Kids in the Hall: May 18th, Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton

I had a dream a few months ago where I was hanging out with the the Kids in the Hall, we were in a small theater space, coming up with sketch material and having the greatest time laughing at each other’s zany ideas. In particular I recall a skit about a cross-country skiing police officer chasing down beaver bank robbers. Then, just as Kevin McDonald and I were cramping up from all the hilariousness, my alarm went off and I had to force myself out of bed and off to my job. Everything that has happened to me since that night has seemed like a bit of a let-down, so it was with great anticipation that I headed off to see my pals performing here in Edmonoton.

Live as we’ll ever be, the Kids in the Hall’s new touring show stopped by the Jubilee Auditorium on Sunday, and I had the mixed fortune to see it from seat 253B. The show consists of all new material and ran just under 2 hours. Many of your favorite characters made an appearance: Gavin, Chicken Lady, Head Crusher, the Cathies and more. What made the show so great was this feeling that the Kids haven’t missed a beat, nothing seemed dated, or particularly contemporary, just timelessly silly. The performance played out very much like any of the episodes from the 5 seasons of their tv show, but 4 times as long, and much more funny due to the immediacy of it all. There was a recurring time-travel gag, a hateful baby, an acoustic guitar bit, Buddy Cole and Bruce McCulloch monologues, even an inspired dance number. They must be having a great time, traveling in a bus, making fun of each other’s recent careers (Mark to Dave: “Two words: Poker Show”), even cracking themselves up once in a while during their performance. I myself was laughing so much that it hurt.

Sure, they will probably release a dvd of the tour, as they have before, but if you have the means and opportunity then get out there and see them live. It’s a dream come true

ps.
Dear Balding Guy in Seat 253A,
I think that it is every person’s responsibility when at a show to enjoy themselves, just not at the expense of others. The seats are positioned at the Jube, especially in the balconies, in such a way that it is important that you lean back in your seat to watch the show. When you lean back, everyone behind you has a clear line of sight to the stage, when you lean forward your head blocks more than half of the stage for people behind you. Seeing as you clearly spent a lot of time grooming your comb-over, I would imagine that the last thing you would want to do is to draw undue attention to the top of your head.
Yours truly, Receding hairline Guy in 253B.