Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata

January 22 – February 1, 2014

Martha Cohen Theatre

https://www.hprodeo.ca/2014/do-you-want-what-i-have-got-a-craigslist-cantata

Listen to my review from CBC Eyeopener at

http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/episode/2014/01/27/jessica-goldman-reviews-a-craigslist-cantata/

RATING

For musical lovers – Be warned, there aren’t any big dance numbers or emotional story arc or lead performers or any plot for that matter. It’s just Craigslist ads (some verbatim, some not) sung to you for 75 minutes. But if you can lay aside the need for a traditional musical format, you’ll find that this gem of a show has much to offer. Comedy, sadness and a peak at human longing – what more could you ask from a musical? SEE IT

For musical haters – Yes this show is all singing, all the time. But unlike the traditional musicals that you might have turned your nose up at in the past, this one doesn’t have any of the hackneyed trappings. No obvious storyline, no melodramatic crooning or mawkish dance numbers and no laughably easy resolution. Instead the show offers an equally funny and sad look at the human condition as evidenced through online ads that will make you laugh and think. SEE IT

For the occasional theater goer – The lack of a plot and main characters will throw you even though I all but guarantee you will laugh heartily throughout the show. Still, this may feel a little to unstructured for you to get all that you should out of it. MAYBE SEE IT

For the theatre junkie – Now THIS is how a plotless play/musical is done. Tons to glean from it while being equally entertaining as it is smart. Streamline direction/choreography and bare minimum set design allow the performers to shine. SEE IT