The Tale of the Gifted Prince

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – The Tale of the Gifted Prince

Playwright/composer Book and lyrics by Lezlie Wade, Music by Daniel Green based on the novel The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen by Lloyd Alexander.

Production Company/Theatre space – (professional) Theatre Calgary in partnership with Somerled Arts / Max Bell Theatre, Werklund Centre.

Length – 2 Acts, 2 hours, 50 mins. (one intermission)

Genre/s – Fantasy, adventure, romance.

Premise – A prince, hoping to prove himself to his father the king, undertakes a journey to protect the kingdom from the rebels, with seemly useless (but magical) items and meets a cast of characters who help him defeat the rebel leader.

Why this play? Why now? – A fairytale hoping to muscle in on the Disney musical space.

Curiosities – Why does the woman have to fall in the jungle and get captured? In today’s zeitgeist, aren’t the rebels the good guys? How many contributed to this? Over 200? 300?

Notable Moment – The girl as she soars with the birds.

Notable writing – It cannot be overstated how difficult it is to bring a new musical of this scale to life. All great art stands on the shoulders of those who blazed the trails before. This epic story is told by a narrator who shapeshifts while storytelling. The story is a classical “hero takes an journey and has adventures” and there’s a reason this is done so often – it works. The songs comprise simple rhyming couplets that border new but somehow familiar lyrics. The music has been well crafted and again gives illusions to other Broadway musical numbers like Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George number which is echoed in the Life into Art number. Wade and Green are to be congratulated for their heroic journey in taking this show from concept to the magnificent premiere. May it have the dancing legs to continue on its journey to successful international productions.

Notable performances – It’s a strong cast. From Broadway, Julius Sermonia, is exquisite in his role as the leader of the rebels. Making a successful Canadian debut in the titular role, Kennedy Kanagawa is more than up to the task as the hero. Women actors (amongst others) Ma-Anne Dionisio as the narrator and love interest Kelsey Verzotti both strong and compelling performers. Comic relief is provided by thief Nikko Angelo Hinayo and rebel side kick Kodie Rollan.

Notable design/Production – Green Fools eclipse the much-used Old Trout with their use of puppets, especially as the horse and tiger. Designers for set, lights and costumes (Beyata Hackborn, Sophie Tang, and Jessica Poirier-Chang) should come on for the curtain call to get their share of the standing ovation. It’s a lavish jewel box of a musical.

Notable direction – Darren Lee who has been with the project for eight years should start reinforcing his shelf so that it supports the weight of the new trophies he will accrue.

One reason to see this show – It’s a triumph!