Second (to none) Stage

In honour of the Second Stagers and their most recent performances, here's my list of the best productions from the troupe.

10)
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Directed by Jay Rawding

I'm not a fan of the script. It's the definition of dated. But it was worth it to see Lisa Flower step inside the stockings of Emily Webb. Natural and theatrical simultaneously. Nice.

9)
The Creative Process by Jay Rawding
Directed by Dan Culberson

I've seen some variation on this idea probably a half a dozen times, but this one was the best. Paced perfectly. (I could have done without the crossdressing, though.) Anthony Bourque's performance was very funny.

8)
Penguin Blues by Ethan Philips
Directed by Dan Culberson

Working with what I think was a three-week rehearsal window, Tim and Bet (and therefore Dan) made the play hard to watch, in a good way. "And I was just a little boy. I was just a little boy." Brrr...

7)
The Red Glove by Bet O'Toole
Directed by Andrea Arbour

I sometimes find Bet's writing overwrought (look who's talking), but this play was a whole bunch of "S"s: simple, sweet, and, above all, satisfying.

6)
Coconut by Dan Culberson
Directed by Jay Rawding

I've learned a lot of things from Second Stage, and here's what I learned from Coconut. Don't judge a play by its script. On the page, Coconut looked nonsensical to the point of stupidity, as opposed to absurdity. But on the stage, where it matters, Dan's script (and Brian's performance) were downright sublime. Touch the coconut, and think of the good things.

5)
The Doomsday Clock by Scott Marshall
Directed by Andrea Arbour

If this were a one-line-pitch competition, The Doomsday Clock would be the hands-down winner. The kind of out-of-left field idea, rich with potential, that makes one think, "Wish I'd thought of that." And, oh yeah, there's lesbians.

4)
Table for Two by John Mazerolle
Directed by Dan Culberson

I'm biased, so take this with a grain of salt. Good performances from Lydia and Mel, and a breakneck pace from Dan. Would that I could write like this more often.

3) Ashes by Anthony Stuart
Directed by John Mazerolle

There was something joyously contagious about this production. You could feel the smile in the room, even when people weren't laughing, and they laughed a lot. Of all the plays on this list, it's the only one where I can't imagine ANYBODY saying, "Oh, I didn't like that one."

2)
Pants by Dan Culberson
Directed by Dan Culberson

Dan pulls off a comedic miracle. The play that stays equally funny no matter how many times you see it performed. It's positively elastic, yet it never felt scattershot. I don't think it's too much to say it's ingenious.

1)
Photoshop Time by Scott Marshall
Directed by Jay Rawding

Some of the best acting, one of the best scripts, and (without a doubt) the best directing Second Stage has had. Scott was mildly scolding himself recently, wanting to push himself to improve, but I think this Mobius Strip of a script is at a professional level already. Add in some terrific acting from first-timer Jason and seasoned vet Alex, and you have Second Stage's best moment.

So far, of course.

Cheers,
John