The Rocky Mountain Special, a captivating one-person play by Tiffany Thomas, unfolds the poignant journey of an elderly trans woman aboard a luxury coach from Calgary to Vancouver that she has ridden for the past forty years. As the playwright, composer, performer, and costume designer, Tiffany Thomas masterfully weaves together a narrative that delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and self-discovery.
The play ingeniously intertwines two timelines, introducing us to a younger Tiffany, a theatre actor and writer in the process of crafting her memoir. Tiffany’s beautiful voice could rival that of Jimmy Somerville and enriches the performance with soulful songs accompanied by a guitar, subtly infusing elements of country-rock into the narrative.
At its core, The Rocky Mountain Special, is a comedic musical that seamlessly transitions between humour and touching moments, offering glimpses into the inner reflections of someone desperately searching for a connection with their past. Tiffany’s quest to reconcile her fragmented trans identity and navigate her Irish-Asian ancestry adds layers of depth to the storyline.
The play cleverly explores the theme of displacement and the relentless desire to understand oneself. Tiffany’s initial journey, boarding a Greyhound bus in the hopes of finding her birth family and reconnecting with her culture, evolves into a profound exploration of identity. The revelation that she was not born Cree, as once believed, introduces an additional layer to her narrative, highlighting the complexity of living on stolen land.
Charming and provocative, The Rocky Mountain Special delivers a unique blend of humour, music, and introspection. The relaxed performance I attended, complete with sign language interpreters, emphasized inclusivity and accessibility. The ninety-minute show, followed by a brief intermission and a thirty-minute after-show by Sophia Fly, a trans hip-hop, rap, DJ, and musical artist, provided a holistic and engaging theatrical experience. With each night featuring a different musical artist, the post-performance sessions promise an added layer of diversity and creativity.
Tiffany Thomas’s The Rocky Mountain Special is a theatrical gem that skillfully combines entertainment with meaningful storytelling, offers audiences a thought-provoking exploration of identity, culture, and what it means to find humanity through oneself.
“See you the Rockies!”
The Rocky Mountain Special
Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
November 12-19, 2023
TICKETS
Review by Raymond Helkio for The Reading Salon.
Review by Raymond Helkio for The Reading Salon.
