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.
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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.
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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.
![Sophia Fly photo by Raymond Helkio](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Sophia-Fly-photo-by-Raymond-Helkio-1024x950.png)
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
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Review by Raymond Helkio for The Reading Salon.
Review by Raymond Helkio for The Reading Salon.
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