2015 Toronto Fringe Festival

Morro and Jasp Do Puberty. Photo by Alex Nirta.

Another Toronto Fringe is upon us, and with over 148 productions to choose from, it's hard to narrow it down to a just few must-see shows. Here, we've selected a dozen safe bets from various categories to get you started on your Fringe journey. Enjoy!

MUSICALS

Mumsical
Presented by Friendly Mallard from Toronto
Venue: Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace

Kat Letwin directs Second City grad Moniquea Marion in a one-woman song and dance comedy about Moms. What can we say? They had us at a musical about Moms! @MumsicalMusical

People Suck
Presented by Nutmeg Creations from Vancouver
Venue: Randolph Theatre

Having a bad day? Megan Phillips and Peter Cavell's new musical explores the many, many ways in which people are just the worst. Sounds like the perfect pick-me-up for those times when you feel like punching someone. @PplSuckMusical

Sea Land
Presented by EXFH Productions from Toronto
Venue: Randolph Theatre

Fringe veteran Shari Hollett directs this madcap musical comedy about a fledgling marine park with shady secrets.

COMEDY

Morro and Jasp Do Puberty
Presented by Up your Nose and In your Toes (U.N.I.T.) Productions from Toronto
Venue: Tarragon Theatre Mainspace

Dora and Canadian Comedy Award-winning clown duo Morro and Jasp return to the Fringe with a show all about those awkward adolescent years. Hilarity and hijinx are guaranteed. @morroandjasp

The Weaker Vessels: Public Displays of Narcissism
Presented by The Weaker Vessels from Toronto
Venue: Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace

Coming off a sold-out run of their latest sketch comedy revue, Cream of Comedy nominees The Weaker Vessels bring their dark style to the Toronto Fringe. Directed by Second City Alumnus Frank McAnulty. @WeakerVesselsTO

God's Beard
Presented by Falcon Powder from Toronto
Venue: Al Green Theatre

Winners of the Audience Choice Award at the 2015 Toronto Sketch Festival, Falcon Powder presents their unique brand of friendship comedy to this year's Fringe Festival in God's Beard! (the only sketch show that has ever happened). @TheBrianFroud

SHAKESPEARE

The Merry Wives of Windsor
Presented by Shakespeare Bash'd from Toronto
Venue: The Victory Cafe

Best of Fringe winners Shakespeare Bash'd return with another site-specific Shakespeare piece at this year's festival. This time they're taking on the Bard's outrageous rural comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor. Staged in a well-loved local pub, The Victory Cafe, it's the perfect excuse to grab a pint and relax Elizabethan style. @ShakesBASHd

Twelfe Night, Or What You Will
Presented by Ale House Theatre Co. from Toronto
Venue: St. Vladmir Theatre

Following its recent hit production of Othello, Toronto’s Ale House Theatre Co. resurrects a 90-minute production of its crowd-pleasing Twelfe Night, Or what you will. @AleHouseTheatre

Hamlet...A Puppet Epic!
Presented by Shakey-Shake and Friends from Toronto
Venue: George Ignatieff Theatre

Tom McGee's Hamlet...A Puppet Epic! tells the tale of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy in the lighthearted tradition of the Muppets. Suitable for children ages 6-12. @shakespuppet

SOLO SHOWS

In Case We Disappear
Presented by Hopscotch on the Rocks from Toronto
Venue: Tarragon Theatre Extraspace

Vanessa Smythe returns to the Fringe with her critically-acclaimed solo show In Case We Disappear, an endearing blend of comedy, poetry, and music that's bound to pull at your heart strings. Think Flight of the Conchords, and turn up the earnest. @vsmythe

Gavin Crawford: "Friend" "Like" #Me
Presented by IdleMind Productions from Toronto
Venue: Annex Theatre

Popular character comedian Gavin Crawford takes the audience on a clickbaiting spiral of characters we all know and love (and love to hate) from our lives off and online in this timely one-man show. @TVGavin

Nantucket
Presented by Mark Kenward Productions from Oakland, CA, USA
Venue: Tarragon Theatre Extraspace

In his solo show Nantucket, Oakland-based performer Mark Kenward tells the story of his childhood experience living on the famous island of Nantucket in the dead of winter. A Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle nominee, Kenward has performed his work in over 35 cities across the US and Canada. @MarkDKenward

The Toronto Fringe Festival runs from July 1 to 12, 2015. Tickets prices: $12 in advance, $10 at the door. Visit fringetoronto.com for more information. For a full list of shows and schedules check out the program.