In the tradition of rock musicals that build a story around one band’s discography, In the Key of Blue is an original tale by local playwright Mike Trites.

It tells the story of an ambitious rocker named Jarod Scott, who gets his big break when an MP invites him to play at a rally aired on CBC. But finding the rise to fame was not what he’d had in mind, Jarod must reckon with his choices with the help of a friend. 

For Mr. Trites, what began as the creative culmination of his years as a drama teacher has evolved into a full-scale production. It features 59 County-based artists, including hometown hero and recent Juno nominee Miss Emily. 

“The focus of the piece has changed from doing this as a school project to something I could do in my new community of Prince Edward County,” Mr. Trites said. 

Though not a first time playwright—Mr. Trites has a series of one-acts under his belt—the piece is especially close to his heart. He calls it his “passion play.”

“I was a huge fan of Blue Rodeo from the time that I was in my late teens and early twenties,” he enthuses. The stars aligned when Mr. Trites learned that his neighbour was a cousin of Jim Cuddy’s. He offered to get the script into his hands. 

It’s the kind of coincidence that only seems possible in a place like this one. 

“He was very encouraged by the project,” Mr. Trites said of Jim Cuddy. It wasn’t long before he shared it with the rest of the band. Then they entered into a friendly licensing agreement. 

Unlike musicals where the songs are subordinate to the narrative, here the narrative is about creating songs. A big inspiration for Mr. Trites was the musical Once, about a pair of singer-songwriters making music in Dublin. 

“It didn’t rely heavily on the tropes of musical theatre, where you’re walking down the street and you spontaneously burst into song, or everybody in the street starts to dance and they all know the steps,” Mr. Trites says. 

A subtle integration of music and text forms the kind of theatre experience that even people who claim to dislike musicals will go for. 

But for Mr. Trites, wide success is beside the point. His aim is to build something with local talent for local audiences. “The show’s themes are about community,” he said. “There are ten or twelve references to Prince Edward County.

“I’m not bringing in a lot of ringers — unless one might call Miss Emily a ringer.”

Instead, much like the way he connected with Jim Cuddy, the creative team started in the neighbourhood when he found out a doctor two doors down was also a bassist.  “He said, ‘why don’t I get a group together to help you record songs for the choreographer?’” Mr. Trites recalls. 

Likewise, the cast was assembled from a group who volunteered to participate in workshop readings of the play. 

“After doing it on an informal basis, a lot of people wanted to stay on for the complete show.”  

The grassroots feel even extends to fundraising and promotion.

A kickstarter loan from Prince Edward Community Theatre got them off the ground. At the end of January, a successful fundraiser at the Waring House featured Cue the Funk. 

With the July premier on the horizon, the producers are working hard to raise more money with more events and sponsorships. 

“We’re not one of the established theatres like PECT or the Mummers or Shatterbox, we’re a new group,” he said. “If brand recognition was tough, raising the money is even tougher.”

Every step of In the Key of Blue has been the result of collective efforts. 

“I really want to show what our community can do,” says Mr. Trites. “This is a Little Engine That Could scenario.”  

The show premieres at The Regent Theatre on July 3rd before heading to Kingston and Peterborough.