Soulpepper – Miklos Laszlo’s Parfumerie and Mike Ross and Lorenzo Savoini’s Civil Elegies

reviewed by Paula Citron
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Parfumerie
Soulpepper
Written by Miklos Laszlo (adapted by Adam Pestle and Brenda Robins)
Directed by Morris Panic
Starring Oliver Dennis, Patricia Fagan, Joseph Ziegler, Jeff Lillis, Michael Simpson and Kevin Bundy with Maven Beatty, Stacey Bulmer, Miranda Mulholland, Noah Reid, Brenda Robins, Kristina Uranowski and William Webster

Civil Elegies
Soulpepper
Created by Mike Ross and Lorenzo Savoini (adapted from poems by Dennis Lee)
Composed and performed by Mike Ross
Directed by Albert Schultz
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Both plays are at the Young Centre until Dec. 24
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There are only a couple of more days to catch the two Soulpepper plays at the Young Centre.

If you love the 1940 James Stewart/Margaret Sullavan movie The Shop Around the Corner, and the 1949 Judy Garland/Van Johnson movie musical In the Good Old Summertime, Miklos Laszlo’s 1937 Parfumerie will be a fascinating look at the play that started it all. Designer Ken MacDonald has provided the dazzling art deco set while director Morris Panych mines the comedy. Oliver Dennis and Patricia Fagan lead a strong cast performing Adam Pettle and Brenda Robbins’ sparkling adaptation.

Civil Elegies, the other current Soulpepper play, is not so happy. Mike Ross and Lorenzo Savoini have fashioned a musical show from the patriotic poetry of Dennis Lee. Unfortunately, performer Ross’ music begins to sound similar over time, while Albert Schultz’s stunted direction is all on one note. This show is in desperate need of stage variety.

Parfumerie and Civil Elegies continue at the Young Centre until Dec. 24.