Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

KARAOKE SUPERSTAR!

Written by: Jordan M. Stewart

Presented by: Racket Rock / Toronto, ON

$content.venue

Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/17/2009 5:18 PM | Comments: 0

If complaining there’s too much karaoke in a show called Karaoke Superstar! is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

Actor-musician-writer Jordan Stewart’s story would be far better served if he stuck to sampling most of the songs in this one-hour show set in the lofty sphere of professional karaoke.

Stewart (2005’s The Band: A (True) Rock ’N’ Roll Story) opens with a monologue in which he waxes poetic about the gods of rock ’n’ roll — and I think we’re talking about Journey’s Steve Perry here. But his character worships so devoutly at the altar of the lead singer that it’s more than a little perverse that he considers karaoke akin to walking alongside his heroes.

His best friends are a Neil Diamond tribute singer and a woman who styles herself after Patsy Cline, and for whom he harbours an unrequited love. If only he could give voice to that love, it would be worth more than all the karaoke adulation in the world. But on the most important night of his life, he may be distracted by a sing-off with his loathsome arch-nemesis The Rose (as in Axl).

A former Winnipegger, the Toronto-based Stewart hits a few high notes with his poetic musings on music and love, although a cheap joke about alt-country falls flat.

—Pat St. Germain

From the official Fringe program:

Alone in the spotlight, the singer stands poised to deliver the performance of his life. The crowd buzzes, the music begins and the moment of truth arrives.

Jordan Stewart (The Band - Fringe 2005) returns with a new comedy about music, love… and destiny.

Praise for The Band:

“Must-see Fringe” – Winnipeg Free Press

"(Jordan has) comedy chops" - Eye Weekly, Toronto

myspace.com/racket_rock
RECOMMENDED: General Audience

60 min.

Venue#7 The Conservatory 211 Bannatyne Ave (Crocus Bldg.)

Tickets: $9
Discount Tickets: $8 for Matinees

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Fringe Show Reviews

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.