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Culture Musicals

>>> Review: Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang

JACOB TWO-TWO MEETS THE HOODED FANG by Mordecai Richler (Young Peoples Theatre, 165 Front East). Runs to January 3 see youngpeoplestheatre.ca for schedule. $10-$41. 416-862-2222. Rating: NNNN

Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang is just too-too good.

Young Peoples Theatre has a history with Mordecai Richlers childrens classic, having produced its first musical version in 1978. This latest incarnation is a treat, thanks not only to its fast-paced narrative but also fine direction by Allen MacInnis and Jen Shuber and toe-tapping new music and lyrics by Britta and Anika Johnson.

You or your kids probably grew up with the story of Jacob, the youngest in his family, who has to repeat everything twice in order to get older peoples attention. Sent to the store to get tomatoes, Jacob (Drew Davis, who alternates with David Gregory Black) upsets the owner and a policeman and is charged with insulting behaviour to a big person.

Sentenced to time on icky Slimers Island, hes promised help by Child Powers Shapiro (Sarah Gibbons) and OToole (Jeigh Madjus) and goes on to save himself and the other kids on the island. In the process, Jacob discovers the truth about its nasty head, the Hooded Fang (Damien Atkins).

Under MacInnis and Shuber (the latter also choreographed), the engaging production zips along, rooted in the relationship between the likeable young Davis (who has good stage presence and shines in the musical numbers) and Atkins, a blustery, petulant villain in a muscle suit whos never left his inner child behind.

The tunes perfectly define Jacob, while Atkinss first number, influenced by 80s hair metal rock stars, gives a clever thumbnail sketch of the bullying ex-wrestler whose life was changed when a youngster laughed at him during a Saskatoon match.

The range of melodies, played by music director Diane Leah and her musicians, is impressive, from the samba rhythms of blubbering lawyer Louie Loser (Darrin Baker) and Jacobs Les Mis-like anthem inspiring the other child prisoners, to a jazzy court song led by the intentionally oversized Judge Rough (Saccha Dennis) and a tango by the Fangs seconds-in-command, Mistress Fowl (Kira Guloien) and Master Fish (Matthew G. Brown). And then theres the nightmarish storyteller, Artie Octopus (Jacob MacInnis), who does a mean Elvis impersonation.

Wrapped in a package similar to that in The Wizard Of Oz (incidents and people from Jacobs everyday life appear in his Slimers Island adventures, which could be a dream), this staging of Jacob Two-Two is inspiring for young viewers, a rebalancing of the power between kids and grown-ups. Its a delightful show for families during the holiday season.

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