Rez Gas is a new hip-hop flavoured musical, receiving its world premiere production at the beautiful Capitol Theatre in Port Hope, by Cale Crowe and Genevieve Adam.

Erika doesn’t like musicals but I persuaded her to come with me to see it, largely because I value her perspective and yes we wanted a fun afternoon. Port Hope is roughly an hour away from our home in Scarborough. I am pleased to report that she loved it at least as much as I did, maybe more. I mention that because Rez Gas is unconventional, not like anything I’ve seen before. It doesn’t work in the usual ways a musical works. Composers don’t always know how to express the emotions Cale captured in the powerful little capsules throughout the show, sometimes as solos sometimes in exciting ensembles. I want to see the work done again, it deserves to be produced elsewhere. I wish they’d make a cast album, the music deserves to be heard.

Although there were lots of words being sung quickly, the cast enunciated clearly, aided by whoever set the levels sufficiently low that the band never overpowered them. I’m grateful even as I recognize the struggles that may take place behind the scenes before they find the right balance.

Over many decades, rap has articulated grievances, but it can be so much more. The music Cale composed captures much more than frustration or rage but also takes us through a broad range of emotions, from sad or sentimental, to optimism, romance, even joyful celebration. I was moved to tears more than once.

Cale & Genevieve should be proud of what they’ve created. In our recent interview Cale said “Genevieve often describes her part of this process as “midwifing” the story.”

Clearly Genevieve did a great job bringing that baby into this world.

A promo for the play I saw describes it this way:
After moving away from his home reservation to pursue a music career, Destin stumbles back into town with unexpected car trouble and lands at the Wide Wigwam diner. There he finds many of those who he left behind and who want to remind him of his history and his place in the community. 

Before Destin appears we discover the world of Rez Gas, hosted by Lucy (Nicole Joy-Fraser) who welcomes us into the Wide Wigwam.

And there’s also Nolan (Vinnie Alberto) who works for Lucy clearing tables & serving customers, but we will find out that Nolan is also an artist.

Destin (John Wamsley) comes in, unhappy to be stuck in the place where he started long ago, as the car has broken down. We meet Leon (Dillan Meighan Chiblow), whose complex history is entangled with Destin and Nolan.

Mackenzie (Emma Rudy) is the girl Destin met in the city, who teaches at a university and is riding with Destin. It’s actually her car that broke down.

The arrival of the outspoken Aurora (Michelle Bardach) complicates the plot, while the parts played by Jonathan Fisher also help add soulful depths to the story-telling.

Rez Gas is another impressive production in a smaller Ontario community, this time Port Hope. After the show, Erika and I enjoyed dinner at the Santorini, just a few doors away from the Capitol Theatre. Our matinee experience driving to Port Hope and enjoying our meal after a show in a vibrant downtown underlines the value of cultural investments like those of the Canada Council & Ontario Arts Council, helping to support and grow thriving communities. It’s ironic that a piece touted as “a world premiere musical about discovering home” should also function so well as a way to build a better home, meaning the Capitol Theatre and the downtown excitement we felt in our visit to Port Hope. It makes me want to go back again.

Rez Gas is more than just a fun theatre experience. It’s a moving piece with great tunes and a strong ensemble cast giving terrific performances. Rez Gas runs until September 7th. Click for info & tickets.