Bethany Ramsay
Like a lot of twenty-somethings nowadays, I got through most of the pandemic by draping myself in Schitt’s Creek like a socially satirical safety blanket. So when I saw a parody musical coming to this year’s Ed Fringe, I was racing for a ticket.
Crapp’s River is, as the name suggests, a musical re-imagining of the beloved Canadian TV show set in a slightly less catchily named town. Written and performed by a cohort of students from Sacred Heart University, Connecticut and directed by Jerry Goehring, this bite-sized parody follows the story of the four iconic Roses (renamed ‘Peonys’) as they navigate Crapp’s River’s race to crown the next Grand Master of the town’s Bicentennial Parade. In doing so, Moira, David and Alexis are competing for who can become the next ‘gay icon’ and are aided on their journey by a myriad of household names – think Dolly Parton, Julie Andrews and… Anderson Cooper? What follows is a silly, slick and satirical original episode of Schitt’s Creek which follows the three Peonys in their journeys to convince the town of their viability as a gay icon. And, of course, Johnny’s plight into keeping the peace between his wife and two children.
The ensemble cast of actors present a series of excellent parody impressions of these famed characters: no easy feat, given the big shoes to fill. The four main actors especially – Grace Anderson as Moira, Nora Delehanty as Alexis, David Irizarry as David and Nolan Young as Johnny – deliver exceptional performances which blend humour with heart and frequently make us forget we are not watching the original performers. Particular highlights include Delehanty’s hilariously delivered ‘A Little Bit Alexis’ song, Anderson’s ever-changing but eternally entertaining accent and Macie Cox as Jocelyn’s somewhat unsettling kilowatt smile. The cast keep us skillfully entertained throughout, with a series of lighthearted scenes and catchy musical numbers (Paul Richard Keegan) which make the hour fly by.
Design elements are pleasant, if a little clunky. The scene transitions especially are distracting from the interjected video elements (designed by Adam Petrosino) – no doubt themselves designed to avert our attention from the scene transitions – but in the limitations of this fringe space, this isn’t too much of an issue. The costumes (Isabella Ferdinandi) are excellently true to form (minus one occasion of Moira not wearing black and white, Heaven forfend!) and the striking set of red suitcases which are utilised to form a variety of settings is simple and effective.
Featuring a book by Grace Curley, the plot is perhaps the weakest part of the show with minimal promised ‘ridiculous plot twists’ and an ending which wraps up the story line so simply that one can’t help but think there is no need for anything that comes before. But for once I didn’t mind the weak plot: this show absolutely thrives on its stellar impressions of cherished source material. Add in a few sparkles and tunes and the thin plot becomes a necessary vessel through which we enjoy an hour of solid entertainment.
Lighthearted, fun and impeccably parodied, Crapp’s River is a delightful hour of entertainment for any Schitt’s Creek fan who wants to see their favourite quirky town and characters come to life on stage.
Recommended Drink: A glass of wine, duh. Red? White? Whatever takes your fancy. It’s the wine not the label that counts, after all.
You can catch Crapp’s River at Other Yin at Gilded Balloon Patter House until 30th August at 21:15 (60 mins). Tickets available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Salvador Kent
Hannah Hamilton
Issy Cory
