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OTTAWA - A gay rap opera?
I was seriously wondering how this crusty heterosexual would survive the feisty three-way of gay politics, operatic love story and machinegun-rap that is Bash'd, the gay rap opera written and performed by Edmonton's Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow, now playing at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.
Would I get it? Or would I, (not exactly Bash'd's target market), find the politics and rapping too in-your-face?
Turns out either I am more open-minded than I thought, or Bash'd is simply that good.
Let's assume for the moment the latter.
Based on horrifying reports of gay-bashing during Alberta's same-sex marriage debates in 2005, Bash'd tells the story of a romance between two would-be Romeos, Jack and Dillon. Despite some hilarious flack from their parents -- particularly Jack's too-liberal same-sex parents -- the pair enjoy a honeymoon life together until one of them is viciously beaten and hospitalized by homophobic thugs.
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There are lots of words we can't print here in this raw, sometimes X-rated rap.
Eventually, the action turns angry when revenge shows up on their agenda and in this production, being as much about hip-hop as it is about being gay, revenge is, well, how a gangster in Pulp Fiction might handle a standoff.
Lethal force overkill.
But thanks to clever writing, infectious performances by Craddock and Cuckow and seamless technical production, the show had me wrapped up in its feather boa.
Craddock and Cuckow are clearly killer talent who can rap as fearlessly as hitmen, while their raps, set to Aaron Macri's fantastic score, are fast and furious and, best of all, articulate, making Bash'd's message almost weightless, while director Ron Jenkins counters what might have become a rapping marathon with theatrical flourishes that give the story some emotional weight.
Originally conceived as a satire of hip-hop's notorious homophobia, Bash'd was a huge hit on the fringe circuit, winning the outstanding musical award at the 2007 New York International Fringe Festival and the GLAAD Media Award for outstanding N.Y. theatre. In 2008, it premiered Off-Broadway for a critically acclaimed three-month run.
Bash'd has been finding audiences regardless of politics or sexual orientation everywhere it goes because it's an irresistibly entertaining, emotionally convincing experience.
I think you will like it, too.
Bash'd runs at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre at 1233 Wellington St. W. until Jan. 31. Tickets are $20-$40 at the box office. Call 613-236-5196 or go online at www.gctc.ca.