Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby

Playwright/s/Composer/s – Sonia Deleo

Production Company / Theatre Space – Handsome Alice / Joyce Doolittle Theatre; Pumphouse Theatres.

Length – 1 ACT (1 hour, 30 mins, no intermission.)

Genre– Metadrama, agitprop with songs.

Premise – A woman dealing with an unplanned pregnancy deals with her feelings about Catholicism, the father, her father, and herself.

Why this play? Why now? – Unbelievably in 2025 after the fall of Roe v Wade, this show is topical again.

Curiosities – Why did a choir join a solo-focused moment? Did any in the audience of this feminist theatre think contrary to the protagonist? Why was Dad in a song as a tell, instead of part of the dialogue (it feels like a terrific scene is missing)? Did we need the audience participation? Is it just me or do others feel post show audience caretaking and healing moments detract from the art?

Notable Moment – Good theatre can stir up strong reactions and rage is one of them. I overcame the urge to shout an obscenity to one video clip. (I also thought about booing but didn’t want my response to be mistaken for something the actor was doing.)

Notable writing – Autobiographical one person shows are often fraught with potholes, this fortunately this show skirts them. It is both funny and poignant. When Deleo puts the spotlight on the play, and not politics, the script shines. The strong climax becomes diluted by an extended dénouement.

Notable performances – If Melissa McCarthy and Joan Baez had a baby you’d have Sonia Deleo. Delco is a talented singer songwriter as evidenced by being nominated for a Folk Recording of the Year in the 2023 YYC Music Awards. She spoofs herself as a snot licking 7-year-old and eyerolling teenager. She delivers standup routines about underwear and construction workers and then abandons the schtick for brutal realism.

Notable design/Production – The design is clean and minimal. The use of the bench and the white shirt are effective. The projections by Ghost River Theatre both augment and detract from the story.

Notable direction - Jacqueline Russell and Deleo worked for three years developing this show with Handsome Alice’s support and it shows. Russell says in her notes that ,“We strove to create a show that is funny, honest and visceral.” They succeeded.

One reason to see this show – A show that delivers a

tale not oft told done well.