- MTYP’s Summer Studio
Join MTYP’s Summer Studio as they present Alan Haehnel’s Last Day At Whoopee Kingdom. The show at amusement park Whoopee Kingdom may have a less-than-enthusiastic cast backstage, but every day they entertain children under the careful supervision of Sam, their over-enthusiastic assistant junior manager. Sam has been striving to win the park’s employee scholarship but when the owner of Whoopee Kingdom announces the grounds have been sold, Sam finds himself out of a job and money for college. Out for vengeance, it’s now up to him and the cast to manufacture a hilarious and shocking final show to end their careers.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
Many of us will never forget our first, dead-end job. We also won’t forget what made us stay, come hell or high water; we needed that paycheque, or that reference, or our parents made us, something. This glimpse behind-the-scenes of Whoopie Kingdom might trigger nostalgia or some form of PTSD (or both) for the disgruntled retail or service worker. The production demonstrates a surprising amount of disillusionment and life experience from the teens involved, mixing high school relationships with the struggles and fears of a young adult in the workplace. The commentary on our dominant work culture that couldn’t care any less about the workers is sharp and witty and packaged in no small amount of whimsy. While I wish they had carried their revenge even further, this production has a lot more depth than I expected. If this is the future of the arts in Winnipeg, it’s a vibrant and resilient future indeed.
Im starting to think the Winnipeg Free Press has no jurisdiction in reviewing plays– this was FANTASTIC! These teens are so incredibly talented and absolutely hilarious. I loved the concept of the play and how it switched between onstage and offstage scenes/personas, and I thought each character was so unique and fleshed out. I was truly transported to the whoopee kingdom universe (as well as the depressing universe where everyone hates their job, haha!) It was simultaneously campy and fun, while also having some relatable, hard hitting moments. You can tell these teens put so much love and care into this production, and their hard work pays off. Its 5 giant, shiny stars in my book! Bravo to the cast and crew of this show!!
Lots of surprises and laugh out loud moments! Perfect for teens, by teens!
What a fun show! Hats off to the cast!
I loved the quirky characters in this play! This is an impressive group of teens who are not only working onstage, but also backstage and in the booth to execute this parody about a failing amusement park. I am excited to see what Summer Studio does next! Watch for these stars on our stages in the next few years.
Incredibly talented bunch of up and coming professionals!!