Fringe Review: Powerhouse vocalists elevate concept of 35MM

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeEntertainmentFestivalsLocal ArtsTheatre Fringe Review: Powerhouse vocalists elevate concept of 35MM Author of the article: By Dave Breakenridge Published Aug 19, 2026 1 minute read Join the conversation 35MM: A Musical Exhibition, at the 2026 Edmonton Fringe Festival. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED Article content 35MM: A Musical Exhibition Article content 4 stars (Out of 5) Article content Article content Stage 36, ArtsHub Ortona, 9722 102 St. Article content I’m just going to get my biggest criticism out of the way off the top: I don’t particularly care for the concept of 35MM. It’s novel, but didn’t land for me. Article content The 2012 musical (or song cycle) was created by Ryan Scott Oliver, inspired by his partner Matthew Murphy’s photographs. There’s no real throughline. Article content Article content And, as the production projected the images on a big screen in the cavernous ArtsHub space, I spent a lot of time trying to link the images to the songs. Some work really well, as with the songs On Monday and Hemming & Hawing. Others, such as The Party Goes With You and Leave Luanne felt disconnected from the photographic inspiration. In my opinion, anyway. Article content Headline News Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content So it’s a good thing the performers — Matthew Gregg, Corben Kushneryk, Layne Labbe, Damon Pitcher and Mackenzie Tennessen — are such strong, dynamic singers. They navigated the various styles of the production with ease. Article content Labbe, especially, brought the angst of young love to life during On Monday, and Kushneryk hilariously depicted the horrors of nannying for a terror child named Caralee. Article content The show, directed by Jim Gueddo, made great use of the space, and allowed a chance for all the performers to be seen and heard by the audience, and the band, under the direction of Steven Greenfield, gave the singers energetic and emotive accompaniment. Article content There were some minor moments where the music overpowered the singers, or they were singing too quickly to be understood. Article content But these are minor quibbles, as the songs really did carry the day, which is reason enough to venture off the main…