The God That Comes

If you're a fan of Canadian singer songwriter Hawksley Workman, you definitely need to bring yourself over to the Cultch in Vancouver for his show, The God That Comes. And even if you're not a fan of his, you may just well become one after this. Created by Workman and Christian Barry, the show is a reinterpretation of the classic Greek tragedy, The Bacchae. If you're like me and don't know much about mythology, fear not, as the evening begins with a well-rounded introduction and plot outline for you to follow. Drinking is encouraged as the entire audience raises a glass to the God of Wine to get things started.

It's a crimson cabaret, complete with velvet curtains and candlelit tables, when Workman takes to the stage, inviting us into his demented nightmares. He morphs seamlessly from character to character, all the while singing in his unique cadence and soothing lullaby voice, jarring you with megaphone screams while rocking out as a one-man band on the drums, electric guitar, keyboard, and a hilarious harmonica cameo.

The musical cacophony is the perfect backdrop for his echoing and eerie vocals. As far as rock musicals are concerned, this is no Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but in the same breath it's light years better than Broadway's American Idiot.

Head on down to the Cultch for some libations and legend. The God That Comes is playing now until November 24. (Must be 19 years or older to attend.)