Gerry Dee’s Comedy Confronts the Cold

Review by Kyle Poluyko, Photos by Iconic ImagesA bitter wind-chill wasn’t enough to keep a warm and fervent crowd from the Thunder BayCommunity Auditorium where comedian and star of CBC’s Mr. D, Gerry Dee, brought The RealMr. D Comedy Tour Sunday evening. Engaging and often interactive, Dee had his audience inhysterics with trademark observations about his past teaching career, anecdotes about his wifeand three kids, thoughts on Thunder Bay’s NHL dynasty and, of course, the cold. Opening for Dee was Graham Chittenden, an outstanding comic (and writer on Dee’s TV show)with an energy and exuberance to match the anticipation of the audience. Chittenden, as Deewould later, addressed the temperatures outside with hearty mocking of Thunder Bay-ites. “Youknow there’s more Ontario below you, right?” he playfully taunted to earnest roars from thecrowd. Expressing his frustrations with Home Depot and renovations, Chittenden laid out anuproarious format for his own design show that would forever alter the F in “Fix This House.”Graham Chittenden’s singular comedic talents are worthy of a headlining return to Thunder Bay. As has been said before, Dee is a gracious comedian. He respects his audience which bringstruth to his comedy and draws in the returning congregation. Audience members relate to thattruth and aren’t afraid to put up their hand when Dee calls on them, knowing they may becomethe butt of the joke before he brings it back around on himself. Dee also acknowledged that healways seems to arrive during a Thunder Bay winter. “If you want to see him again,” Chittendenremarked, “You’re gonna have to move.” Gerry Dee’s outstanding return engagement at theCommunity Auditorium Sunday night was a side-splitting thaw for a responsive and thankfulaudience.