Drama Beat

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.

New West puts on a Carnival of fun

Tuesday, 22 December 2009 09:14 Richard Amery

In the dead of winter, even in Lethbridge where winter really isn’t that bad when you compare it to other places, it is only natural to want to escape the cold — to take a vacation. Maybe to Carnival. If you can’t get away, New West Theatre‘s latest production of Carnival, which runs Mark Nivet and Erica Hunt enjoy Carnival. Photo by Richard Amery

Mark Nivet and Erica Hunt enjoy Carnival. Photo by Richard Amery

Dec. 26-Jan. 9 at the Yates Theatre, is the next best thing. As per usual it is 90 minutes of high energy popular hits, carefully choreographed dance numbers and some vacation themed comedy.
“It’s going to be an exciting uptempo show with a lot of popular favourites,” said director Nicholas Hanson, as the cast ran through an exuberant rendition of Journey’s ‘Anyway You Want it.’
“Generally the nature of the comedy is focused on travel, vacations and escaping from Lethbridge cold,” he continued adding the music includes everything from classic rock like the Beatles to more modern rock and pop.
“It’s a great mix of big rock songs and some lovely ballads and a number of musical surprises,” Hanson grinned, refusing to tip his hand about the nature of the surprises.

New West melts hearts with Christmas spirit

Wednesday, 02 December 2009 10:59 Richard Amery

If Christmas cheer could melt ice and snow off winter roads as well as it could melt an old Grinch’s heart, New West Theatre could make a fortune.
According to me, anytime before Dec. 24 is too early to celebrate Christmas, but ‘Christmas Melodies,’ happening Dec. 1-5 at the Dec. 1-5 run at College Drive Community Church (2710 College Drive South), was almost enough to make me change my mind. Scott Walker, Erica Hunt, Mark Nivet and Kathy Zaborsky reheaerse. Photo By Richard Amery

Scott Walker, Erica Hunt, Mark Nivet and Kathy Zaborsky reheaerse. Photo By Richard Amery

Backed by the Lethbridge Big Band, a 20 member orchestra Erica Hunt, Mark Nivet, Kathy Zaborsky, Scott Carpenter and Big Band singer George Gallant, all took turns taking solos and turning heads.
The orchestra included including the Herb Hicks Jazz trio and New West Theatre music director Paul Walker.
The cast, the girls dressed in red dresses and the guys in black tuxedos supplied beaming smiles, jokes and hair-raising vocal harmonies.
Some highlights were Mark Nivet’s high notes on “All I Want for Christmas is You,” which included a strong R and B feel. And Erica Hunt brought a sexy vamp to “Santa Baby.” George Gallant’s version of “Christmas Blues” was moving and one example of the singers being drowned out by the band.

New West presents you with Christmas Spirit

Monday, 30 November 2009 19:25 Richard Amery

New West Theatre is ready to get Lethbridge into the Christmas spirit this week.
George Gallant, Erica Hunt, Mark Nivet and Kathy Zaborsky under the tutelage of music director Paul Walker have been working on an evening of Christmas Melodies and big band music. Scott Walker, Erica Hunt, Mark Nivet and Kathy Zaborsky. Photo By Richard Amery
“It’s windy out and it’s brown, but Christmas is just around the corner,” enthused Erica Hunt who is looking forward to the production’s Dec. 1-5 run at College Drive Community Church (2710 College Drive South).
The theme of the show this year is the beloved Christmas television variety specials on the ’60s. So there will be lots of singing and a few jokes interspersed in between the vocal numbers.
“If you want something to put you into the Christmas spirit, this will do it. And it helps us,” Hunt added.
“It just feels like Christmas when you hear these songs.”
This is more of a concert than a full scale production for New West Theatre, so there will be well known Christmas carols and a fewer light-hearted Christmas songs like ‘Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.’