The Capitol Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team Update For Rez Gas
Port Hope, ON – Rob Kempson, Artistic Director of The Capitol Theatre Port Hope, has shared a cast and creative team update for August’s world premiere production of Rez Gas by Cale Crowe (Alderville First Nation) and Genevieve Adam (Cobourg), part of the theatre’s mainstage summer season. Rez Gas is a beautiful expression of Indigenous joy with a hip-hop-infused, unforgettable score.
After moving away from his home reservation to pursue a music career, Destin stumbles back into town with unexpected car trouble and lands at the Wide Wigwam diner. There he finds many of those who he left behind and who want to remind him of his history and his place in the community.
Rez Gas features Vinnie Alberto, Dillan Meighan-Chiblow and John Wamsley as a trio of old friends at the centre of the action. The ensemble also features Michelle Bardach, Jonathan Fisher, Nicole Joy-Fraser, and Emma Rudy. The piece is directed by Herbie Barnes. Orchestrations and Music Supervision by Jeff Newberry, with a band led by Music Director Sarah Richardson, and featuring Kia Rose, Emry Tupper, and David Schotzko.
Says Crowe: “Rez Gas is a labour of love that takes loose inspiration from my own upbringing on the Alderville First Nation territory; some audience members that come from back home may see some semblance of themselves and their home brought to life through our show through its setting, characters, and even costume choices.
The Capitol Theatre is an integral element to the creation of this project – without Rob Kempson’s encouragement and guidance, I’d never have even dreamed of pursuing something like this as it seemed to fall so far outside of what I considered to be my skills as a musician and songwriter. So many people locally have already expressed their excitement in anticipation of the world premiere. It’s knowing that I have this kind of support, regardless of my own nerves, that keeps me looking forward to seeing this show with them.”
The Rez Gas creative team also includes set designer Jung-Hye Kim, costume designer Yolonda Skelton, lighting designer Jareth Li, sound designer Emily C Porter, stage manager Kat Chin and assistant stage manager Ada Aguilar, choreographer Monica Dotter, and copyist Haneul Yi.
Run Dates: August 22 to September 7, 2025
Show Page: https://capitoltheatre.com/events/rez-gas
Location: Capitol Theatre Port Hope (20 Queen St, Port Hope, ON)
Tickets from $40. Discounted tickets are available for Arts Workers, Indigenous community members, and those under 30 – call the box office to find out more at 1-905-885-1071 or visit CapitolTheatre.com.
Recommended for 14+, contains mature language and themes.
Approximate run time: two hours including one intermission.
Development Sponsor: Cameco Corporation. Program Sponsor: Stacy Vermeire, Broker Bosley Real Estate.
Special Events & Performance Dates:
The Making of Rez Gas: Creating a Local Musical
August 9, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Join the Capitol during the annual Port Hope Arts Festival to hear about work that’s been created locally at the Capitol! Cale Crowe and Genevieve Adam, the writers of Rez Gas, will share what it takes to make a local musical that can take the world by storm. They’ll share backstage stories, the highs and lows of the writing process, and how to realize a musical out of the kernel of an idea.
Event Page: https://capitoltheatre.com/events/the-making-of-rez-gas-creating-a-local-musical/
Tickets $5, Free For Subscribers
Pay-What-You-Can Preview: August 22
Talk Back Thursday: August 28, September 4
Indigenous Community Night: August 29
Relaxed Performance: August 31
The Capitol Theatre also offers general assistance, accessible parking, wheelchair and low mobility access and seating, washroom accessibility, and hearing assistance devices. To learn more visit
https://capitoltheatre.com/accessibility/.
Visit CapitolTheatre.com for more season details.
