For those who had the opportunity to attend one of the four nights of “Wicked Women of Windsor” at The Shadowbox Theatre, there’s a good chance you left with a smile. In a great debut, the play provided an entertaining evening, buoyed significantly by a number of strong performances.
“Wicked Women of Windsor” centers on Crystal, a young witch torn between love and family loyalty. As she considers introducing her new boyfriend to her anything-but-ordinary family, her sisters, a vampire and a demon, hatch plans to sabotage the romance. As if family dinners weren’t awkward enough, their father is a disembodied talking head in a lantern. The play unfolds as a comedic rollercoaster, swinging between absurdity and genuine emotion.
Chantel Pare took on the role of Crystal the Witch with a commendable level of enthusiasm and charisma. Her ability to navigate her complex character brought a level of authenticity to the play, making it easy for the audience to become invested in her story.
Jennifer Desaulniers and Fay Lynn, who portrayed Karen the Vampire and Phylicia the Demon respectively, offered performances that were among the highlights of the show. Both seemed to fully embrace their roles, bringing a nuanced mix of humor and dark charm that consistently entertained.
Alex Monk, who played Don the Boyfriend, gave a noteworthy performance as well. He managed to keep pace with his more supernaturally inclined co-stars, bringing an everyday likability to a play filled with otherworldly characters.
Writer and occasional actor Doak deserves a shoutout not just for penning the play but also for his entertaining appearance as Craig the Waiter. His moments on stage offered a light touch and elicited genuine laughs from the audience.
Michael K. Potter, as Al the Ghost Father, had a few scene-stealing lines. While his role might not have been as fleshed out as some would like, Potter’s delivery made those moments memorable.
The venue, The Shadowbox Theatre, lent itself well to the production’s intimate feel. The limited seating ensured that audiences could catch every facial expression and hear every line without straining, adding an extra layer of immediacy to the performance.
It was clear that writer Kevin Doak aimed to offer a variety of comedic styles, disguising a stand up routine as a theatre show. From dad jokes to adult innuendos, the humor was, for the most part, well-received.
“Wicked Women of Windsor” was a commendable effort that showcased a good amount of local talent. The engaging performances and unique setting made for an entertaining evening out. It certainly places A Warped Mind Production Company on the Windsor theater map, and we’re interested to see what they do next.
For those looking for updates on what A Warped Mind has in store, keep an eye on postproductionswindsor.ca. It seems this young company might have a few more tricks up its sleeve.
