Show Review: Grumpy Old Men, warming your heart in a freezing cold town
By ANNA SMITH on April 19, 2024.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com Firehall Theatre’s Grumpy Old Men promises a cold town and warm people, and it most certainly delivers. Despite some small technical mishaps easily forgiven for a final dress rehearsal, the cast truly shines throughout their tour of Wabasha, Minnesota. The scope of the tale feels both appropriately large and comfortingly small, exactly how the interpersonal drama of a small fishing town should feel. Some of the characters are an acquired taste, perhaps particularly the titular grumpy old men, John Gustafson and Max Goldman, but actors Sewart Boxell and Miles Thorson bring an earnestness to the roles that makes both characters feel alive and warm in a way that truly makes the audience root for them to overcome their enmity. The ensemble and minor speaking roles are what truly make this atmosphere, setting the stage for the main characters and allowing them to succeed. The idle gossip and reactions from these smaller roles give us a reason to care about the status quo of the town, and to be interested when the leading roles threaten to shake it up over the appearance of a new woman. The diverse ages of the cast only contribute to this. The show would simply not be possible with a more uniformly young team. The music is a stark and entertaining dichotomy between the content and the technical aspect; while the lyrics are light, and occasionally delightfully crude, much of the music contains complex harmonies and melodies, making it a delight to listen to. Perhaps one of the most memorable of these pieces was Shannon English’s performance of Synder Comes Along, a surprisingly seductive piece bathed in pink lighting and punctuated with sensual movement – all while speaking about the risks of tax evasion and her duty as an agent of the Internal Revenue Service. The sets are similarly inspired, small corners of buildings wheeled in and out of view depending on need. There is a unique delight for those with a background in the crew aspect of theatre, in watching the various sets, from Ariel’s new home to the bait shop, come to life from such select slices. Above all however, Firehall Theatre’s volunteer actors and crew show a deep and long-standing love of theatre, that shines through in every line, lyric, or dance. It is incredibly clear how much effort and time has been dedicated to putting this heartwarming tale of old friends and even older frenemies on, and it most certainly pays off. 13-12
