Review: JONAS AND BARRY IN THE HOME at Ottawa Little Theatre

Jonas and Barry in the Home is Ottawa Little Theatre’s latest comedic offering. Written by Canada’s most produced playwright, Norm Foster, the play focuses on the relationship between the two newest residents of Gateway Gardens Senior’s Residence.

Barry Butterfield (Mike Kennedy) is a curmudgeonly divorcee, who recently suffered a heart attack. He moved into Gateway Gardens at the behest of his daughter, Rosemary (Sarah Aaron), who doesn’t have time to check up on him every couple of days to make sure he’s not dead. Barry grudgingly went ahead with the plan since Rosie was able to use her employee discount to get the place. He spends his days sitting on the patio, gazing out at the river.

On the other hand, Jonas Ainsworth (Ian Stauffer) is spritely for his age, fancies himself as somewhat of a ladies’ man and has the gift of gab. Even though their personalities are polar opposites, Jonas and Barry strike up a friendship. Barry exchanges serves and wits with Jonas and, thanks to the latter’s encouragement, explores new opportunities, giving him a second lease on life.

Jonas and Barry in the Home is a buddy story at its core, but it is agonizingly slow paced. Understandably, the relationship between Barry and Jonas needs time to grow, but the pace could be picked up without detracting from the storyline or its character development.

The main set is relatively straightforward and, dare I say, minimalist by Ottawa Little Theatre standards. With all of the play’s action occurring on the terrace of the home, the design team (led by David Magladry) has created a striking illusion of depth in the background with windows peeking into the home’s interior, occasionally populated with extras to further cement the illusion.

Despite some line flubs, the cast, directed by Sarah Hearn, delivers heartfelt performances with good comedic timing that, judging by the audience’s laughter, was well appreciated. Although the plot may not appeal to all audiences, Jonas and Barry in the Home is a sentimental send off to the summer season of comedies at Ottawa Little Theatre.