I had no idea an Arts Festival has been running in downtown Port Hope for the last five years. What an incredible turnout. Thankfully, the weather has cooperated pretty much for the entire summer.
I was unable to get to all the 10 minute plays this year but it’s a plan to get out next summer and cover a few more.
This year, I saw two back-to-back productions that centered on the theme of the importance of listening. It doesn’t matter what one’s personal opinions might be surrounding any issues whether societal, personal, familial or religious. Instead, as television’s Judge Judy told a lot of the parties and complainants who appeared before her in her courtroom: “God gave you two ears. Use them and LISTEN.”
The first, ‘Small Talk’ by Wyatt Lamoureux, is a sometimes funny yet dramatic exploration in the lives of Michael (Peter Mazzucco) or Mike to his friends and Judy (Rhonda Brewster), or Jude to her friends. Thirty-five years ago, Michael and Judy were a couple. They had ended their relationship as Michael had a chance to start life anew in Saskatoon. He wanted to get away from his parents. Judy didn’t want to go. Fast forward thirty-five years, a dating app and its algorithms matched Michael and Judy up again. They were to meet in a park. Intrigued, they both show up for this blind date. It is Judy who recognizes her former flame at first. What does she do when she recognizes him? She pours a bottle of water over his head.
Michael is neither impressed about this hook up. He storms off, and it is Judy who calls him back.
Under the thoughtful direction of playwright Lamoureux, ‘Small Talk‘ presents an examination of two individuals who once shared a meaningful connection. Brewster and Mazzucco bring authenticity offering performances that reflect genuine human emotion. Following several intense exchanges, both actors successfully reveal their characters’ willingness to listen and engage with one another, gradually revealing the circumstances of their past. The production highlights the evolving dynamic between Brewster’s Judy and Mazzucco’s Michael as they begin to confront their respective parts in the dissolution of their relationship. The subtle reduction in physical distance between the characters enhances the visual storytelling. By the end, I was rooting for Judy and Michael as they begin again.
Tom Slater’s ‘New Beginnings’ immediately followed ‘Small Talk.’
Under the convincing direction of the playwright, ‘New Beginnings’ centres on Meg (Cynthia Galant) and Eric (Hayden DiMarco), students at the same high school. Both are members of a History Project Group. Meg and Eric are to collaborate on their assignment. While they are both high-achieving students who compete academically, their personalities are markedly different. Meg is confident and somewhat entitled, often taking it upon herself to complete group tasks, believing that her peers lack commitment. In contrast, the reserved Eric quietly defies this assumption, demonstrating willingness to contribute fully to the project.
There’s more though in this meeting of the minds between these two high schoolers. Meg calls Eric a freak. The truth eventually emerges when Eric states they are a transgender boy, and that’s why Meg has a problem.
At this point, there’s complete silence in the audience. Transgendered stories can become volatile fodder if not handled in a supportive manner that must always focus on the human element of the person.
Thankfully, Director Tom Slater, Cynthia Galant and Hayden DiMarco handle ‘New Beginnings’ with sensitivity, dignity, and logic that gives the audience a chance to mull over after the performance concludes.
I’ve been retired since 2017, and I still couldn’t help but smile as the top of the play when Meg starts in about the group work assignment. As a retired teacher, I often dreaded handing out group work assignments because I knew they inevitably would involve only one or two completing what needs to be. It was miraculous if there were no group issues at all.
I completely bought Cynthia Galant and Hayden DiMarco’s performances as high school youth on the verge of their graduation. They breathe convincing and intense life in their performances from start to finish. Galant’s prima donna Meg is spot on throughout as I recall with fondness (and even dread) those kids who fell into this label. DiMarco’s Eric offers a solid juxtaposition in character nuances to Galant’s Meg. DiMarco’s Eric remains resolute in trying to speak with Meg at first with kindness and consideration. Again, it becomes naturally genuine that DiMarco’s Eric becomes frustrated since kindness and consideration don’t work on Meg. Eric must now begin to use a different tactic.
Eric resorts to the use of a slur at Meg that is shocking to hear at first.
But, in this context, it’s warranted. DiMarco’s Eric had to fight fire with fire to get Meg to listen and put aside her differing opinions on what she thought about Eric’s humanity.
Galant and DiMarco deliver solid performances from start to finish. It was a pleasure to watch both for ten minutes. I do hope they will continue to hone their acting craft whether it be at the community or professional level.
Make sure you check out the Port Hope Festival of Arts next summer. I know I want to do so.
