In this day and age of Trump-isms, there’s a need for some humour to take our attention away from the madness and anger of what the United States has unfolded into lately. As well, with all the recent sexual allegations coming to light out of Hollywood, one must wonder why Trump got off (pun intended) so easy when he was caught spouting his vile comment about how easy it is to “grab em by the pussy” when you’re a celebrity. This is no laughing matter, and Trump will hopefully get what’s do to him, and not soon enough. While other celebrities have suffered immensely and even resigned after such allegations, Trump continues to try and run one of the largest Western nations in the world under such extreme acts of lunacy.

Now that my rant is over, can we forget all about the nastiness and reality of politics just for a couple hours, while we enjoy a wonderfully produced, limited run production of “Grab ‘Em By The Pussy Or How To Stop Worrying & Love The Bomb”?

Drawing from Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Nietzsche, the piece revolves around examining the rising Populism / Fascism in the world, and trying to make sense of Brexit / Donald Trumpian figures and beliefs; all told with the pomp and bang of circus feats and political comedy. The show touches on similar historical fascist movements and asks its audience to reconsider the ‘WHYS’ in the current global political landscape. Do such movements start “out there”, or do they start “right here, with you and me”? The show questions whether the return-to-mainstream of the KKK & Neo-Nazis is merely a freak occurrence, or whether we really should be worrying about the Bomb.

A surrealist vaudeville farce by Rouvan Silogix, featuring gymnasts, acrobats, violinists, trumpeters, clowns, opera-singers, jugglers, contortionists, and maybe some Ducks. The piece also features the work of Boston-born, São Paulo-based Jazz singer – Haley Peltz, in the creation of the female myth, “Ulysha”.

This show is not only relevant for it’s references to that figurehead south of the border, but also because it’s being hosted by one of our sister publication PinkPlayMags contributors, Jerry Schaefer, who puts in an amazing performance that’s as much rehearsed as it is ab lib. From start to finish, this show is about the unexpected, and I truly believe that’s the case not only for the audience members, but for the cast as well. Schaefer does a great job at igniting dialogue while other cast members seamlessly follow suit on cue.

Go with an open mind for this one, and perhaps a bit of a clouded one as well, as the sensory overload of activity happening on stage will keep you captivated for the entire show. Great work by all involved!

Here are some fun facts about what Jerry does in his spare time, Jerry:

• likes to help out the local community by teaching neighborhood children how to smoke;

• performs public service announcements regarding how to swallow a pig’s head (available for Bar Mitzvah’s and Weddings);

• has the cast and crew in stitches…literally, metaphorically, symbolically and figuratively.

Jerry Schaefer is a Second City vet who works in film and television. He is proud to have been nominated for Gemini Awards in both acting and writing. He’s worked with the Kids in the Hall, written for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and played a regular character on the Red Green Show. His improv comedy troupe, The Chumps, ran hit shows for five years and had their own show on CBC Radio.

Jerry helped develop and write the teen comedy series That’s So Weird for YTV. In addition to writing and performing a solo show at the Toronto Fringe, he appeared on stage in productions of Three Sisters, Antigone, and the Morris Panych hit, Lawrence & Holloman. Finally, Jerry has studied Pochinko Method clowning and played in many clown productions.

Watch him host the madness of Grab ‘Em By The Pussy Or How To Stop Worrying & Love The Bomb

“This play is gonna be huge. It’s gonna be big. It’ll be the biggest play. Not like the other fake plays #MakeTheatreGreatAgain.”

Produced by: Theatre ARTaud in association with Filament Incubator. 
Venue: Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue 
Dates: October 26 to November 5, 2017
Times: 2:00pm*, 7:30pm
PWYC: $15*, $20, $25, $30, $40, $50, $75
*Select Show Dates 

Tickets Online:
Tickets-In Person: Arts Box office (16 Ryerson Avenue)
Tickets-Via-Phone: 416-504-7529

Facebook Event Page

Written & Directed by: Rouvan Silogix 
Riot Brigage (cast): Alix Parra, Amaka Umeh, Bobby Del Rio, Ivana Popovic, Jerry Schaefer, Julija Krisciunas, Kayla Farris, Victoria Urquhart, Zoe Katz.
Stage Managed By: Kristin Freeland

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca