New West revisits their favourites from the sixties and seventies with Starlight

Print

New West Theatre revisits some of their favourite moments with their new show “Starlight,” which takes place at the Chinook High School Theatre, Dec. 19-Jan. 6.Kathy Zaborsky  rehearses a number from New West Theatrte’s production of Starlight. Photo by Richard Amery
 Scott Carpenter, who has been a member of New West Theatre for 25 years, is enjoying directing his first New West variety show.


“It’s been great. It’ s been interesting having to get off the stage and look at the show from an audience’s perspective and envisioning where I am on the stage,” Carpenter enthused.
“ But the best part was I got to go through New West Theatre’s archives and find my favourite music. So there’s a lot  ’60s and 70s music in the show. And because it’s me, there’s also a lot of goofy humour in the show,” he said, noting there will be a variety of music including the Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music,” ABBA, Neil Diamond, Sonny and Cher, Joan Jett, Jefferson Airplane and more.


 There are a lot of familiar faces in the cast including Erica Hunt, Kyle Gruninger, Kathy Zaborsky, AJ Baragar and Rylan Kunkel and newcomer Ashley Thomson.
“She did a New West show when she was 16. She’s an occupational therapist at the hospital and her  co-workers have been very generous  lending her to us,” said New West Theatre general manager Derek Stevenson.The New West cast rehearses a number from New West Theatrte’s production of Starlight. Photo by Richard Amery


“She also performed in Icelandia and in University of Lethbridge shows before taking a break,” Stevenson continued.


 New West also welcomes pianist  Zain Solinski, who steps into Bente Hansen’s shoes while she takes a well deserved break.


“ He’s one of Bente’s protégés,” Stevenson said adding they are thankful to Chinook High School for renting their theatre to New West for their show.
In addition to the best of New West, the show also includes some new material.


“ It’s a best of New West show ,” observed Baragar, noting the cast gets to sings a couple of their favourite new songs as well.
 He gets to sing one of his originals called ”Cool It.”

“It’s a really high energy song that fits in the show. I’m really appreciative for the band and the cast for learning it,” said Baragar.
 Stevenson said it is unusual for cast to perform their own music  in a New West show.

 


“It’s been a while. Jason Poulsen performed an original songs years ago and Mark Nivet before that,” Stevenson recalled.

Rylan Kunkel rehearses a number from New West Theatrte’s production of Starlight. Photo by Richard Amery
 Meanwhile Rylan Kunkel is excite to play  one of his favourite songs “Love Like you,” from Rebecca Sugar’s cartoon “Steven Universe.”
“I presented it to them and they liked it,” Kunkel said, adding he plays ukulele on the song.


 In addition to that song, he is also excited about all of the celebrity impressions in the show.


“Because it is called ‘Star,’ light, we’ll be having special celebrity guests,” Kunkel enthused, noting he is excited about Baragar’s original. He is also looking forward to an entirely a capella Bee Gees medley.


“I get to do a Mick Jagger impression,” added Baragar, adding he is just as excited to hear Kunkel perform ‘Love Like You.”
 They are enjoying working with Carpenter as a director.


“It’s cool,  because he has been a cast member for so many year, he offers a different perspective on the show,” Baragar said.


 Starlight runs at the Chinook High School Theatre Dec. 19-Jan. 6 at 7:30m p.m. each night. There are also 1 p.m. matinees, Dec. 23, 26, 30 and Jan. 6.
 Tickets are available online at www.newwesttheatatre.com/tickets or in person at the U of L Penny building.

 A version of this story appears in the Dec. 20, 2017 edition of the Lethbridge Sun Times/Shopper
—By Richard Amery, L.a. Beat Editor
Share