The Toronto Fringe Festival is celebrating its 35th year this year hosting over 100 shows across the city from July 5th to 16th. The festival features contemporary and experimental theatre, dance, comedy, musicals, and solo shows–all which were chosen by a lottery system.
One of the shows I saw was Constellation Prize: A New Musical at the Aki Studio, located in Daniel’s Spectrum. This show was created and directed by Alessandra Ferreri and stars Steven Suepaul as Ophiuchus, Dave Miller as Capricorn and Merrit Crews as Sagittarius.
The show follows Ophiuchus, a constellation who applies for a zodiac permit at the Department of Mainstream Constellations to become the “13th sign.” However, he receives a bit of pushback from some existing star signs. Overall I really enjoyed the cast and the story-it felt like a relatable story of wanting to fit in mixed with having an existential crisis.
I will admit, I don’t typically watch musicals but this premise really sold me, and after seeing the show I was not disappointed. I enjoyed how self-aware the show is, it pokes fun at astrological stereotypes, and the overall use of astrology. The cast would break the fourth wall, where the star signs reacted to the audience and the live band. I thought the interactions between the cast and the band were very charming.
The Aki Studio is an intimate studio so the band was placed right behind the actors next to some set pieces. Occasionally, the band’s music would overpower the actors’ voices but I was still able to understand the lyrics. My favourite songs from the show are Space Between Us, Star Power and Pour Me Another. I also have to commend the lighting design of the show, with the small stage, the lighting design really helped move between the musical numbers and the talking scenes without the need of moving large set pieces.
I highly recommend seeing this show, if you enjoy musicals and whether or not you’re into astrology.
Upcoming showtimes for Constellation Prize: A New Musical at the Aki Studio include:
Wednesday July 12th at 5:45pm
Saturday July 15th at 2:15pm
Sunday July 16th at 6:00pm
