Play Review: ‘Fully Committed’ at Teatro Live

One-man shows are hit or miss. The fate of the show rests on a single cast member to either deliver a great performance or sink the entire play. Thankfully, Teatro Live’s production of Fully Committed, directed by Farren Timoteo, is a hit. 

Andrew MacDonald-Smith stars as Sam, an aspiring actor whose day job is the reservation desk at a New York restaurant. The gig is far from glamorous, tucked away in the basement of the restaurant. Sam’s no-show coworker leaves him juggling three different phones on his own. 

MacDonald-Smith doesn’t only play Sam — he plays every character on the other side of the phone. He flips back and forth between characters in the blink of an eye. The play puts his range as an actor on full display. He manages to give each character — a prickly chef, a very gay assistant to a celebrity, an angry old lady — a life of their own. MacDonald-Smith transforms himself into each with a distinct voice and mannerisms. His physical comedy is perfection, and his timing is impeccable. There was never a lull or a misstep in the entire play. Somehow, they all feel fully fleshed out despite the single person playing them and the limited time the audience has with each. 

Sam doesn’t get lost in the shuffle either. The audience learns more about him as he takes personal calls and begins to scheme to get what he wants. In only 80 minutes, and who knows how many phone calls, he develops as a character. The audience sees him go from being exhausted, annoyed, and unhappy to asserting control over his life and getting what he wants.

MacDonald-Smith balances the hilarity of the play with its tenderness. The play was full of action and absurd scenarios, but wrapped up the story in a really touching way. 

The lighting and sound were on point. The tech crew didn’t miss a beat with the lighting or the sound of a phone ringing. A single misstep could have thrown the entire play off track, but the crew executed it perfectly. 

The set also gave the dingy basement of the restaurant so much life. It brought the audience straight into the story. And MacDonald-Smith put the space and props to use. He used the space and its furniture to shape the characters and the story incredibly well.

Altogether, the play is a hilarious and masterfully delivered story. MacDonald-Smith brought every character to life with humour and flair. His talent is undeniable. Fully Committed is a show you don’t want to miss. The play runs until June 21.