Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-07-11, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2013. PAGE 19. Festival’s ‘Yorkville’ puts great talent on display The folks at the Blyth Festival couldn’t have contrasted this season’s first two shows more. If Beyond The Farm Show is at far stage right, that would put this season’s second show Yorkville: The Musical at far stage left. That says nothing about the quality of the two shows, which are both highly enjoyable in their own way. It refers, however, to style. Where Beyond The Farm Show is quiet, thoughtful and low-key, Yorkville is loud, flamboyant and flashy. Yorkville was created by Carolyn Hay and Tom Szczesniak, directed by Donna Feore and its world premiere was on Blyth’s Memorial Hall stage on Friday night. It tells the story of two small town girls, Jules and Gabe, who leave Druxberg (supposedly near Listowel) for Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood as a stage on which to make their big city dreams come true. Jules (Jess Abramovitch) and Gabe (Stephanie Sy) receive a rude awakening, however, when they arrive at a cousin’s condo in Yorkville only to find out that maintenance fees, which are in arrears, and rent amounts with their decimal point shifted two spots further to the right than either of the girls counted on. The show then begins as the girls realize they need to find jobs, and fast, if they want to stay in Yorkville long enough to warrant the bus trip from Druxberg (which Jules ‘enjoyed’ from the comfort of a hockey bag in the baggage compartment of a Greyhound bus due to the pair’s limited funds). Wasting no time, Chase (Ryan Bondy) busts into the condo with a hilarious musical guide to the rules of the condo in one of the night’s funniest, and best songs. The girls then start pounding the pavement looking for jobs but realize their rural skill-sets don’t really match up with the Toronto merchants whose shops they visit. The merchants are cardboard stereotypes of the world of Yorkville that get a laugh from the Huron County audience. There is the pink ascot-wearing owner of a dog spa, the French baker whose mustache comes to such a sharp point it could no doubt pierce your skin and, of course, the long-haired salon owner who can’t show emotion due to what is no doubt a combination of too much botox and likely a facelift or two. Upon returning to the condo dejected and jobless, a mix-up with the mail brings Tasia (Sarah Cornell) up to the condo where she eventually takes the girls under her wing with some business advice from her Mother Russia. Tasia’s hilarious “You Must To Have A Plan” shows the girls the way to success, but they’re still unsure how they fit into the plan. Still depressed, Jules and Gabe cheer themselves up with a step- dancing/song routine from their days at the Seaforth Barn Dance. Their duet of “Don’t Just Love Me ’Cause I’m Cute” sparks a business plan in Tasia’s mind and she soon starts Jules and Gabe on a path that, after a Yorkville makeover, has them performing at parties and waiting tables, hopefully on their way to the big time. Cute they certainly are. The two girls attract the attention of a few Yorkville men, one of which is stylist Preston (Michael Torontow), who begin to pursue the pair having to hurdle various obstacles (some imagined) along the way. The paths of the five characters then snake their way around all of Ontario, sometimes getting lost along the way, as all five main characters search desperately for their own version of a happy ending to their story. The production benefits greatly from Feore’s hand in the director’s chair, as Yorkville provides theatre- goers with one of the most slick productions you’ll see at the Blyth Festival. Feore’s steady gig is at the Stratford Festival (she directed this season’s Fiddler On The Roof) and you can see why, she brought Stratford production value down Hwy. 8 to Blyth, which is a treat for local audiences. The on-stage band is great, although, I’m told, a little loud in certain corners of Memorial Hall, which is to be expected from an amplified piano, bass and drum live band on stage. Those involved with Yorkville certainly do not lack talent, as the entire cast proves that they can sing and dance with the best of them. There are musical numbers that ring through your ears long after they’ve concluded and dance numbers so energetic they strive to test the integrity of the Memorial Hall stage at times. While excellent supporting performances are given by the hilarious Cornell and Bondy and the heartfelt Torontow, it is Abramovitch and Sy who carry the show. In addition to their aforementioned easiness on the eyes, the two petite actresses can belt out songs with any musical cast in Ontario and what they can do with their feet made the out-of- shape among us leave the show feeling sore on their behalf. Their sisterly relationship is never in question, as it seems like they’ve been performing side by side for years; a true find for the Festival. Both actresses will also take the stage in Prairie Nurse, which opens Aug. 9. The show is wall-to-wall music with an energetic second act that ensures any fan of musicals will leave Memorial Hall with some extra spring in their step. Yorkville: The Musical runs in repertory until Aug. 11. Entertainment Londesborough ON.............................................www.seedforwildbirds.comnaturesnest@tcc.on.ca StopsStopsStopsStopsStopsalong the wayalongthewayA VISITORS’ GUIDE TO HURON COUNTYstopsalonglakehuron.comLook for entertainment ideas on our Stops Along the Waywebsite at... 45th Anniversary July 13, 1968 - July 13, 2013 The family of Greg and Brenda Nicholls invite you to celebrate their 45th Anniversary at the Brussels Legion Saturday, July 13 Social time: 7 pm - 9 pm Dancing: 9 pm -1 am Lunch 10:30 pm Casual dress Best wishes only Happy 50th Anniversary Bert & Lillian Evans Open House to be held on July 14 from 2-5 pm at the Londesboro Hall in Londesboro. Best wishes only Love from your family GRADUATION Brandon Kellington, son of Brian Kellington and Jan, graduated from Brock University in St. Catharines with a diploma as an accountant. Brandon has accepted a position with the Chartered Accounting Firm of Morby, Monteith Professional Corp. from Bolton, ON. Congratulations Brandon and Good Luck Love, the Kellingtons 273 Hamilton St., Blyth • 519-523-4590 www.blytheastsidedance.com Blyth East Side Dance Learn the Waltz There’s nothing stressful about turning 50 ~ except people reminding you about it. Love Ron, Johnathon, Michael and Caroline Lookin’ good ladies Gabe, left, played by Stephanie Sy, and Jules, right, played by Jess Abramovitch, came to Yorkville with just a few bags, one of them a hockey bag containing Jules, and the clothes on their back, so in Yorkville: The Musical, one of the first orders of business was a makeover, which Preston, played by Michael Torontow, is more than happy to administer. (Terry Manzo photo) By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen