Theatre Calgary Presents World Premiere of 'The Tale of the Gifted Prince' After Decade-Long Development
Theatre Calgary is set to unveil a significant theatrical event with The Tale of the Gifted Prince, a musical that has taken more than ten years to journey from initial concept to its world premiere stage production. Preview performances begin on February 13, with the official opening scheduled for February 20 at the Max Bell Theatre.
A Labor of Love Spanning Over a Decade
Director and choreographer Darren Lee has been intimately involved with this ambitious project for eight years, though creators Lezlie Wade and Daniel Green began developing the musical even earlier. "Because there are so many components involved, it takes a long time to get a musical into shape," Lee explains. "Sometimes it takes even longer to secure a major production. We are profoundly grateful to Theatre Calgary for providing this opportunity."
Lee first learned about The Tale of the Gifted Prince in 2014 through New York's tight-knit Asian theater community. "When I heard about this new Asian musical, I wondered why I wasn't part of the project," he recalls. Several years later, he joined as choreographer and eventually assumed directorial responsibilities. The creative team presented a staged reading in New York in 2020 after numerous rewrites and revisions.
Addressing Asian Representation in Musical Theater
This production holds particular significance as it contributes to the limited canon of Asian musicals. "There are very few Asian musicals," Lee notes. "The major ones include Miss Saigon, The King and I, and Shogun The Musical, so creating a new work is incredibly important to us. The music and lyrics that Lezlie and Daniel have composed for The Tale of the Gifted Prince rival anything you can hear on Broadway today."
Magical Storytelling with Universal Appeal
Based on Lloyd Alexander's 1991 novel The Remarkable Journey of Prince Ren, the musical transports audiences to a fictional kingdom on the brink of rebellion. The young Prince Ren must save his father's throne armed with five humble gifts: a saddle, sword, flute, kite, and inkbrush. As he embarks on a quest to enlist a shaman's aid, Ren discovers these ordinary objects possess magical powers.
"The way Lezlie and Daniel have constructed the musical incorporates elements from popular family-friendly entertainments," Lee explains. "Similar to Aladdin, it follows a young man's journey of self-discovery. Like The Lion King, our production utilizes puppetry. And with magical gifts reminiscent of Harry Potter, audiences will find familiar yet fresh storytelling elements." Lee assures that "if a child can handle the Harry Potter novels, they will certainly enjoy The Tale of the Gifted Prince."
Building on Theatre Calgary's Success
This world premiere follows closely on the success of Beaches The Musical, which Theatre Calgary presented in 2024 and is now scheduled for a Broadway opening in March. Artistic Director Stafford Arima expresses particular excitement about this new production: "The Tale of the Gifted Prince arrives on our stage as a world premiere, bringing with it all the electricity, uncertainty, and promise that a new production can offer."
An All-Asian Cast of Accomplished Performers
The production features Kelvin Moon Loh, who has contributed to the project for the past decade, helping shape the roles of the King and Magistrate. He is joined by international stars Ma-Anne Dionisio and Kennedy Kanagawa, alongside an all-Asian ensemble of local artists including:
- Daniel Fong
- Selina Wong
- Kodie Rollan
- Michele Yu
- Olivia Yang
Director Darren Lee brings extensive theatrical experience to this production. A second-generation Chinese American who has lived and worked in New York since 1990, Lee has performed in notable productions including Pacific Overtures, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, and Miss Saigon. He most recently portrayed the King of Siam in Broadway and West End revivals of The King and I and subsequent tours.
This world premiere represents not just the culmination of years of creative effort but also a meaningful contribution to cultural representation in musical theater, offering Calgary audiences the first opportunity to experience this magical, family-friendly production.
