Theatre: “Oh Susanna!” Christmas Special

On Saturday night, Mack and I watched the Oh Susanna Christmas Special at the Varscona Theatre. I had been looking forward to this since Eros and the Itchy Ant in November, so I’m glad I was actually able to make it. From the website:

“Oh Susanna! is Edmonton’s own Euro-style variety show, playing monthly since 1999 in Strathcona’s improv comedy hot-spot, The Varscona Theatre. Antics, music and spectacle abound, guided by international glamour-gal Susanna Patchouli (Mark Meer) and her co-host Eros, God of Love (Jeff Haslam). Watch as celebrity guests engage in sparkling conversation and high-spirited competition! Delight in the shenanigans of the Compania del Mambo! Thrill to the tunes of the Oh Susanna Jug Band! All this…and cocktails!”

I thoroughly enjoyed the show – it was an evening filled with lighthearted fun and laughs (Susanna came out in a forest green velvet mini-dress, announcing that she was, “A Christmas elf…who also happens to be a prostitute”). Meer and Haslam were fantastic as their alter-egos; both were quick witted and had phenomenal ad-libbing ability.

Susanna and Eros were accompanied by a large supporting cast, and in my opinion, they represented Edmonton’s “Theatre All-Stars.” There were appearances by Davina Stewart, Sheri Somerville, Jocelyn Ahlf, Andrew MacDonald-Smith, Celina Stachow (visiting from L.A.), Farren Timoteo, Dana Andersen, and my personal stage favorite, Andrea House. The who’s who in attendance extended off-stage as well, as I saw Stewart Lemoine flitting about the theatre, and even now Vancouver-based Chris Fassbender in the crowd.

I definitely felt like I received my money’s worth, as the show included many entertaining segments:

Cooking with “Girls on the Grill,” where every member of the audience received a sample of turkey buttie, essentially the sandwich equivalent of a full turkey dinner: roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and cheese, all contained within the confines of grilled bread (at intermission, there were glasses of “one arm punch” and eggnog available to drink as well).
The talk show element that discussed current events, after which I could not get the image of premier-elect Ed Stelmach-as-Muppet out of my head.
Several musical performances, including a beautiful rendition of “First Noel” by House, and a hilarious Wham! tribute of “Last Christmas.”
A cute Stewart Lemoine playlet, Christmas in Patagonia, featuring Timoteo, brilliantly cast as “Toddler Jesus.”
An interview with two Edmonton expats now living in Toronto, back to reprise familiar roles in A Christmas Carol at the Citadel. One of these men, Larry Yachimec, happens to be the star of the Westjet commercial as the clueless patron who required channel guidance from an observant stewardess (he did the laugh!). Obscure fact: the commercial was filmed in an airport hangar in Hamilton, Ontario.

My only negative comment was in regards to the burlesque performance, which seemed tacked on and out of place (I was even more horrified when I found out there were young children in the crowd…). And though I was disappointed with the lack of “The Game! The Game!”, it provided me with an excuse to return in the new year.

There were many in-jokes for those in-the-know audience members (like the line spoken in raucous unison, “I don’t want to go to jail looking like this!”), as well as numerous self-plugs for projects cast members were involved in. This I didn’t mind, as part of the point of this production was to shamelessly lend support to other artistic endeavors in the community.

I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun at a show. Though Oh Susannah! has been on for seven years, I still feel like I stumbled on one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Christmas Potluck

I’ve been exposed to the concept of potlucks ever since I can remember, with family friend gatherings always centering around the communal sharing of dishes. Just this year though, my peers and workmates have chosen this as a constant alternative to eating out, particularly to celebrate the holidays. Though it’s not exactly a sign of growing up, it is interesting to note that just a few years ago, the thought of holding a potluck with friends was foreign to me. I will, however, have to be careful not to overdose on the idea, as cooking may begin to be a drag.

Anyway, on Saturday night, I got together with a few coworkers for a potluck Christmas party, and might I say it was enjoyable. It seems that as long as the numbers are contained, the gathering can remain a personal event. And yes, the food was great!

Food! Food!

Winter Wonderland at the Legislature

On a toque-optional night, a friend and I headed to the Legislature grounds to tour the holiday lights and decorations. Sadly, though I have been working in a building across the street for more than a year, I had never made the effort before Thursday to check it out.

Still, better late than never. We crossed over via the convenient pedway system, and found a beautiful spectacle. Away from the traffic, the festooned trees and the musical classics that streamed from mounted outdoor speakers made the square a world of its own. In addition to the Christmas lights, there were a few BrightNights displays and several lit ice sculptures, including a horse-drawn sleigh and a mini-version of the Legislature. People even took the time to build several snow people, hats and all.

I have never been to Central Park in New York, and I know Edmonton cannot compare, but the quaint charm of a quiet winter’s night beneath holiday lights is magical. I invite you to explore the Legislature grounds this Christmas.

The Legislature from afar

Snow family!

Horse ice sculpture

Legislature ice sculpture

Legislature steps (where Ed Stelmach was sworn in as the new premier-elect just hours earlier)

BrightNights skiers

Giant Christmas tree

Dickson with snowfriend

Me with snowfriend

“Laguna Beach”: Season 3 Review

I watched the season finale of Laguna Beach this evening, and couldn’t help but be disappointed. Departing from the usual half-hour format, this episode was an hour in length. They should have stuck to a thirty minute time limit, as the content ended up stretched and drawn-out.

With the exception of two cast members, all other characters would be back next season to finish off their senior year in high school, so it seems the editors did their best to frame storylines as cliffhangers: the Tessa-Rocky-Breanna triangle; Alex and his ability to stay true to Rocky despite the temptation of college girls; and Chase’s choice between his band’s future and a diploma. I find it rather odd and voyeuristic in many ways, as unlike a scripted show, Laguna‘s audience will essentially be waiting for life to happen to these people, as opposed to anticipating what writers might decide to plot.

Also, unlike vulnerably honest Lauren, or wickedly entertaining Kristen, Tessa didn’t function well as the show’s narrator. Nicknamed the “wet blanket,” Tessa was often whiny, indecisive, and not much fun to watch. Cameron, the show’s male lead, never measured up to Jason’s player ways or Stephen’s romantic ideals, and thus wasn’t able to act as a stabilizing pillar either. Without a strong emotional centre, Laguna as a whole suffered a downturn in quality.

I found this finale to be less aurally manipulative than past seasons as well, due to the use of a more rock-based soundtrack. I wonder if this was a conscious effort to push the “maturity” level of the show as the audience grows up as well (assuming a shift from pop music can represent such development).

At the very least, I do like the structure of the seasons, with the episodes punctuated by timely school events: winter formal, spring break in Cabo, promposals and prom, graduation, and the start of summer. Within the chaos of teenage drama, the predictability of these occurrences is much appreciated.

I am optimistic for Season 4, but in the meantime, let the countdown to Season 2 of The Hills begin!

Christmas Buffet: Sutton Place Hotel

This afternoon, my organization held it’s annual holiday party. As was the case last year, our lunch was held in one of the meeting rooms in the Sutton Place Hotel (10235-101 Street), with access to the Grande Ballroom where the main buffet was set up.

At $26.50 per person, it may seem pricey on the outset, but considering the type of food available, and the upscale elegance of the setting, it is fairly reasonable. The menu included roast turkey, baked salmon, beef tourtiere, and a variety of cold seafood platters. Although the spread was similar to last year’s offerings, I do believe the quality had much improved (granted, the mere act of conjuring up superlatives to describe this year’s lunch may have colored my perspective slightly). In particular, I found myself favoring the cheese perogies and carved ham. For dessert, I chose a slice of chocolate mousse cake (incorrectly labeled “double chocolate”), and as Rachel Ray would say: “Yum-o!”

Props to my coworkers who had created a Christmas-themed Jeopardy game to follow our meal. It was incredibly well put-together, with questions sampling Yuletide songs, pop culture, and charades.

Overall, it was a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon away from the office.

Table setting

Buffet line up

My plate!

Chocolate mousse cake

The Power of Blogging

Two of my blogging-inclined friends informally challenged me when they found out that I had started a blog of my own. The first was to maintain this blog for at least three months. The second was to reach a post count of three hundred. Well, I’m over halfway to the first milestone, but still two hundred and fifty shy of the second, so I have miles to go before victory can be declared.

I’m not sure if it’s my inherent nature to compete, or the excitement born from a new project, but I find myself having to consciously check my blog at the door. What I mean is that in my quest to document the new, unknown, and yet to be discovered (particularly in the culinary world), I feel like I’m living to blog, when it really should be the other way around.

As someone still clinging to her discman while iPod gangs reign supreme, I’m shocked at the speed of how this new-to-me technology has surpassed my good sense.

But if the first step to fixing a problem is admitting that it exists, then I’m well on the road to recovery. I hope.

Friend

I couldn’t in good conscience post about Oscar and not about our first non-aquatic pet, Friend.

A small grey, sweet-tempered rabbit, Friend was our family companion for many years. He stood on his hind legs to greet us, had an early habit of running circles around those he wanted to show affection to, and loved to cuddle and settle comfortably in laps.

We tried to let him enjoy our fenced yard as much as possible in the summer. Many lazy afternoons were spent chasing him around the backyard, watching him dig holes with glee, or snapping pictures as he lounged around on his stomach. Besides carrots, fresh strawberries and bananas were his favorite treats.

I do miss having a rabbit around the house. It has been over a year since Friend passed, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to get another yet, and Oscar’s a handful all on his own.

Wherever you are, Friend, I’m sure there is an abundance of grass, dandelions, and carrots to keep you happy!

Peek-a-boo!

Friend indoors.

As relaxed as can be.

The Grinch in Seattle

Over the weekend, officials at a Washington airport decided to dismantle their holiday displays. From the Seattle Times:

“The airport managers ordered the plastic trees removed and boxed up after a rabbi asked to have an 8-foot-tall menorah displayed next to the largest tree in the international arrival hall. Port of Seattle staff felt adding the menorah would have required adding symbols for other religions and cultures in the Northwest, said Terri-Ann Betancourt, the airport’s spokeswoman. The holidays are the busiest season at the airport, she said, and staff didn’t have time to play cultural anthropologists.”

The rabbi isn’t to blame in this situation, as he apparently just wanted to “add light to the season,” not create another controversy during the already hyper-politically correct “winter festival.”

I mean, I don’t personally mind using “holiday celebration” in place of “Christmas,” but having to eliminate images, images many consider secular and representative of the season as a whole to begin with, is another issue. I even know someone who was requested to replace a picture of a Christmas tree with a “non-denominational snowman” on a company publication a few weeks ago.

As gleaned from the above article, I think the U.S. Supreme Court has it right: “Christmas trees can be secular symbols if they are not part of a religious-themed display.” It’s a tree. Just let it go.

Film: “Cars”

I watched the animated Disney/Pixar feature Cars yesterday. I initially stayed away because I remember the movie had been quite poorly reviewed, but I think it may have been unfairly judged.

The capabilities of computer-generated animation continue to amaze me: Cars is simply beautiful to look at. Stunning vistas, “how’d they do that” realism with leaves and dust, and unique details that make it a Pixar film (there were Volkswagen Beetle-shaped flies!).

Plot-wise, the movie involves a solid story for children about the importance of teamwork, sense of community belonging, and responsibility to others. There was even a message about remembering to slow down and to exit life in the fast lane once in a while. My friend and I had to roll our eyes, however, at the attempt to educate audiences about the decay of small American towns that were bypassed with the construction of the Interstate (yeah, we are heartless bastards).

The main voice talents didn’t stand out, except perhaps Paul Newman, who was perfectly cast as the wise mentor Doc. There were quite a few celebrity cameos as well, with the likes of Jay Leno, Mario Andretti, and even Michael Schumacher lending their voices to car-shaped caricatures of themselves (speaking of the cars-as-people equation, my friend and I wondered how new cars were produced in this world. Is this how hybrid cars came into being?).

All in all, Cars is fun, family-friendly entertainment that complements the rest of the Pixar canon.

Unremarkable and Without Identity: Kelsey’s

My friend and I went to Kelsey’s (3203 Calgary Trail Southbound) on the southside for dinner last night. We wanted to go someplace casual, and Kelsey’s was a compromise between my pick (Blue Plate Diner), and his (Earl’s).

Kelsey’s is part of the Cara Family of food services, which also includes Second Cup, Milestone’s, Swiss Chalet and Harvey’s. This was my first time in this particular chain, and when asked to describe it, my friend remarked that the restaurants have a remarkable resemblance to Boston Pizza. After eating there, I would have to agree. But whereas, for example, Homefire Grill had an apparent identity crisis, Kelsey’s simply has no identity.

The main difference between the two (besides Howie Mandel’s overly obnoxious television spots) is that Kelsey’s’ “your neighbourhood bar & grill” tag automatically gears it towards adults, while BP’s “you’re among friends” is more all-around family friendly. My assessment is also supported by the decor in Kelsey’s. Dark, and not as well-lit and inviting as the neon-colored, Hollywood-postered Boston Pizza, it evoked a lethargic atmosphere more suited to twenty-four hour operations like Denny’s. This particular location seemed to showcase its lounge as well, as the main door opened up to reveal an elevated bar, flanked by two separate, smaller dining rooms on either side.

The menu had the requisite new-age salads, pastas, sandwiches, and grill items that are par for a casual dining course. I will say, however, that their “complete classic meal” was quite a steal – an appetizer, entree, and dessert for a few dollars more than the regular price of a main. I couldn’t pass up such a deal, so I ordered the Balsamic Chicken (two boneless chicken breasts marinated in garlic and spices, grilled and topped with a balsamic garlic cream sauce, served with garlic-mashed potatoes and vegetables), and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup to start. My friend opted for the build-your-own Chicken Fajita.

Our food arrived after an abbreviated delay, served by a waitress that reminded me of Kristin Chenoweth, all kinds of bubbly and grown-woman cute. My friend’s fajita came with much fanfare – a large platter containing, among other things, a sizzling plate of sautéed onions, bell peppers, and chicken. Four tortilla wraps didn’t seem like enough, but my friend didn’t complain. My soup was better than average; it was nice to see the serving topped off with fresh cheddar. On the other hand, the chicken was nothing to write home about, especially now that I’ve experienced 4th and Vine’s fabulous hazelnut garlic rub. The potatoes were a little on the runny side, and though the vegetables were good, steamed zucchini and broccoli shouldn’t be the best part of an entree.

We split my last course – the chocolate marshmallow truffle (chocolate truffle with marshmallows on a cookie crumb crust with white and dark chocolate, topped with real whipped cream). It’s a shame I was still sick, because the combination of truffle, crushed cookie, mini marshmallows, chocolate sauce and whipped cream was a Goldilocks dessert – not too sweet, but just right.

It’s hard to know if I’ll be back at Kelsey’s, because I was left with absolutely no lasting impression. It would be difficult to recall this restaurant in times of hunger.