Book & Lyrics by Robert More
Music by Tom Doyle
Performed by Craig Maguire, Glynis Ranney, David Rosser, Eric Woolfe.
Directed by Robert More
VPP Production, Victoria Playhouse Petrolia
July 4 to July 22, 2006
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
Lots of laughs with Stay-at-Home Dads
If you saw the original Dads at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia last summer, then you’ll want to come back for the sequel. But even if you missed the first episode, come and see Dads 2: The Toddlers Revenge anyway – I’m sure you’ll catch on immediately, and it’s well worth it for the laughs.
In Dads we met three men – Charles (the yuppie stockbroker), Kirk (the construction worker), and Joey (the Latin professor). Just as their wives have babies, all three men find themselves unemployed and opt to become stay-at-home fathers, while their wives return to work. This unlikely trio becomes good friends while looking after their babies.
Two and a half years have lapsed when we meet again in Dads 2: The Toddler’s Revenge. The three men are raising toddlers and the wives are having new babies. But soon after the births, Charles’ wife returns to her law practise, Kirk’s wife goes back to her job as a server in a country bar, and Joey’s wife is carrying on as a successful entrepreneur opening an additional kitchen store
This musical comedy is written by VPP’s Artistic Director Robert More, and since this gives him the opportunity to direct it himself, we assume we are seeing exactly what he envisioned. The show is well cast with a very talented team
In particular, Glynis Ranney is outstanding as “The Woman”. She plays the three different wives, as well as a psychiatrist, doctor and other fantasy characters. In addition, she is excellent as a puppeteer, providing a voice for some of the toddlers. It was fun to watch her facial expressions as they matched the scrunching of the puppets’ faces.
The toddlers and babies are all played by puppets, with different cast members supplying the voice and movement for the adorable life-size dolls.
David Rosser reprised his role as Charles from last year. He is great in his song and dance number as a ‘designer dad’, explaining how his new little son is going to be perfectly dressed just like his father. Later, of course, he’s horrified when his toddler-daughter insists on wearing rubber boots with her fancy designer dress.
Craig Maguire plays Kirk, the construction worker who enjoys being at home with the kids. He sings an old-fashioned do-wop number about his prom-queen wife, and nails the high notes with a beautiful falsetto. He is very proud of his toddler’s ability to talk, but you can imagine what happens when she picks up on his construction worker’s expletives.
Eric Woolfe is hilarious as Joey, as the staid college professor who has a fantasy about being a British punk rocker. He is the most harried dad, with twin boys and triplet baby girls, but it hasn’t dampened his libido.
Kudos to Robert More for his entertaining script and lyrics, and good direction. It’s perfect summer stock material for a fun night out with lots of laughs. Attendance should be mandatory for any father who has ever changed a diaper.
Dads 2: The Toddler’s Revenge continues with eight shows a week at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia until Jly 22. Call the box office at 1-800-717-7694 or (519) 882-1221 for tickets.