When Dry Cold Productions was founded 24 years ago, most of the musicals being staged in Winnipeg came from the “golden age” of musical theatre.

“We started Dry Cold as a company 24 years ago because there wasn’t a lot of musical theatre being produced in our city that was modern,” said Donna Fletcher, a U of M alumna and instructor, and one of the company’s co-founders. Dry Cold Productions aimed to showcase local talent in leading roles. At the time, Winnipeg-based performers were rarely featured, with most lead roles going to actors from other cities. Today, local artists are regularly cast in prominent roles, and Dry Cold takes pride in having given many emerging performers their first big opportunities.

One of these local performers is Wes Rambo, also a U of M alumnus, who met Fletcher through a vocal master class and later studied under her.

“[I] started to do a lot of opera and a lot of classical stuff,” Rambo recalled of his time at U of M. “But, at the same time, I was doing the musical theatre ensemble at the U of M, which [Fletcher] leads, and it was just such a highlight of my entire degree to do those shows with the musical theatre ensemble […] there’s really no joy quite like the kind that I feel when I’m doing this musical theatre stuff.”

Rambo stars in Dry Cold’s upcoming production of Dogfight: The Musical, based on the book by Peter Duchan and with music and lyrics by EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award) winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The production marks both the show’s Manitoba premiere and the directorial debut of Justin Stadnyk, a past Dry Cold performer. Set in 1963, Dogfight follows a group of U.S. Marines preparing to ship off to the Vietnam War. Before they leave, the men engage in one final night of debauchery, centred around a cruel contest known as a “dogfight” — a bet to find the ugliest date.

“One of the Marines in particular starts to find his way in some way out of that kind of culture,” said Rambo, referring to the misogynistic nature of the bet. “It is also the story of a young woman who is finding herself and coming into her own and finds herself in a really difficult situation and turns out to be the most influential, and sort of powerful and grounded person in the end.”

In the musical, Rambo plays Boland, one of the Marines, who has an unwavering belief in the military and American propaganda.

“He is the platonic ideal of like, ‘rah-rah’ soldier guy,” he said. “Whole family was soldiers, and he is completely bought into the propaganda that the American government at this time is telling them, ‘America doesn’t lose wars, we are going to win’ […] That is definitely Boland’s mantra and that is his guiding star. He is incredibly bought into the Marine experience.”

Fletcher said the musical, while set in the 1960s, explores themes that remain relevant today.

“I think Dogfight deals very frankly with these serious and important subjects that, as Wes said, are still frighteningly relevant in […] these times we’re in now of division and intolerance and tariffs and political instability and friends becoming enemies,” she said. “The great thing about Dogfight is, through this historical lens, it forces us to sort of look at ourselves and wonder, ‘are we moving forward in any way or are we still living in times where Dogfight could happen like that?’”

Dry Cold initially planned to stage Dogfight before the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when the #MeToo movement was gaining momentum. Fletcher said it felt like a “golden age” for women’s rights — but after about five years later, she believes things have shifted. She noted that things have taken a turn, with women’s rights being in jeopardy again in the U.S.

“That’s why I think we felt the show was also super important, because it shows you how quickly things can shift,” she said.

When asked what audiences will love about the show, Rambo highlighted Pasek and Paul’s music, which he described as their “best show.” He also highlighted the journey that the characters go on throughout the play.

“It’s a pretty classic, tried and true thing to say, but this show is going to make you think. It is going to really hit you hard in your heart,” Rambo said.

Fletcher agreed, adding that U of M students in particular will connect with the story.

“It’s such a show that speaks to your generation, and the pitfalls that can happen at any time,” she stated. “It speaks to us being socially conscious. It speaks to us being aware that we can have a part in making change. And so, I think that’s why it’s such a great show for students at the university to come and see.”

The Manitoba professional premiere of Dogfight: The Musical, presented by Dry Cold Productions, runs from April 30 to May 4 at Prairie Theatre Exchange. For tickets, please visit tickets.pte.mb.ca. For more information on Dry Cold Productions, please visit drycoldproductions.ca.