This show has an amazing back-story. After being diagnosed with cancer; comedian, actor and writer Daniel Stolfi was forced to withdraw from the 2008 Toronto Fringe Festival to prepare for the battle with the disease that would ultimately become the inspiration for this new show.
After two unsuccessful attempts to get back into the Fringe Festival (shows are chosen by lottery) he’s finally able to come full-circle by bringing Cancer Can’t Dance Like This to the 2011 Fringe Festival!
In his alternately funny and poignant one-man show, Daniel Stolfi reads passages from the journal he kept while in treatment for his cancer. He also creates these over-the-top caricatures to represent the cancer he’s fighting, his hair that he’s losing, his strength that’s diminishing, his sex-drive that’s waning and his appetite that’s disappearing.
By using these caricatures to describe some of the most harrowing side effects of cancer treatment Stolfi irreverently conveys his experiences using humour to directly contrast the stark, raw experiences described in the journal passages he reads aloud to the audience.
Although with the goofiness of these caricatures it came across to me like he was mugging for the audience for much of the show, he can be forgiven since there’s a real honesty at the heart of the show and his candor about his experience is really brave and endears him to his audience.
I think virtually everyone has somebody in his or her life who has been touched by cancer. The survivors in my life all seem to spring back from the disease with a renewed vigor and passion for life. Daniel Stolfi is the perfect embodiment of that passion.
When he wins his final “dance-off” with cancer, I couldn’t help but feel uplifted and inspired.
Editors’ Note: Check out Mooney on Theatre’s previous review of Cancer Can’t Dance Like This here.
Details:
Fro Mast Productions
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents
Written and Performed by Daniel Stolfi
Directed by Andrew Ferguson
VENUE: Tarragon Theatre Main Space, 30 Bridgman Ave.
PERFORMANCES
July 8th @ 1:15pm
July 9th @ 9:15pm
July 10th @ 6:30pm
July 12th @ 1:15pm
July 13th @ 2:15pm
July 15th @ 3:30pm
July 16th @ 8:00pm
Ticket Price: $10.00
Tickets: www.fringetoronto.com / (416) 966-1062
Advance Ticket Box Office at the Randolph Centre, 736 Bathurst St.