There are few things as glorious as the smells and tastes of a hot dog cart in a big city. As long as you’re the tourist or passer-by getting to enjoy the aroma; for the person working the cart, every day is an opportunity to be robbed or kicked off of your (technically illegal) corner, but also to meet new people, and build bonds with the unhoused folks around you. Charlie Petch discuses all this, and so much more, in their world premiere production of No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart. Directed by Autumn Smith, No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart is a thought-provoking, passionate piece about the realities some of our most vulnerable citizens face and how life lessons can come from the most unsuspecting places.

No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart traces a path through Petch’s life from teenage hot dog cart vendor, through their time in the healthcare system and how those late nights with the grill sizzling and people chatting helped them through everything that followed. After their days as a Hot Dog Vendor, they become a 911 Operator, and that’s where they learn a good deal of the de-escalation techniques which carry them through their life. They also talk about their time as an ER desk clerk, which seems like the worst gig ever until you find out that they later became a hospital bed allocator. I cannot fathom doing any of those jobs; I simply don’t have the constitution for it. Throughout these stories, we go back to the hot dog cart, either at Yonge and Dundas or Church and Gerrard, and see how the events they experienced at the hot dog cart informed and illuminated the rest of their life’s journey.

An interesting element which I wasn’t expecting was the musical moments in the production. Petch would use a loop machine to help create the background music to a song or poem for the story, or to help create the overwhelming cacophony of noises which would often accompany their days at the cart. Bringing both light and dark moments to the production, it also helps display the dazzling multi-faceted talents of our storyteller.

Joel Richardson’s set design for this production is spot-on; from the street signs to the condiments on the outside of the hot dog cart (no corn relish though), the audience is immediately familiar with the setting we’re presented with. The heaps of garbage cans and boxes out for recycling solidify our urban setting; I think we’ve all ventured downtown on garbage day and encountered a very similar scene. It allowed Petch to have plenty of space to tell their story, while also grounding it here in Toronto very firmly.

Petch’s performance is captivating; their stage presence and cadence make for an entertaining experience. They share with us so many important moments in their lives, not shying away from the realities they’ve faced either. Their honesty and passion are seen in every moment of their performance. I really enjoyed the poetry pieces they shared throughout the show; they not only display another facet of their immense talent, but they add another level to this already moving piece.

No One’s Special at the Hod Dog Cart will leave you thinking differently about the world around you…and you’ll probably be a little hungry too. Charlie Petch’s unique voice and story make this a production I know will stick with me for a long time. With all of the performances being relaxed environments, everyone is truly welcome to the hot dog cart. Running at Theatre Passe Muraille’s Mainspace until March 23rd, and then continuing on to Publi Energy Performing Arts in Peterborough in April! For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.passemuraille.ca/hotdog/

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Cover Photo: Charlie Petch. Photo by Nika Belianina

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