Pepperoni and Cheese
Asad, an immigrant, struggles to settle in at school. When his mom informs him that he can't return, he turns to his roommate, Marshall, for comfort. The sharing of food and stories creates a bond between them. However, a growing conflict exposes cultural and personal differences. P.S. Pepperoni and Cheese is also about pizza.
This play was well written and well cast. It was funny, heartfelt and managed to show that in spite of cultural differences, the mother child relationship is very special. Congratulations to the playwright and cast!!
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da!
Pizza might not solve life’s biggest problems, but in Pepperoni and Cheese, it becomes the origin of culture clash and friendship.
This is a heartwarming and diverting production that tells the story of Asad (Ram Gill), who moved away from Pakistan for university, and his roommate Marshall (Kelton Libich). After a call with his mother, Amina (Piya Banik Ghosh), Asad and Marshall share stories of their personal lives over a half-pepperoni and half-cheese pizza. To make this new place feel like home, Asad is convinced by Alex (William Oboh) to try something new, which could be fun and potentially dangerous.
Despite being quite simple, the technical aspects of this show were interesting. Though the staging could be improved with some more lights, the chosen colours still created atmosphere and helped shape each scene. The set was unlike any previous shows I had seen at the Fringe. Many shows at this year’s Fringe have taken on minimalist set designs. Contrastingly, this production went full on with its set to mimic the messiness of being a young adult and the disorder that Asad and Marshall face.
The performances by every actor were nothing short of enjoyable and chucklesome. Gill, Libich, Ghosh, and Oboh embodied their roles exceedingly well. Ghosh’s portrayal of the old-fashioned and loving Amina was the standout performance. The wonderful four actors expertly delivered every joke, receiving big laughs from beginning to end.
Overall, this dramedy play is a vivacious and amazing depiction of the ups and downs of life. It is universally relatable, capturing both the humor and angst that define the human experience.
(By the way, pepperoni is the better flavour.)
This show explores quite a few intriguing dialogues that many young adults face and the performances were amazing! The topics really resonated me and the crew showed amazing creativity with the stage space available. The set really felt lived in which added to the weight of the topics explored.
A powerfully compelling story that showcases moments of heart, passion, and emotional growth. This show fully sticks the ending and allows audiences to connect universal experiences across cultures and lives. Do not miss this show!!!
A sweet coming of age dramedy with some stellar performances! A larger venue and more script work and attention to consistencies would benefit the play, but as it stands it is very enjoyable.
Pepperoni and Cheese is the kind of show that the Fringe is made for. An honest look at the immigrant experience from the perspective of a student's life in Canada, this play is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. You know a show is good when you wish it was about 30 minutes longer so it could really stretch its legs. Anyone who has ever struggled to fit in as they came of age will see themselves in this story, even though the tale is uniquely planted in newcomer life. Ambitious, heartfelt, and honest, this is a solid #yegfringerec. We can't wait to see what's next from @theatretahanan.
Ah the joys of University year's. Especially when you realize your family is falling apart or you're oceans away from home and can't seem to make friends. And especially when you finally make a few friends, go to a party and hammer back the liquid courage before messing up the pick-up line with the cute person in your physics class and end up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning and your well-meaning roommate ... okay you get the picture. Piya Banik Ghosh fires up every scene she enters.