Romantic comedy nails it

Throughout history, many tomes have been printed about two of the most desired yet elusive things in life – love and music.

Everyone talks about them. No one can actually say what makes them tick.

However, in a popular revival of the wacky comedy Eros and the Itchy Ant, playwright-director Stewart Lemoine takes a good stab at this philosophical debate.

Through the voice of the humble baker Franklin, the Teatro La Quindicina founder states that, “As long as everyone gets it, there’s no need to explain.”

And judging by the non-stop bursts of laughter at Thursday’s opening night at Varscona Theatre, everyone got it.

In this screwball gem, a young child’s musical exercise piece, The Itchy Ant, becomes a primer for love and romance. Franklin (Ryan Parker) wanders into a piano recital for six-year-olds.

He is haunted by The Itchy Ant, an inordinately simple piece of music he failed to master as a child. The memories of failure eat away at Franklin and if he can hear it again, an explanation may emerge.

Maxine (Rachel Bowron), is a music teacher who’s completely dedicated to nurturing her students. She’s also slightly anal. After the recital, she meets Franklin at the goodies table and is intrigued by his predicament.

From memory she writes the notes, records the tune and delivers it to Franklin. But Franklin finds something missing in her interpretation and the kind act ends on a feeble note.

Throughout the rest of this airy profiterole, Maxine takes on Franklin’s obsession. As the two repeatedly clash and work out their differences, a romantic tie gradually develops between them.

Bowron, the St. Albert Children’s Theatre music director, is so relaxed on stage, so natural, earnest and self-deprecating, you find yourself silently cheering for her from the get-go.

Bowron is also a true triple-threat actress – playing the piano while singing and acting, a feat few can perform.

And Parker, as the beleaguered leading man, is so stiff and awkward in breaking the romantic ice. Yet Parker uses his quirky acting-improvisational background to completely charm and captivate us.

In their romantic fumblings, the two would-be lovers are assisted by Wanda (Cathy Derkach), a tart-tongued bundle of sass and sex appeal, and Eros, a 21st century version of the son of Aphrodite.

And while Eros (Jeff Haslam) may not quite be descendant from Mt. Olympus – his mother is a retired seamstress from GWG now on her second husband Norman – he is the life force who owns Stueben’s Bakery.

Haslam’s hand-kissing Eros is the quintessential swarthy Greek lover who has refined seduction down to a fine art. Speaking in a thick accent, the mustachioed Eros deliberately throws his hips into the pose of a classical Greek statue. Like an over-the-top barker he shouts, mugs and steals the show.

Derkach as Wanda, the elegantly coifed best friend is world-savvy, smart and sophisticated. Lemoine gives Wanda some of the play’s best one-liners, and Derkach delivers them with wit, wisdom and just enough vinegar to make them funny.

Eros and the Itchy Ant conveys the right amount of silliness to keep the audience in stitches. Lemoine’s tight script and direction, and the cast’s terrific stage chemistry ensures the production never loses momentum.

Eros and the Itchy Ant runs until Saturday, July 27.