SMASHES
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY
FRANNY MCCABE-BENNETT
DIRECTED AND DRAMATURGED BY
CHRISTOPHER LEGACY
Queer feminists collide in SMASHES, a new critically-acclaimed comedy written by and starring FRANNY McCABE-BENNETT.
“SMASHES”: late 1800s, slang for same-sex crushes. Contemporary, “smash”: (1) move so as to hit or collide with great force and impact; (2) a very successful show or performer.
Growing up queer is a messy business, whether you’re a renowned feminist writer in Victorian-era Rhode Island or an overalls-wearing Alanis Morissette superfan living in the ‘burbs of Toronto, Canada. This new one-woman-show examines feminist literary icon Charlotte Perkins Gilman (“The Yellow Wallpaper”, “Herland”, “Women and Economics”) as an invisible queer pioneer through comedian/actor/storyteller Franny McCabe-Bennett’s coming out story and experiences as a femme bisexual woman.
In the early 1900s, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was one of the most famous and well-respected authors in America, lecturing all across the country on behalf of women’s rights. Her personal letters and diary entries are passionate, funny, vulnerable and heartbreakingly earnest. Using these writings as a jumping off point, Franny shares her own personal tales of falling in love and relationships gone awry, shines a spotlight on Gilman’s romantic relationships with men and women, and wonders aloud why bisexual women have had their queerness erased from the history books. This comic, insightful and touching storytelling adventure is appropriate for ages 13 and up.
“SMASHES”: late 1800s, slang for same-sex crushes. Contemporary, “smash”: (1) move so as to hit or collide with great force and impact; (2) a very successful show or performer.
Growing up queer is a messy business, whether you’re a renowned feminist writer in Victorian-era Rhode Island or an overalls-wearing Alanis Morissette superfan living in the ‘burbs of Toronto, Canada. This new one-woman-show examines feminist literary icon Charlotte Perkins Gilman (“The Yellow Wallpaper”, “Herland”, “Women and Economics”) as an invisible queer pioneer through comedian/actor/storyteller Franny McCabe-Bennett’s coming out story and experiences as a femme bisexual woman.
In the early 1900s, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was one of the most famous and well-respected authors in America, lecturing all across the country on behalf of women’s rights. Her personal letters and diary entries are passionate, funny, vulnerable and heartbreakingly earnest. Using these writings as a jumping off point, Franny shares her own personal tales of falling in love and relationships gone awry, shines a spotlight on Gilman’s romantic relationships with men and women, and wonders aloud why bisexual women have had their queerness erased from the history books. This comic, insightful and touching storytelling adventure is appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Visit the Accolades page for full reviews, pull quotes and audience responses.
SEPT 23 2017 @ TORONTO BI ARTS FESTIVAL
FEATURED EVENT - "THE TORONTOIST"
SOLD OUT SHOW, LATE SHOW ADDED
AUG 21-26 2017 @ FUNDY FRINGE FESTIVAL (Saint John, NB)
WINNER of the PERFORMER'S CHOICE AWARD
☆☆☆☆☆ - GRID CITY MAGAZINE
#1 PICK - THE EAST MAGAZINE
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PRODUCTION HISTORY
MAY 7-12 2018, INTERNATIONAL DUBLIN GAY THEATRE FESTIVAL (Dublin, IE)
MAY 3 2018, WE'RE FUNNY THAT WAY (Toronto)
SEPTEMBER 23 2017, TORONTO BI ARTS FESTIVAL/TOO QUEER: A BI VISIBILITY CABARET co-production (Toronto)
AUGUST 21-26 2017, FUNDY FRINGE FESTIVAL (Saint John, NB) - 60 min world premiere
SEPTEMBER 2016, a PETERBOROUGH PRIDE EVENT (Peterborough) - 45 min workshop reading
JUNE 2016, FREE JANE: a TORONTO PRIDE EVENT at BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES (Toronto) - 45 min workshop reading
JUNE 2015, TOO QUEER: A BI VISIBILITY CABARET (Toronto) - 10 min reading
MAY 3 2018, WE'RE FUNNY THAT WAY (Toronto)
SEPTEMBER 23 2017, TORONTO BI ARTS FESTIVAL/TOO QUEER: A BI VISIBILITY CABARET co-production (Toronto)
AUGUST 21-26 2017, FUNDY FRINGE FESTIVAL (Saint John, NB) - 60 min world premiere
SEPTEMBER 2016, a PETERBOROUGH PRIDE EVENT (Peterborough) - 45 min workshop reading
JUNE 2016, FREE JANE: a TORONTO PRIDE EVENT at BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES (Toronto) - 45 min workshop reading
JUNE 2015, TOO QUEER: A BI VISIBILITY CABARET (Toronto) - 10 min reading
FOR MEDIA USE
Images and PDFs - SMASHES, Fundy Fringe Festival (Saint John NB) 2017
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 24 2017
Media Contact: Franny McCabe-Bennett // franny@frannymcb.com Franny McCabe-Bennett crashes into Saint John with new comic solo show, SMASHES! “SMASHES”: late 1800s, slang for same-sex crushes. Contemporary, “smash”: (1) move so as to hit or collide with great force and impact; (2) a very successful show or performer. Growing up queer is a messy business, whether you’re a renowned feminist writer in Victorian-era Rhode Island or an overalls-wearing Alanis Morissette superfan living in the ‘burbs. This new one-woman-show examines feminist literary icon Charlotte Perkins Gilman (“The Yellow Wallpaper”, “Women and Economics”) as an invisible queer pioneer through comedian/actor/storyteller Franny McCabe-Bennett’s coming out story and experiences as a femme bisexual woman. In the early 1900s, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was one of the most famous and well-respected authors in America, lecturing all across the country on behalf of women’s rights. Her personal letters and diary entries are passionate, funny, vulnerable and heartbreakingly earnest. Using these writings as a jumping off point, Franny shares her own personal tales of falling in love and relationships gone awry, shines a spotlight on Gilman’s romantic relationships with men and women, and wonders aloud why bisexual women have had their queerness erased from the history books. This comic, insightful and touching storytelling adventure is appropriate for ages 13 and up. Praise for Franny McCabe-Bennett:
Franny McCabe-Bennett is an award-winning comedian, actor, singer and playwright based outside Toronto, ON. Christopher Legacy is a director, dramaturge and actor in Toronto, ON. FMB Productions in association with The Fundy Fringe Festival present . . . SMASHES Written and Performed by Franny McCabe-Bennett Directed and Dramaturged by Christopher Legacy Tues Aug 22 @ 4:30pm Wed Aug 23 @ 6:00pm Thurs Aug 24 @ 7:30pm Fri Aug 25 @ 9:00pm Sat Aug 26 @ 1:15pm The performance will run 55 minutes. Latecomers will be seated at an appropriate break. Imperial Theatre, upstairs lobby ☆ 12 King Square South, Saint John NB Tickets at the door ($10 each): 15 min before showtime, cash only Media Ticket Requests: info@fundyfringefestival.com | ||||||
For higher resolution images, please contact franny@frannymcb.com.
