Get Happy (Public Gesture Productions) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review

Get Happy is an interesting multi-disciplinary work incorporating music, dance and poetry. Harking back to the swing era, the show combines torch songs with lindy hopping and wistful, poetic verses.


An unrequited love triangle between the three main characters is hinted at. The poet (Nicholas Power) longs for the pretty bartender/lounge singer (Alisha Ruiss) and she in turn pines for the handsome, young dancer (Phil Bourassa). However, any inklings of a plot are just a thin pre-text to present a collection of songs, dance and poetry.

For the most part, the flimsy scenario can be forgiven because the performers are so talented. Alisha Ruiss shows off her versatile voice on a variety of jazz standards, switching from bold and belty to soft and nuanced as appropriate for the individual song. Her rendition of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is particularly affecting.

The Simple Joys Jazz Band provides the accompaniment on guitar (Mikko Hildén) and violin (Aline Homzy). I thought the paring down of the traditionally big, brassy arrangements of jazz and swing standards to these two instruments was an interesting choice that better suited the more intimate nature of the show.

Phil Bourassa proves himself to be very fleet footed as he mixes various styles of swing and tap. Alisha Ruiss occasionally joins him for duets and can definitely hold her own on the dance floor. The program has a note mentioning that the dances in the production are almost entirely improvised which definitely adds to their wow-factor.

Nicholas Power’s poetry is the thread that ties all the elements of the show together. He is our de-facto narrator and though the imagery of the poems is often evocative I find his delivery to be a bit stilted and he has a stiff stage presence that feels a bit awkward.

Together, the songs, dances and poems of the show are meant to evoke a sense of sentimentality. Although the show hints at the nostalgia for a bygone era it stops just short of evoking it and fully transporting me there. Still, the songs, dances and poems are reason enough to see the show.

Details:

Get Happy

Written by Nicholas Power and Alisha Ruiss

Performed by Phil Bourassa, Nicholas Power, Alisha Ruiss and The Simple Joys

Presented by Public Gesture Productions

in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival

VENUE: Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse – 79A St. George Street, Toronto

East side of St. George St. South of Harbord, theatre is on second floor and is wheel chair accessible

PERFORMANCES


Wednesday, July 6, 2011 – 6:30pm

Friday, July 8, 2011 – 8:45pm

Sunday, July 10, 2011 – 1:30pm

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 – 11:00pm

Thursday, July 14, 2011 – 7:45pm

Friday, July 15, 2011 – 1:45pm

Saturday, July 16, 2011 – 3:30pm

Ticket Price: $10.00

Tickets: www.fringetoronto.com / (416) 966-1062

Advance Ticket Box Office at the Randolph Centre, 736 Bathurst St.

Photo Credit:

Public Gesture Productions – Get Happy – Alisha Ruiss, Phil Bourassa, Nicholas Power