Bruce Horak as Cancer

Credit: Helianthus Photography

This is Great Theatre

An examination of This Is Cancer?

Let’s face it, the idea of spending time in a small, dark room with cancer doesn’t sound super appealing—particularly for folks who may have already done so in their lives. But if you’re humming and hawing about whether or not to go see This Is Cancer? at the Intrepid Theatre Club, I’m here to tell you something: just go. Yes, it’s a tough topic and yes, it might hit close to home, but Bruce Horak’s one-man show about the deadly disease is funny, (mostly) tasteful and always thought-provoking.

The premise is this: Cancer has decided to embark on a cross-country cabaret tour, complete with live band and lovely assistant, as a way of saying thanks to his “adoring” public. (Hey, if people didn’t love Cancer, why would they raise money in his name or devote over 200 million websites to him, right?) But, not surprisingly, Cancer’s song-and-dance routine doesn’t last long, and soon Cancer and his audience embark on an exploration of loss, acceptance and remembrance.

Horak, who stars in and co-wrote the show, is a cancer survivor himself, and his first-hand experience has helped him craft a show that balances between pushing the envelope and remaining in good taste. His Cancer character is naïve, charming and, despite the havoc he’s wreaked on millions of lives, totally likable. He’s also not afraid to get his audience involved, so don’t be surprised if you get called on. Indeed, This Is Cancer? can be an intense experience, and there are a few moments where you wonder just what is going to happen next. Still, there are a lot of laughs and the end result is uplifting. The addition of the live band (called the Inoperables) and musical numbers help break things up a bit too, and add a further element of bizarre into this already odd show. Plus, the Intrepid Theatre Club’s intimate space makes it that much better. If you come out of the 70-minute show wanting more insight (or you have something to share), Horak hosts a brief Q&A session afterwards that is well worth sticking around for.

If you’re still apprehensive about the show, go to intrepidtheatre.com and check out the This Is Cancer? trailer, which answers a lot of questions but doesn’t spoil any surprises. But for myself, I had no idea watching a grown man singing and dancing in a shiny yellow unitard could be such a touching, emotional and life-affirming experience.

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This Is Cancer?
8pm Thurs.-Sat., March 12-14
3pm matinee Wed., March 11
Intrepid Theatre Club, 1609 Blanshard
Tickets $15+$2 ITC membership
250-383-2663 • intrepidtheatre.com