Now on stage as part of the Toronto Fringe 2025 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District
A smile-inducing and heartwarming solo monologue of storytelling detailing grief and moving forward in loss. Ronit Rubinstein engages with humour, wit, sensitivity and compassion.”
A challenge of a show to see, especially if you are in the throes of grief and loss of a parent, as I am. Even though it has been one year since I lost my mother, ‘Things My Dad Kept’ becomes a reminder that those who are grieving are not alone. Although grieving becomes a lifelong process, we move forward at our own pace and in our own time.
Today’s performance of ‘Things My Dad Kept’ was relaxed, meaning the lights did not dim completely. If audiences are moved and need to exit the auditorium for a few minutes to compose themselves, the opportunity is there.
Ronit Rubinstein appears just before the show starts. She wears a strawberry-coloured dress with a small strawberry purse and comfortable shoes. As she begins to address a few housekeeping details, she makes us feel comfortable and relaxed before hitting us with a dose of reality that will occur to each of us.
Ronit still mourns her father twelve years after his passing, but reality sets in. Her mother decides to sell the family home, and they need to empty it. Ronit remembers her father’s filing cabinet, which has remained untouched since his passing. She now must confront the task of emptying its contents. When this context is established, Ronit takes the audience through a paper airplane tutorial. She selects three audience volunteers who will throw their paper airplanes on the stage. The order in which they land determines the order of the show.
Upon entering the auditorium, the audience sees the filing cabinet. Ronit’s name is on one of the drawers. The audience also learns that her father had drawers for her half-siblings and her mother.
‘Things My Dad Kept’ focuses on the file cabinet, which houses dozens of meticulously organized file folders preserved by year, celebrating every significant moment of Ronit’s life. (usually in triplicate) As Ronit pulls out items, she begins sharing memories of what these items meant – whether they are household items or notes and letters he wrote with his initials at the bottom, rather than “Dad.” We also learn about her father and his parents’ wartime experiences during World War II.
Janelle Hanna directs Rubinstein with a sincerity and compassion to her familial subject matter. There were a couple of moments where Rubinstein’s voice became choked with emotion as she bared her soul about what occurred at that time in her life. She doesn’t allow her feelings to control her. She feels the emotion, briefly pauses and then continues telling the narration calmly.
What did I learn from ‘Things My Dad Kept?’
Each of us keeps things when our parents are gone. In my case, while I kept certain tangible items from my mother – her wedding photos, a few knick knacks and my parents’ wedding rings, there are far more valuable items that I will cherish in memory of her – my mother’s smile, her compassion, her wit and her love of family and the Catholic faith.
The 60-minute running time flies by. I didn’t once look at my watch. Ronit Rubinstein is a wonderful storyteller. She’s Canadian and she’s one of us.
Ronit invites audience members after the show to speak with her and share memories of their parents, who have passed away. I took a deep breath and went up to her to talk about how I’m still missing my mother even after a year. She asked if she could give me a hug, which I graciously accepted. She thanked me for sharing my story with her in this sacred space.
A moving monologue of storytelling coupled with humour and wit.
Please see ‘Things My Dad Kept.’
I hear the performance is selling out quickly. Go to www.fringetoronto.com to secure tickets.
MOM AND POP PRODUCTIONS present
THINGS MY DAD KEPT by Ronit Rubinstein
Director: Janelle Hanna
Stage Manager: Maria Charlesworth
Performer: Ronit Rubinstein
