Toronto Fringe Review: Book of Ooka: The Immaculate Misconception

Book of Ooka: The Immaculate Misconception combines original music, farcical hijinks, and quick and clever writing. The show centres on close friends and business partners Maryem and Roula (played by Maryem Tollar and Roula Said). Roula’s elderly aunt Ooka (Anand Rajaram) has a spiritual encounter in the night and believes she is pregnant the next day. The story takes them on a journey home to Palestine (fittingly, Bethlehem), where Aunt Ooka insists the birth must take place.

Tollar and Said are friends who have previously collaborated. Notably, their Fringe hit Very Shady Arab Ladies from 2025 takes place in the same universe as Book of Ooka. The chemistry and artistic intimacy between them create a solid foundation for the show.

The script, ensemble, music, and design all allow the show to blossom. Each cast member has a clear sense of characterization, leading to good world building. Technical elements like costume and lighting design (by Cass Reimer and Mark Andrada, respectively) also stand out.

The script is packed with many one liners and word play that had me laughing out loud throughout.

The only noteworthy point of critique is that I noticed a few instances of cross-talking through dialogue. This prevented some jokes landing as clearly as they could have and took away from the generally polished feel of the show. This might have been unique to the performance I saw, however.

Book of Ooka has a premise right at home in an Abrahamic story while feeling timely and relevant, and most importantly – ridiculously entertaining.

Book of Ooka is on now until July 12 at the Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets