SATIRICAL SOAP OPERAS AND SUPERHERO STATUES
Sam Singh laughs when I tell him his idea’s a little crazy. Yet his points line up nicely as he pitches a life-size Wolverine statue, which he hopes to have nestled into Fort McMurray — a long-clawed tribute to northern resilience.
Tuesday night, at PechaKucha, he did the same.
“After the wildfire in Fort McMurray,” he explains, “like most Albertans I wanted to think of something to do that could contribute to the community. After the economy collapsed and with the wildfire, it really felt like Fort McMurray got a kick in the teeth.”
Singh, who works for EndPovertyEdmonton, notes, “I like to do things creatively and try new things that build community.”
The 40-year-old reached out to Brian LaBelle, who petitioned for a Wolverine statue in Edmonton a few years back.
Says Singh, “I thought about how the Wolverine statue idea got some traction here in Edmonton … but to be honest, I think the reason it didn’t fly is Edmonton isn’t really northern Alberta.”
First appearing in the pages of The Incredible Hulk back in 1974, the clawed and ferocious Marvel character has become a global icon, portrayed by Hugh Jackman in nine of the 10 Hollywood X-Men films.
An anti-hero with a scarred sense of justice, Wolverine’s Tinder profile might include that he’s got an almost indestructible Adamantium skeleton and remarkably fast healing powers. One can see how Singh might draw a few positive metaphors out of the character.
Wolverine, a long-lived mutant, was also born in northern Alberta in the late 1880s.
“Our family has some property up in Fort McMurray,” says Singh, “and the last time I went I saw there actually is a Wolverine Drive in the city. At the foot of it is a park — so it could be perfect.”
Asked if Wolverine had an impact on him growing up, Singh laughs, “I’m more of a Batman guy.”
But as a symbol Wolverine fits much better than a billionaire orphan who beats up mentally ill circus freaks, and Singh and LaBelle have put together a crowdfunding campaign for the statue, hoping to raise $85,000.
“What really inspired me was that in Detroit, they just crowdfunded the statue of RoboCop.” We also note the Rocky Balboa statue in Philadelphia, the Superman monument in Metropolis, Ill., and a Captain America in Brooklyn.
Back to RoboCop, “In terms of copyright, (the crowdfunders) contacted MGM Studios, and they said as long as it was a nonprofit initiative and no one was financially benefiting from it, they’re OK with it.”
Singh hasn’t gotten in touch with Disney yet, who owns the Marvel licences. “My thinking is it’s better to beg for forgiveness, then ask for permission. My hope is we can raise the money first, then go to Marvel and Disney and make the case. The campaign is now live on Indiegogo.
“Yes, he’s from there, but there’s also the goodwill aspect. Fort McMurray is the economic engine of the province, but it’s seen some hard times. Here’s a great way to make not only a pop culture statement, but reach out to a community who could use some encouragement.”
This spring, Singh met with Arts Council Wood Buffalo. This included a conversation about the recent, hyper-violent final chapter for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Logan.
“The Wolverine we want to try and emulate is the one that’s in the kids’ cartoons,” says Singh, favouring the original yellow costume.
“He’s not a huge guy like a lot of superheroes, maybe 5-foot-6, but something life-size. It has to be designed so kids can play around it and not lose an eye. Something you can slip into a sports jersey whenever there’s an Alberta team in the playoffs.”
As far as finding the artist goes, he’s hoping, “I don’t see why we can’t design, build and mount the statue with all Alberta-made talent, artists and labour.”
Sound good to you, bub?
Mark Meer is playing Dr. Rex Roquefort in this season’s DieNasty, which opened Monday over at Varscona Theatre. This year, the live, improvised soap opera is riffing off its ultimate source — nighttime TV’s Dynasty — for its vibe.
Set in 1983 Calgary, Ralph Klein is mayor, Peter Lougheed is premier and, explains Meer, the “most powerful family in Cowtown is the Roquefort clan,” who own “the country’s leading petroleum byproducts concern.” They are challenged — nice wink to SCTV — by Camembert & Co., and the rivalry centres on Chaz Roquefort, played by Tom Edwards, and Beef Camembert — Peter Brown’s role.
As Meer explains the backdrop, imagine his deepest network announcer voice: “With Chaz in Edmonton on business, his soonto-be-newest-wife Jewel (Stephanie Wolfe) finds herself amid his feuding family and scheming employees, including executive assistant Amber Stilton (Belinda Cornish), who clearly has her own agenda.
“Meanwhile, her Camembert counterpart, Beef ’s wife Ginny (Sheri Somerville), wrestles with alcoholism, denial and denial of alcoholism.
“Chaz Roquefort has two sons — but his eldest, Dr. Rex Roquefort, turned his back on the family business and fortune long ago, refusing any more money than was absolutely necessary to pay for 15-plus years of medical school. Now, he provides probono plastic surgery to the poor and homeless of Calgary from a free clinic in Bow Ness, while still living in the mansion rent-free. This has left second son Dax Roquefort (Jesse Gervais) as the heir apparent to the Roquefort dynasty — though that hasn’t reduced the size of the chip on his shoulder. He is a man with something to prove — he just bought the Calgary Flames and is currently planning construction of the Saddledome with his assistant Clay Manchego (Jason Hardwick) and hotshot architect Jason Waterfalls (Matt Alden).
“The families are, of course, attended by loyal servants, including housemaid Matilda Marble (Delia Barnett), who studies rocket science in her off-hours, and chauffeur-bodyguard Colt Maloney (Wayne Jones). Colt’s identical twin brother, Pony Maloney (also Wayne Jones), serves as driver and security for the Camembert household.
“This leads to understandable friction between the siblings, both of whom are former stars of Stampede Wrestling. Also employed by the Roqueforts is shirtless groundsman Chester Gartner (Vincent Forcier), who tends the bushes, and stokes the passions of all who watch him at work.
Meer notes on Monday night, “after being refused additional funds for his free clinic by his brother Dax, Dr. Rex Roquefort took his case to his father’s arch-enemy. Beef Camembert absolutely leaped at the chance to tarnish the reputation of his rival, and promised Rex the money after securing a comatose Ginny’s vote.
“The wrath of Chaz Roquefort is not to be trifled with — whose heads will roll next week? And on the cusp of her marriage, Jewel may be having second thoughts. Her doubts are being stoked by Amber Stilton’s veiled warnings … or are they threats? Or just insults?”
Weaving through the lives of oilmen, architects and former Stampede Wrestlers in a wry look at how we came to be where we are today as a province, this year’s season looks like a hoot.
Die-Nasty plays every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Varscona Theatre (10329 83 Ave.), excluding Christmas and New Year’s Day coming up. Tickets are $18, $13 for members, at the door.