New West Theatre is shaking things up with their second show of the summer, “Shake it Up.”
They will be performing everything from disco to opera in their second summer show of the season which runs at the Yates Theatre, Aug. 7-30.
“We’ve got a huge mix of stuff in this show,” said director Jeremy Mason.
“When Erica (Hunt), and I and Paul (Walker, musical director) sat down to choose the songs, we chose songs that were very different than the Ritz,” he continued.
“We also wanted to find songs that showcased the performers and will give the audience a heck of a good time,” he continued.
“ We wanted to create the feeling of being at a backyard barbecue and turning on the radio and hearing all of these great summer tunes,” he said.
“ And we have some people who haven’t been on stage with us for a few years and that’s part of celebrating our 25th season,” he said.
“ Shake It Up” Includes several cast members from the Ritz who get to show a different side of themselves as well as cast members who came up the the theatre company together.
The cast includes Jay Whitehead, David Barrus and Kyle Gruninger plus Erica Hunt, Jessica Ens, Kathy Zaborsky and newcomer Andrea Gedrasik.
“It’s a really great cast. Vocally, they’re amazing. And we’ve come up with some really great comedy which is really exciting,” he said.
Jessica Ens is excited to be back on stage with New West for first time in a couple of years. She has been behind the scenes choreographing the show for the past couple of shows.
“It’s been really fun. It’s been a really nice group. We’ve gelled from the get go,” she enthused.
She goes back a long way with New West Theatre.
“ I started with them right out of high school in 20011. David and I started about the same time. I think Kyle started around the same time too,” she said.
“So it is a callback from the same era.”
She is also 15 weeks pregnant, which has been an additional challenge.
“ I find myself getting tired and my costumes need to be expandable. But everybody has been really great. They’ve catered to my every whim,” she said.
She noted some of her other favourite numbers are “Drive” and “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”
She noted because the cast has a long history of working together, it it has taken the show to the next level.
“Everything has been kicked up a notch from the choreography to the music. Paul Walker has a pretty hefty a cappella number for us,” she enthused.
Ens is enjoying the diverse musical numbers in the show.
“It’s a great eclectic mix,” she said adding she is really enjoying being part of Kyle Gruninger’s rendition of “Mr. Roboto” as well as Pink's hit “Just Give Me A Reason.” Gino Vanelli's “Black Cars,” is part of the show and because the cast includes two classically trained opera singers, Kathy Zaborsky and newcomer Andrea Gedr
asik, they will be performing a duet of “Lakme.”
Andrea Gedrasik is excited to be coming home to perform.
“I’m a home town girl born and raised in Lethbridge. But I was gone for 10 years in Manitoba and the United States and three years in the Maritimes performing with different companies,” Gedrasik summarized.
“ But I really missed Lethbridge and so did my partner Christopher, so we came home. And this is the theatre company I grew up watching,” she enthused.
“So just the prospect of auditioning for them was exciting in itself and when they hired me it was even more exciting it was ‘call mom and call dad,’” she said.
She is excited about singing Lakme with Kathy Zaborsky.
“And some of the dance numbers will be a blast. I also sing “Call Me” by Blondie. So I get to belt that out. It is a great pop rock song. And Kyle’s “Mr. Roboto” will be amazing,” she said.
She observed it was easy to fit in with the established cast.
“The cast has been great. Everyone was really welcoming. Everyone has been very open. You really feel like you’ve worked with them before. So it’s like stepping into an old family,” Gedrasik said, who has just finished the first production of The Ritz — her New West Theatre debut.
Jeremy Mason noted the Ritz went well, though it has been a challenge for the cast.
“Especially for the people who are in both shows, but now the Ritz is closed, we can focus on this show for 8-10 hour days,” he said.
“ I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. But I’m really excited about the comedy. We have some really funny bits. It is going to be a really funny show,” he said.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each night Aug. 7-30 (every day except Sundays and Mondays other than Aug, 25) plus 1 p.m. matinees on Aug. 16 and 30.
