BWW Reviews: AT HOME AT THE ZOO Wows in First Show

In their debut show, Chocolate Moose Theatre Company brings to life a piece that is deeply relatable to the human experience. At Home at the Zoo is a combination of Edward Albee's Homelife and Zoo Story, the first of which was written 49 years after the latter in an attempt to portray the relationship between the central character, Peter, and his wife, Ann. Though somewhat dated the show is as relevant to the modern day human condition, in all of its intricacies, as it was back in 1959.

We are introduced to Peter and Ann in the first act, Homelife, as Ann is attempting to communicate and equally understand her feelings of frustration after numerous years of marriage. Peter is a reserved, pensive man who publishes textbooks for a living and can't quite seem to grasp the notion that not everyone desires a smooth, stable ride through life, free of excitement. The second act, Zoo Story, happens the same day after Peter has gone to the park to read. He comes across a seemingly unstable man named Jerry who is everything Peter is not. Jerry exuberantly proceeds to tell Peter about his off-beat life including a very critical and seemingly definitional relationship with his landlady's dog.

Rowan Spencer playing Peter, is at once a character more difficult to understand and yet provides for some of the show's most comical moments with his permanently disgruntled expression and very obvious discomfort when talking about sex. In Peter's mind, the word "penis" is perhaps the dirtiest of them all, and Spencer is convincingly tongue-tied when trying to express his issues of a sexual nature. Ann, who is portrayed by Emily Murphy, is frantic in her attempts to get something out of her husband, which he is clearly not comprehending. Her efforts at communicating her deep-seated unhappiness about needing more out of her husband and herself is something most can relate to. Andrew Cameron, who plays Jerry, should be commended for memorizing and carrying the majority of the script in the second act. Cameron's wildly flailing actions and enthusiastic telling of what seems like the most menial stories keeps the energy high and the audience entertained.

Director, Martin Law, does justice to a show which is a commentary on the fragile glass our society ever so carefully tiptoes around on in order to avoid the intimacy and vulnerability that lies underneath. Chocolate Moose Theatre Company brings hilarity and passion which keeps the audience in a constant oscillation between laughing and feeling empathy for characters that could just as easily been any of us.

At Home at the Zoo plays from Jan. 16-18 at Theatre Ste. Catherine. All shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14.

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