On Staging

Discussion Kyle sits down with Cherie Dianne Caslyn, director of Take a Bow's forthcoming production of Noise's Off, presented in Cochrane at the Cochrane Ranchehouse Theatre May 1st through the 10th. They discuss the difficulties of doing it all in the effort to bring a production to life. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/noises-off-by-michael-frayn/ About the show: Called “the funniest farce ever written,” Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing’s On. Slamming doors, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious, high-energy comedy. Mixing mockery and homage, Frayn heaps a hilarious melée of stock characters and situations into his side-splitting play-within-a-play.

Discussion Opening May 1st and running through May 10th at the Swamp Donkey Theatre in Bragg Creek, Aubry Baux directs, with Melanie Baux musical directing, 9 to 5, the Musical. Kyle sits down with Aubrey and Melanie to talk about the relevance of this production, it's history and Aubry's first time directing a large scale musical. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/s/events/all/?search_string=nine+to+five About the Show 9 to 5: The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie.  Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss.  In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy, and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot!  While Hart remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down.  Hey, a girl can scheme, can't she?

Discussion On April 24th, and running until May 2nd, Morpheus Theatre presents Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience at the Pumphouse theatre, directed by Winnifred Hume with musical direction from Aly Carigan and choreography from Kylie Bullock. Kyle sits down with Kylie and Winnifred to discuss the difficulties of bringing a 143 year old production to life in the modern day. Tickets: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?portfolio=patience-or-bunthornes-bride About the Show: All of the maidens in the village are besotted with Reginald Bunthorne, a moody and handsome poet, but he has eyes only for the simple milkmaid, Patience. The problem? Bunthorne’s artistic ways are all just an act to attract women to him–he doesn’t even like poetry! Besides, Patience is in love with her childhood sweetheart, who happens to be a real poet named Archibald Grosvenor, but feels she cannot marry him because he is just too perfect. In the meantime, the serious (and decidedly non-poetic) platoon of Heavy Dragoon Guards that were meant to marry the village maidens find themselves dismayed and perplexed by their sudden loss of prospects. One of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most successful shows, Patience is a rollicking satire that pits the straight-laced ideals of the Victorian era against the passions and indulgences of the 1870s Aesthetic Movement, ridiculing each side of the spectrum.

Discussion Opening April 10th and running through the 18th at the Pumphouse in Calgary, Misfit Theatre YYC presents the original musical work Oddition, written and directed by Krista Willott. Kyle sits down with Krista and with choreographer and performer Nimue Nova to discuss the productions creation and the difficulties of directing while also being on stage. Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/oddtion-presented-by-misfit-theatre About the Show: ODDITION (written by Krista Willott, Paul Finkleman and Lacey Bartko)  takes place during one afternoon of auditions for a community theatre musical and all the chaos that entails.

Discussion Opening April 9th through April 12th at the Studio at Vertigo Theatre in Calgary, Baker Miller Pink presents The Painter and the Lake, directed by Cayley Wreggitt, choreographed by Samantha Ketsa. Kyle sits down with Cayley and Samantha to discuss what this new work is about and how it came to be. Tickets: https://purchase.vertigotheatre.com/EventAvailability?EventId=2601 About the Show: Peter, a down-on-his-luck painter, has hit a rut. In search of a muse, he traverses the Kananaskis backcountry until he discovers Lillian, a pristine mountain lake. But something sinister lurks beneath her surface, unearthing ghosts from Peter's past and challenging his relationship to art as a passion and a profession. “The Painter and The Lake” is presented by Baker Miller Pink as a Resident Company of Vertigo Theatre.

Discussion On March 12th at the Hope Covenant Church in Strathmore, the Strathmore Theatre Players Guild opened Nana's Naughty Knickers, closing on March 28th. Directed by Robert Cole, Kyle sits down with Robert to discuss what the show is all about, why they chose it and the difficulties around presenting this sort of comedic face in a church setting. Tickets: https://thevaultonline.ca/collections/strathmore-theatre-players-guild About the Show: Bridget and her grandmother are about to become roommates. However, what Bridget saw as a unique opportunity to stay with her favorite nana in New York for the summer quickly turns into an experience she’ll never forget. It seems her sweet grandma is running an illegal boutique from her apartment, selling handmade naughty knickers to every senior citizen in the five-borough area! Will Bridget be able to handle all the excitement? Will her nana get arrested – or worse – evicted?

Discussion Opening February 27th and running through March 7th at the Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary, Scorpio Theatre presents Terry Pratchett's Guards! Guards! directed by Chris Gamble. Kyle sits down with Chris, and producer Carl Bishop, to talk about how the show has come together and the long road it has gone down for Scorpio to realize this fantastical production. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/guards-guards/ About the Show: Welcome to “Ankh-Morpork”, the (second) greatest city in all of Discworld. As cities go, it is on the far side of corrupt and polluted and is subject to outbreaks of comedic violence and silly brou-ha-ha’s on a fairly regular basis… but things are about to take a sinister turn. A secret organization, The Unique and Supreme Lodge of the Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night, have concocted a most ingenious plan – by utilizing a stolen magical book, they plan to summon a fearsome Dragon to terrorize the city and replace the leadership of Ankh-Morpork with their own puppet king. Defending the city against this monster threat is the underpaid, undervalued City Night Watch – the drunken and world-weary Captain Vimes, the cowardly Sergeant Colon, the small opportunistic Corporal Nobby of … unknown origins…and their newest recruit, Lance-Constable Carrot, whom is a dwarf (by adoption only). They may be called the Palace Guard, the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is the same: it is, around about Chapter Three, or ten minutes into the play, to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time … and be slaughtered. No-one ever asks them if they wanted to.

Discussion Opening February 26th at the Vertigo Studio Theatre in Calgary, and closing March 5th, Full Circle Theatre presents a gender-flipped Romantasy version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Kyle sits down with director Cayley Wreggitt and costumer Tawni Marie Evans to discuss how this vision of the production came to be and what they hope audiences take away from the opportunity to bear witness to it. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/the-taming-of-the-shrew-hazndhyk About the Show: First produced by Full Circle Theatre in 2011, The Taming of the Shrew marked the beginning of our journey with Shakespeare. Fifteen years later, we return to Padua in a whole new way, reimagining Shakespeare’s most provocative comedy through a bold, romantasy-inspired lens. This production keeps the original text intact while flipping the genders and placing the story in a lush High Fae Court. It is a world of magic, hierarchy, and unspoken rules where power is always up for negotiation. Here, a brooding fae prince meets their match in a fearless human knight, sparking a battle of wills that blurs the line between performance and desire. Often dismissed as one of Shakespeare’s problematic plays, The Taming of the Shrew becomes, in this telling, a story about control, consent, and transformation. Witty, sharp, and charged with tension, this production asks what love looks like when two people refuse to yield - unless it’s for each other. Expect Shakespeare’s language layered with fae glamour, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a court where every glance, gesture, and word carries consequence. This is a Shrew that leans into spectacle and storytelling while wrestling honestly with the questions at its core.

Discussion Opening February 19th and running through February 21st at the Glenmore Christian Academy in Calgary, Small Time Theatre presents Frozen Jr directed by Bree Johnson. Kyle sits down with Bree and costumer Cami Price to talk about what Frozen means to them and how they've brought their own love of the Disney movie to this junior production of the broadway musical. Tickets: https://smalltimetheatre.shop/ About the show: The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

Discussion Opening January 30th and running through February 13th at the Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary, Morpheus Theatre presents Kate Hammill's Little Women, directed by Corinne Nairn and Colleen Bishop. Kyle sits down with them both to discuss the themes and meaning of this story and how relevant all of it is in today's world. Gender stereotypes, civil war, and the importance of family will have you leaving the theatre thinking about the themes of this production long after your drive home. Tickets: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?portfolio=little-women About the Show: Share this timeless and enduring classic about the March sisters’ journey from childhood to maturity during the American Civil War.  Audiences of all generations will enjoy acquainting — or reacquainting — themselves with the sisters:  Meg, the eldest; Jo, the high-spirited tomboy; Amy, the self-centered beauty; and gentle Beth, as well as their beloved Marmee and Father.  Together the March family learns to endure both good times and bad as they share the joys and pains of growing up.

Discussion Opening January 23rd and closing February 7th at the Old Church Theatre in Okotoks, Dewdney Players presents The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play directed by Sherene Seders. Kyle sits down with Sherene to discuss the difficulties of realizing this novel in radio play form and how to market this work to an audience in new and novel ways. Link to Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/dewdney-players-presents-the-great-gatsby-the-old-church-theatre-8/ About the Show: Scott Fitzgerald's beloved classic comes to life as a 1940s radio broadcast in this spirited adaptation of The Great Gatsby. An ensemble brings more than two dozen characters from the novel to the stage of the WBFR radio station for a live broadcast, punctuated by 40s-era commercials. A story of triumph and tragedy that reflects the decadence of the Jazz Age and the perils of the American Dream. Still, ain't we got fun?

Discussion Opening January 9th and running through January 24th at the Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary, Front Row Centre Players presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, directed by Jamie Eastgaard-Ross, musical direction from Becky Salmond and choreography from Katie Bernardo. Kyle sits down with Katie and Becky to discuss how the movement and music has come together for this comedy and the work that went into making this production come to life. Tickets: https://werklundcentre.ca/whats-on/dirtyrottenscoundrels About the Show: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels takes us to the French Riviera for high jinks and hilarity. Lawrence Jameson makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. After meeting on a train, they attempt to work together, only to find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress, Christine Colgate, wins, and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end!

Discussion At the Bert Church Theatre in Airdrie on December 19th and 20th, Nose Creek Players present All Trains Lead to the Station, written and directed by Haley Day. Kyle sits down with Haley over zoom to discuss the efforts taken to put up her first written work and the unexpected difficulties and joys that come from that experience. Tickets are limited: https://tickets.airdrie.ca/TheatreManager/1/login?event=578 About the show: It is 1917 when we meet fourteen-year-old Peter Harris, who has been uprooted from his home in Nova Scotia and sent to stay with his Uncle Hubert in the small but bustling town of Airdrie. With his sister serving as a nurse overseas to help with the war efforts, Peter dreads having to spend Christmas away from his home, his sister and everything he holds dear to him. While in Airdrie, he starts working at his uncle’s general store and soon meets the colourful folks of Airdrie, each with their own holiday hopes, hardships and humour. Through these encounters, Peter begins to understand that Christmas isn’t just about where you are- it’s about the people who make a place feel like home.

Discussion Opening December 17th and closing on December 20th at the West Village Theatre, Full Circle Theatre presents A Full Circle Holiday Special of Riverona Actually and Holding. Kyle sits down with directors Danielle Baker and Kendra Hutchinson to talk about what a holiday special means and the complications of directing not only performers during the holidays but for performers who also wrote the work they are directing. Kyle ends with a quote from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol about the meaning of the Holiday Season and hopes that you will find time to take in this delightful production. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/a-very-full-circle-holiday-show About the shows: A Very Full Circle Holiday Show turns a late-December slot into a brand-new festive tradition — a double feature of romance, chaos, and Riverona-style mischief. Featuring Holding, a brand-new rom-com, and Riverona Actually, a lost holiday special packed with fan favourites and holiday shenanigans.

Discussion Opening December 18th and running until December 21st, Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre presents Nuncrackers, directed by Trisha Gizen. Kyle sits down with Trisha to discuss what putting up the show a second Christmas in a row means and the complications, and easements, that happen when you do something again. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/s/events/all/?search_string=nuncrackers About the Show: The Nunsense Christmas musical, Nuncrackers, is the first TV special taped in the Cable Access Studio built by Reverend Mother in the convent basement.  It stars the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil and Mount Saint Helen’s most talented students.  This show is filled with wacky Nunsense humour!  Certain to tickle your funny bone and likely to tug at your heartstrings, Nuncrackers is the perfect way to make your holiday season merry and bright (synopsis from concordtheatricals.com)!

Opening December 12 and running through the 20th at the Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary, Morpheus Theatre presents Peter Pan: An Awfully Big Pantomime, directed by Janos Zeller. Kyle sits down with Janos to discuss the scope of a pantomime, the labour involved in theatrical comedy and and in depth discussion about how this project came to be. A must listen. Tickets are Limited: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?portfolio=peter-pan-2025 About the Show: All children, except one, grow up… On the hunt for his pesky shadow, Peter Pan meets the Darling children in their Nursery. With a sprinkling of Tinkerbell’s fairy dust, Wendy, John and Michael leave Nana the Dog behind on a flight to Neverland – a magical place home to lost boys, mermaids and the most villainous pirate of them all; Captain Hook! With Mrs Starkey and her bumbling son Smee by his side, Hook seeks revenge against Peter Pan who fed his hand to a tick-tocking crocodile. Will the boy who never grew-up rid Neverland of Captain Hook forever? Will the Darlings find their way home to London? And, most importantly, do you believe in fairies? Find out in this swashbuckling pantomime that will have you ‘hooked’!

Discussion With only four shows - December 11, 12 and 13th at the Glenmore Christian Academy in Calgary, Small Time Theatre presents the Junior production of The Sound of Music, directed by Lena Chalmers. Kyle sits down with Lena and Ingrid Koller (part of the set design team) to talk about the meaning of this Rogers and Hammerstein musical, and what theatre for young people with Small Time has meant to them and their families. Tickets: https://smalltimetheatre.shop/ (as of publishing the performance is sold out) About the Show: The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows Maria, an ebullient postulant who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, the von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

Discussion Opening November 28th and closing December 7th at the Cochrane Ranchehouse, Take a Bow Community Theatre presents Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a Pantomime by Ron Hall and directed by Anita McDonald. Kyle sits down with Anita to discuss bringing a pantomime to life and trying to keep a production marching towards the same goal. Tickets: https://www.takeabow.ca/calendar/goldilocks-pantomime About the Show: Join Goldilocks and her family as they work together with three bears to stop the Squire's evil plan! A silly, topsy-turvy re-telling of the classic story that the whole family will enjoy!

Discussion opening November 28th and running until December 13 at the Hope Community Church in Strathmore, the Strathmore Theatre Players Guild presents A Christmas Carol, adapted by Lynn Stevens, directed by Angela Woodford-Reeves and Jeanette Brown, produced by Lauren Nelson and starring Courtney Nelson as Scrooge. Kyle sits down with Courtney and Lauren to discuss how important this work is not only in general, but to Strathmore itself and how many groups have come together to bring this show to life to inspire audiences this Holiday Season. Tickets: https://thevaultonline.ca/collections/strathmore-theatre-players-guild About the Show: By suggesting famous Christmas carols, this talented author incorporates appropriate music for the re-telling of this classic story. You’ll meet all the great characters: Christmases Past, Present, and Future; Tiny Tim; Bob Cratchit; and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge! This is an inspiring musical that captures the essence of the great tale, and of the meaning of Christmas.

Discussion Opening November 29th and running through December 7 at the Bnai Tikvah Temple in Calgary, Chai Life Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, directed by Sean Anderson. Kyle sits down with Sean and producer Laura Shuler to discuss the creation of a new theatre company in Calgary and the difficulties in bringing this massive musical to the stage. Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-5 About the show: This show is an uplifting and vibrant musical that tells the story of Joseph, a young man with dreams and aspirations. Set in a colourful, fantastical world, it captures his journey of hope, resilience, and self-discovery as he navigates challenges and triumphs. With catchy songs, lively choreography, and a joyous spirit, the show celebrates the power of dreams, family bonds, and the importance of believing in oneself. The dazzling technicolor coat symbolizes Joseph’s uniqueness and the message that everyone has something special to offer.