Dana Ewachow is too shy to order a pizza over the phone, but has no problem writing on the internet. She keeps herself busy and artistically poor by writing news articles, rants, and fiction for the internet. As you may have noticed, she also writes theatre reviews. She enjoys sketch comedies, dark comedies, light comedies, and burlesque. When she isn’t writing, her odd hobbies include: martial arts, throwing hatchets, and trying to cook food that won’t send her to the hospital. Armed with questionable diplomas and a second degree blackbelt, she will surely take over the world.
Stage Centre Productions’ Arsenic and Old Lace is Ridiculous and Hilarious
Stage Centre Productions’ decision to stage Joseph Kesselring’s dark comedy Arsenic and Old Lace was a bold choice. The show was first seen in 1941 and runs the risk of being dated with its references. I was worried that as a young whippersnapper, the jokes could fly right over my head. Luckily, the sharp writing and devious humour proves the play is a classic that seems to have no expiration date.
Arsenic and Old Lace is about the Brewster family, which suffers from the genetic disposition of insanity. As Mortimer Brewster, played by Luke Slade, states: “Insanity runs in my family…It practically gallops.” The insanity shows most easily with his brother Teddy Brewster, played by Scott McNabney. Teddy believes he is Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. His delusions lead him to dress in full adventure gear, blow a bugle to announce his presence, and shout “Bully!” whenever he’s excited. Continue reading Review: Arsenic and Old Lace (Stage Centre Productions)→
Scarborough Theatre Guild’s Cactus Flower is Dark and Sweet
The set of Cactus Flower is dark. A young woman is splayed on her bed while her radio blares. A man knocks against the wall, yelling over the music. He smells gas. He climbs through her window, turns off the gas and tries to wake her. She believes he’s her lover and he kisses her. My stomach churns as the audience laughs. When she’s awake she complains how she “fizzled” her own suicide. The audience laughs again. Even with the lights on, the play is pointedly dark.
It makes sense. The show’s title is about a prickly plant that can still reveal a little sweetness. The “cactus flower” is supposed to be nurse Stephanie Dickinson, a strict nurse who is more than meets the eye. I think the title can also refer to the play itself. The content is prickly: a slimy older man going after a naive young woman, who attempts suicide when she believes his wife and kids will always be his number one priority. In the midst of all the seediness, the show is still funny. I liked the little bit of sweetness that came out of it.
The Toronto Burlesque Festival dazzles audiences with new performances this weekend at The Mod Club
Last night was my first time watching the annual Toronto Burlesque Festival. After watching their opening show Hotel Tryst: Rendez-vous, I am disappointed that I missed the event for the past six years. This festival will be marked in my calendar from now on in bright red ink and surrounded in a border of glitter.
You Detective by the comedic team Fratwurst is a hilarious show playing at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival. Evan Arppe, Eric Miinch and Josh Murray combine their creative efforts to bring you on a Toronto-based detective story. The show is an adult version of a choose-your-own-adventure story. The audience is given two options to explore and whatever answer gets the most applause, is the scenario Fratwurst will play out.
