Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World

From Off Broadway to a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe, award-winning artist Duane Forrest takes audiences on an uplifting, deeply human journey through the music & legacy of global phenomenon Bob Marley. Blending soulful renditions of Marley’s classics with heartfelt stories of identity, ancestry & rediscovery, Forrest explores how reggae became a rhythm of unity, resistance &healing. Raised in Toronto by Jamaican parents, wrestling with identity, colorism, and cultural disconnection, he reflects on finding belonging through Marley’s message — reminding us that, in the end, every little thing is gonna be alright.

Duane Forrest Productions

Duane Forrest Productions is an independent multidisciplinary company founded by Jamaican-Canadian artist Duane Forrest, creating intimate, portable performances that blend original music, object theatre, and community-rooted storytelling. For over a decade, the company has toured internationally across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, East Asia, and Latin America, presenting both theatrical works and concerts at fringe and independent festivals.

Earlier productions such as Climb and Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World established Forrest’s signature fusion of narrative songwriting and theatrical storytelling, earning sell-out runs and awards recognition. Since 2023, the company has been developing and touring Tree of Dreams, Forrest’s most personal multidisciplinary work to date, with performances in Toronto, Montréal, and Ottawa and continued international touring planned through 2027.

Grounded in community arts practice, Duane Forrest Productions is committed to accessibility, international collaboration, and creating emotionally resonant work that travels easily and connects across cultures.

Artist Biographies

Duane Forrest

Duane Forrest is a Toronto-based professional playwright, singer-songwriter and multimedia artist. Over the past decade, he has released two full-length albums, staged multiple theatre shows and toured extensively across Canada, Europe, and Central America. His music has received international radio play in countries such as Canada, Germany, Honduras, Iceland, Italy, Nicaragua, and the United States.
Duane has created several pieces of theatre; his first show, Climb, made in conjunction with a music album of the same name, received glowing reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in both 2019 and 2022. At the 2023 Milan Fringe Festival, it was named runner-up for "Show of the Festival." His most recent theatrical work, Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World, earned a 5-star review from Broadway Baby and was a sell-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024.