Istvan Dugalin ➤

Anne van Leeuwen and Kaitlin Race in “Patty Picker”, Photo by Matt McLaren

Presented by One Four One Collective | Flying Penguin Theatre

Patty Picker charmed the damn pants right off me! A show aimed primarily at teen audiences, the story’s tone and messaging skew towards this demographic yet its hyperactive energy and whimsical aesthetic have broad appeal. Sixteen year old Patty (Kaitlin Race) has an adorable relationship to her drama-club girlfriend Phoebe (Anne van Leeuwen), tension with her divorced dad, Paul (also van Leeuwen), and must contend with her conniving rival for the school rep position, “Piece of Crap” Preston (yes, van Leeuwen again!)

Refreshingly, Patty’s queerness isn’t a point of contention in this coming of age tale. The crucial scandal that sets all the drama in motion? Patty picks her nose. It comes naturally to her and has myriad applications: it helps her think, it comforts her, eventually it’s even a middle-fingered statement of rebellion! From the grandiose opening dance number she has with her intrepid finger indicates: #NosePickingIsLife!

When a video of her mining for nose nuggets, recorded and posted by Preston, goes viral, she becomes the laughing stock of the entire school. Phoebe even breaks up with her. (appalled gasp!) When Patty gets wind of a potentially humiliating secret about Preston—just as the student rep election looms large—she’s faced with an important choice. A feverishly intense climax (saturated with anxiety-inducing orange by lighting designer Chin Palipane) sees her torn between victory and her convictions.

Race and van Leeuwen have boundless chemistry and charisma. van Leeuwenhoek in particular has many hats to wear—literally, she caps her nuanced and revealing depictions with quick headwear switches. Bouncing seamlessly between the dad, Phoebe and Preston, she owns each of these very distinct humans. The face she offers up as Preston’s election speech is about to become a socially catastrophic spectacle is absolutely heartbreaking.

This funny and poignant partnership between Race and van Leeuwen is masterfully harnessed by director Cass Van Wyck. There is such persuasive emotionality in the show’s expressive momentum. Keeping the focus on the performers, the set is limited to a few drama blocks and background dividers, fancifully decorated with flower, star and heart decals (designed by Amelia Mielke-O’Grady) as if Patty’s doodles have sprung right out of her diary.

Evan Bawtinheimer’s script feels authentically high-strung, naughty and hyperactive. The most notable affectation is the relentless alliteration. Everything (names, insults, food, etc.) starts with—you guessed it—P. Ps are popping up all over the place. If I could avoid P-words in this review, I would. Just try it, when describing this show especially—it’s damn near impossible. Gah!

Anyway, Patty Picker is a blast!

Patty Picker
@ Toronto Fringe Festival
running July 3 to 14, 2024
St. Volodymyr Institute (620 Spadina Ave)
running time: 50 minutes