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by Paul Frank & Mel Paraboo,

P. S. I Love You, Toronto Fringe Festival, Factory Studio Theatre, Toronto

July 1-12, 2009

Married! is one of those only-at-the-fringe shows often labelled as “wacky” or “zany.”  Here it’s a case of too many concepts, too little time.  Kip McCormick (Paul Frank) his wife Shelby Rochelle (Mel Paraboo), inexplicably known as “Bear” and “Fox,” present a “natural healing” “marriage-therapy-seminar-concert.”  Since their series of songs concern only the McCormicks’ bizarre relationship and Kip’s lust for his neighbour Keith (Darren Barlow), the troupe should drop both the “natural healing” and the “therapy-seminar” ideas as irrelevant.  Still, there’s no hiding Paraboo’s talent for comedy and Frank’s for clever song-writing.

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2009-07-03.

Photo: Mel Paraboo.