Shit I’m In Love With You Again is Rachelle Elie’s autobiographical one-woman show presented by Crowning Monkey for the Toronto Fringe Festival. This bawdy musical takes the audience on a tour of teenage lust, family drama and therapy.
Taking a seat, my 80s childhood came flooding back to me as I was greeted by The Bangles’ Eternal Flame. Before me, was a stage decked out in pink and purple outfits and a sequinned backdrop. I knew I was in good, campy, capable hands.
Rachelle Elie wastes no time creating a rapport with the audience. She knows that the success of the next sixty minutes depends on mutual affection. With a twinkle in her eye, accompanied by Luke Jackson on guitar, she takes us on a journey from childhood to motherhood.
She shares with us the insights she’s gained from her parents, religious upbringing, sexual awakenings, marriage and child-rearing. Along the way, she breaks out into witty songs about sex, masturbation and family troubles. Its great fun to see her fly in and out of glittering, flowered outfits as her tale unfolds.
Of all the characters from her life, my favourite is her therapist. Donning a massive pair of glasses and a nasal voice, she delivers some of the greatest lines.
Elie is a delightful performer—endearing, charismatic, somehow both larger-than-life and utterly sincere. Her delivery is tight, polished and—because she’s so very good at this—it all feels honest and conversational. She’s very aware and attentive to the audience, always checking on our collective pulse.
I greatly appreciated her handling of the tensions that can crop up in a monogamous relationship—namely: the yearning for new sexual experiences. At the end of the day, it seems she finds meaning and fulfilment in monogamy, yet she shares her struggles with it candidly without judgement or neurosis.
She has some very intriguing experiences to share, but I shouldn’t spoil them. Go see Shit I’m in Love With You Again and have Rachelle tell you all about it herself!
Details
- Shit I’m in Love With You Again plays at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace. (30 Bridgman Ave.)
- Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
- Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
- Content Warnings: Mature language; Sexual content; Unsuitable for minors.
- This venue is barrier-free. Designated accessible seating is in the middle of the auditorium.
- Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
Performances
- Friday July 6th, 7:00 pm
- Sunday July 8th, 10:15 pm
- Monday July 9th, 3:15 pm
- Wednesday July 11th, 12:00 pm
- Friday July 13th, 5:45 pm
- Saturday July 14th, 3:30 pm
- Sunday July 15th, 7:30 pm
Photo of Rachelle Elie by David Leyes
This show was very entertaining. It was fun hearing about Rachelle’s dating/married life and her thoughts about it. The only criticism, which is small, is that she came across as an actress. It seemed as if she could have fabricated the whole story. If Rachelle had a few personal/soft moments in the show, then the story would have seemed more genuine. On second thought, if that isn’t her, then that too would have seemed like acting. Anyways, it was a great show and I would recommend it. I give it four out of five stars.