Election Day by Joshua Tobiessen

Presented by the Happy Medium Theater Company

Now through February 18th, The Happy Medium Theatre presents Election Day by Joshua Tobiessen at The Factory Theater. This smart comedy tells the story of—you guessed it—the day of an election, a mayoral election to be exact. Tobiessen tells this story through only five characters: Brenda, a lawyer in support of “the good candidate”, her boyfriend, Adam, who is moving in that day, Adam’s sister Cleo who is trying to impress political activist Eddie, and Clark, the opposing candidate.

Under the direction of Lizette Marie Morris, assisted by Audrey Lynn Sylvia, the five actors bring this script to life in a single laugh-filled and action-packed act that shows us that the ideas of political parties and candidates are never just red and blue—I mean black and white. E. Abigail Matzeder is adorably anal as Brenda, and it’s hard not to feel for Adam (Andy Hicks) when he goes so far as to blow up a truck to get her attention. Lesley Anne Moreau is hilarious as Cleo she allows Clark (Sean A. Cote in his underwear!) to “earn” her vote. Mike Budwey not only steals every scene that he is in as the tree-hugging activist Eddie, but steals the hearts of both of the women in the show.

And I would not be able to write about this performance without giving a nod to the set, designed by Sean A. Cote doing double duty as actor and designer. The Factory Theater, located in The Piano Factory Building on Tremont Street, is a tiny theater. The stage is on the ground with the audience, just three rows of seats, raised on platforms on three sides. Somehow, Cote managed to convert this tiny space into a fully furnished apartment complete with a working refrigerator.

More information on The Happy Medium Theatre’s production of Election Day is available at happymediumtheatre.com.

 By Kendall Stewart