Bad Dog Theatre's Winter Shows 2021

Bad Dog Theatre Company has long been a mainstay of the Toronto comedy scene. However, with COVID indefinitely pausing all live stage performances, Bad Dog has taken it to YouTube to keep the laughs coming.

And while this may feel like a dystopian future where people’s only contact with one another is through the sad blue lights of their screens, there is a sincere upside. Getting to celebrate Toronto based comics in the comfort of your living room is honestly great. There have been many a Friday in Toronto winters having to trudge all the way to Bad Dog’s stage* in the midst of a snowstorm hoping anyone would show up. Ironically the audiences were there because live comedy in Toronto is special. And if you did stay home in the past due to weather, right now as you are forced to stay home another Saturday night, you’d like to retroactively kick yourself, right?

This winter slot of Bad Dog shows are a true blast and due to Bad Dog’s versatility of shows mixed with perseverance and sheer talent, watching live comedy on the intertubes is as hilarious as it is comforting.

Bad Dog’s Winter Season has a variety of shows that showcase Toronto’s best of the best improvisers mixed with new faces and over the top characters that you will be grateful exists because you can only rewatch “The Office” so many times. Seriously, Netflix keeps threatening to remove it.

Below are a list of standout shows that are sure to keep you entertained in a time where fresh and free entertainment is as vital as food. Dramatic? Sure. A real reality? YES, FOR SERIOUS!

GLOBEHEAD

An improvisation competition show that is in it’s 19th season. Not even the novel Coronavirus could stop this high energy, bit heavy, competitive style short form improv show.

And if you can believe it, there is a plus to it being online because improvisers from Atlanta, Baltimore and Vancouver get to participate. Plus according to my inside track** GLOBEHEAD judges have never been kinder, since they don’t have to go outside in the snow to judge improvisers.. 5’s all around! Catch the remaining shows every Thursday in February. 

The Oval

This parody of Netflix’s The Circle (A TV show from the before times, remember?) is a real treat of what bizarre characters lurk in the minds of Canadian improvisers. I have been lucky enough to participate in an episode. My character was a party girl who has only ever partied in the now closed Toronto club “Piccadilly Circus''. Producer and creator of The Oval, Anders Yates, had this to say “My favourite part of the show is the loyal fanbase hanging out in the chat every week. Also for a show with a ton of rules the best parts happen when those rules get broken.” So if you like hot off the press references like Piccadilly Circus and seeing comedians like Ajahnis Charley impersonate an alien impersonating Owen Wilson, The Oval is the show for you! Plus hang out in that chat afterwards! Wednesdays at 9pm.

THE SONAR NETWORK PODCASTS

Every Monday night in February check out Canadian podcasting company The Sonar Network showcase their most fun and comedic podcasts. Podcasts like Nostalgique hosted by Aba Amuquandoh and Ben Sosa Wright; and (shameless self promotion) my podcast Shh...I’m Watching a Movie. Let the casual fun nature of a live podcast guide your Monday night blues into something way more fun than eating dinner silently in the dark (maybe don’t do that regardless, but The Sonar Network Podcasts can prevent that from happening). Added bonus usually in Shh… I’m Watching A Movie we have to edit out all the hot gos we accidentally talk about when watching a movie, but when it’s live, there’s nowhere to edit. Enjoy the bloopers Monday at 7pm.

AYAKA’S KITCHEN

One of the most talented comedians and musicians I have ever worked with, Ayaka Kinugawa, invites comedians into her kitchen (through the internet, calm down!) and she adds any kind of ingredient into sushi. Literally. Any. Ingredient. Come for the sushi and stay for the hilarious and kind energy that Kinugawa infuses into any work she does. This show is a true example of using the golden rule of “yes anding” into a literal situation and getting some glorious results. Tune in Mondays at 4:30pm to see the charm.

*I literally lived a five minute walk from Bad Dog’s former physical theatre, so my complaining is not only unwarranted it’s absurd.

**Ann Pornel, Globehead judge and soon to be The Great Canadian Baking Show host!