Thank You For Your Order

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Thank You For Your Order

Playwright – Jessica Moss

Production Company/Theatre space – (Professional) Lunchbox Theatre @ Studio Theatre, Vertigo Theatre.

Length – 1 Act (1 hour 20 minutes)

Genre/s – Comedy

Premise – A woman mails herself along with goods to her “perfect match”, a man who wants to decorate with tchotchkes, in opposition to his environmentally conscious girlfriend.

Why this play? Why now? – A small cast, Canadian, comedy. Amazon’s internal slogan is “Work hard, have fun, make history.” I don’t know if it will go down in history, but they certainly worked hard and had fun and more importantly the audience has fun.

Curiosities – Do I remember that backdrop from a TC show? Nicely re-purposed!

Notable Moment – I won’t give away the final moment but it’s super (califragiliticexpialidocious).

Notable writing – Developed through the New Play Development Program, this work is nearly perfect for the Lunchbox crowd (and summer theatre).  It’s a little heavy on the messaging but the playwright gives us great characters and laugh lines. We know exactly how it’s going to end with this hapless couple and we’re fully committed to the ride.

Notable performances – Katelyn Morishita steals the show as the wacky Jocelyn, an obsessive interloper. She is also a powerhouse singer which comes in handy in a scene where ritual and incantations collide. Lunchbox Theatre has long been an entry point for new actors to break into professional theatre typified by David Freehan and Annisha Plesche as the mismatched sparring couple. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of them.

Notable design/Production – Lunchbox has re hired artists who have worked successfully on their shows in the past using their talents to shepherd in this premiere. Cassie Holmes (Lighting Designer), Skylar Desjardins (Set Designer), and Alix Cowman (Sound Designer) transport us to this slightly surreal environment grounding it in faux reality.  

Notable direction – Jacqueline Russell brings her quirky sensibilities to the piece. It’s an unrealistic premise and her ludicrous schtick works well here.  

One reason to see this show This show delivers.