Q&A | It's a Wonderful Toronto: The Rob Ford Holiday Spectacular!

Paul Bates as Rob Ford.

What better time to laugh at ourselves (and celebrate the trials and tribulations of our city’s hapless leader) than during the holidays. This month, Toronto’s acclaimed improv company The National Theatre of the World presents It’s A Wonderful Toronto: The Rob Ford Holiday Spectacular!, an original musical comedy written by Matt Baram, on stage until Dec 22 at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. We caught up with The Second City alumni Aurora Browne and Chris Earle (who directs the show) to find out more about this fun-filled performance.

Theatromania: Describe It’s A Wonderful Toronto: The Rob Ford Holiday Spectacular! in a sentence or two.

CE: In a desperate attempt to win back public support, Rob Ford decides to host his very own holiday variety show. As the cast and crew frantically prepare for opening night, Ford starts to spiral out of control—sorry—continues to spiral out of control.

AB: A man is briefly in doubt about his self worth but then decides he was totally right after all. Featuring fun racist Christmas carols!

Theatromania: What inspired a holiday musical comedy about our city’s 64th mayor?

CE: A sincere desire to spread love, hope and peace throughout our wonderful city. Plus, we wanted to make fun of the most crazy-ass mayor since The Penguin took over Gotham City.

AB: Mayors are like tree ornaments: round, shiny and red.

Theatromania: We heard that Matt Baram is doing daily rewrites as things change in the news—can audiences expect a different show every night?

CE: Yes—but not because of Matt’s rewrites. Paul Bates keeps adding new jokes.

AB: It’s possible…we may have to put court transcripts to music.

Theatromania: Funniest Rob Ford moment of 2012?

CE: Please don’t make us choose—it’s too hard.

AB: The time he opened his mouth to form a sentence.

Theatromania: Does The National Theatre of the World have any New Year’s resolutions?

CE: Take over Mirvish Productions and put an end to the gravy train.

AB: Drink more water every day and more dark green leafy vegetables.

Catch Aurora Browne and Chris Earle in It’s A Wonderful Toronto: The Rob Ford Holiday Spectacular! from December 11 to 22 at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. Visit passemuraille.on.ca for more information and to buy tickets.