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  "description": "From seasoned theatre vets to talented newcomers, here are some artists guaranteed to generate buzz — and lineups",
  "path": "/artists-to-watch-toronto-fringe-2026/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-23T16:28:14.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.goaheadsumi.com",
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    "here",
    "Parton and Pearl",
    "Subscribe now"
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  "textContent": "Are you ready for Toronto’s Indie Theatre SuperBowl, FIFA or whatever other sports comp you can think of?\n\nThe **Toronto Fringe** kicks off (see what I did there?) **June 30** and for the following 12 days is determined to make you laugh, cry, think, feel, and in the end be grateful your venue has air-conditioning. There are 123 shows, so even if you’re Derrick Chua (whom I’m frequently mistaken for, perhaps because we both wear a lot of black) you won’t be able to see every show.\n\nTo help you out, here’s a list of artists who have done solid work in the past. Keep in mind, though, that the Fringe is all about discovery, so make sure to add some unknown titles to your schedule. Some of my favourite Fringe memories have happened that way.\n\nOnce the fest begins, I’ll be part of the _Toronto Star_ ’s Fringe review team (you can find review hub here). I’ll also be contributing a few comedy-related Fringe reviews to Parton and Pearl.\n\nAs per last year, if I see anything else I’ll review it here. I’ll also likely write up a mid-fest report featuring any news I hear about during the ultra busy opening week. I’m curious to see how the Fringe hub, which seemed pretty cramped and underused last year, does. I also want to know what people think of the $19 general ticket price (daily discount tix, if available, are $14).\n\nYou can find out more about the shows and other Fringe stuff here.\n\nExpect Ruth Goodwin (left) and Liz Johnston to kill you with laughter at __You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery.__ __Photo by David Leyes__\n\n## Who: Ruth Goodwin and Liz Johnston\n\n### What: Writers/co-stars, You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery\n\n### Where: Tarragon Mainspace\n\nWith the popularity of the _Knives Out_ films and Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie remakes, mysteries are hotter than ever. Now **Ruth Goodwin** and **Liz Johnston** , the gut-bustingly funny creators of **Howland Theatre Co.** ’s big improvised Fringe farce _Entrances and Exits_ are back with their spin on the genre.\n\n_You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery_ is exactly what it sounds like. There’s a murder (or two), a bunch of suspects — played by a rotating group of the city’s funniest folks, like Second City alums **Conor Bradbury** , **Brandon Hackett** , **Paloma Nuñez** , **Sharjil Rasool** , **Christian Smith** , as well as the writers themselves — and the audience gets to choose who the murderer is.\n\nWill the characters figure it out? And will the audience die laughing before they do? _See info_ here_._\n\nAlice Fox Lundy. __Photo courtesy of the artist.__\n\n## Who: Alice Fox Lundy\n\n### What: Director, Little One\n\n### Where: The Burroughs Building\n\nDirector Lundy burst onto the theatre scene last year with two powerful plays, the stylish expressionistic drama _The Adding Machine_ (at the Toronto Fringe) and the tense historical thriller _A Question of Character_ (remounted after its successful Hamilton Fringe staging).\n\nNow she takes on **Hannah Moscovitch** ’s (_Interview with a Vampire_) 2011 play about two adopted siblings’ complex, psychologically twisted bond. Expect to be properly spooked by this chiller, performed by **Izzi Nagel** and **Wayne Burns** in a venue that feels appropriately steeped in history. _See info_ here_._\n\nSrutika Sabu returns to the Fringe as Tosh, her awkward, middle-aged brown uncle alter ego. __Photo courtesy of the artist__\n\n## Who: Srutika Sabu\n\n### What: Writer/performer, 1 Santosh Santosh 2 Go: Live at Grind-Con!\n\n### Where: Sweet Action Theatre\n\nOne of the biggest Fringe surprises of 2024 was medicine-grad-turned-clown Sabu, whose awkward, middle-aged South Asian software engineer/brown uncle alter ego Santosh (nicknamed “Tosh”) was simultaneously cringeworthy and adorable.\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "Artists to Watch at the Toronto Fringe",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-06T12:14:01.301Z"
}