR FARCE), Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny) and Candy Palmater (The Candy Show).

These episodes, taped March 15 at The Great Hall, are now online!

Episode 1

Episode 2

Toronto’s Sketch Comedy in April

Posted on: March 25th, 2019 by TOsketchfest Staff No Comments

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Toronto’s sketch community completed a comedy marathon in March with 12 days at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. Luckily, Toronto has dozens of shows that take place throughout the city every month all year long. We have compiled five upcoming sketch comedy shows that you should check out in April.

Diva Cup – Wednesday, April 3 at Comedy Bar

Diva Cup is a drag competition featuring Toronto’s top comedians in drag for the first time! It’s the third annual fundraiser in support of the 519 Community Centre. Hosted by professional Drag Queen Tynomi Banks, Diva Cup will feature Andrew Phung, Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Kyah Green, Brandon Hackett, Tom Hearn, Matt Folliott, Kirsten Rasmussen, and Chris Sandiford. Tickets

The Sketch Swap – Thursday, April 18 at The Social Capital Theatre

The Sketch Swap is a community driven show that honours comedians by not letting them do their own material! Classic sketches by Toronto troupes will be performed, or swapped, with other Toronto troupes for a hilariously fresh take on sketches we love, by the people we love.

Templeton Manor – Wednesday, April 24 at Bad Dog Theatre

Sketch comedy duo The Templeton Philharmonic host a new monthly comedy show that takes place in a haunted mansion. The show features a variety of eerie (and hilarious) acts from the haunted halls of the house. The line up will include some of Toronto’s top performers and a surprise guest! Tickets

Walking on Bombshells – Until June 30 at The Second City

The Second City Toronto opened their 82nd Revue, Walking on Bombshells, on March 19, 2019 starring Allana Reoch, Chris Wilson, Nadine Djoury, PHATT al, Sharjil Rasool, and Stacey McGunnigle. Don’t miss this all-new, all-explosive revue that will leave you questioning everything, especially where you sit on public transportation. Tickets

OTHER – Saturday, April 27 at John Candy Box Theatre

OTHER is a monthly comedy variety show, hosted and produced by Neha Kohli and Rabiya Mansoor, that showcases emerging and seasoned performers identifying as OTHER. Each showcase includes an exhibition before and after the show, featuring visual artists who have the opportunity to showcase and sell their work at the show. Tickets

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