TO Live is thrilled to announce the 2025 Best of Fringe, celebrating the most talked-about, acclaimed, and beloved productions from the 37th annual Toronto Fringe Festival.

Best of Fringe is a three-day, jury-selected showcase running July 18 to 20 at the Meridian Arts Centre’s Studio Theatre (5040 Yonge St., North York). This exclusive event features five boundary-pushing, crowd-winning shows handpicked by jury from over 100 Fringe performances. 

Whether you missed them the first time or just want to experience the magic again, this is your second chance to catch the best of the fest—all in one place.

Individual tickets are $25 and are now on sale and available online at tolive.com, by phone at 416-366-7723 and 1-800-708-6752, and in person at the Meridian Hall and Meridian Arts Centre box offices.

2025 TO LIVE BEST OF FRINGE LINEUP

 • David Lynch’s Seinfeld (Goop2 Productions). Written and directed by Paul Aihoshi, Guy Bradford, Colin Sharpe.

An original episode of Seinfeld that descends into a Lynchian nightmare. Starring a cast of current and former members of the Second City, the Sketchersons, and the Bad Dog Theatre Company comes a surreal reimagining of Seinfeld through the dreamlike, disturbing lens of David Lynch.

 • Iris (says goodbye) (Mixtape Projects). Music and lyrics by Ben Kopp; book by Margot Greve.

A haunting, bittersweet original musical about memory, farewells, and the liminal space between dreams and letting go. In a giant endless airport where souls await their final departure, Iris has been granted the rare opportunity to return to earth and live another life. Each night, audience members will determine Iris’s journey by selecting eight acts of 20 to be performed in the order they are selected—meaning every night is a completely unique performance!

 • My Pet Lizard, Liz: The Shakespearean Existential Crisis That Led to his Ultimate Demise (The Lost Scribe Collective). Written and performed by Shaharah “Gaz” Gaznabbi.

When an out-of-work actor pours his heart—and Shakespeare monologues—into his beloved pet lizard, things take a turn for the existential. Part one-person show, part tragicomedy, and 100% absurd, this hilariously heartfelt story explores grief, burnout, and what happens when your emotional support animal starts having an emotional crisis of his own.

 • Playground, A New Family Musical (Catchy Tune). Music and Lyric by Jack Grunsky

Story created by Olivia Daniels, Elly Barlin-Daniels and Amanda Freedman

Based on the songs of Juno Award-winning children’s singer-songwriter Jack Grunsky and suitable for children four to 12, Playground is a joyful family musical performed by an intergenerational cast aged 20 to 80, including veteran performer Joe Matheson.

 • Things My Dad Kept (Mom & Pop Productions). Written and performed by Ronit Rubinstein.

A touching solo piece about memory, love, and the unexpected ways we carry those we've lost. After discovering her dad had kept everything she ever made—from childhood drawings to stories—she begins to unpack not just objects, but the life they represent. While often funny, it’s not a comedy; it’s a beautiful, deeply relatable exploration of grief, connection, and the stories we tell to keep people alive

“The Best of Fringe is a celebration of second chances—fans of the Fringe can catch what they missed, and artists have the opportunity to shine on a new stage. We are excited to have the Best of Fringe return to the amazing audiences in North York,” shares Clyde Wagner, President and CEO, TO Live.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Friday, July 18:

7 pm - Iris (says goodbye)

9:30 pm - David Lynch’s Seinfeld

Saturday, July 19:

12 pm - David Lynch’s Seinfeld

2:30 pm - My Pet Lizard, Liz: The Shakespearean Existential Crisis That Led to his Ultimate Demise

6 pm - Playground

8:30 pm - Things My Dad Kept

Sunday, July 20:

12 pm - Playground

2:30 pm - Things My Dad Kept

6 pm - My Pet Lizard, Liz: The Shakespearean Existential Crisis That Led to his Ultimate Demise

8:30pm - Iris (says goodbye)

(Note: Iris runs 90 minutes; all other shows are 60 minutes.)

TO Live Best of Fringe 2025

Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20, 2025

Meridian Arts Centre, Studio Theatre

5040 Yonge Street, North York

Tickets: $25 (incudes all fees/service charges)

Tickets are available online at tolive.com, by phone at 416-366-7723 and 1-800-708-6754, and in person at the Meridian Hall box office (1 Front Street East) and the Meridian Arts Centre box office (5040 Yonge Street), Monday to Friday, 1 pm to 6 pm.

TO Live box office phone and email support operates 1 pm to 6 pm Monday to Friday. Online sales operate 24 hours a day.