Dan Clapson has spent years championing Canadian musicians. Now, the Saskatoon-born author and founder of The Blue Jay Sessions is bringing his latest project home for a sneak peek.  Christmas, Arizona combines his love of music with a passion for writing that he’s carried since he was young.

“I feel like everything you do in life leads you to where you get,” says Clapson. “I don’t think I could’ve written this story without Zenon or the other artists that we’ve worked with. Without these artists in my life, I don’t think we’d be where we are right now.”

For Clapson, there was no better place to present a first look at the brand-new musical he’s created with award winning artist and composer Zenon Epp, known professionally as ZENON, than Saskatoon. Christmas, Arizona was inspired by  Alberta singer-songwriter Mariya Stokes’ song of the same name. The musical is the story of a woman who falls for someone after a one-night stand and then convinces her best friend to join her on a cross-country road trip to find him. The idea of someone willing to do almost anything for the possibility of love stuck with Clapson.

When I get an idea I can’t shake, that’s when I get to work on it

“I’ve always wanted to write a musical,” says Clapson. “I was in drama in high school and university. When I get an idea I can’t shake, that’s when I get to work on it. The world needs more original stage musicals.”

Bridging sonic worlds has been an intense, but exciting process

After working on the musical’s book, Clapson teamed up with ZENON to give the story its musical voice. They studied music at Berklee College of Music, where their teachers included Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Paula Cole. ZENON says this project offered a chance to pursue a longtime ambition of their own.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to create a score for a musical,” says ZENON. “Writing songs that help bring the story to life while bridging sonic worlds has been an intense, but exciting process.”

This is like if you pushed play on a soundtrack

Christmas Arizona The Musical: Live Soundtrack is a two-part evening hosted by Nashville drag star and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Jaidynn Diore Fierce. The first part is a mixtape type concert featuring artists like Shantaia and Antonio LaRosa who’ve inspired the country, roots, and soul feel of the musical. The second part of the evening will be a performance of songs from Christmas, Arizona by ZENON and musical guests backed by a full band.

“There’s no actors coming up on stage to do dialogue,” explains Clapson. “This is like if you pushed play on a soundtrack – that’s what they’ll experience. It’s the same process that Sara Bareilles used to build support for Waitress before it became a full musical.”

The Saskatoon performance is only the beginning of the journey for Christmas, Arizona. Clapson and ZENON hope to replicate the live soundtrack format in other Canadian cities as they continue to develop the musical. They are hoping to have a fully staged production by early 2028.

 

Christmas Arizona The Musical: Live Soundtrack

Wednesday Sept. 16, 2026

8:00p.m.

The Broadway Theatre

Tickets $38 – $78

For all the details and to purchase tickets click here.