Saturday, November 24, 2018

The Mighty Hicks returns (and he's excellent)



This past television season, one of the things I looked forward to as I watched “Detroiters” – the weekly sitcom created by Detroit improv favorites Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson – was to see which familiar faces would show up in each episode. Other than the very funny Mort Crim – yes, he showed a side of himself local TV news viewers never knew existed - one face appeared more than any other, that of improviser Quintin Hicks. I’ve been a fan of his work, if my aging memory is correct, since his days with The Second City, and to see him behind the bar interacting with his old pals at their favorite watering hole always brought a smile to my face. And a wish: that he’d return to the stage with yet another follow-up to “Fish Dinner,” his 2011 original show at Planet Ant Theatre that earned both him and director Dave Davies a Wilde Award for their efforts.

In his review of the production, critic John Quinn wrote, “'Fish Dinner' is a series of monologues by oddball characters sprung from Hicks’s fertile imagination. But don’t be surprised if you run across someone you know. The characters may be over the top, but they’re firmly anchored in reality. The individuality Hicks brings to his ‘cast’ is deeper than just changing a costume or donning a wig. The characters take on a life of their own as the actor disappears – one of the best of experiences for audience and performer alike. It’s one of the hallmarks of the genre.”

After seeing the production myself, I whole-heartedly agreed with his assessment.

Sequels followed in 2013 and 2016, and when I heard that a fourth was on the drawing board, I was thrilled. And so what did I think of “Fish Dinner 4: Thanksgiving” that I attended this past Friday night at the Ant’s Black Box Theatre?

Damn, Hicks knows how to serve a tasty evening of live theater!

Quintin Hicks. Photo courtesy of Planet Ant
Just like its predecessors, “Fish Dinner 4” is a series of monologues delivered by what initially appear to be random, quirky characters. But as the production flows along, the genius of Hicks’ creativity begins to shine, as a detailed tapestry of seemingly unrelated people, objects and events weave together to create an interconnected whole. Nothing happens by mere chance; every action and every character is but part of a much bigger, more beautiful picture – even that of a squirrel in search of its next meal.

What’s more, favorite characters from past shows make return visits, as Hicks grows, expands, updates and possibly concludes their stories (although I suspect aging wrestler The Mighty Quinn could make a come-back at some point).

And because of how carefully Hicks constructs his characters, the audience comes to care about them. We can identify with them, or laugh with them (and never at them). As critic Quinn said, Hicks thrives at creating life’s oddball characters, but he imbues them with heart, dignity and wisdom. And he does so with a gentleness that proves how much he loves and respects them.

As a result, the audience does, too!

Not all of the show is scripted, however. Part of the charm of the “Fish Dinner” series is how Hicks relates to and interacts with his audience – right from the very start. With a wealth of improv experience, Hicks is quite at home talking directly to individuals in the audience and coaxing them into participating in a scene. And because anything can happen under such circumstances – and generally will – Hicks is adept at “going with the flow” and seeing where the interactions take him. These are often among the highlights of the performance.

The Bottom Line: So while I absolutely loved every minute of “Fish Dinner 4” – including the appearance of the angelic Mikey Brown in once scene and video cameos of other familiar faces in another – I left with one regret. Rumors say that this is the last in the “Fish Dinner” series. I, for one, certainly hope not, as each and every visit is a warm reminder of how one uber-creative artist, one insightful director and a team of talented technicians can create such a unique and charming world the likes of which we rarely see.

Therefore, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Hicks and Davies will return yet again to serve us another scrumptious meal – this time including my favorite character of all, the Bear! (I just had to work that in there, Quintin!)

Unfortunately, “Fish Dinner 4: Thanksgiving” closes Saturday, Nov. 24. The production is the second of two shows on the schedule. The other is “Quickening,” an original comedy about the secret behind Detroit’s most famous mortgage company. Show details can be found HERE: