Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And One Big Decision: Rock, Paper, Or Scissors?

Horse Trade/Wog Productions
Naughty & Nice

THE CANUCK CABARET

Since 2010, a group of Canadians, led by comedic performer Paul Hutcheson, have been crossing the border to entertain audiences at late-night cabaret shows as part of the FRIGID New York Festival presented by Horse Trade Theater Group. After shows in 2014, the show will have been produced over forty times and has been featured in Time Out NY, MSNBC and The Village Voice.

Show Times:

• 2/22 @ midnight
• 2/26 @ midnight
• 2/27 @ midnight
• 2/28 @ midnight
• 3/01 @ midnight
• 3/05 @ midnight
• 3/06 @ midnight
• 3/07 @ midnight
• 3/08 @ midnight

Answers by Paul Hutcheson
(lead comedic performer)

1. Your tag line is out there on postcards and press releases so we know the PR version of what this play is about.  But when you talk to your family and friends, how do you explain the show to them?

PH: Canuck Cabaret debuted at the Frigid Festival in 2010. It will have been produced over 40 times by the end of Frigid 2014. This is the last year for Canuck Cabaret and we are excited about all the terrific shows! The eclectic Canadian and American talent we have assembled will surprise and thrill audiences for nine performances.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink.  What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?

PH: They will be discussing the unique show they just witnessed! Whether is be a funny stand-up, a monologist who challenged them, performance art they are not sure they ‘got’ or a kick ass musical guest…they will be talking.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?

PH: Canuck Cabaret is a Canadian themed showcase of talent! Diversity, humour and pushing the envelope is what drives the show.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?

PH: That Canuck Cabaret encapsulates the spirit of an independent theatre festival.

5. Let’s fantasize for a moment. Let’s take the “off-off” off. Imagine this show is on Broadway. Would that change the production itself?

PH: It would give us larger production values, which would be fun. As host, I would want to fly over the audience…

6. Taking that one step further – after paying everyone what they’re worth of course, what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless thing you would spend money on if there was no constraints?

PH: I would get all performers on the cabaret to fly above the audience. I would also love to literally fly friends, family and performers from all over North America to come see and perform on Canuck Cabaret.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?

PH: The shows are completely different each night. An audience can come to every show and have a different reaction.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?

PH: We Are Canadian.

9. Is the world of this play sustainable outside a theatre? In other words … do you think people live the way the characters do? Would you want a world where they do?

PH: I would love if the world was a cabaret! Always interesting, challenging, entertaining and above all embracing all talents.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?

PH: Laurie Metcalf. (one of my comedic heroes who lives in NY)

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?

CHALLENGES: Canuck Cabaret would take them all on…we love group action.   

THROWS: Rock! 

Well this is fun!  We have a whole bunch of competitors for you!  Let’s line them up and see how it goes.

Here are the shows who have played so far:
Real Dead Ghosts threw ROCK – that’s a DRAW!
Eating My Garbage threw SCISSORS – that’s a WIN!
Steve: A Docu-Musical threw ROCK- that’s a DRAW!
Drag Queen Stole My Dress threw PAPER – that’s a LOSS!
Boogie Of The Apes threw ROCK- that’s a DRAW!
Something Wicked threw SCISSORS – that’s a WIN!
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Gardaí threw ROCK- that’s a DRAW!
My High-Heeled Life: Or, How I Learned to Keep Worrying and Love My Stilettos threw ROCK- that’s a DRAW!
FOR BODY AND LIGHT threw ROCK- that’s a DRAW!
Double Happiness: A Tale of Love, Loss, and One Forever Family threw SCISSORS – that’s a WIN!

So with 10 competitors so far, you’ve got six where you come out equal … three wins and one loss. YOU’RE DOING GREAT! Since you’ve challenged every show, Cabaret, don’t forget to check back to see how you do with every other competitor!

Thanks THE CANUCK CABARET for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2014 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially ROCK in any and all challenges.  You may win, you may lose – who knows! This is how it works in the crazy world of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH!

For the rest of you don’t forget to check out THE CANUCK CABARET !

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Horse Trade Theater Group will present the 8th Annual FRIGID New York Festival at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4^th Street between 2^nd Avenue and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1^st Avenue and Avenue A) February 19-March 9. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling 212-868-4444. 

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