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Le Morpillon—Ce N'était Pas Un Soulier de Verre
Le Morpillon—Ce N'était Pas Un Soulier de Verre, written by Alexandre Larouche, and directed by Jean Belzil-Gascon & Jonathan Bédard
Packed with loads of puns, you'll never stop smiling throughout the showing of Le Morpillon! This is by far one of the most hilarious shows we have seen to date with marvellous actors who portray their characters to perfection. Raising the standard for other shows we have yet to watch, Le Morpillon is not one for the children. Au contraire, it is a raunchy, erotic musical that retells the tale of Cinderella (renamed "Morpillon", a pun on the word "Morpion" in French...in other words, "Crabs") who spends her alone time pleasuring herself and fantasizing about something more. The costumes were very revealing at times (if you fancy a cheek or two, by all means, this is the show for you) and the wardrobe changes were swiftly done without any delay!
The musical numbers were well written and the range of some of the actors' voices was stupendous. To illustrate, the fairy godmother was played by Alexandre Larouche, as such, he was obligated to sing falsetto and he nailed it! Speaking of cross-dressing, Jonathan Caron (plays the evil step-mother as well as two other characters) cracked me up every time he set foot on stage. Additionally, Myriam DeBonville (played the two evil step-sisters) had a lovely voice and displayed a lot of strong acting qualities, one of which was her versatility in being able to switch from one character's persona to another in the blink of an eye. Alexandre Lagueux was also extremely versatile and had he not switched between two characters on stage, I would have never guessed he was both the narrator and Prince Charming (renamed "Prince Ériction" because...you know). Marion Van Bogaert Nolasco (played Cinderella) was very convincing, however she delivered her lines a touch quieter than the others, so if you're planning on watching the show, make sure to sit a little closer to hear her sing.
If you can enjoy an erotic musical full of French puns, and don't mind grinning from ear-to-ear for at least twenty minutes post-show, ticket information and show times are available at the Montreal Fringe Festival website. Le Morpillon runs until Sunday, June 22 at the Studio Jean-Valcourt du Conservatoire (4750 Henri-Julien), simply go up some stairs, turn left, and thank us later for recommending the show. Enjoy!
--Marina Nguyen hosts FunkShui every Sunday at 2 PM EST on CJLO.
Of Nova Scotia and Weddings
Drag Queen Stole My Dress, written by Gillian English, directed by Chris Gibbs
When you first hear the title "Drag Queen Stole My Dress", your mind may conjure up some strange images of drag queens running around stealing people's clothes. But in truth, the experience you'll get from this piece of theatre is less of a cheap laugh, and more of a satisfying retelling of a slice of Gillian English's life. This cross between a stand-up comedy routine, and a monologue bridges the gap between the two seldom-paired genres, and brings together a feeling of familiarity with Gillian – not unlike sitting at a bar and sharing life stories with her.
You could call the presentation minimalistic. The lighting is mostly static, with Gillian herself standing in front of you, the audience, and telling you the tale of her otherwise-doomed wedding with "Todd" (whose name was changed for legal reasons, as she says). Starting with an anecdote about the perfect murder discussions between her family members, to the tale of her wedding dress (which she wears for the majority of the show) and how she came to buy it, and ending on a note of positivity. With the stage laid bare, the center of attention is Gillian, and what the act lacks in peacock feathers, it makes up for a hundred-fold in heart and soul. Although tragic, laughter is a-plenty even though she's alone on stage, you can feel the confidence behind the life-changing few years she describes in the 60 minutes of the show.
The punch line involving the drag queen stealing her dress is teased, but doesn't make its appearance until the end. Though it brings the entire show into a full circle, the most enjoyable aspect of it (as well as many facets of life itself) is the journey. A journey that's full of laughter, and a tale of personal growth told by someone passionate, funny, and undoubtedly entertaining, provided you're okay with a little bit of coarse language.
You can check out Drag Queen Stole My Dress at Le Cabaret du Mile End (5240 du Parc) until Saturday, June 21st. All the info is available at the Montreal Fringe Festival website, and check out Gillian English's site over at http://www.gillianenglish.com/.
--Photo by Rob Colburn. Jocelyn Beaudet hosts The Dead of Night the Loneliest Hours, Fridays at 11:59 PM on CJLO.
The Midnight Living Room Lounge Show
The Midnight Living Room Lounge Show, written and directed by Daniel Carin & Chris Sandiford
The Midnight Living Room Lounge Show is uncomfortable, awkward and hilarious! Daniel Carin and Chris Sandiford play the role of two bizarre and extremely desperate crooners who welcome the audience into their lounge. Much of the show feels like a strange dinner party as audience members sit through Daniel and Chris' stories and watch them play charades. As an added bonus, we were lucky enough to sample the delicious, spicy pasta Chris had prepared on stage. The aromas from the diced onions and spices wafting around the venue were mouth-watering and amazing.
The awkwardness of The Midnight Living Room Lounge Show is both wonderful and horrifying. Daniel and Chris' performance can be best described as a milder and jazzier version of the Eric Andre Show. The show doesn't have much of a plot, and is mostly just the two stars trying to make the audience feel as awkward as possible. Watching Daniel and Chris eating spaghetti with their hands, and then offering some of it to the audience members was both exciting, yet slightly nauseating.
Both actors also had delightful singing voices, making the theme song to their "show" entertaining and not ear-splittingly awful.
You can see The Midnight Living Room Lounge Show at the Cabaret du Mile End (5240 du Parc) and buy tickets for it via the Montreal Fringe Festival website.
--Patricia Petit Liang & Marina Nguyen host FunkShui every Sunday at 2 PM EST on CJLO.
Turning Tricks
Turning Tricks, written by Glam Gam Productions, choreography by Gabrielle Coulter, directed by Michael J. McCarthy and Hannah Morrow
If the thought of a man in a chicken costume slowly removing his clothes excites you, then you'll love Glam Gam Productions' Turning Tricks! Turning Tricks is about the Gold Dust Women: a wild group of magicians and sideshow freaks who enjoy getting into wacky and sexually-charged escapades! Supporting characters include a mysterious genie, a voluptuous muppet and two friendly gimps wearing golden morphsuits.
Turning Tricks is full of catchy song and dance numbers, like most burlesque shows, but adds its own sexy (and at times terrifying) twist! Only at Turning Tricks can you see a Donny Darko-esque rabbit man strip to the grim lyrics of "Mad World". One can also enjoy the sight of flaming nipple pasties and of golden showers while watching this fantastically weird show.
Turning Tricks is bizarre, and at times philosophical, but never takes itself too seriously. The show is full of unique and wonderfully portrayed characters that are very easy to love. The actors gave the audience a powerful, sensual and extremely intriguing performance that will leave you panting and begging for more!
You can watch Turning Tricks at Montreal's beloved Café Cleopatra (1230 Saint-Laurent) and buy tickets for it via the Montreal Fringe Festival website. The show is for adults only, but is fun for the whole family! Even grandma!
--Patricia Petit Liang hosts FunkShui every Sunday at 2 PM EST on CJLO.
June 18th, 2014
Hosted by Catlin Spencer
Stories written by Catlin Spencer + Taisha Henry + Marilla Steuter-Martin
Produced by Saturn De Los Angeles
4 Girls 4 Ever
4 Girls 4 Ever, written by Ned Cox and Alexandria Haber, directed by Jen Quinn
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to see a mashup of The Breakfast Club and Mamma Mia! then you're in luck, 4 Girls 4 Ever is exactly just that. The show features four tipsy women: Claire Brière—the "basket case", Debbie Moffett—the intelligent one as well as the comedic relief, Iris "Irish" McMurphy—the one with the crass, tough exterior, and Missy Owens—the "Annie" type from Community. The four Breakfast Club-like characters accidentally lock themselves in a classroom, resulting in an inevitable heart-to-heart between the four after a series of failed break-outs. The women also happen to have a personal theme song/jingle that they sing to celebrate their friendship, as well as a comical personalized dance that goes with it (Mamma Mia! anyone?).
4 Girls 4 Ever has its relatable moments, with anecdotes that hit close to home for some. These familiar scenarios humanize the characters in a way that allows you to immerse yourself into the play and empathize with the different challenges they faced.
The show was also not performed on a stage; in fact, there was no stage to be seen in the venue! This black box theatre setting and the set design (or lack thereof) encouraged the audience to experience the play as it was being experienced by the characters (the show takes place in an old, empty classroom with barely any furniture and we were right there in that classroom, locked in there with them).
If you're into a more intimate setting, a barrel of laughs, and The Breakfast Club, be sure to check out 4 Girls 4 Ever! You better act fast though, as some shows have already sold out!
For more information, check out the Montreal Fringe Festival website and enjoy the show at Espace Freestanding Room (4324 Saint-Laurent, #300) until June 20th.
--Marina Nguyen hosts FunkShui every Sunday at 2 PM EST on CJLO.
The Quitter
The Quitter, written by Al Lafrance, directed by Sophie Croteau
In The Quitter, Al Lafrance, a local all-star Fringer and storyteller, invites you to learn a lesson about mini-golf, doughnuts, and quitting. If none of these things interest you, you're missing out.
Lafrance takes the audience through a perfectly paced, well written compact version of his life story. The fantastic lighting choices made by the shows director, Sophie Croteau, add an incredible amount of intimacy that meshes perfectly with Lafrance's compelling storytelling. Clearly Lafrance and Croteau spent a substantial amount of time rehearsing, and it totally pays off. We've all had to make the tough decision whether or not to quit on something or someone, and Lafrance makes a great case regarding how important saying "yes" to "no" can be.
After the show, he mentioned he will be touring with The Quitter across Canada to Fringe festivals as far as Vancouver, B.C. You can guarantee that by the end of his tour, he'll have a real masterpiece on his hands. I highly recommend you check this show out before the end of it's run here in Montreal.
The Quitter runs until Saturday, June 21 at Montreal Improv Theatre (3697 Saint-Laurent). Visit the Montreal Fringe Festival website for details and ticket info!
--Jacob Greco hosts Don't Mess This Up, Jacob every Thursday at 1:30-2:00PM on CJLO.
For the Love of Pie
For the Love of Pie, written and directed by Melissa Paulson
For the Love of Pie is a one-woman show written, directed, and performed by Melissa Paulson. It tells the story of Georgia Peach, the ambitious pie chef who hopes to increase her fame by impressing her new producers on the season finale of the LoveNetworkFoodShow. Georgia's biggest fan is her little son Sylvester, a darling character that reminds us all about the wonderful freedom and innocence that many children have in their manners.
Paulson's performance has immense energy, with crisp and clean transitions between the two characters. Georgia, especially, has an over-the-top enthusiasm and vulnerability that are equally endearing and hilarious. The story is charming and funny, with plenty of heart-warming moments. Stick around after the performance, if you're lucky you might even receive a slice of pie!
For the Love of Pie runs until June 22 at Espace 4001 (4001 Berri). Visit the Montreal Fringe Festival website for details and show times.
Last Metro: The Musical
Last Metro: The Musical, written by Kelly Walker, Holly Brace-Lavoie and Lori Walker; directed by Kelly Walker
I'm a nomad at heart. I confess that I live and breathe the fast-paced urban journey from suburb to city, from Point A to Point B, all on a daily basis. That's why it shouldn't be a surprise that Last Metro: The Musical stood out as one of my first picks to watch at this year's Fringe Fest.
It starts off at Lionel-Groulx Metro Station with a scene of people running around to line up and get to their respective trains. Accompanied by a live acoustic band playing in the background, the passengers become the focal point as you hear their voices and personal stories get told through song. After all this is a musical—a musical with tunes that are totally earworm-worthy.
The characters are quite reminiscent of people you see in your average commute, from the pair of twenty-something best friends chatting up a storm, to a pair of über-religious guys in need of recruiting new converts. There's the scary and stressed out office lady running late for a meeting outside her 9-to-5 job, a pair of high school misfits who seem to cause trouble, and there's the poor dude desperate to get home, watch TV and chill out with his cat.
Now with a dash of local flavour added to the mix, put these folks all together for an extensively long and abruptly delayed train ride on the Orange Line, and you're in for a comedic delight that does a great job poking fun at the little things we take for granted when we interact with strangers. Last Metro absolutely lived up to that premise, in a very humble, light-hearted and subtly melodic manner.
Sometimes forty-five minutes may seem to be a very long subway ride, but after you see this musical, you'll definitely want to stick around for more and maybe belt out a few songs for yourself.
Last Metro: The Musical is written by Kelly Walker, Holly Brace-Lavoie and Lori Walker; and directed by Kelly Walker; it was produced by Broken Banjo. You can catch it this week at Le Cabaret du Mile End at 5240 Avenue du Parc, a twenty minute bus ride on the 80 Bus from Place-des-Arts Metro Station. Shows on Tuesday June 17th at 9:30pm, Wednesday June 18th at 11:15pm, Saturday June 21st at 6:00pm, and Sunday June 22nd at 2:15pm.
--Saturn De Los Angeles hosts Shibuya Crossing every Wednesday at 1:00PM on CJLO.
Atmosphere - Southsiders
Atmosphere's new album is the aptly named Southsiders, due to the group's roots in the south side of Minneapolis. Vocalist Slug (Sean Daley) and producer/DJ Ant (Anthony Davis) gave us a taste of what was to come with their last release, The Family Sign (Rhymesayers Entertainment 2011), as it touched upon Slug's life as a family man and his trials and tribulations that came along with being a father. Prior to its release, many of Slug's lyrics included bits of humour, but The Family Sign started a trend toward a more morose tone that continues on Southsiders.
Southsiders is a bit over the edge, from dark to borderline depressing. It seems as though Slug is working through his own issues fighting the mundaneness of a nuclear family lifestyle. He seems caught in his disdain and directs this feeling to the general world, telling his audience that hope can be strived for through writing ones feelings onto paper. The more one listens to the album, it becomes increasingly clear that in retrospect, this attempt is futile, happiness is unattainable, and death is imminent. Slug uses a series of metaphors and similes in an attempt to be profound, but it ends up just being confusing. On the other hand, he can be overtly obvious in rhetoric, with such lines as "I love you like a brother, even though I'm not your brother". He's slightly repetitive in tone and word usage, repeating several words such as dreams, stars, devil, drinking and cigarettes. The overall theme seems to be the fear of death.
The beats are some of best out of any released Atmosphere album. Many of them have a melancholy and mysterious vibe, a deep unlit subway-cart style, implementing audio clips of midtown subway trains. However, not all of the beats are like this; they are compiled of many different styles, a grimy electro beat in "Star Shaped Heart", and that typical gospel Rhymesayers steez in "Fortunate". My favourite tracks (specifically because of the instrumentals) are "My Lady Got Two Men" because of its Hawaiian-meets-gospel influence, and "Mrs. Interpret", with its French classical twist. My least favourite is called "Kanye West". The chorus "Put your hands in the air like you really do care" mocks Kanye's new song with Dev, called "In The Dark", in which the lyrics include, "Put your hands in the sky right now, now, now, now, now. Unfortunately for the rest of y'all. I'm way better than the best of all." The song gives Kanye's ego more power by mentioning him in the first place, and I think the key is to ignore such artists completely and concentrate on the prosperity and message of one's own music.
Slug lost the goal of the album with his intertwined messages of hope versus fear, and his own negative view on life is clouding the intention of the album. The riddle-induced metaphors make it hard to grab onto a concept and take something out of it. Overall, the album is worth a listen due to Arts' production quality, but it is certainly not one of Atmosphere's best, lyrically speaking. Due to Atmosphere's successful musical history, perhaps the album's faults can be blamed on an attempt at concept change in the group, or maybe even rushing the release. Regardless, many clearly enjoyed the album (Southsiders made a solid debut at number 8 on the Billboard 200 chart, and topped the iTunes hip-hop chart), and it's good to know that Atmosphere has a strong following. Even in his "dark" times, his audience will be there to support him.
--DJ Misschief hosts Greedy Graffiti every Thursday at 2 PM EST on CJLO.
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