Welcome back to the 243rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 243rd episode we have an episode of “The Cup: Editorial” in which Co-Artistic Producers Mackenzie and Ryan discuss famous faces, the history of exorbitant ticket prices, and what Canadian producers might be able to learn from the success of Denzel Washington’s Othello on Broadway. Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeatApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAuRyan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 242nd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 242nd episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation is between our Co-Artistic Producer Mackenzie and Garrett M. Ryan Abrams and Robert Leitner—the Artistic Director and Artistic Producer of Bird On Stage Productions—who also serve as the Co-Directors, Playwright, and performer of the play ‘PIGEON!’. Together they explore the power and universal experience of loneliness, delve into the process of writing, directing, and performing this dark yet at times comedic work, and share their favourite birds.PIGEON! is playing at The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1A1) from August 21st- 24th. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.tixtree.com/e/bird-on-stages-pigeon-944d1b2b0e12 Follow Robert Leitner – Instagram: @robby.leitner Follow Garrett M. Ryan Abrams – Instagram: @garrettmabramsFollow Bird On Stage Productions– Instagram: @ birdonstage// Website: https://www.birdonstage.com/pigeon Garrett M. Ryan Abrams and Robert LeitnerFollow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 241st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 241st episode we bring you the third and final instalment of our very special three-part Toronto Fringe 2025 Review Roundup. Join Jillian Robinson, Mackenzie Horner, and Ryan Borochovitz as they try to blitz through the final fourteen shows they saw at this year’s festival, unpack all of their thoughts, and commemorate this moment in local theatre history for posterity! Catch up on Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtBoqIHnLCI

And Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UkeDPQXM8w TIMESTAMP NAVIGATOR: 0:00:00 – Intro 0:05:31 – Singing Psychic Game Show 0:12:13 – This Show Will Change Your Life 0:19:20 – Potato Potato 0:26:48 – My Pet Lizard, Liz: The Shakespearean Existential Crisis that Led to His Ultimate Demise 0:35:32 – The Perils of Being Born in the Fall 0:43:38 – Don’t Fall In 0:48:54 – Lucian, Plato, and the Secrets of the Pussy 0:55:27 – Regarding Antigone 1:06:11 – In the Diving Bell 1:16:48 – At the End of Kaliyuga 1:24:41 – Me and You and the Highland Coo 1:34:29 – Killy Willy 1:43:34 – David Lynch’s Seinfeld 1:52:42 – Ctrl Alt Delete: An Alphabetical Musical 2:04:59 – Final Thoughts on Toronto Fringe 2025 2:11:04 – Sign Off Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeatApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAuJillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [don't expect anything interesting over there]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz; see also, his article about clowns at the Toronto Fringe, published in Intermission Magazine: https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/features/fringe-clown/ Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 240th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 240th episode we bring you the second instalment of our very special three-part Toronto Fringe 2025 Review Roundup. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz as they try to blitz through the next fourteen shows they saw at this year’s festival, unpack all of their thoughts, and commemorate this moment in local theatre history for posterity! Catch up on Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtBoqIHnLCI Stay tuned for Part 3, coming soon! TIMESTAMP NAVIGATOR: 0:00:00 – Intro 0:02:02 – #1 Clown Comedy with Victor & Priscilla 0:12:04 – Sweet and Sultry Burlesque 0:20:41 – Sex Goddess 0:29:44 – Have Fun Kids 0:46:27 – Siranoush 0:53:25 – Very Shady Arab Ladies 1:01:10 – Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World 1:14:04 – String of Pearls 1:32:33 – Fish Tales: Reel Stories, Reel Magic, You’ll Be Hooked! 1:41:06 – Mutual Aim 1:53:47 – Quiltro 2:04:05 – Apothecary 2:26:37 – ALPHA 2:40:14 – Zeitgeist 2:59:54 – Sign Off Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96; it’s not too late to see Jill performing in 500 Doubloons at the Hamilton Fringe Festival: https://hftco.ca/events/500-doubloons/ Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [don't expect anything interesting over there]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz; see also, his article about clowns at the Toronto Fringe, published in Intermission Magazine: https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/features/fringe-clown/ Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 239th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 239th episode we bring you the first instalment of our very special multi part deep dive into Toronto Fringe 2025 Review Roundup. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz as they try to blitz through the first eighteen shows they saw at this year’s festival, unpack all of their thoughts, and commemorate this moment in local theatre history for posterity!

Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3, coming soon! TIMESTAMP NAVIGATOR: 0:00:00 – Intro 0:02:17 – The Ensemble 0:09:39 – The Adding Machine 0:19:31 – The Rhinoceros Collective 0:29:25 – The Iron Mask 0:35:59 – The Zucchini Club0:42:42 – Waiting for Coffee 0:50:11 – Broken Teléfono 0:56:48 – $$$ (Money Money Money) 1:05:06 – Milk Milk Lemonade 1:10:34 – Stroke of Genius: Pantomime Masturbation throughout Performing Arts History 1:24:39 – Songs By a Wannabe 1:34:39 – Justice for Maurice Henry Carter 1:41:45 – Edgar in the Red Room 1:46:04 – Honey Never Spoils 1:55:30 – Hoody 2:00:57 – Galen’s Grocer 2:08:01 – Quiz Icarus 2:17:16 – Iris (Says Goodbye) 2:44:17 – Sign Off Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeatApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [don't expect anything interesting over there]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz; see also, his article about clowns at the Toronto Fringe, published in Intermission Magazine: https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/features/fringe-clown/ Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 238th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 238th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation is between our Associate Artistic Producer Jillian Robinson and Alex Higgins one of the co-artistic directors of Falling Iguana Theatre, and the writer-director of the play Crane Girl which is soon to be presented at the Hamilton Fringe Festival. Together they discuss indie marketing magic, the indefinite lifespan of a show, and iguanas falling from trees. Crane Girl. is playing at Hamilton Fringe from July 17 to 26, 2025. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://hftco.ca/events/crane-girl/ Follow Alexa – Instagram: @alexa_m_higgins Follow Falling Iguana – Instagram/Facebook: @ fallingiguanatheatre // Website: https://www.fallingiguanatheatre.com/ Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 237th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 237th episode we bring you a Duet Review of of Sweet Sorrow, the latest immersive theatrical experience to open in Toronto that’s presented by À Toi & Coffee Oysters Champagne. Join Mackenzie Horner and special guest Alicia Plummer, as they discuss the perfect atmosphere this production has set up, how this piece compares to other immersive pieces we’ve previously covered, and they break down the very intense ending sequence of the show.

Sweet Sorrow is playing at Coffee Oysters Champagne (214 King St W Basement Level 1, Toronto, ON M5H 3S6) every Sunday at 6:30pm and 8:30pm until early September 2025. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweet-sorrow-tickets-1269670491619 This review contains many SPOILERS for Sweet Sorrow. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [10:07] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeatApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Alicia Plummer – Instagram: @itsaliciaplummer // TikTok: hialiciabyealicia Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 237th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 237th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation is between our Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz and Beatriz Lôbo Campos the Program Manager for the Canada Ireland Foundation. They discuss the recently wrapped the inaugural Bealtaine Theatre Festival, which ran from April 25 to May 25, 2025, the contemporary Irish theatre, the intricacies of programming, and the carnivalesque spirit of seeing weird stuff a theatre festival. Follow the Canada Ireland Foundation – Instagram: @canadairelandfoundation // Website: https://www.canadairelandfoundation.com/ Follow Beatriz – Instagram: @b_looboo Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 236th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 236th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Genrefuck – a double-bill of two solo shows, Reina by Augusto Bitter & Never Walk Alone by Julie Phan – presented by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss brand mascots, pole dancing, and what happens when you throw blenders at the wall to see if they stick.

Genrefuck is playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON) until May 31st, 2025. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://buddiesinbadtimes.com/show/genrefuck/ This review contains many SPOILERS for Genrefuck, and the two shows contained therein, WITHOUT our customary separation between spoiler and non-spoiler sections. If you intend to see the production, proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]

Welcome back to the 235th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 235th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Tales of an Urban Indian, written by Darrell Dennis, directed by Herbie Barnes, presented in its latest iteration by Talk is Free Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss Nolan Moberly’s dynamic performance, being powerless to one’s environment, and how everybody has a tale to tell.Tales of an Urban Indian is playing at Hope United Church (2550 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON) until May 31st, 2025. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.tift.ca/shows/tales-of-an-urban-indian CONTENT WARNING: Tales of an Urban Indian contains themes of alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, homophobia, and discrimination against Indigenous people; this review, likewise, speaks directly to these topics. Moreover, we acknowledge our positionality as white settlers discussing this material – up to and including the language of the play’s title, which we use only in context. To share another quote from Darrell Dennis’s witty and informative book, Peace Pipe Dreams (2014): “There are many names used for our people because not all of us can agree on one. We all have our own pasts, world views and prejudices that will inform the term we prefer. As a result, there will never be one term that pleases one hundred percent of Natives all the time. Sorry. Luckily, Native people have a reputation as some of the most open, accepting and forgiving people in the world. Using an improper PC term will usually be ignored as long as your conversation is respectful and comes from a place of friendship.” (pp.28-29)Less importantly, this review contains many SPOILERS for Tales of an Urban Indian. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [12:35] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]