By Denis Armstrong
Ottawa Sun, June 17, 2004 Page 32

It's that time again. When the stomach knots, the palms go sweaty and the blood pressure goes through the roof...and that's just for the people waiting to buy tickets for the 11th annual Fringe Festival.

Unguided, yet undaunted, every year about 35,000 hardy theatre-loving souls pay their money and take their chances on the latest stage creations by 60 touring theatre companies.

Given that Ottawa's Fringe isn't a juried festival means any production - good or bad - has the same chance of making the cut. That can make choosing which show to see a bit of a gamble. While the Fringe can be a bit of a crapshoot, there are always tried and true acts.

The Reefer Man promises to be an intelligent comedy with a pro-marijuana theme. I'm guessing there's going to be some smoking, or at least one really stoned actor on stage. I don't know if this is the kind of show, like Laser Pink Floyd, that you have to smoke up for. Probably wouldn't hurt. Either way, I wouldn't miss it for the world.