Chris Grace and Eric Michaud invite Boston theatergoers to find humor in the darkness with "Sardines (a comedy about death)." The play which has recently graced the stages of the Maso Studio at The Huntington Theatre, opened its doors on September 30 and will continue to chuckle at mortality until November 16, as per the details from Huntington Theatre.
In his quest to "laugh at the tragedies," Chris Grace—an actor known for his role on the TV show "Superstore" and origins in stand-up—presents a personal and poignant narrative. Chris shared with CBS News Boston, "I'm always trying to say things that are true. And I think that if you try to say things that are true, you end up saying things that are funny." To say it straight, the director and Chris' husband, Eric Michaud elaborated on the simple math of comedy as "tragedy plus time" and the relief that follows when one is able to laugh through it all. What might come off as a bold experiment has seemingly proven to deeply resonate with audiences — Eric Michaud remarked the show possesses "a universality to the experiences."
Reflecting a journey that started at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, "Sardines" brings its poignant sass stateside. Tackling life's terminal guarantees and the potential catharsis in creativity, the show also humorously interrogates pop culture with quips like, why indeed does Rihanna's music have to stop? This synthesis of playful banter and existential musings has crafted "Sardines" into an insightful and laugh-out-loud experience. Chris Grace, with his background in stand-up, relishes "connecting directly to people with eye contact," a sentiment captured in his interview with CBS News Boston.
Eric Michaud, speaking to his experience while directing the show, told CBS News Boston, "It was very eye-opening and a little challenging to hear kind of your own story parroted back to you, but it's become easier over the process of this." He also pointed out the silver lining in finding humor amidst life’s horrors as a transformative gift. Chris similarly aims to hearten people, indicating that the hardships he's faced have ultimately fortified him and that others, to, can find strength in their tribulations.
As the final curtains draw near, whether you've had your own brush with the reaper or simply enjoy a light-hearted take on life's heaviest topics, "Sardines" might just have you leaving the theater with a fresh perspective. To catch the show before its run concludes, visit the Huntington Theatre's Maso Studio page for more information and tickets.
