Ladies, James Gangl is looking for a girlfriend (sorry gents, this guy likes the V), and it's this search that is the crux of his remounted Fringe hit,
SEX, RELIGION & OTHER HANG-UPS.
The show is hilarious. Really funny. Once you get through Gangl's slighly awkward intro and get into the actual play, he lights up the stage and you really root for him.
Interesting side note: I found the show funny... but my boyfriend, raised Irish Catholic , found the show hysterical. I'm a Prodestant who doesn't know (or care) about the patron Saint of anything, but my BF does. My BF also knows what it's like to feel Catholic guilt for sexual encounters, to be a horny 20 year-old dude who can't get laid (sorry BF!), and to make awkward attempts at girl-love only to have them fail epicly.
This is a show for everyone (above the age of 18), but really for boys raised Catholic, or in any relgion where God is to be feared (ie. every religion available).
However, since the show seems to be one giant vessel to promote Gangl's professional AND personal life (he repeatedly asks the audience to recommend the show to their single friends), would I recommend him to date one of my single friends?
Answer: Unsure
Gangl is funny. Very funny, which is definitely attractive. He's quick to think on his feet, not afraid to laugh at himself, makes intelligent jokes (fart jokes can only go so far with most chicks. Or at least with this chick.). He's cute, clearly driven since he wrote and stars in the play himself, and seems to have a great relationship with his Mom (He "loves the hell out of her").
Drawback: In revealing himself so completely on stage (emotionally, not phyiscally), he doesn't leave a lot of the mystery that is so compelling at the beginning of a relationship. He almost makes himself too vulnerable too soon for a relationship, and thus invokes a power imbalance already, putting himself at the bottom.
Ex. If I wanted to date him, I already know about his emotional baggage, his sexual history, and how he learned to love himself; all positive things to know about a boyfriend, but just maybe not before he's your actual boyfriend.
But maybe it's a schtick. Maybe the facts are exaggerated for comedic effect, maybe he didn't spend as much time masterbating into hot towels as he claims and maybe his coming into his own (pun INtended) makes him the best, most giving, most wildest lover ever.
I guess you won't really find out 'til you date him. And you won't find out if you want to date him until you see the show. So, go and judge for yourself. Even if he isn't your Prince Charming, he's talented and really damn funny, and that seems like better odds than most first dates.
SEX, RELIGION & OTHER HANG-UPS is playing now until October 22 at the
Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Ave. ) mainspace. $25 Gen. Admission. Single Ladies: $15 (quote 'Single Ladies' when you book over the phone)
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