Set on a soon-to-be-gentrified city street, the show opens with the crushing news that Joe and his dog, Mister, are about to lose their home to the looming shadow of condo development. To the astonishment of his neighbours, Joe remains unfazed by this news, embracing the chaos with quiet resolve. Unmoved by their pleas for a plan, he is steadfast in his pursuit to savor his final days, undeterred by the looming uncertainty around him.

Joe’s day unfolds in a whirlwind of unexpected encounters and vivid memories—reminiscing on his fading neighbourhood, crossing paths with Jesus and Santa Claus in a gay bar, watching a troupe of homeless actors perform in a makeshift theatre, and navigating a series of strange, yet oddly meaningful, moments.

Ronnie Burkett’s ability to manoeuvre multiple puppets simultaneously blurs the line between artifice and reality, crafting moments of intimacy and conversation that almost feel tangible. Through it all, Burkett invites the audience to reflect on the fragility of place, the passage of time, and the quiet strength found in the face of change. The show resonates with a tender and chaotic energy, instilling that sometimes the most powerful acts of rebellion are the simplest ones: living fully in the moment, no matter the consequences.

Wonderful Joe runs until Feb. 23 at the Historic Theatre (The Cultch)

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