Discussion

With only four shows - December 11, 12 and 13th at the Glenmore Christian Academy in Calgary, Small Time Theatre presents the Junior production of The Sound of Music, directed by Lena Chalmers. Kyle sits down with Lena and Ingrid Koller (part of the set design team) to talk about the meaning of this Rogers and Hammerstein musical, and what theatre for young people with Small Time has meant to them and their families.

Tickets: https://smalltimetheatre.shop/

(as of publishing the performance is sold out)

About the Show:

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows Maria, an ebullient postulant who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, the von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

Discussion

Opening November 28th and closing December 7th at the Cochrane Ranchehouse, Take a Bow Community Theatre presents Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a Pantomime by Ron Hall and directed by Anita McDonald. Kyle sits down with Anita to discuss bringing a pantomime to life and trying to keep a production marching towards the same goal.

Tickets: https://www.takeabow.ca/calendar/goldilocks-pantomime

About the Show:

Join Goldilocks and her family as they work together with three bears to stop the Squire's evil plan! A silly, topsy-turvy re-telling of the classic story that the whole family will enjoy!

Discussion

opening November 28th and running until December 13 at the Hope Community Church in Strathmore, the Strathmore Theatre Players Guild presents A Christmas Carol, adapted by Lynn Stevens, directed by Angela Woodford-Reeves and Jeanette Brown, produced by Lauren Nelson and starring Courtney Nelson as Scrooge. Kyle sits down with Courtney and Lauren to discuss how important this work is not only in general, but to Strathmore itself and how many groups have come together to bring this show to life to inspire audiences this Holiday Season.

Tickets: https://thevaultonline.ca/collections/strathmore-theatre-players-guild

About the Show:

By suggesting famous Christmas carols, this talented author incorporates appropriate music for the re-telling of this classic story. You’ll meet all the great characters: Christmases Past, Present, and Future; Tiny Tim; Bob Cratchit; and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge! This is an inspiring musical that captures the essence of the great tale, and of the meaning of Christmas.

Discussion

Opening November 29th and running through December 7 at the Bnai Tikvah Temple in Calgary, Chai Life Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, directed by Sean Anderson. Kyle sits down with Sean and producer Laura Shuler to discuss the creation of a new theatre company in Calgary and the difficulties in bringing this massive musical to the stage.

Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-5

About the show:

This show is an uplifting and vibrant musical that tells the story of Joseph, a young man with dreams and aspirations. Set in a colourful, fantastical world, it captures his journey of hope, resilience, and self-discovery as he navigates challenges and triumphs. With catchy songs, lively choreography, and a joyous spirit, the show celebrates the power of dreams, family bonds, and the importance of believing in oneself. The dazzling technicolor coat symbolizes Joseph’s uniqueness and the message that everyone has something special to offer.

Discussion

Opening November 7 through November 8 at Theatre 1308, The Unicorn Collective presents The War Brides Are Coming, written and directed by Gail Whiteford. Kyle sits down with Gail to discuss the importance of this work, at this time of year and why audiences should take the time to recognize their own immigrant history and some specific Canadiana of the War Brides of the second world war's arrival in Canada for the first time.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-war-brides-are-coming-registration-1783334705109?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawN6DspleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYeUpIbkM1Mm5vR3o2eTVNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhoQQZB3qDX2VTfPIfDBPG49Vdoukyu49QuRRirAXwXapYt9eXjaZ4kc3XYo_aem_0ZeJBkCdDcw3kXmC6m1P7A&brid=mBlCma7pADd49bwF6d7Xng

About the Show: This year is the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe and the 80th anniversary of the War Brides arriving in Canada. Over 65,000 came to Canada with their husbands and their children. The War Brides came from all over the United Kingdom and from nearly every country on the European continent. The women represented a diversity of experiences and backgrounds. The Unicorn Collective is proud to celebrate the arrival of the War Brides by presenting their production of “The War Brides Are Coming”, a play based on the arrival of two war brides about to start a whole new life in Canada. Come celebrate with us.

Discussion

Opening November 1 and running through November 8th at The Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary, MisFit Theatre YYC presents, Dads, The Musical directed by Nicola Payton. Kyle welcomes Nicola back to the podcast for the third time to talk about the relevancy of this Canadian made musical about 3 stay at home dads, and how relevant the show is 35 years after it first debuted.

Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/dad-the-musical

About the Show: DADS! The Musical. Written by Robert More and Tom Doyle. Directed by Nicola Payton & Clark Adams Music Direction by Krista Willott

DADS! The Musical is an uproariously funny and poignant look at three first time dads, suddenly without jobs, choosing to stay at home and take charge of fatherhood. DADS! is witty, clever, relevant, and shows the nature of a changing society – it’s where social viewpoint and entertainment meet. The show features loveable characters, hilarious scenes, four puppet babies, and high energy musical numbers! A must see - not to be missed!

Discussion

Opening October 17th and running through October 25th at the Pumphouse in Calgary, Scorpio Theatre presents The Affections of May directed by Stuart Bentley and Nicole Dickinson. Kyle sits down with Stuart and Nicole to talk at length about how this production came to be along with Stuart's history with the production and the inextricable link between comedy and tragedy on stage.

Tickets: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?page_id=7805

About the Show: After being deserted by her husband, a woman suddenly finds herself the centre of attention in a small resort town.

Discussion

Opening October 17th and running through November 1st at the Old Church Theatre in Okotoks, Dewdney Players presents The Woman in Black, directed by Claire Hoyer. Kyle sits down with Claire and performer Paarth Kelkar to discuss how important this play is to Claire, how hard it is to direct for the first time, and the differences between live theatre and film.

Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/s/events/Okotoks,AB,Canada/?search_string=dewdney

About the Show: The framework of this spine-tingler is unusual: a retired lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There, he caught sight of the woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a spectre who haunts the neighbourhood. Terrible things occur when anyone sees her! The lawyer has invited some friends and family to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night. A classic of the genre.

*Warning: Implied child death, strobe lights, loud noises, and potentially frightening moments.

Discussion

Opening October 17th and running through October 26 at the Swamp Donkey Theatre in Bragg Creek, Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre presents String, directed by Juleta Severson-Baker. Kyle sits down with Juleta to talk about this new musical and what it took to bring it to life under lights.

Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/s/events/all/?search_string=string+the+musical

About the Show: String is a captivating musical where myth and modernity intertwine.  After angering Zeus, the Fates, the goddess sisters who spin, measure, and snip the strings of life for every human on Earth, find themselves banished to a modern office building in the mortal world, where they continue their work hidden among the mortals whose destinies they weave into one giant, glorious tapestry.  When eldest sister Atropos accidentally loses her pair of scissors in the building, she meets Mickey, the building’s overnight security guard.  Soon love gets the better of her, and she finds herself falling for him, stealing his string to keep him immortal and defying all of the rules she has to follow as a goddess.  This exception to the rules begins to disrupt the natural order—can the tapestry of the Universe and her sisters stand this flaw?  Fall for this original, uplifting, and belty musical about fate, love, and the imperfections that make us human (synopsis from broadwaylicensing.com).

Discussion

Opening on October 8 in Calgary at The Legion #275 Express Entertainers presents an original "Northern Nights." Kyle sits down with co-founder Wayne Arsenault, Media Manager Abby Carey and performer Megan Kerrigan to discuss how this show was created and what it takes these days to attract the attention of potential audiences.

Tickets: https://www.expressentertainers.ca/

About the show: Come back with us to the 1800s to a wild west saloon where the whiskey flows and if you fight your horse, you do it outside. The Wild Rose of the West herself, Shania McQueen, is returning to her hometown to put on a show and everyone is coming to see it. Everyone, including a murderer! Lock the doors and watch your sidearm as a classic "Who dunnit" unfolds. Will the hapless deputy Garth Eastwood be able to catch the criminal? Has British newcomer Waylon Wayne sipped his last tea? Can Shania McQueen keep the rowdy crowd entertained? And does the bartender Hank Bronson have enough whiskey to get through the night?  Will you solve the murder or become the next victim? Find out in Northern Nights: A Comedy Country Musical!