Funny situations

Second City show takes on world event

The Bush League of Justice is the 53rd comedy revue to be staged by the Toronto contingent of The Second City in their bustling Blue Jays Way establishment. Although not the only target of the company's barbed humour, George W. does get dealt with, such as in an early number, "God is my co-pilot", when the stage is set for later references to "Dubya". One number features the company's three ladies - Jennifer Goodhue, Aurora Browne and Carolyn Taylor - bitchily tearing the world apart while they do their fitness club workout. In a final skit, Matt Baram and Aurora Browne portray a Hasidic Jew and a Muslim respectively, intoning a take-off on the famous Allan Sherman song, "Hello Muddah, Intifada, etc."
The opening act involves a woman whose husband returns home early, burdening her with the time-worn task of getting her lover dressed and out of the house without her husband, who prides himself on his astuteness, suspecting. In this case, the woman's bedroom holds a great deal more than just one lover! Another excellent skit involves the three men in the company - Matt Baram, Paul Constable and Sandy Jobin-Bevans - quibbling over their appearances years ago on the television quiz show Reach For The Top. Still another particularly successful skit sees Sandy Jobin-Bevans doing a lap dance for Jennifer Goodhue and proving that he is prepared for anything!
One of the most inventive skits describes what the world would have looked like if various unlikely countries, such as Jamaica, had won the Second World War. An equally creative romp closes the show when Sandy and Jennifer Goodhue go on a rampage throughout the theatre, involving not always too-willing members of the audience to join them in their Hawaiian hijinks.
Of all the funny skits, two particular ones stay in my memory. One involves Aurora Browne having a romantic affair with her sock puppet. Ridiculous though it sounds, she actually manages to create a rather wistful emotional bond with her left hand.
The second one tells the story of a mail-order bride who doesn't take long to recognize the culture clash with her intended North American spouse.
There are other very satisfying moments, as well. There is Suzuki's Jungle. There is the Naked News. There is the story of the friendless nerd. There is Paul Constable giving us a hilarious impression of John Lennon, who pronounces that "Being dead really sucks". This is so successful a number that the audience happily joins in. And of course when we enter an Irish snug, we can always depend upon a few good laughs.
This revue was directed by Bruce Pirrie, who is usually stuck in the director's chair on The Red Green Show, a perfect stopover for this Second City graduate of several years ago.
There isn't much in the way of sets or spectacular effects. All the fun is in the dialogue and the half dozen expert comedians who inhabit the stage. Undoubtedly this revue will run for some time, and also undoubtedly will be followed by a 54th. But this one should be seen first!
The Bush League of Justice runs until further notice on the main stage at The Second City, 56 Blue Jays Way. Tickets are available by phoning 416-343-0011.

Publication Date: 2003-04-13
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2587