New West Theatre’s December production has not only become part of Lethbridge’s Christmas tradition, but it is also a homecoming and a chance to catch up with lost cast members and old friends for the members of the Lethbridge theatre troupe.
New West Theatre will be lighting up The Yates Theatre with “Light It Up, Dec. 15-31.
“Light It Up Is a really delightful Christmas celebration with friends and family,” described director Nicholas Hanson.
The cast includes a lot of familiar faces like New West mainstays Scott Carpenter, Erica Hunt, Jessica Ens and vocal director Kathy Zaborsky plus relative newcomers like Jocelyn Haub, Devon Brayne and Jay Whitehead, who directed the two summer productions and Kyle Gruninger, who moved out to Vancouver to pursue a music career with his band Incura.
“ We’ve got some of the usual suspects. But we’re really excited about some of the ones who haven’t been around for a few years,” Hanson continued.
“ Kyle Gruninger performed with us in the early part of the decade, but he moved out west to pursue a very successful music career. So it’s great to have him home for the holidays to share his incredible rock star abilities,” said director Nicholas Hanson.
Gruninger is excited to share a stage again with old friends like Scott Carpenter and Erica Hunt.
“I’m singing ‘Don’t Stop Believing,’ by Journey with Erica (Hunt) and a John Denver medley and ‘Don’t Stop Me Now,’ by Queen. I’ll be doing a lot of other things and wearing ridiculous costumes,” Gruninger noted, adding the last show he did with New West Theatre was back in 2006.
“ I got an opportunity to see some of my best friends in the world,” he said adding he jumped at the opportunity to get involved when Hanson called him up and asked him if he wanted to perform with them again.
Coming back to New West is like returning home to the bosom of a long lost family.
“It was Erica’s birthday and there were balloons and cakes. Coming to rehearsal was like walking into a party. Of course you have to work at this party,” he continued. It has been a challenge.
“We’ve had to learn 20 songs, 20 dances and all of the comedy in about two weeks, so it has been a challenge. But there is a big support system,” he continued.
“ There are no barriers, you can bring anything to the table, any joke, any song and it will be looked at. The first thing they asked me was ‘what do you want to sing,’” he enthused.