Toronto Fringe Review: Family Road Trip

Family Road Trip delivers a wild ride. 

The second full-length sketch show by seven-person troupe Summer Dad, the revue is funniest when it stays on track and deals with things the Gen Z members obviously know a lot about.

One fun sketch features two platonic friends who are gaming when one discovers things in the other’s new handbag that changes their dynamic. Another is about a guy recovering from a relationship who is so unhinged he misinterprets every innocent hand gesture by his group of friends. 

The show’s most ambitious sketch starts out innocently enough as it follows a dude deciding what toppings to put on his Pi Co pizza. It morphs into a bravura scene involving complex choreography and intricate hip-hop, and director Danny Avila pulls it off effortlessly.

When the ensemble takes detours to other subjects, things aren’t as memorable. One scene set at a retro 50s diner – in which a couple receives 50s style service, as well – doesn’t quite land. And a sketch set at a high school reunion feels slightly laboured. 

But the production is swift-moving, and the actors – graduates of The Second City’s Training Centre – are energetic and full of potential.  

Family Road Trip is on now until July 16 as part of the Toronto Fringe. Tickets and show times here.