St. Albert Children’s Theatre winter production of A Christmas The Musical will lead the way into the holiday season.
Organizers are particularly psyched up that in addition to regular cast performances, award-winning American composers Benj Jasek and Justin Paul have agreed to perform a special matinee performance.
Theatre organizers have often extended invitations to playwrights and composers in previous years. Few have attended.
The initial reaction to the positive response was a mild dose of shock.
“From past shows, they heard we do wonderful stuff. You wouldn’t think we’d be on their radar. But when we got the email back they were coming, we were so excited,” says Vicky Rogers, marketing associate for the City of St. Albert cultural services.
Set in the 1940s, A Christmas Story is a whimsical tale of how 12-year-old Ralphie tries to convince his parents, teachers and even Santa Claus that a Red Ryder B.B. gun is the perfect Christmas gift.
The production runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 7. The special matinee concert hosted by Jasek and Paul is on Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets range from $20 to $26 for both shows. They are available through ticketmaster.ca or by calling the Arden box office at 780-459-1542.
Welcome to the behind-the-scenes auditions for A Christmas Story. St. Albert Children’s Theatre artistic director Janice Flower is holding a two-day casting call on June 21 and 22.
The musical calls for about 36 roles from Ralphie, his family and a radio personality to classmates, bullies, neighbours and a deliveryman.
“We’re looking for a very special Ralphie,” said marketing associate Vicky Rogers. “We’re looking for someone around 12 with a strong voice and who can act and dance. Basically, we’re looking for a triple threat.”
Young hopefuls age eight to 12 years need to prepare a song. The older actors from 13 to 19 or theatre alumni are required to deliver a song and a prepared monologue.
Auditions will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the theatre’s rehearsal space at 10A – 215 Carnegie Dr.
Let There Be Height, Firefly Theatre’s annual showcase and fundraiser, once more takes to the sky for an evening of circus arts, physical theatre and dance.
In this film noir version, there are appearances from hard-boiled detectives, gorgeous, backstabbing dames, plenty of usual suspects and a stunning cabaret diva.
They will climb, pose, and swing from aerial silks, ropes, hoops, trapezes, ladders, cubes and straps.
Firefly founder and artistic director Annie Dugan and co-founder John Ullyatt host the evening while this year’s special guest is juggler Aytahn Ross.
Let There Be Height plays June 11 and 12 at the Westbury Theatre, 103330 – 84 Ave. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Silent auction starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 at tixonthesquare.ca or $35 at the door.
