✭✩✩✩✩

written and directed by Morgan Davidoff

COMA, Toronto Fringe Festival,

Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, Toronto

July 2-11, 2010

A musical set among the staff of a cheesy restaurant may sound like a good idea, but SLINGERS – the musical is a rip-off.  First, it’s not the listed 60 minutes long but only 40, suggesting that creator Morgan Davidoff ran out of time, ideas or both.  Second, Davidoff’s intro as a cynical bartender is so extended we wonder when the play will become a musical.  The first song is pre-recorded and poorly lipsynched.  The remaining four are live, with only the song sung by Jennifer Morris rousing any enthusiasm.  Then the show just stops before Davidoff has even finished introducing the restaurant staff thus serving us basically half a bun and no burger.

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2010-07-03.

Photo: Morgan Davidoff, Nicole Myers, Jeremy Hernandez, Joe Santos, Marc Borins and Pam Gordon. ©Sebastian Mena.