The Best, Man

Playwright Arlen Kristian Tom writes some funny, snappy dialogue in this dynamic two-hander.  A tentative groom and his hung over best man are struggling with friendship, commitment and laundry issues in the confines of a small hotel room.  The future of the happy couple hangs in the balance while the best man spends a fair bit of time hanging over the toilet.

As the groom, Mack Gordon is convincing as a guy who’s always tried to do the right thing.  He stays with his high school girl friend through university and is mostly committed to seeing this wedding through.  His best man, raucously played by John Voth, is not so out of it that he can’t see the jitters in his old pal.

The stories of their teenaged adventures and post-high school lives give us the impression of the archetypal Mr. Responsibility and Mr. Irresponsibility.  It’s impressive that, in such a short performance (45 mins), these characters proceed through a full arc to escape the cliché guy stereotypes and emerge fully formed.  

It was pouring buckets of rain the night I saw this show.  I’ll never think of hurricanes or Forrest Gump and chocolates in the same way again.  

Highly recommended.  And remember it’s only 45 minutes so you can scoot to another show directly after this little gem.