written and directed by Shaun McCarthy

Running Late Productions, Toronto Fringe Festival, Factory Studio Theatre, Toronto

July 1-12, 2009

Baggage is not a play but an autobiographical PowerPoint lecture about author Shaun McCarthy’s dating record from 1992 to 2003.  McCarthy is the embodiment of the “straight-looking, straight-acting hunk interested in sports and movies who seeks same for a possible long-term relationship.”  He retails his real-life encounters with a good sense of humour and knack for detail.  It’s clear why he has dumped others but completely unclear why others have dumped him when he’s so obviously a nice guy.  Gays new to Toronto will find his talk instructive.  Others will welcome it with smiles of recognition.  (But where are the breasts?)

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2009-07-02.

Photo: Shaun McCarthy. ©Aaron Wouters.