Joining the family business is daunting for any young person, even more so if that involves writing songs, booking studio time, and touring…because your parents are in a band together. Rose Napoli and Suzy Wilde’s After the Rain, expertly directed by Marie Farsi, delves deep into family, passion, art, and music through the eyes of Suzie, a young musician caught between blazing her own trail and following that of her rock-star parents. Immersive, engrossing, and heartrending, After the Rain will leave you tapping your toes and humming a tune long after you leave the theatre.

Evans Stone has been rocking for decades, with couple Jean Stone and Ashely Evans at the helm. Their daughter, Suzie Evans Stone has been around the band as long as she can remember. When her father gets an unexpected email during a sound check, Suzie doesn’t expect that it’s her life that’s about to be changed forever. The email is from a woman named Donna, who’s looking to start piano lessons. Suzie takes over these lessons for her Dad, all while balancing band life and her stupid, but hot, boyfriend. When the idea of going to university comes up, Suzie’s not sure what do to: the band just got a green light for a new album and they want her as their new face, but school could open up a world of possibilities for her. In finding her way between these two families, can Suzie also find her own voice?

There are moments in the theatre that just hit differently; where you’re suddenly aware of the magic that’s happening all around you. During the first act of After the Rain, Evans Stone is playing a concert, so Ashley does the usual sort of “hey folks! How’s everyone doing tonight?” thing, and it felt like everyone in the theatre cheered. We were no longer in the Tarragon Theatre’s Mainspace, we were a screaming crowd of fans in whatever corporate sponsored stadium Ashely mentions. That’s the magic of theatre; it’s having the space to forget about who and where we are and loose ourselves in the story. After the Rain does this beautifully, while then pulling us back into reality with the most delightful surprise during the show’s final number. And don’t forget to get your Evans Stone merch on while you’re there! There are T-shirts and tote bags for sale in the lobby for a band which technically doesn’t exist; it doesn’t get much better than that.

This is, in part, due to the diegetic nature of the show: the characters are actively aware that they’re making music. The songs therefore function entirely differently in the story. Rather than being like the golden age of Broadway where everyone is singing about their feelings seemingly out of thin air, these songs are being recorded, written, or performed by the characters and they’re aware it’s happening. Yet they still have a way to move the plot forward; you watch as the band members interact with each other and the tension visibly changes or how Suzie’s performance at Donna’s wedding means so much to their family (not to mention had me sobbing). After the Rain is a perfect blend of Napoli’s witty and snappy dialogue with the heartwarming and moving songs written by Wilde.

Annika Tupper stars as Suzie Evans Stone. Her charismatic delivery and powerful singing voice dazzle us throughout the play. Andrew Penner and Deborah Hay play both Suzie’s parents Ashley and Jean as well as Frank and Donna, the couple Suzie befriends through the piano lessons. These are such polar opposite characters, and it’s amazing watching them both change from these cool rockers to polite and subdued wealthy folks. The tension between Ashely and Jean is in constant flux, and watching that play out through their musical performances is like watching a masterclass. Shaemus Swets plays Julian, Frank and Donna’s son. Swets gives a nuanced performance; his is certainly a name I’ll be watching out for in future. Rounding out the band are Joe “Jojo” Bowden on drums as JD Kunkel (which is a great name; I initially assumed it just meant cool uncle) and Brandon McGibbon on guitar as Mickey Mintz (another fabulous character name).

This stellar cast performs on one of the most interesting sets I’ve seen at Tarragon Theatre courtesy of set designer David Boechler. This in-the-round set has a huge platform in the middle, with keyboards taking up two sides and stairs on the other two. The top as a weathered look reminiscent of a well-worn stage, but with plenty of fun mechanics built in the underneath as well. The exposed-brick style wall pieces give the feeling of being in an old pub or funky loft style studio. Ming Wong’s costumes are, as usual, so perfectly suited to the characters that it feels like they’re lived in. Logan Raju Cracknell’s lighting design is beautiful, easily transporting us from venue to venue along with the story and truly giving the theatre the rock and roll treatment.

After the Rain had me crying, a couple of times actually: one happy, one sad. But it also had me dancing in my seat and still humming its haunting melody as I drove home. My only hope is that there’ll be a cast recording of this wildly entertaining show which I can add to my ever-growing vinyl collection. If you’re ready for a rocking good night at the theatre, After the Rain is will knock your socks off!

After the Rain runs at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace until June 22. For more information and tickets, visit: https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/current-season/after-the-rain/

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Cover Photo: Brandon McGibbon, Joe “JoJo” Bowden, Annika Tupper, Andrew Penner, Deborah Hay. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

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