PEOPLE SUCK
Randolph Theatre
See show info here
Rating: NNNN
People Suck is a song cycle with an irrefutable premise: it categorizes all the ways, places and reasons that people get under each other’s skin. Skewering everything from the TTC to coworkers to romantic relationships, it has very wide appeal.
Megan Phillips (who also co-wrote) performs along with Ashley Comeau, Allison Price, Connor Thompson and Arthur Wright. Co-writer Peter Cavell and musician Jordan Armstrong accompany the actors live onstage through 14 scenes. Director Kerry Griffin ensures they keep things lively and brisk on the very large stage.
Filled with clever turns of phrase, most songs earn laughs when performed by the talented and energetic cast. There are also a few poignant ballads, however the choice to place them so close together near the end of the show brings down the energy.
Comeau and Wright have the loveliest singing voices but the real knock-out numbers include Thompson’s Gilbert-and-Sullivan-esque attack on poor grammar skills, and Price’s flirty, dirty cabaret rendition of the show’s title song.
See cover story interview here
