Queen of the Road: The Calypso Rose Musical by Rhoma Spencer

The Queer and Trans Research Lab at the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, University of Toronto, in Partnership with Tobago Performing Arts Company and Canadian- Caribbean Arts Network present:

Queen of the Road: the Calypso Rose Musical

Queen of the Road is a musical showcase chronicling the life of the "Mother of Calypso," Calypso Rose, queer Trinidadian vocalist, musician, songwriter, and activist. The musical provides a retrospective of her life from the moment she wins the Victoire de la Musique Award (French Grammy) in Paris in 2017. Relayed through a series of flashbacks, including her iconic thank you speech ("I Thank Thee"), spiritual invocations of her great grandmother, and scenes from her early life in Tobago and Trinidad, Queen of the Road recounts the struggles and triumphs of Calypso Rose as she moves through a world where for many years, she was the lone woman on a male-dominated stage.

Capturing the spirit and vitality of the undisputed Calypso Queen of the World's music and life, this jukebox musical reveals the power of art to transform society.

Cast:

Written and Directed by Rhoma Spencer

Musical Direction by Roger Gibbs

Dramaturgy by Rawle Gibbons

Featuring: Stacey Sobers (2018 Calypso Queen) as Calypso Rose, Tobago Performing Arts Company (TPAC), King Cosmos, Sista Lois, Michelle Walker, Aria Sharma, and Vandana Maharaj.