In almost every band most members like to take on a few side projects: maybe a solo improvised noise performance, or hiphop/mandolin experiment, or sometimes a second project that's nearly indistinguishable from the first. Or band members just do this:

Well, a couple of our good friends in Hooded Fang have opted for a different route and are putting on a musical at this years Fringe Festival. Directed by H-Fang Lorna Wright and with music composed and played by the whole Fang Gang, you can be sure Just East Of Broadway will be a very enjoyable time. Plus, it's the same crew behind a little something from the 2007 Fringe Fest called Lord of The Rings: The Musical: The Musical! and, well, that did pretty okay

So here's what you need to know, taken from their Facebook page:

From the makers of “The Lord of the Rings: The Musical: The Musical!” (Patron’s pick, Best of Fringe 2007), comes this stunning, timely, very silly new production.

In order to kick-start his failing career, has-been actor Rex Maverick agrees to star in a production in the world’s “hottest new market” for musicals – The People’s Republic of China. But instead of bustling Beijing or Shanghai, Rex finds himself trapped in a tiny farming community directing a cast of enthusiastic amateurs, including a shy love-struck writer, a bumbling and censorious Mid-Level Official, a nefarious costume designer, and a strong-willed young woman contemptuous of the Hollywood star. While Rex is stuck in the town waiting for seasonal rains to pass, cultures clash, personalities collide, the workers control the means of production, and musical magic is born!

With 12 original tunes composed by members of indie pop band Hooded Fang and a cast that includes a West-End veteran, a Canadian Comedy Award-winner, and stars of past Fringe hits “Giant Killer Shark: The Musical,” “Funny Business: The Musical”, and “LOTR: The Musical: The Musical!”, this original show is set to take the city by storm at the 2009 Toronto Fringe Festival, starting July 2nd!

Venue:
The George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place, just south of Varsity stadium)

Times:
Thursday, July 2 @ 10:30 PM
Saturday, July 4 @ 3:30 PM
Monday, July 6 @ 8:30 PM
Tuesday, July 7 @ 5:00 PM
Wednesday, July 8 @ 2:00 PM
Thursday, July 9 @ 5:15 PM
Saturday, July 11 @ 7:00 PM

Tickets:
All tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062, or at the door (note that a large block of tickets is reserved for the door, so if it's sold out online or by phone you can still come on out).

Cast & Crew:
Starring:
Gene Abella, as the Mid-Level Official
Lana Carillo, as Mei Ling
Jay Davis, as Rex Maverick
Darrel Gamotin, as Tai Lee
Graham Losee, as Allan
Andrea Lui, as Sui Fung
Lorna Wright, as Veronica Malone

Director: Lorna Wright
Writers: Nicholas Hune-Brown and Ben King
Co-composer: Daniel Lee
Stage Manager: Kalina Janik
Lighting Designer: Alex Naylor
Choreographer: Kate Gordon

- posted by Kevin