Toronto Fringe Festival Celebrates 30 Years This Summer

One of the most important theatre festivals in the country, the TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL celebrates 30 years this summer. In honour of this major landmark for Canadian theatre, the Festival will feature a stellar line up of shows by many of Canada's hottest theatre artists, a throwback to some of the world's most important theatre productions with the #STARTEDATTHEFRINGE campaign, and a new creative pop-up patio called POSTSCRIPT in the Scadding Court hockey rink, where all events are free and open to the public. The TORONTO FRINGE takes place July 4 - July 15, 2018 with 159 shows at 43 venues presented across the city.

Started in 1989 in response to the worldwide Fringe movement, the TORONTO FRINGE was founded by a cluster of local indie artists from the "fringes" of the performing arts community. And now, 30 years later, it has become the largest theatre festival in Ontario, showcasing 150+ productions every July at 40+ venues around downtown Toronto, and for the first time all venues, including site-specific venues, will have fully accessible entrances and washrooms.

To celebrate 30 years, the TORONTO FRINGE will have the most extensive line up to date. The Festival features tons of Fringe veteran productions and award-winning artists, original musical theatre productions, dozens of politically driven works that reflect the current unsteady climate, and of course, wacky, wild, and bizarre shows that only Fringe artists could conceptualize and produce.

In addition to this stellar lineup, the TORONTO FRINGE also celebrates its 30-year milestone with a newly designed pop-up patio, POSTSCRIPT in the Scadding Court hockey rink. The TORONTO FRINGE has teamed up with the Matthew Cohen Design Collective (MCDC) to create a trendy oasis in the centre of the city. This patio is for everyone - a lounge, an artistic hub, a community space, a full-service bar, and a food station. POSTSCRIPT is open from July 4 to 15 until 2am(and 4am on Saturdays), and will feature a jam-packed schedule of free music, art installations, and surprise guests.

"It is such a privilege to be leading the Toronto Fringe in its 30th year. The Fringe offers those who may not normally have access to the arts equal opportunity to perform or experience theatre, dance, comedy, and more. It is a magical occasion that has the ability to unite us and give us a space to connect and celebrate the arts." - Lucy Eveleigh, Executive Director, TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL

As well, in honour of its 30th year, and to turn the spotlight back onto all the artists/writers/producers who have been involved with the Festival throughout its history, theTORONTO FRINGE has launched the #STARTEDATTHEFRINGE campaign. This campaign celebrates the achievements of the many productions and artists who got their first big break at the Festival. Everyone is encouraged to share their story on social media, with the goal to help theTORONTO FRINGE raise $100,000 by the end of July 2018.

Just a few highlights of shows that have #STARTEDATTHEFRINGE include Life After, Britta Johnson's original Canadian musical, which was a hit at the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival, was produced by Canadian Stage, the Musical Stage Company and Yonge Street Theatricals in 2017, and has just received a whooping 12 Dora Award nominations. The co-creators of Come From Away, Irene Sankoff and David Hein, had their first success at the Festival with their show My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding in 2009. The hit comedy Kim's Convenience, also started at the Festival in 2011, and has since become the most successful Canadian play in the last decade. Its television show adaptation has now been picked up by CBC for its 3rd season. Da Kink in My Hair by Trey Anthony started at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2001 and Mirvish Productions picked it up for their 2005 season. It went on to runs in the US and UK. They also ran a TV series based on the show on Global TV from 2007 - 2009.

The TORONTO FRINGE will also feature KIDSFEST, 8 shows for young audiences all at the George Ignatieff Theatre, including stories of time travel, a rocktastic space band, and an award-winning shadow puppet show. Right next door to the theatre, kids and their families can play at the KIDSFEST CLUB, a free outdoor clubhouse with creative play stations, workshops, a bouncy castle, and more.

THE TORONTO FRINGE LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:

This year, THE TORONTO FRINGE proudly features many powerful productions by women, including award-winning and critically-acclaimed performers MORRO AND JASP, first produced at the Fringe 10 years ago. This year, the clowns are celebrating with a new production calledSAVE THE DATE. Award-winning Fringe artist Katherine Ferns will be presenting a new dark comedy, KATHERINE FERNS IN STITCHES. SNAFU presents THE MERKIN SISTERS, performed by the hilarious Stephanie Morin-Robert and Ingrid Hansen, a show which celebrates and demystifies everything about the human body. BIKEFACE, by Trailblazing Ladies, is about a cross-Canada bicycle adventure, undertaken by a group of solo women. Award-winning artist Ashley Botting will present ASHLEY WITH A "Y", an improvised musical cabaret based on audience suggestions. And, WE THE MEN, where 10 women in drag create a show based on real men's voices and stories.

THE TORONTO FRINGE presents tons of fabulous original musicals this summer, including THE LAST PARTY, created by Steven Gallagher and Nicky Phillips, directed by Tracey Flye, and featuring an all-star cast. AND THEN... SHE DID! by veteran musical theatre producer Brian Goldenberg, and a powerhouse of past Fringe and professional musical theatre artists.COMPULSION, the latest musical by Scott White (Dora nominee for TOP GUN! THE MUSICAL and writer on 5 past Fringe hits). THE DING DONG GIRLS, the hilarious new drag musical from Dora-winner Christopher Richards and author Gordon Bowness, and inspired by real-life events. Winner of the Paul O'Sullivan Prize for Musical Theatre, THE PREPOSTEROUS PREDICAMENT OF POLLY PEEL (ACT 1), music and lyrics by Kevin Wong, and book by Julie Tepperman, about a family grappling with death through the eyes and imagination of a biology-obsessed eleven-year-old girl.

And of course, THE TORONTO FRINGE will feature a ton of fun and innovative productions, including the all-male sketch troupe TallBoys II Men, presenting A 6IX NNNNNN REVUE.CIRCUS SHOP OF HORRORS, by 5-time award-winning magician and illusionist Ryan Brown, that follows an ill-fated young woman as she navigates her way through moments of classic horror films brought to life through movement/dance, aerials, illusions, contortion, drag, and epic stage combat sequences. JOSEPHINE, A BURLESQUE CABARET DREAM PLAY by award-winning American performer Tymisha Harris, about the first African-American International superstar, Josephine Baker. And, JUDAS STAR SUPERSONG performed by Paula Wolfson, and directed by Dora-winning Second City alum and Fringe veteran Ed Sahely.

In addition, many politically driven works will be staged at this year's TORONTO FRINGE, including SLAVES OF STARBUCKS, which has been presented over a period of 17 years in the U.S., England, Scotland, Germany, Spain, and Australia, and has won critical acclaim and multiple awards. Winner of the New Play Contest, WOMEN OF THE FUR TRADE, a new comedy about reconciliation, both in terms of the greater nation of Canada and of personal identity growing up on occupied land. AWKWARD HUG, a coming of age story with a twist, which explores how having parents with disabilities challenges what a "normal" family can look like. AndBIRDS MAKE ME THINK ABOUT FREEDOM, a reflection on humanity inspired by the stories of people institutionalized for having developmental disabilities.

Tickets will be available as of June 7. Advance tickets - $13 ($11 ticket + $2 service charge).Available online or by phone at 416-966-1062 (Subject to a $2 per order fee).

Tickets will be available in person as of July 4 at the TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL box office container at 707 Dundas St. West every day from 12pm-8pm.

NEW THIS YEAR - A selection of shows have designated their first performance to be a preview. These tickets can be purchased in advance or at-the-door - $8 ($6 + $2 service charge).

Daily discount tickets - $8 ($6 + $2 service charge). Check the daily discount listings online. These tickets can only be purchased day-of by phone, online, or at-the-door.

KidsFest - $5 discounted tickets for kids 12 and under, babes-in-arms are free! Valid only for KidsFest performances. Can be purchased in advance or at-the-door of the George Ignatieff Theatre.

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