This gospel comes with laughs
Posted By Swartz, John
Posted 1 hour ago

Ha! That’s about all that needs saying about “The Gospel According to Life.”

However, I get paid to write.

The revue performed by the Garage Door Players at the Ossawippi is pretty funny stuff, though some of the hardest laughing I did was at my own expense.

Rob Reid wrote a series of vignettes performed by himself, Krista Storey, Janet-Lynne Durnford, Debbie Drumm, Tom Ruechel, Jim Foster and John Bleasby. Shirley Snell is the music director, which means there are a few songs included, too.

There is a maternity ward scene, banter at a cocktail party, gossip at the bus stop, old timers gossiping at the market, guests at the wrong wedding, a couple getting ready for bed, and even a mangled fairy tale for subject matter.

Oh, and Foster and Drumm do the news routine that was prominent in the “Oh Really, Orillia” days.

Each member of the cast is terrific. Not only do they deliver the script superbly, but they can ad lib for a laugh, as well.

While the show was performed so well by all, I must note that Storey’s performance was quite a surprise. She got laughs from me even when someone else was delivering a line. And she can sing. Who knew?

Actually, she used to perform at Deerhurst Inn summers ago, so she’s not untrained. Now I know why I hear so much laughing coming out of the culture and heritage department offices at City Hall. I used to think it was Craig Metcalf keeping things off-centre.

I was also impressed with Bleasby’s performance. He’s been seen in MAT productions and does a credible job there. However, this is the first time I’ve seen him do comedy and he’s good at it.

Reid opened both acts with a stand-up routine in character as Hank, a lisping momma’s boy. I think he’d do well on the comedy circuit with Hank.

The only hitch was a malfunctioning PA system that made those in the back of the dining car strain to hear what was going on. I’m sure it will be fixed for the balance of the run.

There are dinner shows this Friday and next. Saturday afternoon there’s a show-only performance for $20. Call the Ossawippi at 329-0001 to reserve a table.

CULTURAL ROUNDTABLE

This afternoon, the Cultural Roundtable is holding its inaugural “summit” in the Silvernightingale ballroom at Casino Rama.

The roundtable realizes it’s been 18 months, but watching the calendar is a different skill set than minding culture.

There have been several bi-monthly public forums and some of the roundtable members will be reporting what has happened since.

Things have happened. The roundtable doesn’t just sit around talking lofty cultural goals and doing nothing all the time.

Bob Brown will review the outcome of a forum that examined the business/cultural group connections; Maggie Buchanan has some news about information management in the cultural community and program spaces; Roy Menagh will talk about designating the downtown as a heritage district; Sherry Lawson has the festival beat; and I will be reporting on the result from the civic square (or Commons) forum. There will also be dialogue about what should next be the focus.

It’s not all show and tell; there’s some entertainment and food involved. It’s a little past the due date to RSVP (for the food, but I’ll give up my snausage), but you are welcome to come out anyway. It’s free and the start time is 5 p.m. It will be over by 7:30.

NEW MARIPOSA OFFICE

The Mariposa Folk Festival opened its new storefront office on Mississaga Street opposite the Orillia Public Library on Sunday afternoon.

There wasn’t too much room to manoeuvre with so many people on hand to break the place in.

Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine, performing as Dala, did so after the politicians finished saying congrats to the MFF. The girls are performing once again at this summer’s festival. They’ve had a couple songs used in soundtracks for two television series.

The place looks good, with two gigantic Mariposa logos painted on the front and back walls. There’s art hanging, pictures from the first festival and lots of room to have meetings.

If you have the occasion to use the water closet, don’t be alarmed to see me staring down at you. My picture is on the wall above the mirror.

I’m not kidding.

OK, so are the faces of a few hundred others who were photographed at the festival last year. We make good wallpaper.

Their next event is Mariposa In Concert at Hawk Ridge Feb. 8 with the Good Brothers.

Next month, the Spotlight office is moving in.

Rants! Raves!! Info? Write John at watchthisproductions@encode.com.