When Theatre Calgary opens a world premiere, there’s always a kind of electricity in the air. But The Tale of the Gifted Prince, running Feb. 14 to March 15, is extra special. The show over a decade in the making features a cross‑continental team of artists, and an all‑Asian cast rarely seen on a major Canadian stage.
The new musical, created by Lezlie Wade and Daniel Green, adapts Lloyd Alexander’s The Remarkable Journey of Prince Ren, placing its young hero in a kingdom on the brink of rebellion. Prince Ren sets out on a journey armed with five humble gifts, each holding a power he doesn’t yet understand. It’s a story about discovery, courage, and the transformative magic of the ordinary.
Artistic director Stafford Arima says developing new work is core to Theatre Calgary’s identity, and is supported by subscribers.
“Every time we commit to a world premiere, we are saying ‘yes’ to possibility, ‘yes,’ to risk, ‘yes’ to the patient process of helping an idea grow into something that can stand on its own in the world,” he says. “This musical arrives on our stage as a world premiere, and with it comes all the electricity and promise that only a first production can offer.”
The production is also unique in who it features on stage. With an all‑Asian cast from across Canada and the U.S. Actors from Calgary, Toronto, New York, and beyond have assembled to fill out the roster.
From the home front is familiar player Kelsey Verzotti who appeared in Legally Blonde last season at Theatre Calgary for which she won a Betty Mitchell Award. In The Tale of the Gifted Prince she plays Zhi Hao, the companion of Prince Ren.
“Having an all‑Asian cast is something that is so special to all of us… we’re just bonding over food. One of our castmates was like ‘It is so rare that I can bring a bowl of kimchi and not have to explain myself,’” she said with a laugh.
For Arima, that representation is part of a much larger artistic vision. He says the company has spent eight years nurturing audiences toward embracing new titles, and those audiences have begun to understand the thrill of being “the very first” to witness a new work come to life.
The Tale of the Gifted Prince has 16 cast members, a full pit orchestra, massive set pieces, projections, puppetry, and choreography.
The spectacular elaborate set includes a revolve, and elevator, flying pieces, and remarkable puppetry has become a character of its own. Verzotti describes it as “a beautiful playground.”
The Tale of the Gifted Prince runs until March 15 at the Max Bell Theatre.
Tickets can be found here.