Everyone needs a good giggle in February. The Sudbury Theatre Centre’s production of Moose on the Loose, a comedy about an Italian-Canadian family living somewhere north of Thunder Bay, delivers an evening of chuckles.
For some of the Italian-Canadians in the audience on opening night Friday, the gregarious Timpano family provided a few belly laughs too.
Moose on the Loose is written by Dina Morrone, formerly of Thunder Bay and currently of Los Angeles. The daughter of Italian immigrants, previously she wrote and appeared in The Italian in Me, a one-woman show.
If you love stories about loud and demonstrative families, such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Moonstruck, you will adore Moose on the Loose. The Timpanos may not be your family but you will know people like them.
Once again, Caleb Marshall has shown his competence with directing a large cast. This comedy has 12 actors. In the second act, they are on stage together most of time. Marshall makes it look natural to have that many people animated in a space the size of a small bedroom.
Mamma Maria is played by Sandra Battaglini, a comedian with Sudbury roots. She appeared previously in the hugely popular In Piazza San Domenico at STC.
Italian-born actor Paul Amato is endearing as Papa Giuseppe.
Gerry Mendicino and Joceyln Zucco as Nonno and Nonna transcend their stereotypical roles to deliver touching performances that will tug at the heart of the audience.
At the end of the play, Nonna says she misses the warm sunshine in Italy but it is better to be in Canada where she is “cold but free” to pursue a better life.
There is a moose on the loose — Bob McKenzie with antlers played by Scott Maudsley — in this comedy, but it is not about hunting. Morrone has used humour handily to examine the issues immigrants face when they leave their homelands to come to Canada.
Vicki Gilhula is the associate publisher and editor of Sudbury Living magazine.
