The Times Advocate, 2007-08-15, Page 2020
Times–Advocate
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
World premiere — "Reverend Jonah," a play written by Grand
Bend resident and Exeter financial advisor Paul Ciufo opened to a
full house last week at the Blyth Festival.The play runs until Sept. 1.
Seen above in a moment from the play are Michelle Fisk, left, and
Rebecca Auerbach. (photo/Terry Manzo)
Ciufo play tackles tough issues
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
BLYTH — What would happen if a new,
young minister came to small-town Ontario,
fell in love with a church member and wanted
to welcome back into the church a
former member who was kicked out
10 years ago for having a lesbian
relationship?
These are the tough but real issues
tackled in a newly -premiered play
by "Reverend Jonah," written by
Grand Bend resident and Exeter
financial advisor Paul Ciufo.
Directed by Marie Beath Badian,
"Reverend Jonah" officially opened
to a full house at the Blyth Festival
Friday night.
Ciufo spent years honing the script
for "Reverend Jonah" and it shows
— the play is intelligent, funny, emotional and
thought-provoking.
"Reverend Jonah" takes place in typical
small-town Huron County, with Jonah arriving
in town to lead his first church, Gilvray United.
As the play opens, Jonah, played in a strong
performance by Darren Keay, meets two of the
women who will dominate his life for the
remainder of the play — Phyllis, played by
Michelle Fisk in a performance that almost
steals the show, and Rachel, played by Ingrid
Haas. Some may remember Haas for creating
and performing in the well-known
youtube.com video, "Wig Out Girls," which
shows a bride hours before her wedding freak-
ing out and cutting off her hair. The video was
Ciufo sp
honing th
for "Reve
Jonah" a
shows —
play is in
funny, em
and thou
provokin
seen by over 3,000,000 people and landed
appearances for Haas in shows such as "Good
Morning American" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
"Reverend Jonah" examines the societal
pressures Jonah feels as he tries to welcome
Phyllis, who is in a relationship with another
woman, back into the church. The
resistance Jonah meets from the
church leaders takes an emotional
and physical toll on him as well as
his relationships with Rachel and
Phyllis. Jonah has to decide what's
more important to him — doing the
right thing and listening to his con-
science, or succumbing to pressures
from church leaders and ignoring
Phyllis's wishes to return to the
church.
In addition to Jonah's struggles,
we see a small town, traditional in
its ways, try to come to terms with
modern and progressive ideas.
"Reverend Jonah" deals with serious issues
but frequently uses humour that keeps the
audience's attention. Jefferson Mappin (who
appeared in Clint Eastwood's western classic
"Unforgiven") as Fred and Fisk's Phyllis are
standouts in the comedic aspects of the play.
Huron Centennial teacher Elizabeth Thorpe -
Hearn plays Fred's wife, Di.
The set designs are simple but effective, and
director Badian keeps things moving at a good
pace.
"Reverend Jonah" is an entertaining, smart,
humorous play that tackles important issues in
a believable way. The play runs in Blyth until
Sept. 1.
ent years
e script
rend
nd it
the
telligent,
otional
ght-
g
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