By Dave Rabjohn
Guest Reviewer
The usual high energy hi jinks at Second City continues with its 83rd Revue in Toronto. The cleverly titled "If I Could #Throwback Time“ (I’m sure Cher has many hashtags!) is written and performed by the Second City Mainstage collaborators: Tricia Black, Alan Shane Lewis, Clare McConnell, Natalie Metcalf, Sharjil Rasool, Chris Wilson.
The retro theme was clearly established with Power Rangers poseurs, ET on his bike, and even an angry Snoop Dog. These references often became a trampoline to our present such as the never ending Toronto hockey angst, unforgiving climate change coverage and Chic Filet conversion theories. As usual, other bits that connect with nothing are tossed in – laughter ensues and the comic effect is rich.
Second City prides itself (and it should) on developing sketches from the seeds of improvisational theatre. An idea from a late night audience or momentary inspiration from an actor gets reviewed, fleshed out and polished into a new sketch. The term “polished” is used loosely. Performers do deliver cut throat timing and choreographed physical fun, but they often live on the edge with precarious abandon, enticing new energy from fellow actors and themselves. Some highlights – spoiler alert be damned – each show has its own nuance each night anyway:
Tricia Black creates a comic gem with a restaurant pervert who massacres political correctness. As #metoo accusations fly, eventually it is impossible to establish who is the good guy, the bad guy, or the actual pervert. The fight choreography was brilliantly interwoven with Mark Andrada’s lighting design. Ms. Black’s “bad lesbian” was poignant and made the audience understand that we are going to be comfortable with anything tonight.
Alan Shane Lewis creates the aforementioned Snoop Dog character with hilarious confidence. As well, along with Clare McConnell, physical comedy takes full flight as they create two fan- induced flippy balloon characters (somebody tell me what they’re called!) that you see on used car lots or the opening of the latest best burgers in town. They both droop and fly and spin into sensual silliness as if they were two out of control condoms.
Natalie Metcalf controls a brilliant scene as the cynical woman hoping for a better life. With a twist on crystal balls or tea leaves, Ms. Metcalf interviews herself from the future and even meets a future Mr. Right from the audience. Sharjil Rasool also creates some memorable moments – using his lips to find a missing straw drew screams. Chris Wilson creates a hilarious adventure with a pickpocket assault that goes amusingly wrong. The victim is stripped to the bone with clever (and raucous) choreography.
As entertaining and amusing as the performance is, it can also make us pensive about issues such as this current federal election and global warming. But the overall objective of fun is never lost; our silly past is only a few spit takes away from our present. By the way – order the chips and salsa – it pairs well with the Toro Bravo Merlot. (Clearly this writer is not a food critic.)
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