The Johnny Tomorrow Chronicles - Doesn't the Title Say It All?

Even though the Fringe shows are assigned randomly to our Plank reviewers, somehow I feel I was destined to see this performance at the 2013 Fringe. Perhaps it's because 2013 is my year of Star Trek. Since January I have seen ALL of Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager (which is 21 seasons of Star Trek in case you're counting). So Johnny Tomorrow feels like a good friend (and I bet he's seen all those episodes of Star Trek too).

We meet Johnny in a shiny silver space suit. He tells us: "I am a collection of molecules called Johnny Tomorrow, and I am a traveler of space and time." Created and performed by Michael John Unger (a real-life space educator), Johnny is an engaging guide who challenges us to think about our place in the universe. His travels through space and time offer audiences of all ages the chance to experience a sense of wonder. Just HOW many grains of sand would be equal to four billion stars? One beach? Two beaches? How about all the beaches on Earth?!?!?! How do you even start to conceive of the enormity of our universe?

Directed by Sophie Yendole, this information-heavy show benefits from simple, clear staging and ongoing audience participation. Serious kudos go to the uber-geeky Fringe volunteer in the front row who caught a sci-fi reference that everyone else missed (me included). And I can't fail to mention Wendy Cook's super space suit - it's nearly blinding in its silver magnificence. Most important, the show is underpinned by a confident, understated performance by Michael John Unger.     

So that's why you need to go see The Johnny Tomorrow Chronicles. Cuz it's a fun-filled journey through science, fact and fantasy with a man in a silver space suit. Staged in the Carousel Theatre space, the chairs are uncomfortable - but you'll hardly notice as you're transported throughout our galaxy and beyond. Join Johnny Tomorrow - he'd love to hang out with you. 

NOTE: The Johnny Tomorrow Chronicles was originally reviewed by PLANK Magazine for the Vancouver Fringe 2010 - click here to read the original review!