“A summer theatre treat in seeing a distinctly small town traditional wedding tradition run amok.“
It’s a busy summer Saturday. Two couples face off over who gets to use the local community and reception hall to celebrate their upcoming nuptials.
Bonnie (Emily Lukasik) and Brad (Henry Beasley) plan a stag and doe (akin to the modern GoFundMe) to help raise money for their wedding, which appears to have spiralled out of control. Bonnie’s Maid of Honour, Dee (Amelia Sargisson), is still recovering from being left at the altar over seven years ago. Now, she comes face-to-face with the man who abandoned her: Rob (Kyle Brown), who is getting married on the same Saturday. Rob is in a panic because his wedding tent blew away in last night’s storm. Compounding his stress, his bride, Mandy (Romi Shraiter), is emotionally overwhelmed by the chaos of the previous day’s weather and the stress of the wedding. On top of all this bickering between the two couples, Mandy’s caterer, Jay (Sayer Roberts), learns that his staff is in jail hours before the wedding.
Director Cherissa Richards smartly understands the intent behind Mark Crawford’s play. While the union of marriage is one not to be taken lightly, it also means that it’s okay to find laughter and humour along the way. Richards and Crawford choose not to hit the audience over the head with any grand message about lifelong commitments. They don’t waste time doing that. The audience is aware of the sacredness of the institution of marriage (at least one hopes).
Instead, Richards emphasizes the hilarity of Crawford’s comedic script, which arises from the absurd and ridiculous moments that abound.
The result is one hell of an entertaining afternoon or evening at the theatre.
Set designer Joe Pagnan masterfully creates an angled local community centre kitchen that authentically reflects past celebrations. While the hall appears to have been cleaned, scuff marks remain on the walls and the checkered floor, only adding to the hall’s character. On far stage left, there’s a bulletin board with papers pinned to it, likely containing outdated information. There’s a huge refrigerator stage right and a kitchen island just off centre. Upstage are two swinging doors to the actual off-stage hall. Just a couple of steps up is a door that leads to the back of the hall. It appears to be a broom closet located just to the left of the kitchen island.
Designer Michelle Ramsey expertly captures the fluorescent tube lighting typically found in community halls. Maddie Bautista must have enjoyed recording many of the sound designs. I could hear Brett Christopher, Artistic Director of Thousand Islands, as the witty emcee during some of the off-stage wedding toasts. Several of the pre-show and intermission music selections feature songs commonly heard at weddings, all centred around the themes of marriage and love. Des’ree Gray’s costumes are eye-catching, from Rob’s sharp tuxedo to Mandy’s extravagant wedding gown and Dee’s bold ‘hoochie mama’ dress when she returns for the stag and doe.
The confident ensemble cast excels under Richards’ careful direction. Comic timing and pausing remain precise and exact, keeping the fast-paced action moving along smoothly. The actors listen carefully, allowing the one-line zingers and targeted insults to remain fresh and engaging.
Henry Beasley’s nice guy, Brad, truly does love Emily Lukasik’s Bonnie. While he’s justified in balking when he hears the price of Bonnie’s wedding dress, Beasley’s Brad genuinely understands how much the day means to Bonnie and to both of them. The BFF (best friends forever) relationship between Amelia Sargisson’s Dee and Lukasik’s Bonnie rings authentic, especially when the latter allows the former to borrow her ‘hoochie mama’ dress. Romi Shraiter’s bitchy bridezilla Mandy is one of the show’s highlights. Without giving away too much, I’ll never look upon hearing Celine Dion’s ‘All By Myself’ in the same way again. How Shraiter and Richards have staged this moment brought both laughter and applause to the moment.
Kyle Brown’s comedic henpecked Rob also underscores much of the humour in the story, particularly in his relationship with Mandy. However, Brown also showcases a more sincere, touching side in the second act during a heart-to-heart conversation with Dee, which unfortunately becomes misunderstood a few moments later. Sayer Roberts is a nice guy, street-smart caterer, Jay, who also gets caught up in the unfolding events of the evening. Roberts’ Jay knows when to hold his own in not allowing anyone to bully or control what he has been paid to do regarding the wedding. Jay’s backstory, which becomes evident as the play unfolds, explains a great deal about his intentions and what remains most important to him.
Within the programme, a one-page note explains the tradition and significance of the term “Stag and Doe.” In some regions, it may also be referred to as a “buck and doe” or “Jack and Jill.”
Give it a read before the performance begins, as it is an enlightening one if you are unfamiliar with the term’s origins.
There’s a final line in the note that’s important to understanding Crawford’s play and this wonderful production at the Springer Theatre. Stag and Does are more than just fundraisers. Stag and Doe events are community gatherings in small towns where people come together to socialize, chat, and share laughs.
In our screen-obsessed world of computers and mobile phones, there’s something special about remembering what’s important regarding these traditions: community and people.
That’s why this Thousand Islands’ Playhouse production of Stag & Doe works. The sense of strong community and its people lie at the heart of the story.
Running time: approximately two hours with one interval/intermission.
The production runs until September 14 at the Springer Theatre in the Thousand Islands Playhouse, 185 South Street, Gananoque. For tickets: 1000islandsplayhouse.com or call (613) 382-7020.
THOUSAND ISLANDS PLAYHOUSE presents
Stag and Doe by Mark Crawford
Directed by Cherissa Richards
Set Designer: Joe Pagnan
Costume Designer: Des’ree Gray
Lighting Designer: Michelle Ramsay
Sound Designer: Maddie Bautista
Stage Manager: Melanie St. Jacques
Performers: Henry Beasley, Kyle Brown, Emily Lukasik, Sayer Roberts, Amelia Sargisson, Romi Shraiter
