Candy and the Beast at NLT … Bringing a Halloween Vibe to Your April!

Photo by Brianne Jang, BB Collective Photography

I took in Opening Night of Candy and the Beast at Northern Light Theatre this past Friday. Written, directed and designed by Trevor Schmidt, and starring Jayce McKenzie and Jake Tkaczyk, it evokes the feeling of 80's classics like Heathers and Beetlejuice (perhaps I was a bit reminded of 80's Winona Ryder). In a sharp turn from her recent performance across the street in Robot Girls, McKenzie as Candy is angsty, angry, and emo. The small community of Black Falls that Candy and her younger, but physically bigger, brother Kenny aka the Beast (Tkaczyk) live in has been struck by a serial killer, whose victims are young, blonde, and lower class. Candy is two for three, and unless the killer changes his target, she’s safe. Through Candy's observations, the show comments on those who are easily discarded versus those who raise alarms when they go missing. 

The aesthetics of the show are cool. Ghoulish masks on sticks populate the community, which features the blond victims, a pack of wild dogs, and various community members, who are all voiced by McKenzie and Tkaczyk. Lighting is  dark, with ribbons of visibility, often top-lit harshly so that you can’t quite see everything - adding to the mystery of "what’s exactly going on?!" Interspersed in the storytelling, are cool songs sung by Tkaczyk as Kenny, which evoke on 80s electronica sound. It’s edgy and dark and creepy and Tkaczyk does a great job selling those songs, as well as embodying the many characters he plays. 

 Photo by Brianne Jang,BB Collective.

The interplay between the siblings is terrific and it propels the story. Because Kenny is much younger and innocent (or is he?) than he appears, and the diminutive Candy is in some ways so much larger a personality, it’s a fun ride that leaves you wondering who the killer is and who will be killed next. And of course, will Candy be on the list? And will we actually find out who the killer is? I’ll leave that with you as I don’t want any spoilers. 

You don’t often see a show like this in April as it’s more of a Fall genre, But if you like things, a little dark and edgy and creepy, this is the perfect show for you. If you're into true crime podcasts and horror movies with edge and humour, you will love this! Who says you can’t have a little Halloween in Springtime?  

Candy and the Beast runs to April 20th at Fringe Theatre Adventures. Tickets are $38.85 and can be purchased here. There are also 2for1 nights and PWYC Nights available.