Lousy Parents
In this brand-new comedy by Trevor Schmidt, Carly from Sunshine Daycare Home has the unenviable task of informing her charges’ parents of a lice outbreak in the daycare. Tensions rise, blame is placed, and comedy ensues. Join the festival’s favourite lawyer-actors for their 10th year! All proceeds benefit the Varscona Theatre.
I enjoyed the show that this company performed last year (The Show Must Go On), and decided to see this one, as well. Another show well done - lots of laughs throughout, the set was simple, but effective (this is at the Varscona theatre, which in my opinion is one of the better venues, both for sight and and amount of area on which the performers can use), and you can definitely identify with at least one of the characters! Some local jokes peppered throughout, as well, which certainly earned laughs.
Recommended if you are looking for a light hearted comedy!
When a lice outbreak takes place at Sunshine Daycare, the Novus Actors put on a stunning production of the inner workings of the scandal. The intricate set brought the story together. Children's artwork lined the walls, while cleaning supplies were scattered around bringing the story of a contaminated daycare to life. The golden lights created an ambience of a delightful daycare filled with cheerful children, but when the lighting turned to a ruby red, the chaotic parents took the attention away from the subject of their kids and focused on their own fears.
The Frankenstein’s also known as Mark Facundo and Marissa Tordoff took their roles as a loving married couple. Although they avoided most conflicts their involvement in the story contributed to the complexity of the production.
Jill Gamez played the workaholic mother, Sharon Callahan. Her eccentric behaviour towards her husband and other parents was a captivating performance, resulting in many laughs. Her husband Tim Callahan, played by Ed Picard, is a loving stay-at-home dad who spent most of the show trying to calm his hot-tempered wife. Their engaging on stage chemistry made it easier for the audience to picture their family dynamic.
As a couple of vegan, family bed-sharing, helicopter parents Sarah Rossman and Jeremy Schick took the roles of the Whitmore-Murray’s. The overprotectiveness of their characters was the main focus of their issues with the other parents. Rossman’s character was an overbearing mother which brought comedy to the couple's beliefs bringing laughs to the whole audience. While Schick’s character resisted some of his wife’s ideas, the actors brought a life-likeness to their characters with their impressive acting.
Overall the production of Lousy Parents was a comical representation of family complications. The Novus Actors brought the stage to life with their colorful personalities and humorous debates.