In Tow - in progress

In Tow begins with writer/performer Bob Legare bursting forth from behind a curtain, portraying a thirteen year old boy who tells you all about “my little town” and the characters in it, where everything is normal and nothing happens.

He then weaves in and out of the characters in this boy’s life and, as if that isn’t enough, he also expresses it in song. Ten minutes into the show my head was spinning a bit from trying to pin this performer down and figure out what the hell he’s talking about. This show lacks that one person show’s definitive, “Hi, how are you doing? You’re going to be spending an hour with me” moment.

Finally, Our Hero describes witnessing a car accident and that’s when the story really begins. In Tow is a coming of age play where a smart, troubled teen boy comes to understand his role as the victim of an injustice. He begins the play with the plea, “it’s not my fault”  but he doesn’t believe it until someone else tells him he isn’t to blame. You know, like therapy.

While Legare is strong and genuine performer and carries the show well, his writing holds things back. The language is not interesting enough and the characters are not always fully formed; we know this kid goes to Catholic school because we meet a singing nun but we never see her again, so we don’t really know why she matters, other than as an over all perpetrator of Catholic guilt. With his portrayal of “My Old Man”, Legare has built a physicality for a gruff, working class stiff who has no clue how to communicate with his kid, and is a regular Archie Bunker. Remember Archie Bunker? It’s My Old Man’s favourite show; he even can’t stand people sitting in his chair. This makes My Old Man not a new character at all, and I found myself visualizing Archie Bunker for the rest of the show, in spite of Legare’s physical work.

In Tow has some great moments; an excruciating square dance in gym class, and the back and forth between the boy and the tow truck driver is great. But the themes and plots are lacking. Bob Legare is a talented performer who is in a show that needs a few more drafts to be a really good piece.

In Tow: Silent Drum Productions; written and performed by Bob Legare.

For more information and to discuss In Tow, haul yourself here.