Drama Beat

ArtStage 2 brings a variety of acts together

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 11:42 Richard Amery

Musical director David Mikuliak is looking forward to ArtStage 2 at the Yates Theatre, Jan. 16.
“It’s coming together really well. There‘s such a varied and eclectic group of performers, so that was the biggest cha

llenge finding a logical way to bring together flamenco dancing, modern Aboriginal dancing, improv theatre and opera all on the same stage,” Mikuliak enthused, adding having Jeff Carlson on board as master of ceremonies for the program helped bring everything together. The show takes the format of a Ed Sullivan style TV variety show.
“Jeff Carlson sees it as a mix of Johnny Carson meets David Letterman. So he’ll be introducing the acts and leading a question and answer period with them after they’ve performed,” he said.

Setting the stage for art

Thursday, 07 January 2010 21:56 Richard Amery

The Allied Arts Council is setting the stage for art, Jan. 16 with a cornucopia of acts set to perform at the Yates Memorial Centre for ArtStage Act 2 Sonis McAllister and the Barracuda Orchestra are set to play Artstage Act 2.

Sonis McAllister and the Barracuda Orchestra are set to play Artstage Act 2.

“It’s an opportunity for all of the disciples of the arts to collide on the same stage for an evening,” Lindsay Meli, Allied Arts Council communications coordinator adding there are several different acts performing including some unusual spoken word/ jazz from the Barracuda Orchestra, some flamenco guitar with Ali Golbabai plus dancing, Aboriginal Dance with Troy Emery Twigg, the University of Lethbridge Opera Workshop, improv comedy with the Drama Nutz and house band, Sludge, featuring artistic director David Mikuliak. Plus alderman and New West Theatre alumnus Jeff Carlson will be master of ceremonies.

Carnival of laughter and music

Monday, 28 December 2009 22:15 Richard Amery

If you’ve been on a cruise or at an all inclusive resort and taken in some of the night time entertainment, you’ll get an idea of New West Theatre’s high energy, heavily choreographed performances which feature songs, dance and comedy. The latest, Carnival, which opened Dec. 26 at the Yates Theatre, more prominently features their original comedy sketches, but also incorporates more comedy into the actual m Erica Hunt and Scott Mezei during Carnival. Photo by Richard Amery

Erica Hunt and Scott Mezei during Carnival. Photo by Richard Amery

usical performances.
Opening night began with “shush” booming through the packed Yates, so the audience knew to expect a night of light hearted fun.
It began with a spine tingling version of Journey’s “Anyway You Want It,” performed rock opera style by the entire cast but with Mark Nivet handling most of Steve Perry’s high notes.
As always, personable MCs Erica Hunt and Grahame Renyk did their talk to the audience bit and learned there were people from New York and Whitehorse in the audience who were visiting for the holidays. They said there would be selections for popular previous shows, ‘Cutting Out’ and ‘Invasion’ which prepared the audience for a lot of Beatles hits as well as a hilarious version of “I am King Henry the VIII I Am,” by newcomer Steven Greenfield. It’s always fun when they do Arrogant Worms’ songs and their version of “Worst Seat on the Plane,” was an excellent example of incorporating the comedy within the songs.

It’s Munsch time for New West

Tuesday, 22 December 2009 09:35 Richard Amery

It’s Munsch time once again at New West Theatre, Dec. 26- Jan.9 in the Sterndale Bennett. A hot young, enthusiastic cast including Camille Pavlenko, Neil LeGrander, Willie Banfield and newcomer Meghan Porteous Meghan Porteous and Willy Banfield in Munsch’s ‘Something Good.’ Photo by Richard Amery will be performing six stories by celebrated children’s author Robert Munsch. Though Munsch writes children’s stories, everyone will enjoy this show. “Anyone can identify with them,” said director Andy Jenkins. “It’s six totally new stories which have never been presented for a Lethbridge audience,” he continued. The stories will be ‘Something Good,’ ’David’s Father,’ ,‘Purple, Green and Yellow,’ ‘Thomas’ Snowsuit,” and “ Jonathan Cleaned Up.”
“We found a wonderful adaptation of the stories,” he continued adding last year’s production of ‘The Paper Bag Princess’ was so successful that New West wanted to do more Munsch but also they wanted to choose new and different stories.