How Patty and Joanne Won High Gold at the Grand Christmas Cup Winter Dance Competition

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – How Patty and Joanne Won High Gold at the Grand Christmas Cup Winter Dance Competition

Playwright – Trevor Schmidt

Production Company/Theatre space – Lunchbox Theatre (professional) / Studio Theatre at Vertigo Theatre.

Length – 1 Act (1 hour 10 minutes)

Genre/s – Comedy Womance

Premise – A single, cat owning, bank teller convinces a mother of five to continue with the amateur dance competition after the other eight participants and the instructor drop out.

Why this play? Why now? – A small cast comedy with Christmas in the title – perfect for the season.

Curiosities – I wondered how the rights to the songs were obtained.

Notable Moment – The costume reveal.

Notable writing – Comedian/playwright/actor/drag artist/model Trevor Schmidt has written a nearly perfect play for Lunchbox Theatre. Developed through their play program, it would have been surprising if they hadn’t programed it. A little longer and it could be done across Canada on all the main stages. Schmidt known for his comic banter (with sometimes bitchy overtones) mixes a soupçon of poignancy for the perfect Xmas play. It does have many elements of his former play How Heap and Pebble took on the World and Won - he’s found a formula that works for him and it works for the audience too. With a billion plus Christmas plays and musicals being churned out each year it’s difficult to find something that’s original and fresh in this sub-genre. Eschewing the traps of stars, babies, mangers, turkey, Santas, and elves he’s done it.

Notable performances – Elinor Holt is one of Calgary’s finest comedy actors. She is fearless and takes risks, not afraid to look ridiculous – the hallmark of a complete pro. Holt plays Joanne the driving force behind the dancing duet. Her dance partner and later friend Patty is played by Ellen Close. Patty is the perfect foil for Joanne. Patty is overwhelmed by being the mother of five, and after trying out various activities, settles on tap dance classes, succumbing to Joannes relentless drive to try for the gold in the competition. Her character complains that her body hasn’t bounced back like the celebrities after pushing out five kids, but she looks like a brunette Gweneth Paltrow. The women are a winning team.

Notable design/Production – Rebecca Toon’s costumes score 10/10.

Notable direction – Bronwyn Steinberg is undoubtedly a fine director. In the past she may not have programed plays that were ready or appropriate for a Lunchbox crowd, but that has changed. She too, seems like she’s on a winning streak.

One reason to see this show Christmas comedy gold.