Tag: Oh Susannah

Theatre: “Oh Susannah” Halloween Special

After reading an amusing interview with Susannah Patchouli in See Magazine, I made an impromptu decision to attend this year’s Halloween edition of Oh Susannah, Edmonton’s only Euro-style variety show featuring the effervescent Patchouli (played by the hilarious Mark Meer).

Mark Meer as Susannah Patchouli (photo taken from the See Magazine article)

The show was to start at 11pm, with tickets on sale a half hour before that, so we figured arriving at 10:15pm would be fairly safe. Though we weren’t disappointed, we weren’t expecting such a crowd, with a line that looped claustrophobically through the tiny Varscona lobby (all the way down the hallway to the bathrooms). The staff were thoroughly accommodating through, and not only started selling tickets ahead of schedule, but also opened the house doors earlier than anticipated.

We settled in amongst the packed house, and Susannah, dressed in a witches hat and a “revealing” costume, appeared at show time and welcomed us. Two things amazed me, as they did the first time I watched Oh Susannah: that the Varscona stage can accommodate as many bodies as it does; and how Meer can complete the entire show with a straight face.

The Girls of the Grill were back (this time with an “I ‘otta choke you” sandwich made with artichoke spread), as were the Ladies of the Bar (who passed around “Skelletini” cocktails). Local celebrities were also interviewed, including Colin Oberst (the composer behind the new Hockey Night in Canada theme song) and Ronnie Burkett, who just premiered his newest production, Billy Twinkle, at the Citadel Theatre. This episode of Oh Susannah also featured The Game! The Game!, a regular highlight that was missing from the Christmas special I watched last year. I really extend credit to whomever designed the activities – they were immensely entertaining. From the borderline dirty trivia in round one, the challenge to craft a sculpture from pumpkin puree (resulting in, of course, one penis-shaped design) in round two and lastly, a winner-takes all round that had contestants toilet papering the audience…then having to re-roll the used tissue. Patricia Zentilli (currently performing as Audrey in the Mayfield Dinner Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors) and Tracey Power (Living Shadows: A Story of Mary Pickford) were great sports.

The audience, as per last time, also helped make it a good time. They were expecting the various parts of the show, including the loud repetition of the phrase, “I don’t want to go to jail looking like this.” Many also dressed up in their finest Halloween garb to compete for “frugal but fabulous” prizes. My favourite costume went to the self-described “Discovery Channel Slow Zebra” – a zebra with a lion attached on its neck – too clever.

For the variety and laugh ratio we received, it was well worth our $10 ticket. The next show runs on November 29 at 11pm – go early!

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.