Toronto Fringe Review: $$$ (Money, Money, Money)

Shanice Stanislaus and Rachel Resnik open their very funny satire $$$ (Money, Money, Money) by explaining that several levels of funding fell through before the Fringe and so the production we’re seeing is not what they intended. But they’re continuing because theatre, of course, is about “imagination.” 

“Imagine a tree… an elaborate set… a moat,” they say. One of them dips a hand into the pretend water and cries out, “Splash me!” 

Later on, they present selections from their play called The Lament and ask us for some feedback so it can get better. A few of us write down comments. They read out our replies (which I don’t think are our replies), which all hurt their feelings but they vow to go on. They’re artists, after all.

What they’d really like to do, it soon becomes clear, is put on a Netflix special. The problem? They need $200 million to finance it. And so much of the hour-long show is devoted to various forms of pleas for cash. If we don’t have cash, we can give them other things that they can convert into cash. Someone contributes a tampon.

From the audience, they hire an accountant, a publicist, a wealth coach, someone to make a promotional video. Each of these people gets hired after an audition process. Throughout, as they continue to shill for cash, they consult the accountant to see how close they are to that $200 million goal.

When they’re really desperate, they decide to do a “trauma dump” on the audience, which they argue has worked for other successful TV properties like Fleabag and Baby Reindeer. This will get the donations rolling in. 

Stanislaus (the delightful star of 2023’s Mail Ordered), and Resnik make a terrific clown duo, and their satire has more than a grain of truth to it. That “trauma dump” idea is true, especially at the Fringe. And what artist hasn’t expressed frustration that the industry is about PR or marketing?

The pair give us everything and the kitchen sink in their attempt to make us laugh. It might not be worth $200 million, but it’s well worth the price of a Fringe ticket to hear them sing and dance to a certain Bonnie Tyler song, which they call “Pyramid Scheme of the Heart.”

Sold.

$$$ (Money, Money, Money) is now on until July 13 as part of the Toronto Fringe. Tickets and show times here.