Stampede may be over, but dig out your jeans and cowboy boots because Jubilations is taking you back to the wild wild west, with the energetic country show Ranchers & Rustlers.
Guests are all hanging out at the Red Rose Saloon in Deadwood, where mystery is afoot – someone has been rustling cattle and stealing money from the Double-M Ranch. The ranch’s owner Hank Miller (Joseph Davies) is up in arms, and hoping that his ranch hand Sam (Tyler Griffeth) or son Johnny (Trevor Duperron) can solve what inept sheriff Pierre has thus far, failed to do.
Amidst the drama of the whodunit are two heartwarming love stories – Pierre is in love with the stunningly beautiful Annabelle (Syreeta Molsberry), but can’t seem to express it. He has to compete with half the townsfolk, who also seem to be smitten with Annabelle -and after seeing her perform, nobody can blame them. As well, schoolteacher Mary (Brandi Chemerika) is in love with childhood friend Johnny, making things more complicated. Chemerika, who Jubilations regulars will recognize from her fantastic portrayal of Rachel in Best of Friends earlier this year, and Duperron, who has previously been Harry Potter in Betwitched, and Greg Guy who was in CSI: Moosejaw spoke to GayCalgary.com about the show. Ranchers and Rustlers is a departure from recent Jubilations shows – being an entirely original work instead of based on popular TV or movies.
“It’s much more freeing (being original) as you get the chance to develop the character as opposed to having to spend time trying to be just like the original person. It’s an opportunity to change the character,” said Duperron. Chemerika disagrees.
“I feel the opposite because this character is so not like my personality at all, which makes it more difficult. Playing Rachel was easier because it was closer to my personality and it is all right there for you already and you just copy that. With an original character you have to develop something yourself. There is less pressure in some ways because you don’t have a character with a huge following.”
The chemistry between the two on stage comes across to the audience, in part because as Chimerika explained, it’s legitimate.
”It’s great for us because when we met we became best friends in five minutes in our personal lives, which makes it easier to play characters that are friends.”
The cast is rounded out with saloon owners Luke (Matt Brennan) and Katie (Amy Neufeld). However, there is more to Jubilations then just what you see on stage – the show would not work without the talented additional cast, who absolutely bust their butts to entertain and serve. The night we attended we saw a variety of townspeople including Doc Holiday, Wyatt Herb, Sweeny Todd, an old fashioned Undertaker, a guy in a hideous orange jumpsuit that explained he was a square dancer from Moose Jaw, and a hilarious Asian sidekick named Fong. The effort that the guys and girls in both the show, and additional cast, put into their costumes and performances is truly astounding. It is obvious they love being there and it is a blast to interact with them.
Jubilation’s kitchen staff does a great job with the menu for this show. As always, the Prime Rib is a treat, but the standout for us was “Fishing in the Dark” – a coconut crusted Tilapia with mango coulis - that was delicious. For dessert there is a choice of “Deadwood Cheesecake” or “Mary’s Mousse.” What we found worked for us, was to order both and take a spoonful of each together, letting it melt in your mouth. Wash everything down with theme drinks “Sheriff’s Six Shooter in a Dirty Glass” or “Annabelle’s Saloon Song” – the latter as sweet as the girl it’s named after.
As for the show itself, vocally everyone puts in strong performances (the vocals are always live) and the story is simple, but effective. Even if you are not a country music fan, you will recognize many of the songs and get your money’s worth with Ranchers & Rustlers.
Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents
Ranchers and Rustlers
September 2 – November 6, 2005
1002 - 37th Street SW (Westbrook Mall)
Phone: (403) 249-7799
