For the Love of Pie (La Pelle en d’sous d’la Chapelle) 2017 Toronto Fringe Review

Image of Melissa Paulson in For the Love of Pie

For the Love of Pie, produced by La Pelle en d’sous d’la Chapelle, is a playful tragic comedy in the Tarragon Solo Room  at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

For the Love of Pie tells the story of baking show host Georgia Peach (Melissa Paulson) from the height of her career to her final “awards” speech.

We open with a very pregnant Georgia brimming with hope and success as she hosts For The Love of Pie, her aptly titled baking show. Just as she describes her “very special” pie dough, Georgia goes into labour live on air and delivers her son, Sylvester.

It is a hilarious few seconds as Georgia attempts to remain ever the peppy T.V. host throughout the labour. Kudos to Paulson for bringing the laughs with that.

The action picks up and the story plays out when we fast forward seven years to a weary Georgia on the same, yet more dilapidated set. After she runs through a rehearsal for the program’s new producers, Georgia visits the now seven year-old Sylvester in her dressing room backstage – a room he rarely leaves under Georgia’s direction.

Georgia’s frustration and desperation is then revealed when she visits one of the new producers who has an annotated and, for Georgia, unexpected direction for where the show is headed. Cue her downfall.

Paulson is excellent throughout the show. She flips between the characters of Georgia and Sylvester with ease. I knew exactly who was who from the moment she turned. Even dressed as a 1950’s housewife – in her long dress and apron – Paulson as Sylvester was convincing. The special touches of Sylvester’s lisp, and love of George Michael were not lost.

I also enjoyed how much story was packed within the show’s 40 minute running time. Each moment set up the next, in some places unexpectedly for me and for Georgia, until Georgia’s final fate is revealed.

For the Love of Pie is a perfect Fringe treat, and hits all the marks: great acting, dynamic story, and quick pace.

Details

  • FOR THE LOVE OF PIE plays at the Tarragon Solo Room. (30 Bridgman Ave.)
  • Tickets are $12. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
  • Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Scadding Court, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
  • Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
  • This venue is wheelchair-accessible through a secondary route. Check in at the venue box office at least 15 minutes before showtime, and a staff member will escort you to the venue. Accessible seating is in the front row.

Performances

  • Wednesday July 5th, 10:00 pm
  • Saturday July 8th, 01:30 pm
  • Sunday July 9th, 08:00 pm
  • Tuesday July 11th, 03:15 pm
  • Wednesday July 12th, 04:45 pm
  • Thursday July 13th, 08:00 pm
  • Saturday July 15th, 09:45 pm
  • Sunday July 16th, 02:15 pm

Photo of Melissa Paulson by Daniel Esteban

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