Toronto Fringe Review: Summer Dad presents Paternal Guidance

Come meet your eight new dads! Paternal Guidance is a sketch comedy show full of the best (misguided) dad advice a Fringe show can give you.

The show features songs, dancing, and sketches all with that classic Gen Z* humour (*Zillennial cusp). Quick-witted and punchy, Summer Dad comedy troupe has got their cargo shorts on, the barbecue fired up, and they’re ready to make you laugh.

The show contains invaluable dad advice, such as “never name anyone you care about in case you lose them one day” and “if your dad is dead, just find one in the audience”. Classic dad!

Not all of the sketches are specifically dad-related. I especially appreciated the queer sketches, such as one sketch about a gay person who just wants a regular, hot coffee with regular dairy milk (blasphemy). There was also a very accurate and relatable sketch about a Pride Toronto VR experience that mostly involved waiting in line and being overcrowded.

Light-hearted, silly, and genuine, this sketch comedy show is like a ray of sunshine on a rainy Fringe afternoon. So put on your sunglasses, pack up your beach bag, and lean back in your folding chair/theatre seat. From accidentally coordinating an orgy to getting your wallet stolen by your yoga instructor, Paternal Guidance has all the summer comedy vibes you could want.

Paternal Guidance is on now until July 14 at the Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets.