Spooning the Great Bear By the Light of the Moon
Reviewed by Mina Saeed
The vibe of Spooning the Great Bear by the Light of the Moon is complex.
The story follows two best friends, Syl and Kirsten, as they embark on a road trip, which is intended to cheer Syl up as it is revealed her marriage is over after her husband cheated on her. Throughout the show we learn more about the friendship between these two women, and that it may not be as tight knit as it appears at the start.
This show is truly held together by Melissa Murray-Mutch, who gives a stellar performance as Syl. Her acting feels so realistic, and her portrayal of very real human emotions of anger and betrayal help bring Syl to life. This character truly feels like a real person on stage, and the audience connects with Syl through her humour, as well as through her pain.
As the show continues, friends Syl and Kirsten meet Carla, whose quirky and funny personality quickly allows the audience to fall in love with her. The juxtaposition between the struggles that Syl and Kirsten face, versus the newfound easy friendship between Syl and Carla is very interesting to watch unfold.
These dynamics portray different types of friendships in realistic and poignant ways, and Spooning the Great Bear by the Light of the Moon grapples with questions regarding friendship such as: What makes a good friend? How can you decipher real friendship? Are friendships meant to last forever?
As said on stage, “It’s about the road, not the rest stops,” which can truly be applied to the show itself, the real life issues it discusses, and the journey the audience takes while watching this moving yet hilarious performance.
Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)
Warnings: Coarse Language
Genre: Theatre—Drama
Playwright/Director
Jen Frankel
Performers
Melissa Murray-Mutch, Susan Curran, Tara Smith, Betty McLean
Stage Manager
Erika Reesor
