A Nice Light Comedy to Keep You Warm - "I Meant What I Said" at Teatro Live

Teatro Live! is currently presenting a brand new play by Stewart Lemoine called I Meant What I Said. It's a bubbly little piece that demonstrates the power of the creation of story. Dinah (played cheerfully and optimistically by Bella King) is approaching her 30th birthday and is experiencing a period of reflection about her life and her purpose. As such, she starts to weave a story that comes to life in front of us. We meet a former friend and current acquaintance, Helen (Jayce McKenzie) who finds herself at a different turning point as her marriage appears to be ending. Dinah also observes Alex (Sam Free) who becomes her boyfriend in the story she creates (is he an actor? or an academic?), and Juris (Eli Yaschuk) a newcomer to the country seeking to converse in order to improve his English. In Dinah's story he also has a tragic past. Added to the mix is The Oddball (Nida Vanderham) who is actually several characters who fill in the world that Dinah creates. It's a very cool little story that roams from coffee shop to upscale hotel bar to academic classroom to wintry high mountaintops. Some is true, some is made-up, but I'm not sure we know entirely which is which. It's definitely about the journey! I had a very enjoyable time and as a playwright, I found the witnessing of the process of creation of story very interesting. I most enjoyed the interplay between King and Yaschuk, as he is such a natural comedian and King's reactions are so truthful. I also loved McKenzie's turn as the tightly wound Helen. This was a big shift from anything I have ever seen her in before and it was fun to watch. 

I also reflected on the five actors that were onstage, as it did not seem that long ago that I observed them as 'the young ones coming up', but now they are firmly established. It's a testament to the investment that the Edmonton theatre community has made to young artists that we can watch them evolve on stages over several years (and hopefully more to come). I certainly look forward to seeing these actors onstage in future projects and was glad to see them as an ensemble in this piece. As I said, it's a lovely comedy that will keep you warm this winter. Definitely worth checking out!

I Meant What I Said runs to March 8th at the Varscona. Tickets are $25-$42 and there are Pay-What-You-Can Nights and other special events. You can purchase those tickets here. 

Photo Credit:  Marc J Chalifoux Photography 

Sex Please, We're Sixty at St. Albert Dinner Theatre

This past weekend I took in the latest offering from St. Albert Dinner Theatre, Sex Please, We're Sixty! It was a laugh-filled evening, with a terrific dinner and great company at my table! Like any great farce, there are several doors and for much of the second act, you are never quite sure what will be coming out of what door! It's also chock full of big characters whose convergence leads to the requisite mix-ups and misfortunes. 

Set in a floral themed Bed and Breakfast, permanent resident Bud "the Stud" (Rob Beeston with the most absurd hairline and a ridiculous pelvis popping) is awaiting the return of a former guest with whom he had a liaison. The only problem is he can't remember who they are. Enter three possible candidates and off we go. There's also a very rigid and time obsessed B&B owner, Mrs Stancliffe (played by Myrna Ferris who has a delightful transformation in the finale of the show) and her fumbling but earnest suitor, Henry Mitchell (the charming and befuddled Dave McKay) who has been courting her for over a decade with no progression. He's a scientist who has developed a little blue pill for menopausal women to stimulate their libido called Venusia. When these get mixed up with Bud's Viagra, the hijinks abound! 

As mentioned, the show is full of larger than life characters. There's a nerdy scientist Hillary Hudson (Ursula Pattloch, with broken glasses and appropriate t-shirts) there to help Henry with the testing of of his magic medication; a romance writer Victoria Ambrose (Joanne Poplett), looking for a new and innovative way to end her latest novel; and Charmaine Beauregard, a southern vamp hoping to get some action with Bud (Christine Gold, who is an absolute hoot!) The folks at my table remarked of Gold, "She has the best lines!" and indeed, in the second act, every time she came onstage I was waiting to see what she would say next. I have been quoting some of them around my house all week. I don't want to give them away, so you will have to see for yourself! 

Like all good farces, the first act gets everyone in place and you can anticipate over intermission how they will all collide, and then the second act pays off with even more ridiculousness than you expect. The cast worked well together with everyone putting in 110% regardless of what silly thing the script asked of them. The laughs came hard and fast leading to a very enjoyable evening! 

Sex Please, We're Sixty runs to February 14th with shows on Thursday through Saturday at the St. Albert Dinner Theatre. Tickets are $70 and include a fantastic buffet supper. There's also a discount for groups of 10+. You can purchase your tickets here.