The Howland Company Return to Toronto Fringe with YOU CHOOSE: AN IMPROVISED MURDER MYSTERY
Ruth Goodwin and Liz Johnston lead an all-star cast at the Toronto Fringe Festival.
CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT
Multi-Dora Mavor Moore Award-winning theatre THE HOWLAND COMPANY announces the cast of You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery, marking Howland's highly anticipated return to the Toronto Fringe Festival where it first became a breakout success.
Returning to the Toronto Fringe for the first time since their acclaimed comedy hit Entrances and Exits, The Howland Company assembles an all-star cast of some of Toronto's top improvisers, sketch performers, and comedic actors for a brand-new Traitors-style interactive murder mystery.
Created by Ruth Goodwin (The Howland Company) and Liz Johnston (The Second City), the duo behind the Best of Fringe sensation Entrances and Exits, You Choose is a Traitors-style improvised comedy in which audiences determine the killer while the cast scrambles to uncover clues, identify suspects, and avoid becoming the prime suspect themselves.
The production stars:
- Conor Bradbury (Sex T-Rex, The Second City Mainstage)
- Ruth Goodwin (Global TV's Private Eyes, The Howland Company)
- Brandon Hackett (CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Second City Mainstage)
- Liz Johnston (Nickelodeon's Star Falls, The Second City Mainstage)
- Paloma Nuñez (CBC's Baroness Von Sketch Show, The Second City Mainstage)
- Sharjil Rasool (CBC's Run the Burbs, The Second City Mainstage)
- Christian Smith (CBC's Soul Decision Comedy, The Second City Mainstage)
One of Canada's most acclaimed independent theatre companies, The Howland Company has built a national reputation for award-winning productions at Crow's Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times, Tarragon Theatre and beyond. While celebrated for ambitious dramatic work including The Wolves, Prodigal, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, and The Welkin, the company's return to Fringe also marks a return to the festival that helped launch some of their most beloved comedy work.
After a sold-out run at the 2018 Toronto Fringe, Entrances and Exits earned a Best of Fringe Award and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination and was subsequently remounted at The Tarragon Theatre in 2022.
This summer marks The Howland Company's fourth Toronto Fringe production following:
- 52 Pick Up (2014) - Best of Fringe Winner
- Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons (2017) - Patron's Pick Winner
- Entrances and Exits (2018) - Best of Fringe Winner
With You Choose, the company once again blends improv, audience participation, and fast-paced comedic chaos into an unpredictable theatrical experience where no two performances will ever be the same.
You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery runs June 30 - July 11, 2026 at Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgman Ave) as part of the 2026 Toronto Fringe Festival.
ABOUT THE HOWLAND COMPANY
"Introduce yourself to an exuberant young ensemble called The Howland Company."
- The Globe and Mail
Since 2013, The Howland Company has become one of Canada's most respected independent theatre companies, recognized for artistic excellence, innovation, and daring contemporary work. The company is the recipient of over 15 Dora nominations, multiple Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards, and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination.
Howland's acclaimed productions include The Wolves (co-produced with Crow's Theatre), Punk Rock, Prodigal (co-produced with Crow's Theatre), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (co-produced with Crow's Theatre), The Welkin (co-produced with Crow's Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre), and most recently take rimbaud (with Buddies in Bad Times). Through ambitious productions, rigorous development initiatives, and a deep investment in artistic community, The Howland Company has established itself as a meaningful home for daring new work and a vital force in Canadian theatre.
THE HOWLAND COMPANY presents
You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery
Created by Liz Johnston & Ruth Goodwin
Starring
Conor Bradbury
Ruth Goodwin
Brandon Hackett
Liz Johnston
Paloma Nuñez
Sharjil Rasool
Christian Smith
Tarragon Theatre
30 Bridgman Ave
Performance Schedule
Tue Jun 30, 2026 - 7:00 PM
Fri Jul 3, 2026 - 12:30 PM
Sun Jul 5, 2026 - 8:00 PM
Mon Jul 6, 2026 - 2:00 PM
Tue Jul 7, 2026 - 4:00 PM
Thu Jul 9, 2026 - 10:30 PM
Sat Jul 11, 2026 - 6:00 PM
|
Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars in Chatham, ON Chatham Capitol Theatre (3/27-3/27) |
|
Little Eden Factory Theatre (7/02-7/12) |
|
Brontë: The World Without Guild Festival Theatre (7/16-8/02) |
|
887 - Ex Machine / Robert Lepage The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres (12/10-12/13) |
|
GLORY! Buddies in Bad Times (1/20-1/24) |
|
Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars in St. Catharines, ON First Ontario Performing Arts Center (3/18-3/18) |
|
Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars in Hamilton, ON McIntyre Performing Arts Centre (3/17-3/17) |
|
Movie Night (On Stage) - An Improv Show Comedy Bar (7/11-7/11) PHOTOS |
|
Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars in London, ON Centennial Hall (3/25-3/25) |
|
110% Wizard with Keith Brown Aki Studio (6/30-7/12) |