So the other day..?  This smokin’ hot babe I know randomly texted me, and, long story short, we TOTALLY went back to her place.  True story.  So begins this very special FOOFARAH!!!

Very special, you ask?  I mean, obviously you totally did NOT ask, but I’m pretending.  Like Alan Cross! Annoying, isn’t it?  But the point is, before I get to the special part, I have to what hopefully is the shortest ever (but in it’s own way, longest):

IN THEATRES THIS WEEK:

DANGEROUS LIAISONS at Ottawa Little Theatre.  OLT’s sauciest show keeps on trucking, with plenty of time left to catch it.  Which you should do.

THE OTTAWA FRINGE FESTIVAL, in and around Ottawa U/Arts Court, with 52 different shows playing over eleven days.  Check out the Festival Website for all the deets.  Then get out there and catch all the Fringe you can!!

And now, since that bit was so short (although also so long…you get that, right?), I will now earworm you with Mitsou.  You’re welcome.

So, this will likely be the last FOOFARAH for a couple of weeks.  Next Monday will be occupied with Fringe, Fringe, and more FRINGE.  And the one after that, well, I may just need a nap.  After all, I’ll be seeing and personally reviewing some 40+ shows, and…

…but no!  I won’t be doing it alone this year!  That’s right, for the first time ever, I won’t be Visitoriuming it alone at the Fringe!  This year, I’ve assembled a Dolemite-style squad of All-Girl reviewers (who may or may not practice kung-fu…I like to think yes), and together we’ve vowed to reviews EVERY SINGLE SHOW in the Fringe on this here website.  Will we do it?  Hell yes!  Will we look good doing it?  Dear GOD, yes.  Ladies and Gentlemen, lemme introduce you to my crew (each now randomly assigned 70’s film codenames, because it amuses me at goes with the whole DOLEMITE thing):

Special Agent Cleopatra Jones, aka FIONA CURRIE!

Fiona is a member of Plosive Productions, part of the team running The Gladstone theatre. You won’t see her on stage, though, since she is a committed techie, working behind the scenes on things like websites, ticketing systems, social media and even helping to build sets. Over the years, Fiona has worked with several theatre companies around Ottawa doing stage management, sound design, props, graphic design and has even made jewellery and prosthetic body parts. By day, Fiona is a Broadcast and New Media Specialist at Parks Canada. She also worked for close to a decade at the Canadian Museum of Nature. She can identify nearly as many dinosaurs as a three-year-old; she can sometimes find her desk surface under all the cables; and she has stood on the closest point of land to the North Pole.

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Special Agent TNT Jackson, aka  GRACE GORDON!

Grace Gordon is a recent graduate of the Dawson College Professional Theatre program in Montreal, where she has played such roles as Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Masha in Three Sisters, and Jackie in Noel Coward’s Hay Fever. Last summer she appeared in Ottawa parks playing Desdemona in Salamander Shakespeare Co.’s Othello. As a self-proclaimed ‘Art Snob’ she is excited to share her large opinions with Fringe goers and blog perusers alike!

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Special Agent Riff Randell, aka KIERSTEN HANLY!

Kiersten is One Little Bird, and has promised she’ll write me a bio later today.  Otherwise, I’m sticking with the little bird thing.  Also, she has a wicked smile. Also, she was in SUBDEVISION, and is thus awesome.

 

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Special Agent Dagger Deb, aka AMANDA KLAMAN!

Amanda is thrilled to be a part of Team Visitorium’s review squad (mainly because it gives her a chance to display her unparalleled skills as an insufferable know-it-all). She has acted in 5 previous Ottawa Fringe Festivals, including roles as the Pirate Captain in The Parrot Monologues and as Princess Amanda Superman in 2011’s Pick Your Path. The Fringe Festival is her favourite Ottawa festival next to the combination Hope Volleyball/Dragonboat festival she created in her mind. She can be found drinking watered down sangria and pressing F5 on her twitter feed @Klamanator

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Special Agent Sister Street Fighter, aka DANIELLE SAVOIE!

Danielle Savoie once punched a shark so hard it travelled through time.  She doesn’t believe in writing bios, and foolishly agreed to let Kevin write this one for her.  Danielle Savoie is more Danielle Savoie than you’ll EVER be.  Danielle Savoie is in ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE at this year’s Ottawa Fringe, along with Special Agent Grace Gordon, which are two good reasons to see that show.

 

 

 

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…And extra-special Super-Agent Foxy Brown, aka NADINE THORNHILL!

Nadine is a sexual health educator, a playwright, poet, burlesque performer, partner and parent living in Ottawa, Ontario. She enjoys candy, fashion and dreck television. She does not care for pants.  You can read all her sexy and dorky thoughts on her own, much better blog ADORKABLE UNDIES.

 

 

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And now, the Team Visitorium mission statement:

I KNOW, RIGHT???  Fringe is going to be epic this year, and we here at Team Visitorium are going to do our best to up-epic it as much as possible, for patron and performer alike.   Just pause a moment and grasp the concept, people…theatre review, by people who ACTUALLY LIKE THEATRE!!  We’re gonna change the world, folks, or at the very least slap it in its face a bit and let it know who’s boss.

I should point out, the plan to review every single show is not something I carefully plotted out from all angles before agreeing to.  No, I rather opened my big mouth and screamed ‘LETS DO THIS ITLL BE AWESOMES AND STUFF!’ and, y’know, here we are. So I’m HOPING it will work out like I say, but if it doesn’t, I’m the guy to wear the blame. I have total faith in my Team, it’s just myself I tend to hold as rather perpetually fallible.  But by golly, if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s going hardcore and reviewing lots of Fringe shows.  So what the Hell, let’s do what I’m good at , and I’ll bring the six coolest gals in the City along with me for good measure!  And feel free to flash us the ‘V’ sign when you spot a friendly Team Visitorium member around the courtyard!

That’s it for tonite…I’ve got lots planed for the next FOOFARAH in a few weeks…my Subway thing, and another thing, and maybe a comic book thing…lots of things!  But from now until then, it’ll be all-Fringe, ALL THE TIME.  Just like Nature intended. I’ll leave you with a little something from Buffybot’s playlist.

Peace, love, soul and Fringe,

The Visitor (and Winston)