A whimsical new musical, Fables centres around 11 year-old bullied bookworm Aviv. After a lonely playground classmate destroys her beloved book, Aviv gets swept into the magical Land of Fables. Once there, Aviv is starstruck when she meets the literary characters from her stories. She embarks on a journey to piece together the endings, and morals, to these classic Aesop Fables and learns life lessons that help her understand her peers and herself.
Using traditional fables, original songs and silly characters, Fables focuses on bullying, anxiety, female empowerment and working together. Starring 11 year old Aviv Cohen (American Gothic, Working Moms), audiences young and old will relate to her journey of self-discovery.
Aviv's comical tour guide is the wisecracking bookworm, Boris. He takes our heroine to the fantastical land and acquaints her with the characters we know and love: Tortoise, Mouse, Hare, Lion, and Ant. Featuring catchy new songs and spectacular choreography, this story will spark a discussion about how we interact with our peers.
After spending the last five years performing and choreographing at the Lower Ossington Theatre (BroadwayWorld Award winning Mary Poppins), Canada's Wonderland & Creativiva Worldwide, Greg Carruthers followed his urge to remount the show he wrote and toured after completing his diploma at St Laurence College. Partnering with fellow actor, writer, and prodigal director, Emma Ferrante, the two have created a heartwarming and hilarious new Canadian musical with original music by powerhouse songwriting duo Lindsay van der Grinten and Allison Wither.
Carruthers attributes his passion for the arts to his mentor for whom the Production Company is named. Merlene's Impact Project, is a tribute to arts pioneer Merlene Samuel-Cephas and her company the Voice Impact Project, which in addition to productions for the Toronto and London Fringe, toured shows to schools who would not have the financial means to experience live theatre. Ten percent of the show's proceeds are dedicated to starting a scholarship in her name.
Join us in the Land of Fables July 6th to 16th at the George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place!
Merlene's Impact Project
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents
Fables From Far Away Lands
written & directed by Greg Carruthers & Emma Ferrante
produced by Gillian Ashton
starring: Aviv Cohen, Lindsay van der Grinten, Alene Degian, and Brandon Knox
lighting design by Mikael Kangas
stage managed by Caitlyn Albanese
Show dates & times: July 6th 4:15pm l July 8th 12:15pm l July 9th 10:00am l July 11th 3:15pm July 12th 1:30pm l July 14th 11:30am l July 16th 3:00pm
Tickets: ON SALE NOW: $5 for kids - $12 for adults - babes-in-arms FREE
Purchase online: fringetoronto.com
By Phone: 416-966-1062
In Person: During the festival at our main box office at the Fringe Club at Scadding Court - 707 Dundas Street West.
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