"Theatre on the Ridge kicks off their summer season with a snappy, poignant and hilarious play, impeccably performed and thoughtfully staged by Artistic Director Carey Nicholson."

Despite a cool evening in Scugog Township, Theatre on the Ridge launched its 2025 season with one hot production, its vacation theme particularly apropos as summer holidays for many of us are just around the corner.

“Two Minutes to Midnight” is a deep dive into the dysfunctional relationship of a young couple on a not-so-perfect vacation at a no-name tropical resort while an inbound nuclear missile seems likely to end it all for them and everyone else in the southern hemisphere. Playwright Michael Ross Albert’s astute and thought-provoking premise serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of human connection in our distracted daily lives and wryly considers the questions of what’s important as the nuclear clock ticks down?

We follow twenty-something couple Jack (Adrian Marchesano) and Tracy (Karly Friesen) as they breathlessly arrive in their room after madly searching for each other amidst a warning of atomic annihilation. What follows is 90-minutes of bickering, quarrel and discovery, fuelled by panic, fear and confusion. There’s also lots of humour. It seems time’s up for the human race as this terrified twosome soon expose the cracks in their tenuous relationship.

Jack is a piddling social influencer looking for a big sponsorship deal by posting resort reviews on his multiple feeds. Tracy’s an average liberal Gen Z champion of social justice with an Instagram presence eclipsing Jack’s. Her Instagram infographics are getting more online buzz and Jack is having a problem with that. Are they really all that different?

The resort setting and Albert’s rapid-fire dialogue feels like a rom-com and mystery/intrigue thriller a la TVs “White Lotus”. Can Jack and Tracy come to terms with their differences as young adults? Can they reconcile their love for each other and social media? Will their next post be their last?

Dynamically staged in the round with bare-bones props, director Nicholson takes full advantage of the entire playing space, onstage and off. She skillfully keeps the action at full tilt, playing her actors to all sides of the audience while keeping the comedy from slipping into slapstick. The stage has no walls or barriers, allowing Jack and Tracy to come and go in any direction, which also exposes the vulnerability of their relationship and apparent hopelessness of their immediate future. The stakes in Jack and Tracy’s relationship are high from the get-go and Nicholson nimbly dissects their doubts, insecurities, hopes, suspicions and motives, keeping their emotions real, relatable, and relevant. Frantic arguments (there are plenty) are voltaic while moments of quiet intimacy are sublime and authentic.

To recognize the humour in Michael Ross Albert’s writing requires high energy actors with immaculate timing capable of thoroughly engaging us for an hour and a half. Along with Nicholson’s solid direction, Karly Friesen and Adrian Marchesano are two more reasons to see the show. They’ve both been featured members of TOTR’s company for the past few seasons and have always been delightful to watch. Their performances here are simply outstanding, proving they can carry this two-hander with focus, authenticity and undeniable chemistry. They command the stage, clad only in swimsuits and beachwear. Talk about vulnerability! They are remarkably in-tune with each other, intentional in their body language, never moving without purpose.

As Jack, Marchesano is boisterous and excitable yet his subtly and nuanced expressions reveal a man thinking up his next big scheme. He’s never defeated, despite the gravity of their ominous situation. Friesen as Tracy presents a partner of equal complexity. She is understandably excitable, even neurotic, but also rational and mature. Together, they are a force and gorge on each other’s energy.

Nicholson has helmed a wonderful kick start to the summer season featuring two of its finest young talents. “Two Minutes to Midnight” is a captivating start to the season in this year of political climate change. It’s a very funny, very human, roller-coaster ride of emotions proving that not even paradise can be sheltered from the end of the world. Yet despite its calamitous premise, the play is chaotic, satirical, sportive, and surprisingly hopeful.

A relevant, engaging script, excellent venue and dynamite performances make this production a must see!

Running time: approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

‘Two Minutes to Midnight’ runs until June 27 at Scugog Shores Museum Village, 16210 Island Road, Port Perry. For tickets email: boxoffice@theatreontheridge.ca or visit TWO MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT via ThunderTix

THEATRE ON THE RIDGE presents
TWO MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT by Michael Albert Ross

Directed by Carey Nicholson
Stage Manager: Reid Martin
Intimacy Coordinator: Karly Friesen
Production and Set Design: Carey Nicholson and Company
Lighting Design: Michael Williamson
Sound Design: Lyle Corrigan
Costume Coordination: The Company
Technical Operator: Reid Martin
Props Construction: Ari Leroux and Carey Nicholson

Performers: Karley Friesen and Adrian Marchesano