Playwright Michael Ross Albert joins Chris Tolley to discuss his acclaimed play The Bidding War and the personal experience that helped inspire it. Michael shares what it was like to buy his first home through an affordable housing program — a moment that felt like winning the lottery, but also brought intense financial fear and uncertainty. Despite finally finding a place to call his own, Michael opens up about the pressure of speculative real estate and how that anxiety found its way into his writing. He and Chris dive into why plays that make us laugh can also leave the deepest mark.

The Bidding War is by Michael Ross Albert.

The open house descends into chaos as tensions erupt between buyers, agents, and unexpected guests. Secrets are revealed, alliances shift, and a medical emergency turns the high-stakes competition into something more personal. As the dream of homeownership spirals into a surreal showdown, everyone is forced to show their hand, whether they’re ready or not.

Featuring: Aurora Browne, Sergio Di Zio, Izad Etemadi, Peter Fernandes, Veronica Hortiguela, Amy Matysio, Fiona Reid, Gregory Prest, Steven Sutcliffe, Sophia Walker, and Gregory Waters.

The Bidding War is by Michael Ross Albert.

Welcome to Toronto’s hot real estate market, where even an open house can become a pressure cooker. It’s Sam’s first day as a real estate agent, and he’s hoping for a straightforward showing. But things quickly spiral when eager buyers swarm the home of his first client, June. Tensions rise, secrets surface, and the competition turns cutthroat. In this sharp, darkly comic audio drama, The Bidding War exposes the high-stakes chaos lurking beneath Toronto’s housing bubble.

Featuring: Aurora Browne, Sergio Di Zio, Izad Etemadi, Peter Fernandes, Veronica Hortiguela, Amy Matysio, Fiona Reid, Gregory Prest, Steven Sutcliffe, Sophia Walker, and Gregory Waters.

The Bidding War is by Michael Ross Albert.

Playwright Zahida Rahemtulla joins Laura Mullin to talk about her hit debut play, The Wrong Bashir, a sharp and funny intergenerational comedy about identity, faith, and forging your own path.

They discuss the inspiration behind the play, the unique dynamics of the Ismaili community, and what it means to grow up caught between expectations and self-discovery. Zahida also shares what it was like casting her real-life father and bringing underrepresented voices to the Canadian stage.

The Wrong Bashir is by Zahida Rahemtulla.

The mistaken identity spirals as Bashir’s family attempts to correct the mix-up, but not everyone agrees on whether it should be corrected. As the pressure mounts and unexpected visitors arrive, Bashir is forced to confront not only who others expect him to be—but who he really is.

“Think 'Kim's Convenience' but set in an Ismaili Muslim family. This play feels ripe for a TV adaptation. With its mistaken identity plot and comic characters, Zahida Rahemtulla's “The Wrong Bashir” has the hallmarks of a classic sitcom…” Joshua Chong, Toronto Star

Featuring the cast from Crow’s Theatre’s acclaimed production:

 Sharjil Rasool (Bashir), Bren Eastcott (Nafisa), Sugith Varughese (Sultan), Nimet Kanji (Najma), Vijay Mehta (Al Nashir), Pamela Mala Sinha (Gulzar), Salim Rahemtulla (Dadipapa), Zaittun Esmail (Dadima), Parm Soor (Mansour)

The Wrong Bashir is by Zahida Rahemtulla. 

When philosophy student Bashir Ladha is accidentally nominated to a prestigious religious position, his family is ecstatic until they realize he’s more interested in podcasting than leading prayers. As Bashir questions the entire situation, his parents scramble to maintain appearances and navigate the growing confusion.

Fast, funny, and full of heart, The Wrong Bashir is a razor-sharp comedy about mistaken identity, generational pressure, and what happens when your community’s expectations don’t match who you really are.

Featuring the cast from Crow’s Theatre’s acclaimed production:

 Sharjil Rasool (Bashir), Bren Eastcott (Nafisa), Sugith Varughese (Sultan), Nimet Kanji (Najma), Vijay Mehta (Al Nashir), Pamela Mala Sinha (Gulzar), Salim Rahemtulla (Dadipapa), Zaittun Esmail (Dadima), Parm Soor (Mansour)

The Wrong Bashir is by Zahida Rahemtulla. 

Chris talks with Jordi Mand about writing with vulnerability, mining family stories for inspiration, and confronting personal fears through her plays. Jordi opens up about her journey from performer to playwright, the delicate balance of using real life in fiction, and how becoming a mom has changed her work. They dive into the emotional roots of In Seven Days, the role of Jewish identity in her storytelling, and why she’s drawn to characters who live in the moral grey zone. Plus, Jordi explains how faith and culture quietly shape her plays. It’s an honest, funny, and moving conversation with one of Canada’s most fearless voices in theatre.

In Seven Days is by Jordi Mand.

As Sam’s time grows shorter, tensions and emotions run high. Rachel’s estranged boyfriend unexpectedly shows up to support her, leading to a heated confrontation with her father over past grievances. Amid a bittersweet celebration, the family tries to hold on to moments of joy—but they’re all painfully aware of what’s coming. When Rachel uncovers a long-held secret, it might be the key to changing her father’s heart.

Featuring: Mairi Babb, Ron Lea, Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, Shaina Silver-Baird, Ralph Small.

In Seven Days is by Jordi Mand.

When thirty-year-old Rachel returns home for Shabbat dinner with her ailing father and his girlfriend, she’s met with a life-altering announcement: her father, Sam Adleman, has chosen to end his life through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)—and he plans to do it in just seven days. Shocked and heartbroken, Rachel decides to stay the week, desperately trying to change his mind. But when she brings their Rabbi into the conversation, family tensions rise, and Sam’s decision grows even more complicated.

Featuring: Mairi Babb, Ron Lea, Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, Shaina Silver-Baird, Ralph Small.

In Seven Days is by Jordi Mand.

Playwright and performer Rachel Cairns joins Laura Mullin to discuss her acclaimed play Hypothetical Baby and the deeply personal experience that inspired it. Rachel shares her journey of facing an unplanned pregnancy despite having an IUD, the unexpected challenges of accessing abortion care, and the emotional and societal pressures that shaped her decision.

Despite growing up in a progressive and supportive family, Rachel found herself unprepared for the realities of navigating reproductive healthcare. She and Laura dive into the stigma, shame, and controversy surrounding a woman’s right to choose and how storytelling can challenge perceptions, spark dialogue, and empower change.

Hypothetical Baby is by Rachel Cairns.