New West Theatre set for 35th anniversary season

Now, with boosted morale and financial support, Artistic Director for New West Theatre, Kelly Reay, was elated to share details on upcoming shows and performances.

“We hit a bump in the road, but we got through that,” Reay said.

“We called out to our community, and our community showed up in a really, really wonderful, supportive way, and got us over the hump. Here we are being able to move forward with a pretty meaningful season.”

Artistic Director for New West Theatre, Kelly Reay, teases the 2023/2024 season on June 1, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

Two revue shows, a New West Theatre staple that many Lethbridge residents have come to love, are among the performances being brought to the Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre.

Wonderstruck, a music comedy revue show, will run from August 9 to 26, 2023 and has been curated to showcase toe-tapping melodies, comedic skits and choregraphed dances.

Later into the season, the non-profit will put on Legends of Rock and Country, which runs from February 15 to 25, 2024. Songs from the likes of Johnny Cash, Madonna, Dolly Parton and Fleetwood Mac will be wrapped up into a high-energy piece that will take audiences on a music journey through the ages.

In addition, New West Theatre will perform Honour Beat, a show written by local Indigenous playwright, Tara Beagan. From October 5 to 14, 2023 at the Sterndale Bennett Theatre, actors will take the stage to perform a heart-wrenching tale of family, resilience and cultural identity.

As part of the holiday season and in collaboration with the ENMAX Centre, New West Theatre will also be bringing a Christmas classic to the stage from December 14 to 31, 2023.

Elf The Musical will feature a live band, big costumes and huge sets as well as an ensemble cast that transports families into a winter wonderland that follows the misadventures of Buddy the Elf as he heads to New York City to find his father.

With 19 actors taking the stage, New West Theatre will be holding general auditions for Elf The Musical in the middle of June 2023. Those interested in taking part are encouraged to visit New West Theatre’s website and social media pages to see the announcement for audition dates.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

With four main stage productions during the 2023-2024 season, New West Theatre promises to provide something for everyone.

Reay explained, “We try and offer a ‘grab bag’ of things. So, if you don’t like this show, come to the next one because chances are there will be something in there for you.”

Reay added, “I think this year though, every single show will appeal to most theatregoers, and we want to try and give a little taste of different things every time you come out so it’s not always the same thing.”

On top of the bigger productions coming to Lethbridge, New West Theatre will bring back its free children’s summer show in Galt Gardens called Hootenanny. From July 5 to 29, 2023, young adventurers can watch the original family-friendly play, There’s a Turtle in My Tub.

According to Reay, an incredible amount of time and thought went into programming the 2023/2024 season and the whole New West team is looking forward to welcoming audiences back to the theatre.

“We are actually producing fewer shows this year,” Reay remarked.

“We often have five shows, but this year we’re only doing four main stage shows, so that’s kind of helped scale back a little bit, making it about quality versus quantity and pooling our resources to make those shows that we are doing memorable and high-caliber.”

Tickets for the 2023/2024 season are on sale now at the New West Theatre website. Patrons are able to purchase single tickets or subscriptions to customize their show experience.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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by Sarah Jones

New West Theatre set for 35th anniversary season

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