Toronto Review: "The Unconventional Holiday Revue" at Second City
Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic
The Second City folk are at it again – they’re back this time to tickle the funny bone for the upcoming Christmas/holiday season, and to provide much needed laughter during what future weather forecasts are predicting to be a snowy and extremely cold winter ahead.
This opening night production was most unconventional, as the show title suggests, because this specific touring company poked a great deal of fun at recent events in the news to garner what the audience response would be. From my perspective, the audience (myself and my guest included) took the bait and had a most enjoyable evening.
Burgeoning into ‘the ribald’ with a dash of ‘the raunchy’, ‘The Unconventional Holiday Revue’ cast gifts us some unconventional holiday fun ranging from Justin Trudeau’s brown face to Don Cherry’s infamous ‘you people’ which still baffles me why there is this continued interpretation on social media sites. These energetic and boisterous individuals worked their ‘bells’ off to ensure we left in the Christmas/holiday spirit. I sure did. I can only assume as the show continues these actors will get even sharper in their deliveries.
Two things which have always impressed me about this form of improvisational comedy at this performance: a) the awareness of the actor/performer to others and of the context in the moment and b) the ability to work as a team. Sometimes all done at rapid speed. One must be quick in thought and on the feet, something which I always found challenging as an actor. I needed the script for the various plays in which I’ve participated. During this performance, the actors sometimes took suggestions from the audience and carefully wove them into the moment sometimes bizarre but always for laughs. Pay attention to the turducken serving at Christmas dinner and how it’s important to try to please everyone in attendance.
I attended a Second City production here several months ago and have enjoyed returning as I’ve always wondered how they will begin the show. This opening night clever ditty cut right to the heart of how dreary Toronto can get in the dead of winter once the holidays are over, and how we need laughter to get through the next 95 days until spring. I felt this grin on my face and just instinctively knew this show would be a gift to be continually unwrapped. The same grin appeared on my face again halfway through Act One with the uproarious song about boring conversation at the workplace. The piece de resistance song came in Act 2 with the advantages of ordering meals through Uber Eats. Wickedly amusing to hear.
I hesitate to spoil the fun of the show for future audiences as there were a few surprises not only for me but for everyone present. Yet, I really want to point the following moments out as I can only imagine they will get even more point blank as the run continues.
I especially liked the scene of the individuals who are planning to write new Hallmark cards. Be prepared to listen very carefully as some of the material is highly adult in nature. How many of us have ever forgotten our passwords for our computers and we consider every possibility imaginable to remember what was the code? Once again, this troupe handled the comic frustration with much aplomb.
FINAL COMMENTS: ‘The Unconventional Holiday Revue’ is an early gift. Treat yourselves, your office staff, or friends for a terrific afternoon or evening of entertainment.
THE UNCONVENTIONAL HOLIDAY REVUE
Evening Performances run to December 30 and Matinee Performances run November 23 to January 5. Visit www.secondcity.com for further information. Theatre and Box office are located at 51 Mercer Street.
Performance runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with one intermission.
Performers: Andy Assaf, Matt Folliott, Nicole Passmore, Christian Smith, Hannah Spear, Jillian Welsh
Director: Connor Thompson; Musical Director: Ayaka Kinugawa; Stage Manager: Sam Polito
Photo Credit: Paul Aihoshi
(Left to Right) Hannah Spear, Nicole Passmore, Andy Assaf, Matt Folliott, Christian Smith, Jillian Welsh