Fringe Festival 2011

I have narrowed down my picks to nine plays, meaning one $70 pass will cover me for the whole festival.

Thurs, July 7
8:30 PM - La Duchesse de Langeais, The Central, 603 Markham St (Bloor west of Bathurst)
In a new interpretation of “La Duchesse de Langeais”, Apuka Theatre moves Michel Tremblay’s ageing, heartbroken drag queen, from the beaches of a southern resort, to a busy Toronto bar and takes a closer look at the man behind the pomp and makeup.

Fri, July 8
5:45 PM – Mickey & Judy, Tarragon Theatre, St Clair to Bathurst then south
This hilarious, pseudo-memoir, chronicles Hughes’ childhood obsession with musicals and his journey from psychiatric ward to Off-Broadway.
Chock-full of comical anecdotes, showtunes and the Judy Garland songbook, this 55 minute songfest is perfect for anyone who has ever wished they could live inside a musical or wanted to change their surname to Von Trapp.

Sat, July 9
3:30 PM – Radioactive Drag Queens from the Year 3000, Factory Theatre, Bathurst s of Queen
They’ve come from the future with an important warning... and hairspray.
Lots of hairspray.
So. Much. Hairspray.

Sun, July 10
Noon – Operation Impervious, Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College St. (at St. George), 3rd floor
Randall and Martin are two celebrity-obsessed roommates who set out to prove that the world’s most famous movie star is gay. At the same time that they infiltrate a celebrity-run religious cult, Randall’s boyfriend comes back after having been thought lost on a deserted island; coincidence? We think not!

5:45 - Keep Tightly Closed In A Cool Dry Place, Theatre Passe Muraille (Queen & Bathurst)
Serio-comic fantasies soar as three men in prison fight their lustful attractions. They grapple with guilt over a murder they committed; they bully and betray one another, exposing at every twist the violent snakes that snap and bite them in ways both painful and immeasurably full of pleasure. They are Gods and Devils, living in a jail cell.

Mon, July 11
7:00 PM - Holy Tranity! Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College St. (at St. George), 3rd floor
Gracie, Santos & Michael are looking for love in all the wrong places. Santos, a young gay teen hopes to ride his good looks to fame and fortune. Gracie’s a lady in waiting, and Michael lives the life of God’s chosen warrior. Three lives intersect in a funny and twisted tale of love, sex and unlikely friendships.

Tues, July 12
8:30 PM – Saved, Factory Theatre, Bathurst s of Queen
SAVED is a disturbingly violent and shockingly funny look at lower class British youth desensitized to sex and violence. Set at the height of rave culture and the cusp of our current era, amidst our media influenced society, this retelling of Bond’s modern classic reveals the timelessness and universality of the play that abolished censorship in England.

Thurs, July 14
7:30 PM – Living With Henry, George Ignatieff Theatre, St George Stn, Bedford Rd exit
A new musical drama that explores the fear, complications and realities of living with HIV/AIDS in our society today. The narrative revolves around Michael - a gay man who comes to realize the pain of “dis-ease” and is forced to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to gain a much deeper understanding of self and the complex world around him.

Fri, July 15
7:00 PM – The Tiki Bikini Beach Paradise Party A-Go-Go, Tarragon Theatre, St Clair to Bathurst then south
A loving, comical celebration of the Beach Party films of the 60’s. Freddie, Jeannette, and their beach pals plan to celebrate the final weeks of summer vacation by throwing an outta sight beach party on Bikini Beach! Featuring a live band and new music by Jeffery Straker & Allison Beula with a cast of whacked out go-go gals and guys. It’ll be Tiki-Tastic!