Riel musical gets tweaked

Much like Americans, Canadians love the underdog, the person who gets pummelled and rises like a phoenix to conquer the odds.

St. Albert composer/lyricist Cindy Oxley might not feel like someone who's been beaten by life. In fact, her stirring show Louis David Riel: The Musical is being remounted in an updated version as Hey, Riel! for a one-day showing at the Arden Theatre on Tuesday.

But it was in January 2010 that the founder of Musicalmania and composer of Che, Notre Dame of Paris and Saint Joan and Me, suffered a debilitating stroke. Unusual for a woman of childbearing years, this medical emergency left her weak and unable to walk.

For an active woman with a keen interest in gymnastics and dance, the enforced rest turned into “a life altering” experience.

Using a treadmill, she relearned to walk, but one year later still uses a cane and suffers from bouts of vertigo. On days when the world is spinning, Oxley wears an eye patch to realign her balance.

“I can't stand up and direct as animatedly as I used to and I can't conduct. But my ability to compose has been heightened because I can't do the other things. Perhaps it's a survival instinct so I can't go crazy,” laughs Oxley.

Despite or possibly in spite of the complications, Oxley has written a Mass for St. Francis and is working on a new musical temporarily entitled My Cleopatra. “Most of my day is spent writing music, but it's unbelievable how much sleep I need.”

Hey, Riel! is one of Oxley's older historical incarnations, a gem staged in school gyms, festival tents and hotel conference rooms. “When we play at the Arden or the Winspear, you get the best show possible. But over the years we've learned to be very adaptable.”

Since Riel debuted in 2000 to the accompaniment of a single piano, Oxley tweaked the musical and acquired recording gear to create a full orchestral sound.

“In the beginning it was more about the music, but later on I sat down and listened to the lyrics. It was Janice Flower from St. Albert Children's Theatre that gave me some good advice. She said ‘If, after you listen to the song and the audience is no wiser, what is the use of the lyrics?' Now more than ever the lyrics have to be up there.”

Paul David Mercier, the original Louis Riel, returns to the lead role after an intermittent absence. “He likes to get into the character and incorporate idiosyncrasies that Riel used. For instance, it's been written that Riel had a Messiah complex. Riding into a battle he liked to open his arms wide like he was on a cross or he carried a cross above his head.”

And David Wilson, who stepped into the role of Riel's executed nemesis Thomas Scott, also returns as the taunting spirit. “That's the part that captivates the kids the most — a dead guy roaming the audience.”

More than ever Oxley admires Riel's gumption. “What really hits home is his conviction for standing up for what he believed in. Riel didn't like bullies — even as a child. He stood up to bullying from the government. He could have had an easy out but he knew he was right and was executed.”