Stuff is a great word; it can mean many different things, yet all of them are so clearly understood with just one word – stuff. And stuff, in all of its many forms, is what Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus are here to talk about in their new play Big Stuff. Produced in association with Crow’s Theatre and directed by their co-creator Kat Sandler, Big Stuff looks at the physical and emotional baggage we all carry, particularly after the loss of people we love. 

Big Stuff is a partially scripted, partially improvised and all around brilliant piece of theatre which incorporates the audience’s own stuff along with Matt and Naomi’s. Upon arrival to the theatre, there are little cards and pens sitting on everyone’s chairs, asking you to write down an item which reminds you of a loved one. Naomi and Matt come around before the show begins to chat with the audience and collect these cards which will be used throughout the performance. But the interaction doesn’t stop there; when they’ve chosen one of the cards at random to use in the story, they’ll ask that person about the item and the loved one it belongs to, and often later refer to those items in other improv bits. This personal touch to the production really strikes a chord with the audience; I heard so many people commenting on it as we were leaving the theatre. 

The story is rooted in Matt and Naomi having to deal with their parents stuff; they found themselves losing their last parent during the pandemic and suddenly they were left with the things from four different people’s lives. They drive the majority of these objects all the way from LA to Toronto in a UHaul – a daunting task to be sure. But then the discussion turns to what to keep and what to give away. Like me, Naomi is sentimental and these objects hold great meaning for her, even if they have 7 toasters and don’t eat bread. My fiancé is like Matt, he’s willing to just let things go without issue, happily donating or tossing whatever doesn’t serve a current purpose. It was delightful to see how many “Naomis” versus “Matts” there were in the audience. I got several nudges from my fiancé when things in the play were hitting close to our own discussions whilst cleaning our condo. 

Michelle Tracey’s set design was just how I imagined it and better! The Studio Theatre is filled with boxes, each one containing items which remind Matt and Naomi of their own loved ones. These boxes are beautifully lit inside and make for a stunning backdrop for the production. Tim Lindsay’s sound design was also exceptionally on point; the song choices made me laugh out loud several times. And I loved how they were able to use the record player on stage as well!

As much as the heat of the play is very emotionally charged, Baram and Snieckus bring their intelligent and witty brand of humour to this play as well. Their chemistry together is electric, and you can feel right away the genuine connection they have as a married couple. Their improv skills are top notch, which isn’t a shock from two Second City grads! But I definitely laughed as much as I cried (which was a lot), and the balance beautifully mirrors that of life and the stories we tell about our lives. 

The final moments of this play are unlike anything I’ve experienced. The level of catharsis that occurs in that room is unreal; you can feel everyone collectively remembering, grieving, and holding our loved ones in our hearts. Loss is the worst part about the human experience, and yet it is the most universal part of it as well. It connects us together in grief and sadness, but it’s one of the most difficult things to endure. To hear that everyone around you has a name, or in many cases I’m sure many names, of loved ones they still hold dear is a heartrending reminder of the ways in which we suffer together, often in silence. It makes a room of strangers suddenly a group of friends, including the two fabulous performers who have lead us on this journey. 

Big Stuff is at the Studio Theatre at Streetcar Crow’s Nest until December 8. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/big-stuff

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Cover photo: Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

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