Wednesday, November 30, 2011

christmas carol | artistic director notes

Ron's first set of notes as artistic director, performer, and adapter of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.


It may sound strange for me to say this about an old chestnut like A CHRISTMAS CAROL, but for me this show is beginning to feel like one of those personal artistic landmarks - those shows you end up thinking back on as your greatest, or most meaningful, experiences as an artist. This story, this role connects with me as deeply as my experiences in DAMIEN, SHADOWLANDS, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - roles that at first glance might seem more substantial, more serious, more demanding. But, especially working with Dickens' original text, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is anything but frivolous or sentimental. This story plays for keeps. Dickens' language is extraordinary, his passion for justice electrifying, his insights into the human heart substantial.

As an artistic director of a very busy, very small, and very artistically ambitious theatre, I don't get to act as often as I'd like. But what's great about my situation is that I never have to do a role, or a show, I don't believe in. But even more than most, this one matters to me. There's something about it that feels essential to what my life is about: in the process of rehearsal, (and of learning all those lines!), I'm starting to figure out what.

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens
Dec. 2-31
Tickets $16.50-29.50

12 days of subscriptions | day 10

We're into the double digits!  You may or may not be able to tell that we are getting a little tired of singing this song.  Yet we continue, for your sake!



On the tenth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Personalized service,
Free drink tickets,
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

As a subscriber we truly consider you as part of the Pacific Theatre “family”. As you subscribe, and re-subscribe, we make every effort to get to know you by name and face, we try to know where you like to sit and always make every effort to give you the absolute best service possible.

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 9, Day 8, Day 7Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3Day 2, Day 1

a christmas carol | first week DISCOUNT

Every season we see the same pattern with our Christmas shows: we open, people come, they enjoy it, they tell their friends. Then all of a sudden in the last week of performances there is an explosion of phone calls and bookings, the show sells out, and people keep calling, wanting more! As happy as we are to have a sold out show, it's a little heart breaking to turn so many people away. That's why this year we're offering a little incentive to help you get in to see A CHRISTMAS CAROL before everyone else!


Call the box office (604.731.5518), say "BAH HUMBUG!" and get 15% off your tickets for the first week of performances!

That's all you've got to do! The discount applies to all performances up until (and including) Thursday, December 8th, subject to availability.

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens
Dec. 2-31
Tickets $16.50-29.50

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

christmas presence artist profiles | laurell

Songstress Laurell has performed with CHRISTMAS PRESENCE for the past few years - here's a few fun facts about her and her work!


People can't stop giving Laurell awards and nominations! This year she was nominated for two Canadian Radio Music Awards, and won pop album of the year at the Western Canadian Music Awards!


Every once and a while she releases what she calls her "top 20/20" list on her blog. It's twenty things she (sort of) "knows for sure." Here's the latest:

1.Wearing sanuk sandals all day will make people not want to go near you.
2.Running and coffee might be a little too much for one day.
3.Music is the coolest invention in the world. Creation? Invention? Miracle? All of the above…?
4.Hardwood floors rock.
5.Dance floors are even better.
5.Taking responsibility for your actions is key. Taking responsibility for another is not.
6.Giving a portion of your money away to something worthwhile (aka: starving people, saving animals, preserving the environment), is exactly that. Worthwhile.
7.Having a pair of sunglasses you love can bring a surprising amount of joy to your life. Scratching them does the opposite!
8.Being honest with ourselves helps everything become more clear.
9.Blue couches are the most abundant thing on craigslist. There’s a ton and nobody wants ‘em. I’m serious – go look!
10.When I was 10 my favourite books were about Ramona Quimby.
11.There is totally such thing as too much cowbell.
12.Sailboats are always awesome and sometimes inconvenient. Can you imagine pirates having to wait on the weather to make their getaway?
13.Mirrors make a room look bigger. (I have 6 in my li’l apartment!)
14.Don’t waste your time trying to explain. Any generation above our parents will never understand buying jeans with holes in them.
15.Jamie Delaine is an amazing photographer.
16.Love is sometimes a little bitch with a shotgun.
17.I have two busted cruiser bikes right now. (sniff)
18.Learning how to really hear people is a lost art.
19.Outdoor movies in the park late at night make you feel like you’re 13 again. I saw Ghostbusters last night and caught myself cheering along when the giant stay-puff marshmallow man exploded.
20.If you haven’t seen these movies, you need to rectify it right now. Go on, it’s never too late for classics: MARY POPPINS, GOONIES, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, MY FAIR LADY, STAR WARS, ET, GRAND NATIONAL, TOP GUN, THE PRINCESS BRIDE!!!!



Finally, she has toured with another PT artist! Can you recognize him in this video she shot from the road? HINT: he was in YOU STILL CAN'T and YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, played music for GODSPELL and is a CHRISTMAS PRESENCE regular. Still not sure? His name starts with a "B" end ends with an "rett".

dec 4 | hello night | sheree plett

Our gal Sheree Plett has a new CD out! Her release party will be accompanied by friend-of-PT Lance Odegard. Of course, you'll see them both on stage in CHRISTMAS PRESENCE - but why not check out some of their solo work as well? Below is her invitation.


Come join us in the cozy theatre at Havana's on Sunday, December 4th, for the official Vancouver release of the new album "Hello Night".
This evening will be paired with short stories and poems read by Lance Odegard.

Doors at 7pm
$12 at the door
www.shereeplett.com

christmas presence | artist schedule

I don't know if any of you are keeping track but, believe it or not, it's almost December! Before you have a panic attack, remember all the lovely things we've got coming up for you: A CHRISTMAS CAROL opens in a few days, and then a hop, skip, and a jump after that we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE - our annual holiday tradition of music and readings. Here's the schedule of performers, as it currently stands (knowing, of course, that it's all subject to change at a moments notice - these guys are donating their time, after all!)


The Band (these guys stay more or less the same each night)
Nelson Boschman
Kenton Wiens
Brett Ziegler
Rick Colhoun
Becca Birkner
Spencer Capier


Dec. 11 - NORTH SHORE

Peter La Grand
Laurell
Garth Bowen
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth

Dec. 13 - PT

Michael Hart
Sheree Plett
Jeremy Eisenhauer
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth


Dec. 17 - VALLEY

Michael Hart
Sheree Plett
Jeremy Eisenhauer
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth
Ken Hildebrandt

Dec. 18 - PT

Peter La Grand
Sheree Plett
Jeremy Eisenhauer
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth


Dec. 19 - PT

Michael Hart
Peter La Grand
Lance Odegard
Laurell
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth

12 days of subscriptions | day 9

Here we are, at day 9! Can you guess what the ninth gift your PT subscription will give you is?



On the ninth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Free drink tickets,
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

As a little treat from us, with each subscription you purchase, you’ll receive a complimentary drink ticket to be redeemed at our concession at some point through out the season. We got JJ Bean coffee, Tazo tea, whistler water bottles and San Pellegrino. Drink up!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 8, Day 7Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3Day 2, Day 1

Monday, November 28, 2011

christmas carol | set drawings

Here's some of the drawings of the set for A CHRISTMAS CAROL from designer Bryan Pollock.






12 days of subscriptions | day 8

Day 8 of the 12 Days of Christmas Subscriptions!



On the eighth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Each year we’re blessed with amazing, talented, emerging-artist apprentices who work like busy bees all year learning at the theatre. Often they put on their own shows and performances. As a subscriber you will learn about these events first and you’ll also get complimentary tickets to all apprentice shows. Subscribe and support our next generation of artists at PT.

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 7Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3Day 2, Day 1

a christmas carol | joytv ad

Our sponsors at JoyTV created a 15-second ad for A CHRISTMAS CAROL! Tune in to see if you can find it.

CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN | south pacific theatre!

The PT crew joined up with Santa and his sleigh team... and then got lost in the South Pacific! Personally, we're okay with the change of scenery and are perfectly happy to go for a full rebranding (South Pacific Theatre anyone?) and soak up some sun. Donate to our Christmas fundraising campaign if you want to bring us back! (We're looking for $35,000 between now and the end of January)



(...and here's how we're doing on the thirty-five grand...)










Sunday, November 27, 2011

12 days of subscriptions | day 7

Onward ho with the 12 Days of Christmas: PT Subscriber Edition!



On the seventh day of Christmas
My Subscription gave to me
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Because you might have to exchange your tickets, and because it’s always better to let someone else keep track of the myriad of paper items in our lives, we will hold your tickets at the box office for you, if you wish. Show up the night of the show, give your name at the box office, get your tickets – it’s that easy!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3Day 2, Day 1

Saturday, November 26, 2011

12 days of subscriptions | day 6

We're halfway there!



On the sixth day of Christmas
My Subscription gave to me
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Life happens and plans change. When a regular single ticket buyer calls our box office to exchange their ticket they pay a $4.00 exchange fee, per ticket. As a subscriber, if you give us 24hrs notice we will waive that fee. Exchange away, and as a subscriber, you don’t pay!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

Friday, November 25, 2011

christmas presence artist profiles | nelson boschman

Those of you who have been around PT for a while know about CHRISTMAS PRESENCE - it's our favourite holiday tradition, and we know that some of you have made it yours too.  It's a night of music and readings that finds that perfect mix between the traditional and the current, the heartfelt and the hilarious.  What you might not know is that all those musicians on stage donate their time to helping us out, and that there is one man who brings them all together: Nelson Boschman.


Nelson is a man of many colours!  There are any number of places you may have encountered him, in Vancouver or his native Abbotsford.  Besides being the music coordinator for CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, Nelson was the musical director for our production of GODSPELL.  He founded the Nelson Boschman Trio and The Mennonite Jazz Committee.


He's also the pastor for Artisan Community Church and used to teach at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.


He also used to have a lot more hair on his face.

Christmas Presence
Dec. 11: North Vancouver
Dec. 13, 18-19: PT
Dec. 17: Abbotsford
www.pacifictheatre.org

12 days of subscriptions | day 5

The fifth installation (getting tired of these yet?  Hope not, because we're going all the way!) of the twelve days of subscriptions!




On the fifth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

This is our newest, and perhaps most exciting, subscriber perk at PT. Every second Saturday of each show’s run we are holding an exclusive event after the matinee just for subscribers. Each Saturday is designed specifically to enhance the subscribers’ appreciation for the play. It could be a special talk back, screening of a film or a food fest related to the show. Whatever it is, you won’t want to miss these events so watch your email for the invite, and feel appreciated, because you are!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

nov 30 - dec 23 | ian moar | lookout gallery


Opening Reception
Ian Moar’s Eclectic Eye
Wednesday, November 30th from 4:30-7:30pm

affordable pieces and prints available

Thursday, November 24, 2011

a christmas carol | costume designs

A peek at the costume design process for A CHRISTMAS CAROL.  Here are the (in process) drawings from costume designer Nicole Bach!




12 days of subscriptions | day 4

The fourth day of subscriptions!



On the fourth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

If you have a friend who’s never been to Pacific Theatre, then as a subscriber you can buy them a ticket for our “first time friend” rate of only $11.50. That means you give them an introduction to Pacific Theatre, and a cheap ticket? Guaranteed friend-for-life!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 3Day 2, Day 1

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

a christmas carol | photo contest

You may have noticed while checking out the media photos for A CHRISTMAS CAROL, that we reused some old set and prop pieces from previous productions to create the backdrop for Scrooge's desk. Now we're wondering, can you recognize them?


PHOTO CONTEST!

To win a pair of tickets to A CHRISTMAS CAROL, identify the prop and set pieces from former PT productions in this photo. You get one entry per item that you can identify - there are more than ten in total, going back up to five seasons!

To enter
  • Email info@pacifictheatre.org with "PHOTO CONTEST" in the subject line.
  • Name the all the prop/set pieces you can, along with whatever show they came from.
  • Contest is open to members of our e-card list.  If you are not on the e-card list and wish to enter, you can sign up for the list at the time you submit your entries.
  • Contest closes Tuesday, November 29th at 5pm.

12 days of subscriptions | day 3

It's the third day of Christmas, and our subscription gave to us...




On the third day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Subscribers get exclusive invitations behind-the-scenes at Pacific Theatre to observe the rehearsal process for our mainstage shows. Have you ever wondered how a professional theatre rehearsal is run? Want to see Ron Reed sweat it out before opening night? Then this is the perk for you!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 2, Day 1

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

12 days of subscriptions | day 2

It's the second day of Christmas - what will your subscription give to you?



On the second day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

By subscribing early and booking your seats in advance our box office staff will ensure you get the best seats possible. If you prefer sitting on the North side of the theatre, we’ll make that happen. If you like the front row on an aisle, you got it!

Catch up: Day 1

christmas carol | photos

Ron Reed has transformed into Scrooge (as well as a storyteller, a handful of ghosts, Tiny Tim, and, well, a lot of other characters) for this production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. All photos by Emily Cooper.




adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens
Dec. 2-31
Tickets $16.50-29.50

dec 7-18 | hotel bethlehem

Our friends at Ruby Slippers Theatre are producing the world premiere of a new version of the Christmas story, HOTEL BETHLEHEM. Featuring Byron Noble (YOU STILL CAN'T), and assistant stage managed by Stephanie Elgersma (THE GREAT DIVORCE).


This holiday season it’s time to consider that the history we know may not be the real story. In Ruby Slippers Theatre's Hotel Bethlehem, we playfully invite the audience to consider another interpretation of what happened that fateful night. Farce meets satire meets holiday fare in this world premiere.

This raucous new play, produced in association with The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, features eleven of Vancouver's finest performers. Penned by the incorrigible Drew McCreadie, who wrote Ruby Slippers Theatre's landmark production of The Cat Who Ate Her Husband, and directed by multi-award winning director Diane Brown, this production takes a new look at the traditional Christmas story. Have you ever wondered why The Inn was full? Who would turn away a VERY pregnant woman? What kind of characters and shenanigans were they up to that this could happen? Surprisingly, no one has asked these questions until now. Award winning playwright Drew McCreadie takes an inside look at what was going on at The Inn that infamous silent night.

From the shepherds who first saw the star, Sam (Scott Bellis) and Ezekial (Alex Diakun), to the Inns owner, Joshua (John Murphy), confusion abounds when the three Kings - Melchior (Dustin Freeland), Caspar (Stephen Beaver) and Balthazar (Noah Rosenbaum) - try to hide their true selves from the Roman soldiers Lewdious (Byron Noble) and Hepion (Sean McQuillan). Adding to the confusion are the blind census-taker Addius Miopicus (Bernard Cuffling) and the Inn’s staff, Mary (Jennifer Mawhinney), not to be confused with THE Mary who is in the stables waiting for Joseph (Kris Novak) to give her birthing guidance.

Hotel Bethlehem is directed by Ruby Slippers Theatre’s Artistic Director Diane Brown with set design by David Roberts, sound design by Jordan Watkins, lighting design by Jonathan Ryder and costume design by Drew Facey. Stage Manager Allison Spearin is joined by Apprentice Stage Manager Stephanie Elgersma.

Dates and tickets to Hotel Bethlehem are:

December 7 to 10 at 8pm
December 10 at 2pm
Studio 16, 1555 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Tickets $15/22 at 604-629-8849 or
www.VancouverTix.com

December 14 to 17 at 8pm
December 17 at 2pm
December 18 at 2pm
The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby, BCTickets $15/27/32 at 605-205-3000 or www.shadboltcentre.com

Monday, November 21, 2011

12 days of subscriptions | day 1

Pacific Theatre fans might think that the time to subscribe to our 2011/12 season has come and gone, but that is simply not true! There has never been a better time to subscribe as we still have most of our season ahead of us. If you already are a subscriber, consider sharing your love of PT and giving a subscription as a Christmas gift this year. All of the magic, drama, and inspiration found in a season at Pacific Theatre will fit nicely under the tree.

To help explain the many perks of having a subscription to Pacific Theatre, we’ve written a little ditty we thought you might recognize. Check back here over the next few days to find out twelve amazing reasons to subscribe! We’ll reveal one each day as we unveil…

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
PT Subscriber Version




The 12 days of Christmas
(PT Subscriber Version)

On the first day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Subscribers get maximum savings on all of our shows. By booking a subscription today you can save up to twenty percent compared to single ticket prices. That’s like paying no tax, and then some!

tuesdays with morrie | dr vigari gallery

Our season artist Emily Cooper has her artwork on display at Dr. Vigari Gallery on Commercial Drive, and recently added the image for TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE to the mix!


Make your way over to the gallery to see this great piece of PT artwork on display, as well as some of Emily's other fantastic work.

nov 30 | john mayer meets beethoven | twu

TWU is hosting their semi-annual chamber music night this month.  Info below.


Three talented ensembles from SAMC Music at Trinity Western University present an evening of chamber music, ranging from John Mayer to Beethoven. TWU’s piano trio, Klezmer band, and guitarquartet will perform November 30 at 7:30pm.

The guitar quartet will kick off the evening with a varied set, including an arrangement of John Mayer’s Why Georgia and Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. The piano trio (consisting of a piano, cello, and clarinet) follows with Beethoven’s Op. 11, Trio in B-flat Major.

A unique offering in this night of music is the performance of a 7-piece Klezmer band. In the spirit of SAMC’s upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof, this ensemble will perform Jewish celebration music including a few tunes from the musical itself – the toe-tapping To Life being a highlight. Also on the program is the classic Hava Nagila, and Korobeiniki, the 19th Century Russian folk song used for the original theme of the classic video game Tetris.

With this mixture of party music, stirring masterpieces, and Top 40 hits…it looks like a rousing cure for the winter blues. For more SAMC news and events, visit www.twu.ca/samc.

Event at a glance

Date: Wednesday, November 30
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Instrumental Music Hall, TWU Music Building
Tickets: Admission by donation ($5 suggested)
Contact: Shayna Leenstra p: 604.513.2173 e: Shayna.Leenstra@twu.ca

Friday, November 18, 2011

nov 22-dec 3 | farndale christmas carol | twu

Our friends at TWU are putting on THE FARNDALE CHRISTMAS CAROL this year! Featuring Ben Buckingham (GODSPELL). Info below.


‘Tis the Season for a Festive Farce

What do you get when you combine three ghosts, ruthless rival actresses, snappy showtunes, a bearded lady, and a handful of tinsel? The Farndale Christmas Carol, playing November 22 through December 3.

TWU’s SAMC Theatre serves up something for everyone in this holiday favourite that proves disastrously funny. “It’s a play within a play,” explains Margaret Thorpe, a Langley Secondary grad. “So you have the story everyone loves, but it’s told by the most accident-prone group of actresses you can imagine.” Margaret plays an ailing actress who must perform roles like Bob Cratchit through a suffocating neckbrace.

The show must go on, and it does…bringing to life dozens of colourful characters as the ladies madly change costumes,sing, dance, and crash into furniture. Scrooge is in for the ride of her life.

“This spoof version of Dickens’ classic has become a theatre favourite, gracing stages all over the world and leaving torrents of laughter in its wake,” says Lloyd Arnett, who also directed last season’s hit comedy The Foreigner.

“For the Farndale actresses, chaos is an art form. Pretty much everything that could go wrong does,” Margaret adds. “It’s been a treat discovering the humour in the story of Scrooge, and enjoying some holiday stress relief, but at the same time telling the story of these well-meaning women who aren’t afraid to embarrass themselves in the spirit of Christmas. And if that’s not fun enough, we get to have a snowball fight onstage!”

Margaret Thorpe performs alongside Karyn Guenther, Daniele Neve, and Danielle Spampinato, with Benjamin Buckingham as the clumsy stage hand roped into playing 9 different parts. Costumes are designed by Michelle Lieffertz with lighting by Crystal Dodding.

Playing November 22 – December 3 at Trinity Western University, Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30pm with Saturday matinees at 2pm. Tickets range from $7 to $16 with 2-for-1 Tuesdays and special weeknight discounts. For show information and tickets, visit www.twu.ca/theatre or email theatre@twu.ca.

christmas carol | movie echoes


When we staged It's A Wonderful Life a few seasons ago, it dawned on me how much that quintessential Christmas story had in common with the Charles Dickens' even more essential Christmas story (onstage this December at Pacific Theatre). A man reaches a point where the boy within him has worn away to nearly nothing, where the Present is sour and hard and everything's about money and bankers, nothing's about dreams or romance or the spirit within him going forth to travel far and wide. And so that man must be haunted by an unearthly visitor, who shows him shadows, and offers a choice between the things that are, and the things that might be.


This morning I thought of another seasonal story to round out the trilogy. Different season, same Spirit.

Looking through Kinn & Piazza's "The Greatest Movies Ever: The Ultimate Ranked List of The 1001 Best Films Of All Time," I came upon this deft summary of what it is that makes Groundhog Day not only one of my personal favourites (as soon as the credits rolled, I said to my wife, "I wish I'd written that") but - surprisingly enough - the choice of several critics and film-makers who nominated the film for inclusion in the Museum Of Modern Art's series "The Hidden God." Harold Ramis alongside Robert Bresson, Carl Theodor Dreyer and Andrei Tarkovsky!


A RODENT IS REBORN

It's A Wonderful Life meets No Exit in this classic romantic comedy with a spiritual allegory at its heart. Bill Murray is a self-important cynic, a somewhat lovable, sad emotional isolate who doesn't miss a comic beat. We hate his misanthropy. We don't want this eotistical cad to win the bright and optimistic girl. But he does - and he makes it all surprisingly thoughtful and weighty.

"I'm a god. I'm not the God... I don't think."
"You're not a god. You can take my word for it; this is twelve years of Catholic school talking."

They're not afraid to take this brilliantly entertaining and hilarious comedy down into the abyss by staging a succession of surprisingly unsettling suicide atempts. But he climbs back up. He learns. Boy eventually gets girl by gaining himself.

Thursday, November 17, 2011