Theatre Calgary's World Premiere Musical Delights Audiences with Enchanting Tale
The Tale of the Gifted Prince, enjoying its world premiere at Theatre Calgary until March 15, has proven to be a genuine gift for theatergoers of all ages. This family-friendly musical production enchants, enthralls, and transports both adults and youngsters with its compelling narrative and vibrant performances.
A Captivating Journey of Self-Discovery
The musical follows Prince Ren, portrayed with remarkable accessibility by Kennedy Kanagawa, as he embarks on a crucial journey of self-discovery. With his father's mental and physical decline becoming increasingly evident, Ren must prove his worthiness to become king despite having only book knowledge about leadership. His ambitious song Save the Day reveals his confidence, but his lack of practical experience sends him seeking wisdom from a shaman.
Young audience members like 11-year-old Declan and 10-year-old Aidan remained completely mesmerized throughout the full 150-minute performance. Their eyes never left the stage as they became fully engaged with Ren's transformative quest.
Memorable Characters and Performances
Writers Lezlie Wade and Daniel Green skillfully lace the opening scenes with humor, while Kanagawa makes Ren so genuinely human that audiences naturally root for his success. The production features several standout performances that enhance the storytelling experience.
Ma-Anne Dionisio shines as the shapeshifting woman who serves as narrator for Ren's journey, bringing a winning combination of humor, cheekiness, and craftiness to the role. Julius Sermonia creates a memorably evil villain as Na Ta, leader of the Yellow Scarves rebels, whose menacing presence provides the powerful antagonist the story requires.
The talented cast demonstrates remarkable versatility as triple threats—singing, acting, and dancing with natural ease. Kelsey Verzotti brings real spunk to her role as Zhi Hao, the serving girl whose unlikely romance with Ren blossoms through the winning love duet Standing by Your Side.
Visual Spectacle and Emotional Depth
The production offers substantial visual delights that enhance both the story and performances. A life-sized horse puppet created by Green Fools Theatre captivated opening night audiences with its realistic appearance and movements, despite the visible operation by Daniel Fong. Later, a painting of a tiger comes to life through innovative puppetry techniques, while shadow puppets add another dimension to the visual storytelling.
Particularly moving moments include the transformation of a slain mother (Michelle Yu) into a bird angel descending from the ceiling, allowing her daughter (Olivia Yang) to become a kite and fly alongside her. This beautiful touch provided emotional relief for young audience members who had been heartbroken by the mother's earlier death at the hands of the villainous Na Ta.
Selina Wong brings frenetic energy to her role as the skittish village painter whose tiger image comes to life during the production's final scenes. Meanwhile, Kelvin Moon Loh demonstrates impressive versatility by seamlessly transitioning between four distinct characters, changing wigs, costumes, and personalities with evident enjoyment.
A Triumphant Theatrical Experience
The Tale of the Gifted Prince represents a significant achievement for Theatre Calgary, combining strong storytelling with exceptional performances and innovative stagecraft. The production successfully balances humor and heart, creating an engaging experience that resonates across generations. With its world premiere run continuing through mid-March, this musical offers Calgary audiences a rare opportunity to witness the birth of what promises to become a beloved theatrical work.
