Among the 155 plays being presented at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe Festival, July 15 - 25, there are a few that may be of special interest to readers of the Winnipeg Jewish Review. In brief, these productions are

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – this Tony Award winning musical about a group of students who learn that winning isn’t everything.  is produced by Winnipeg Studio Theatre and Stage 16, and directed by former Winnipeg Jewish Theatre artistic director Kayla Gordon. If Gordon’s success at past Fringes is any indication, this new production will be both top notch and well received.

Morro and Jasp GONE WILD – written and performed by Heather Marie Annis and former Winnipeger Amy Lee, this is the newest in a series of productions about clown sisters. In this play, Morro and Jasp set off for a spring break vacation at the beach where they encounter many adventures and discover that not everything always turns out as planned

Actionable – this multimedia production conceived by and starring former Winnipeg musician Bobby Wiseman depicts in video, song and PowerPoint what happened to him in real life when he left his successful Blue Rodeo band in the early 90s and set off to pursue his long dreamed of solo career. 

Jewish Girls Don’t Kayak – written and performed by Robyn Israel, this production examines the actress’ life and unusual family name. Israel, who was raised in Montreal and now lives in London, Ontario,  plays a dozen different characters in this 75 minute play which was named winner of the 2007 Brickenden Award for Outstanding Comedy.

Billy Stutter:  An Irish Play – written by Toronto-based Dan Hershfield, this 60 minute comedy about a mute Irish boxer living across a graveyard from the woman he loves co-stars actress Dana Fradkin, co-creator of the 2010 Dora Award nominated play The Belle of Winnipeg.

For a complete listing of all Fringe Festival plays, times and venues visit http://www.winnipegfringe.com/