When Heidi Brander appears on stage in a buttocks length Sandra Bullock wig while lip syncing to a re-worked version of Kelly Rowland's Commander, you know you're in for a good night. And a good night was had by all. Quirky, saucy and the ultimate fag hag, Brander came out swinging with material that mocked celeb stalkers, the cast of 1 Girl, 5 Gays, and ultimately, herself.
Following Brander's power punching opening was a line up of local comics, each bringing their own brand of irreverence. Brander introduced each guest with a re-worked pop song that she and fellow comic Zachery Pearse pre-recorded. A concept that was both fun and brought originality to the often stale introduction of comics. It provided a nice seg-way between acts and allowed Brander to tap into her inner drag queen.
The night was a potpourri of local queer personalities and the women who amuse them. One of the stand out moments came from Zachery Pearse who was performing stand up for the very first time. Opening with a vignette about a message from his mother entitled 'Your new hair cut and Craft Burger,' Pearse immediately captured the audience with his dead pan delivery and self-deprecating humour.
Other stand outs included the always amusing Sarah Hennessey. Although she seemed flustered by technical difficulties Sarah rolled with punches and incorporated them into her act. Proving again her ad-lib capabilities and why she is such a force in the Toronto stand up world. We loved her bits about her father's stale jokes and how she would exact revenge on her ex boyfriend. We also loved newbie comedian Laura Di Labio. Di Labio joked about being "new" to the city and Winners. Need we say more?
Overall it was a one-off night filled with laughs and fueled by cheap pitchers. Brander was only subbing in for a local comedian, but we'd love to see her, and her motley crew, as a regular comedy event. They truly are worth 5 dollars.
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