About Us
BIG IN GERMANY - Balls - Show Us Yours Series - Deathwatch - Fucking Stephen Harper - RAW - First Day Back
by Rob Salerno
Toronto rockers Alex and Bruce have achieved stardom in Germany but are unknowns at home, where they work in the porn industry to pay the bills. Desperate to recreate that stardom in Canada, they launch a make-it-or-break it scheme to become famous or flame out spectacularly. But on the eve of their big break, secrets that have been buried for years emerge and threaten to tear the band apart. Can they hold it together long enough to become Canada's next big stars?
It's a hilarious screwball comedy about almost realising your dreams, and an exhilarating ode to growing up in Toronto and the Canadian music scene.
Big In Germany has toured around the world, playing at festivals in Toronto, Halifax, and Dublin, Ireland, and now it’s back to delight audiences on the Canadian Fringe circuit this summer! Watch out for it at the 2012 Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton Fringes!
Reviews: "Sexy, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny!" GCN Magazine Dublin, Ireland
"A delicious bit of show business satire" Stephen Hunt, Calgary Herald
Showtimes and Venues
Winnipeg Fringe Festival
Jul 18-29
Venue 1: John Hirsch Theatre at the MTC Mainstage
Get Tickets here.
Thu, July 19 - 5:15pm
Sat, July 21 - 11:30pm
Mon, July 23 - 9:15pm
Tue, July 24 - 1:45pm
Wed, July 25 - 3:30pm
Fri, July 27 - 5:15pm
Sat, July 28 - 8pm
Calgary Fringe Festival
Aug 3-11
Alexandra Centre Society - 922 - 9 Avenue SE
Get Tickets here.
Sat, Aug 4 - 9pm
Sun, Aug 5 - 5pm
Mon, Aug 6 - 3pm
Tue, Aug 7 - 7pm
Wed, Aug 8 - 9pm
Thu, Aug 9 - 5pm
Edmonton Fringe Festival
Aug 16-26
Venue 2: Fringe Cabaret Lounge at the Transalta Arts Barns
10330 84 Avenue (Northeast corner of Arts Barns)
Get Tickets here.
Fri, Aug 17 - noon
Sun, Aug 19 - 2pm
Tue, Aug 21 - 6pm
Wed, Aug 22 - 9:30pm
Thu, Aug 23 - 7:45pm
Fri, Aug 24 - 4pm
Cast/Crew:
Rob Salerno (playwright/actor "Alex") - Rob Salerno has been writing, producing, and performing in shows through Ten Foot Pole Theatre since 2007, when his debut show Balls won the Hamilton Fringe New Playwriting Contest. Rob’s five original plays, including Fucking Stephen Harper: How I Sexually Assaulted the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and Saved Democracy, RAW, and First Day Back, have toured to more than 30 festivals across Canada and abroad to packed houses, receiving several awards and critical praise. Rob is also an accomplished journalist. Acting credits include: The Shift (Theatre Passe Muraille/Buzzfest), Balls and Fucking Stephen Harper (Ten Foot Pole), Cooling (Alumnae Theatre/New Ideas), True Irish Hearts (FOOT Festival), The True Tragedy of Richard III (Poculi Ludique Societas), and Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (Tuesday Night Cafe).
Eric Miinch (actor "Bruce") - Eric Miinch is a graduate of the University of Windsor's Acting Program and the Toronto Second City Conservatory. Eric studied with Bouffon master Philippe Gaulier and recently spent a month in NYC studying at the Upright Citizen's Brigade and performing stand up at night. He is a founding member of his Cream of Comedy nominated sketch troupe, Fratwurst and a regular improvisor with The Bad Dog Theatre Company. He is renowned for his televised extra work and hopes to make a career out of it. Besides all that, he is thrilled to be back on the road with Big in Germany and hopes you enjoy the show!
Guest Artists
Brent Hirose (playing "Phil" in Winnipeg) - Critically acclaimed for his acting and writing, Brent Hirose most recently appeared in his five star one-man show, The Suckerpunch, which toured across Canada in 2011. Prior to moving to Vancouver, Brent spent almost a decade working out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, were he was an active member of the vibrant arts scene: A founding member of Theater by the River, a board member of the Manitoba Association of Playwrights, one third of the improv troupe The Horrible Friends and a performer in various projects with companies all over the city. Past acting highlights include: The Paperbag Princess & More (PTE), Habitat, Billy Bishop Goes to War (Theatre by the River), Neighbours, Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare (White Rabbit Productions), Arcadia (Theatre Incarnate), Miss Saigon (Rainbow Stage) and Disconnections (Restorative Theatre Productions). Brent has written several plays, most notably the one man shows Jesus Christ, I’m Sorry, Life in a Box, When the Killer Mutant Lizards Attack and The Suckerpunch.
Peter Carlone (playing "Phil" in Calgary) - Peter Carlone is one half of the acclaimed sketch comedy duo Peter n Chris, who banded together in 2008 and have toured across the Fringe and comedy circuits since 2009 with their three full-length plays, The Peter n Chris Show, Peter n Chris Save the World, and Peter n Chris and the Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel. Peter is a regular performer and founding member of the Vancouver sketch troupe The Furious Anger Fun Hour. The duo have been the recipients of the 2011 Montreal Fringe Best Comedy Award, 2011 Toronto Sketchfest Audience Choice Award, 2010 Ottawa Fringe Outstanding Duo Award, and 2009 Victoria Fringe Plank Magazine Buzz Award.
Kris Joseph (playing "Phil" in Edmonton) - Kris Joseph is a prairie-raised actor who recently relocated to Edmonton from Ottawa. Recent credits include The Three Musketeers and Little Women (Citadel Theatre), The Turn of The Screw (Screwdriver Collective), Airport Security and The Churchill Protocol (Gruppo Rubato); Oliver, Creation, A Christmas Carol, Mother Courage, The Changeling, and Macbeth (Canada’s National Arts Centre), The Pillowman (Vision Theatre), How The Other Half Loves and Doubt (Gladstone Productions), Facts and Zadie’s Shoes (Great Canadian Theatre Company), and three seasons with the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival. Kris is a four-time Rideau Award nominee for his performance work, and shares a Rideau Award with Ottawa’s Patrick Gauthier for co-writing The Churchill Protocol (Edmonton Fringe 2007).
