Jekyll and Hyde Romance
Last Chance Romance now on stage at Playhouse II in Grand Bend, should be funny, but unfortunately misses the mark. Drayton Entertainment has billed it as a “fun-filled laughfest” and yes, there are some laughs along the way. But the billing also says it “crackles with humanity”, and that is where it has let us down.
Audiences enjoy comedy when they see a reflection of themselves or an examination of someone they know. The recognition factor is what makes us laugh loudest. The characters in Last Chance Romance are so over-the-top, they aren’t familiar to us. Both main characters go to such strange extremes that they are more Jekyll and Hyde than rom-com (romantic comedy).
The cast members are all funny and talented actors, doing the best they can with the script. But playwright Sam Bobrick disappoints us with his characterization. And that’s too bad – Drayton Entertainment has brought us other Sam Bobrick works that we have enjoyed in the past: Just this spring, Crazy Time at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse made for a perfect girls’ night out; Weekend Comedy at Playhouse II two years ago was hilarious summer entertainment about a stay at the cottage, and Murder at Oakwood Resort in 2012 created plenty of laughter. 
In Last Chance Romance, Leonard Shank (Kevin Kruchkywich) and Myra Witzer (Daniela Vlaskalic), both desperate 30-somethings, go on a blind date. She turns into a crazy stalker who traps him into marriage and he is miserable. She calls on her lawyer, Uncle Fred (Paul Brown) to assist in the entrapment. Suddenly, Leonard decides he likes being married, but Myra, just as suddenly, is no longer interested in him. Apparently, she only enjoys the chase and not the capture. She leaves him. Leonard resorts to an unqualified and equally crazy therapist (Susan Henley).
Don’t bring the kids to this one: The f-bomb is dropped a couple of times, and thanks to the shock value, gets the biggest laugh of the evening. But then a conversation about masturbation goes on a tad too long to be funny.
This show asks a lot of the audience: We have to suspend belief too often. The two main characters have complete personality changes, causing the humour to fall flat. However, if by chance, you’ve had experience with a deranged stalker, then you might enjoy this play.
Last Chance Romance continues with eight shows a week until July 18 at Huron Country Playhouse, Playhouse II, Grand Bend. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office: 519-238-6000 or Toll Free 1-855-372-9866, or check www.huroncountryplayhouse.com
Photo: Daniela Vlaskalic, Kevin Kruchkywich and Susan Henley in Last Chance Romance. Photo by Darlene O’Rourke.
Last Chance Romance
By Sam Bobrick
Directed by Johnna Wright
Performed by Paul Brown, Susan Henley, Kevin Kruchkywich, Daniela Vlaskalic.
Produced by Drayton Entertainment
Playhouse II, Grand Bend
July 2 to July 18, 2015
Reviewed by Mary Alderson