FRINGE. And I’m not talking the kind you find on a hipster’s head. I am referring to drama, drama, drama. The Toronto Fringe Festival prides itself on being one of the largest theatre and performance festivals–drawing in more than 70,000 audience members over 12 days to view 140 productions in 25 venues in Toronto. There’s something for everyone–improv, musicals, comedies, dance, and family programming. Not being very familiar with FRINGE, I found guidance in Ashley Gibson–a second year participant who was willing to share her wisdom.
Ashley firmly believes that FRINGE is a great opportunity for theatre enthusiasts to network, connect, and put their name out there. This year Ashley aspires to see 15 shows in only 12 days–she says that the key to fully enjoying the program is to strategize and plan, everybody is bound to find something they are intersted in. This year Ashley is participating in a whooping 21 person cast production Cellar Hotel. Cellar Hotel is a rock musical — yup, you read that correctly — inspired by the play Doctor Faustus. Besides performing, Ashley is also preparing to watch 15 plays–in that list is Misprint and Infinitum.
Ashley plays Maggie, one of the five guests who check-in to Cellar Hotel and are deeply enchanted by the staff. Watching the cast during dress rehearsal I was enthralled from the very beginning–a mixture of subtle sense of mystery, unique voices, and complementing choreography did the trick. Earlier, Ashley was describing to me the reasons why she is continuing to participate in Theatre despite technology and media advances–her biggest admiration comes from connecting with the audience and the excitement from getting only “one chance” to perform her role. Watching the performers, they were doing just that–giving it their all and searching for that special connection. I had forgotten how unique this experience can truly be.
Cellar Hotel is produced by Chicken Coop Theatre
Written by Anthony Rein, Terence Vince and Alan J. Nash
Director: Anthony Rein,
Producer: Alan J. Nash
Musical Director: Terence Vince
Stage Manager: Jenna Rocca
Choreographer: Brittany Robinson
Performers:
Mischa Aravena, Ashley Gibson, Ruth Goodwin, Ryan Galloway, Michelle Cabral, Brad Marks, Stacey Gawrylash, Christian Jeffries, Sydney Dunitz, Kayla Whelan, Nikki Hogan, Karen Scobie, Avra Fainer, Meghan Barron, Vickki Velenosi, Dave Miller, AJ Edmonds, Lauren Richard, Adrian Baldauf, Yehuda Fisher, Jordie Currie,
You can check out the show at these times:
Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street, Toronto.
Thursday July 7, 8:45pm
Saturday July 9, 5:15pm
Monday July 11, 12:45pm
Tuesday July 12, 6:45pm
Wednesday July 13, 3:30pm
Thursday July 14, 5:15pm
Saturday July 16, 11:00pm
For more information go to FringeToronto.com
About alinakulesh
An immensely talented and inspiring artist to work with, Ashley has a voice that melts your heart.
We knew this from the first time we heard her sing. Come see her in Cellar Hotel. She gives a touching performance. (I tell you this so you’ll know that if you’re not crying after you hear her sing, you’ll know there’s something wring with you).