Just East of Broadway

It’s a wonderful experience to walk out of a theatre with a big smile plastered across your face. It doesn’t happen often enough, but the rarity makes you really appreciate the gems that achieve it, and *Just East of Broadway* is one such example.

With high energy, catchy songs and a cast that are obviously enjoying themselves every step of the way, it hits the perfect tone for slapstick musical theatre that I haven’t seen since _Evil Dead: The Musical_.

The story follows Rex Maverick, a washed up, egotistical Broadway actor who finds himself transported to a rural village in China to star in a cultural initiative to put the sleepy town on the map. Sure, the locals speak flawless English and the town is about as Chinese as a fortune cookie, but the wackiness is easy to embrace. The tempo doesn’t sag from start to finish, nor do the laughs. The entire cast enjoy their roles with infectious energy, and particularly watch for Gene Abella and his affable sternness as the Mid Level Official.

This show was fun, full stop. If you’re looking for lighter fare and lots of laughs, look no further than Just East of Broadway.

_Just East of Broadway continues until July 11th as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival. You can find more information_ "here":http://www.fringetoronto.com/fringe09/indoorBYOV_listings.html#J

_Or you can check out their "myspace":http://www.myspace.com/justeastofbroadwaymusical page_