Calgary based comedian Conner Christmas returns to Lethbridge next week for three headlining shows.

 Christmas, who moved to Calgary after graduating from the University of Lethbridge in 2012.

Christmas is excited to be back in Lethbridge.

“ I’ve been back a  couple of times to host or open a couple of events at Good Times, but they’re only 15-20 minutes. These are my first  headlining shows here and they’re about 45 minutes,” Christmas said.

“I tell a lot of personal life stories and a lot about being a queer/ bisexual comedian in Alberta. But in a few words, it’s stories and personal experiences,” he said.

The Sissy Duckling is finally ready to fly.

Theatre Outré presents the long delayed production of the Sissy Duckling, Feb. 26-March 5 in the Casa community room.

Nicola Elson adapted Harvey Fierstein’s children’s book into a musical.

“It’s an original musical based on  Harvey Fierstein’s popular children’s book,” summarized Theatre Outré artistic director Jay Whitehead, adding  it is about a duckling who doesn’t fit in with the other ducklings.

“He likes to sing, he likes to dance, he likes to bake and because of that, he’s treated poorly by the other ducklings.

  The show has been postponed twice because of Covid, the only actor not able to participate this time from the original cast was Greg Wilson. The show features several familiar faces, including New West Theatre veterans Rylan Kunkel and Devon Brayne, who was recruited to fill Wilson’s spot as well as Theatre Outré veteran Erica Barr and Calgary actress Shannon Murphy.

 “ It was supposed to run in March 2020 before everything happened,” Whitehead said.

“So we’re excited to welcome everybody,” Whitehead said.

White said the play is the centre piece of a trimmed down Quaint, Quirky and Queer.

What happens when the flames start to flicker  on a long time relationship?

 New West Theatre explores that in their presentation of  Michele Riml’s “ Sexy Laundry,” running at the Yates Theatre, Feb. 16-26.

 The comedy, about a couple trying to reignite the flames of their relationship brings two old friends together, Erica Hunt and Jeff Carlson.

 While Hunt is a regular on New West stages, Carlson was prompted back on stage after a long hiatus after reading the script.

“I read the description of the play that Kelly (Reay, director) put out. And thought ‘This is me’ It’s not often I get to try something that is a little more risqué,’” said Jeff Carlson, who plays Henry Lane.

“It just spoke to me. Being in a long term relationship for 27 going on 28 years, every line in this script is something me or my partner has said,” Carlson continued.

“It’s exactly that— about a couple trying to reignite their relationship. They’ve been together for 25 years and they got a book called  ‘Sex for Dummies’ to reignite that spark,” added Hunt, who plays Alice Lane, noting  Henry isn’t as into it.

“ But he’s trying the best he can,” Carlson added. 

“Usually I didn’t get to see a script that pushes boundaries like this one,” Carlson said.

“ It definitely has mature themes and bad  language. It’s for 16 and up. There’s no nudity in it,” Hunt said.

“Though we tried,” Carlson laughed.

“There will be a lot of wives nudging their husbands,” Hunt said.

“ But probably not a lot of husbands nudging their wives,” Carlson chuckled.

Carlson and Hunt have their own long-tern relationship, as they were both involved in forming the precursor to New West Theatre close to 30 years ago.

 They have been rehearsing  “Sexy Laundry” for almost two weeks.