Hilarious Armaget-It-On

New Second City show marks company's 30 years

For the 54th time, a new revue is opening at Toronto's Second City. Like all revues, some skits are hilarious, some funny, and some less so. However, those which miss the mark don't do so by very much and after a few performances, will undoubtedly improve.
The cast members are all familiar to Second City patrons. There is Paul Constable. Like all the performers, he appears in several skits. I enjoyed him most as the frustrated Al-Jazeera director trying to get Osama Bin Laden to be more frightening in his weekly television broadcast to the Infidels of the West. Matt Baram is the terrorist fugitive, busily eating Cheerios while muffing his lines.
Matt Baram crosses the religious divide from being an Arab to being Jewish in one of the funniest skits, that of a Jew whose overly-ecumenical Christian roommate gives Matt a one-way ticket to Israel to give him a chance to discover his roots, an invitation which Matt finds less than attractive. In another skit, Matt plays Garfunkel to Jennifer Goodhue's Simon in a parody of the famous couple pondering a comeback, "if we're not too old!"
Jennifer also appears as a motivational speaker trying to unmotivate a suicide bomber, played by Paul Constable. Jennifer is equally funny as a Little Mexican who can be bought as an accessory in a trendy boutique.
Sandy-Jobin Bevans joins the others trying to buy clothes at a high-class store which offers too much customer service. Later he delivers a not-bad impression of Ben Mulroney, commenting upon our famous blackout. Another skit based upon the blackout is less successful and should be trimmed or replaced.
Naomi Snieckus pops in and out of several skits. She is particularly successful in her brief moment as a harried driver being delayed by a pigeon who refuses to budge from the middle of the road. Jamillah Ross makes several appearances. I liked her best as the giggling bearded sidekick to Osama Bin Laden.
The skit with the most cutting edge involves a group of Canadian battle-weary soldiers hoping to be able to leave their war and emigrate to the United States in order to avoid going to a "gun-crazy" Canada.
Steven Morel has joined Second City's directorial ranks with this production. He will undoubtedly correct any of the show's shortcomings as the run continues, but the shortcomings are minor and audiences will quickly make weak spots apparent to such a lively and experienced group of comedy performers.
The setting is less imaginative than we've often seen at this theatre. Producer Carlie Baxter has concentrated upon the performances, but there is room for more inventive use of light and sound. Nevertheless, Armaget-It-On is a worthy 30th Anniversary Show for one of Toronto's proudest possessions, the Second City.
It will undoubtedly be around for quite a while - at least until the 55th revue is ready.

Armaget-It-0n 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: 2003-10-19
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3272