ArtsList

Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre Presents

Ode to Humanity, or the History of the Human Race � Abridged

A historically inaccurate look at the evolution of the human race

No one is spared mockery in this comedic take on the history of our existence.� Ode to Humanity, or the History of the Human Race � Abridged, is back by popular demand and set to run at the 2007 London Fringe Festival and the 2007 Hamilton Fringe Festival.� First performed at the KWLT�s July One Act Festival in 2006, it was the little play that could from the little theatre that could. Charming even the most academically astute, �Ode� guffawed its way into the hearts of Waterloo and London regions, and is ready to take on Hamilton with even more gusto.�� ��

�Ode� is written and directed by Michael Kearns, The 2006-2007 Executive Producer of the Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre. With many returning cast members, the energy in this one hour production will have you snickering in your seat.� Politics and religion are out the window and no historical icon is safe.

They ��re-enact the history of the world using the most ridiculous props, the ugliest costumes and most over-the-top scenarios. They move at lightening speed, from one snippet of history to the next� Even the pope can�t escape ridicule.� He shows up with a Fed Ex box on his head and declares that it�s time to launch a good old-fashioned crusade.�� Leanne Elliot, Kitchener Record, July 2006.�

SCHEDULE:����������� August 10 @ 7pm, August 11 @ 8:30pm , August 12 @ 1pm,

����������� ����� ����� ����������� August 13 @ 8:30pm , August 16 @ 9:30pm , August 18 @ 2pm

TICKETS:� ��������������� $8

LOCATION: ������������ Downtown Arts Center, 28 Rebecca Street, Hamilton, Ontario

BOX OFFICE: ��������� Visit www.hamiltonfringe.ca for more information

A few of the online reviews from visitors at recent London Fringe performances:

��Non-stop laughter in this one – I laughed until I cried. You will never think history is boring again after viewing this play. It’s like watching Mel Brooks� History of the World come to life on the stage. Come laugh at Napoleon, the Romans, Cleopatra on Springer and much much more. This play never lets you stop laughing.� Make sure you catch this one you’ll be sorry if you don’t.�

��A clever show which not only pokes fun at various “important” historical moments, but also lampoons our society’s skewed, Euro-centric take on history.

The humour is often slapstick and sight-based, but there are plenty of inside jokes for history buffs. Some of the funnier moments included the musical number about the Black Plague (the lyrics are quite funny), Napoleon’s entrance, and the thoughtful portrayal of the role played by women (well, “chicks”) in ancient Egypt.�

The Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre, which has been in existence for nearly 80 years, produces more shows than any other amateur theatre in the entire province.� This is especially noteworthy considering the KWLT theatre burned to the ground in 2002 and has since been raising money and slowly rebuilding the space.�� KWLT continues to bring community theatre to Waterloo Region and is thrilled to be performing at this year�s Hamilton Fringe.