Report. Distort. Retort.

Alembic Theatre Creations—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Every season, as a Jenny Reviewer, people come to me and ask what the best shows are. I always answer the same way: “read the Jenny!” Most of the masses look for the ultra-popular outings that they can find through the ubiquitous stars (or fishes) ratings in mainstream media. Then you get the hardcore Fringers who want me to tell them about the hidden gems. “I don’t care about the five-fish shows; tell me about the good ones that are just below the surface of the ocean.”Last year, one of my favourite under-appreciated shows was put on by Jade Janzen, for their brutal honesty and bravery in how it feels to get along in this book-shelved world. Janzen returns this year with Report.Distort.Retort and I highly anticipated what would come this year.

Happy to see more of the wonderfully fluid dancing, especially when you expect tall, lanky people to be clunky and awkward. There’s also more edgy commentary and of course, the requisite playing with the beautiful mop of hair. Most importantly, I saw more of the raw emotion that comes from some who’s seen the lifelong challenges that Jenzen has.

Here’s a diamond-in-the-rough folks—go get it.

Ray Yuen