Coming home isn’t always easy…especially if you didn’t say goodbye to your friends and family before going. But when Destin suddenly finds himself stranded on his old Rez, he can see how much, and how little, has changed. Rez Gas is a world premiere musical written by Cale Crowe and Genevieve Adams, and directed by Herbie Barns. Full of toe-tapping songs, a heartwarming story, and fantastic performances, Rez Gas is also the level of Canadiana we need right now.

When you enter the historic Capitol Theatre, you’re immediately thrust into a vintage-style diner. The sign above reads “Wide Wigwam Restaurant” with “Go Kart” and “Gas” on either side. It’s so perfectly small town; why have three separate spots when you can just have all three businesses in one building? The walls are covered in old snow shoes and paintings, as well as a series of ducks which include both a large and very small yellow rubber duck amongst the other larger models. Jung-Hye Kim’s set design gives perfect diner vibes with wood booths, stools along the counter, and condiment holders on each table. Yolonda Skelton’s costume design likewise embodies the characters in every detail: I loved Leon’s more rock aesthetic, especially compared to Destin’s more muted style and the diner uniforms worn by Nolan and Lucy. Mackenzie’s costume also immediately announces who she is and gives us some…stereotypical ideas of what she’s going to be like. The attention to detail in both the design and the writing is what makes Rez Gas the success that it is.

Destin and his girlfriend Mackenzie are on their way to a candle show (Mackenzie makes candles as a side hustle to her University teaching job) when their car suddenly dies just outside of a reservation. While they wait for a mechanic, Mackenzie heads into the Wide Wigwam for some food. It’s only when Destin won’t come in that she knows something must be up. Though the regulars and owners of the Wide Wigwam are happy to have Destin back in town, we find out that he left town rather unceremoniously after his father’s funeral, and hasn’t particularly been in touch much since. As old grievances are aired and old flames revisited, Destin has to face up to his past, while also making decisions for his and Mackenzie’s exciting future.

Cale Crowe and Genevieve Adams’ script is funny, heartfelt, and hopeful, while also being real about the unintentional pain we can cause those closest to us. The text also mirrors some of Crowe’s own life experience of moving back to Alderville after having been away for several years, which adds a level of understanding, but also hilarity, to the text. There are jokes which are clearly meant as in-jokes, and sometimes they were referred to as such in the script, making us laugh even harder. Crowe’s music is also so on point for the rest of the content. A beautiful mix of more traditional show tunes, epic rap numbers, and millennial throwbacks, all with a Snotty Nose Rez Kids flair to them, make for a thrilling score. I desperately hope that there can be a recording made of this original cast, because it’s like these songs were tailor made for them and each performer got to shine in their own way.

John Wamsley, Vinnie Alberto, and Dillan Meighan Chiblow lead the cast as the trio of (former) best friends Destin, Nolan, and Leon. Wamsley brings great vulnerability and complexity to Destin; there’s such a genuine nature about him and I couldn’t help but get choked up as tears ran down his face towards the end of the play. Alberto’s Nolan is delightfully awkward but also so ridiculously funny; you can tell that he’s always been a bit of a push-over, so watching him overcome that position in his friend group is powerful. Chiblow’s Leon is tough with a capital T, he’s also clearly been the enforcer for most of his life and hates to admit how much things affect him emotionally. Chiblow’s stature certainly fits this role, and yet he was spitting out those rap lyrics like a pro. Nicole Joy-Fraser’s Lucy is the epitome of Auntie; she cares for all three of these young men just as much as she cares for her son. Her powerful voice soars through the theatre: she’s truly a powerhouse performer. Jonathan Fisher plays several roles throughout the piece, however Wade is certainly the one who packs the biggest punch emotionally, while his Penny is the sight-gag I was not anticipating but was truly delighted by. Emma Rudy plays Destin’s girlfriend Mackenzie, and I love the sweet innocence she gives to Mac. The connection she makes with the other characters feels genuine and well-intentioned in a way that makes you simply adore the character. Michelle Bardach bursts into the final moments of the first act like the Rez Princess her character Aurora (but you can call her Rory) is. Bardach brings a vibrant and fun flair to the show and her character also shows immense growth in the second act which I wasn’t anticipating!

Rez Gas is such a fantastic example of the kind of theatre we’re able to create here in Canada. This show began as a part of the first writing cohort which The Capitol ran back in 2023, and has now began its first (as I’m sure there will be many more) main stage run at the The Capitol as well. Rez Gas is a strong reminder of the need for community which I think we all need to hear right now.

Rez Gas runs at The Capitol Theatre Port Hope until September 7. For more information and tickets, visit: https://capitoltheatre.com/events/rez-gas-2025-08-26-200-pm/

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Cover Photo: Dillan Meighan Chiblow, Nicole Joy-Fraser, Emma Rudy. Photo by Sam Moffatt.

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You can listen to my interview with writer Cale Crowe here: https://aviewfromthebox.net/a-view-from-the-box-the-podcast/

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