Ottawa Fringe 2014: Don’t tell my dad

Don’t Tell My Dad is a fun, informative and, at times, quite dirty performance by folk singer Chelsea Manders. Its tongue-in-cheek, just self deprecating enough take on the world is refreshing and Manders really knows how to make use of comedic timing as she explores her harrowing upbringing in an upper-middle class, supportive, loving family. Sounds great, right? Sure, unless you want to be a tortured artist. Instead of getting too grumbly, Manders takes her experiences and makes them into a cute, funny show. She’s a peppy kindergarden teacher who sings (quite beautifully, by the way) some of the dirtiest songs at the Fringe. I hope you like poop and penis jokes, because this show is littered with them. Being a fan of the sophisticated comedy stylings myself, the show mostly had me laughing out loud. Some parts veered on the side of a bit too crass (did we really need to see up her skirt?), but overall an enjoyable show reminding us to laugh at and with life and that anything can and should be made into art.

Don’t Tell My Dad

By Chelsea Manders

Plays at Academic Hall