Sylvan Lake Theatre is presenting a new show '52 Pick-Up'.
There will be a dinner theatre performance on Feb 14 and a Mimosa Brunch on Feb 15.
The Sylvan Lake Theatre is presenting a new show 52 Pick-Up in collaboration with Bukz, on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.
The show, written by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozi, is a romantic comedy that is told in 52 short scenes and explores one couple's relationship over a few years.
"From ‘love at first sight’ to’ love after first fight’, the humorous and relatable relationship joys, jealousies, foibles, and frustrations are on display with comical consequences. With a twist," Artistic Director Tanya Ryga said.
"The two playwrights chose to create a story arc of two people who fall in love, with all the relatable ups and downs but have the journey played to the audience out of sequence."
The show is based on the card game 52 Pick-Up, and during the show, the actors will select an audience member to shuffle a deck of cards, each card containing a scene's title.
"The shuffled cards are then placed face down around the stage and the show begins. 52 cards. 52 scenes. As each card is randomly picked up the actors perform the scene until the cards are gone and the play is over. No two shows are alike! No one knows, not even the actors, what will happen next," Ryga said.
With the show performed in random order, even though every word is scripted, Ryga knew she needed two actors who could switch from being flirty to being angry at the drop of a card.
"I chose Ash Rose and Aaron Ranger, two highly skilled improvisers and stage actors who have worked together previously. The trust and their chemistry for the rollercoaster ride is there," she said.
For Sylvan Lake Theatre, this is the third event of the 2024-25 theatre season following Theatre Trail 2024 and The Three- A Monster of a Musical.
"What attracts me to this play is how the jumbled highlights of a complicated and yet classic relationship are recreated over and over again with highly entertaining results. Memory is rarely chronological. Anything can spark it, a smell, a sound, or a sudden feeling and we log into the past at any point in the timeline," Ryga said.
For the show, Bukz was a perfect venue.
"We wanted dinner theatre for our Valentine’s show so it was a simple matter of finding a restaurant in Sylvan Lake that had a stage where the entire audience could easily see and hear the actors. Bukz was the ideal choice," Ryga said.
In September 2023, Sylvan Lake Theatre previously used the Bukwildz pavilion for a show during the Theatre Trail. From there, a relationship was developed between Bukz and Bukwildz business owner Kjeryn Dakin and Sylvan Lake Theatre.
"She is extremely supportive of the theatre, and the arts in general. We were only doing two performances and she came up with the great idea that the second one should be a mimosa brunch," Ryga said.
For the Feb. 14 show, there will be a dinner theatre where audience members can either have a prime rib dinner with mashed potatoes and ceasar salad, or a vegan red pepper and cremini white wine ravioli dinner with House Salad. Then for dessert is sticky toffee pudding and there will also be a cash bar available.
Doors will open for the show on Feb. 14 and food service will begin at 6 p.m.
For the Feb. 15 show, there will be a mimosa brunch, where audience members will be able to build their own eggs benny, with hashbrowns, and bacon, have a mimosa of their choice of orange, pineapple, or watermelon, and for dessert a parfait. There will also be a cash bar for the brunch.
Doors will open for the show on Feb. 15 and food service will begin at 10 a.m.
With the show, anyone who's been in a romantic relationship or has wanted a romantic relationship will find something to relate to, Ryga said.
"There will be laughs, groans, breath-holding, and smiles. That’s the play’s impact and the root of much of the humour. What makes this show extra enjoyable is that like the audience the actors never know what is going to happen. Not until they pick up the next random card and they play that scene."
Tickets are available to purchase online for $70 on the Sylvan Lake Theatre's website, www.sylvanlaketheatre.com.
On the website, individuals can also find out more information about Sylvan Lake Theatre, the show, and the menu.
Sylvan Lake Theatre presents 'The Three-A Monster of a Musical'
by Sarah Baker
Sylvan Lake Theatre has a new event
The event is one that the whole family will be able to come out and enjoy.
by Sarah Baker
The Sylvan Lake Theatre is set to host a new event this year.
The Three-A Monster of a Musical (The Three) will be performed on Sept. 14 and 15 and will be an event that the whole family can come out and enjoy.
"The Three is our happy response to repeated requests for family entertainment in Sylvan Lake," artistic director Tanya Ryga said.
Since Sylvan Lake Theatre first began in 2022 their live theatre events, theatre trails, and improv shows have been made for audiences aged 14 or 18 and up.
This year, Sylvan Lake Theatre saw great success with its new youth program, Creative Kids, a week-long drama camp for children ages 10 to 13.
"It was so well subscribed we had a waiting list," Ryga said.
To further include younger audiences Sylvan Lake Theatre also decided to make the second weekend of its award-winning Theatre Trail a theatre for young audiences trail.
"It is an adventure around the world in theatre and song; rated: hilarious entertainment for ages 5 to 105."
Putting on this event is possible thanks to the community, Ryga added.
"We were able to do this project this year due to support from the town and our generous sponsors in the business community."
While the Theatre Trail has audiences travelling from place to place to see the plays The Three will be located at the Sylvan Lake Golf and Country Club clubhouse.
"The show will keep everyone seated for a theatrical journey around the world featuring songs from a variety of styles including hip hop, musical theatre, operetta, folk, and pop it is a comical and musical mash-up," Ryga said.
The plays that will be performed during the event include:
- From China: 'Why cat, dog and mouse are enemies proves how our pets can teach us a lot about human behaviour; the good, the bad and the hilarious.'
- From the Middle East: 'In the play, we see a clever turkey repeatedly try to outwit a Canadian Mountie to save her poor farmer from the greedy mayor.'
- From England: 'A very serious gentleman discovers that the girl he is about to marry is really silly. Her mother is really silly, and her father is even more silly. What to do? He vows to travel the world and if he can find just three people who are as silly as they, he will return and marry her.'
- From Norway: 'Three Goats Gruff is about a family of goats who wish to cross a bridge to where the grass looks greener but refuse to pay the Troll fee.'
The Three is a high-quality theatre production, performed by professional actors and musicians for audiences of all ages, Ryga said.
"Audrey Graham, a classical and jazz pianist, is our music director, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Graham, along with well-known drummer/teacher Dan Barton will provide not only the accompaniment to the songs but incidental music throughout."
"You would think that finding five actors to play 23 colourful characters as well as sing might be difficult but there are incredible performers in Central Alberta to choose from. We were able to assemble a dazzling and very professional cast that makes my job of directing just so much fun," she said.
During each of the two days, three one-hour-long presentations of the show will be done.
People interested in attending the event should purchase tickets soon, Ryga said.
"We sell out most of our events but will never take that for granted. We are hoping that once people have shifted into their fall schedules and parents find that back-to-school rhythm, everyone will be excited to bring their children and grandchildren to something brand new and fun in town."
More information on The Three can be found on the Sylvan Lake Theatre website, sylvanlaketheatre.com/the-three-program.
As well to purchase tickets individuals can either go to the Sylvan Lake Theatre website, sylvanlaketheatre.com/events, or phone 403-318-1380.
Sylvan Lake Theatre Trail brings laughter and fun to Sylvan Lake
Sarah Baker
Sep 10, 2024 9:45 AM
Nikki Bystrom welcomed audience members to the Sylvan Lake Theatre Trail at Lion's Hall.
Norene Reaume was one of the Storytellers at Sylvan Lake Theatre Trail this year.
Pamela Chase was the stage manager for the play 'Change' which was performed at Next of Kiln.
Fleur Jacobs, Amy Erlandson, and Cheryl Inward starred in 'Change' which was performed at Next of Kiln.
Cherish Shively was one of the four storytellers at this year's Theatre Trail.
Austin Schumacher interacts with Jerry Lambert in the play 'Bachelor Party' performed at 2nd Wind Brewery.
Jerry Lambert interacts with Austin Schumacher in the play 'Bachelor Party' performed at 2nd Wind Brewery.
Veronica Balon was one of the storytellers at this year's Theatre Trail. Sarah Baker/Sylvan Lake News
Matthew Taylor and Naomi Gaertner starred in Enchanting Steps with Beauty and the Beast which was performed at Pound It Sylvan Lake.
Naomi Gaertner and Matthew Taylor starred in Enchanting Steps with Beauty and the Beast which was performed at Pound It Sylvan Lake.
Pamela Cregg was one of the storytellers at this year's Theatre Trail.
Kay Parkkari was the stage manager for the play 'Last Call' which was performed at the Lions Hall.
Jeremy Brooks and Richard Doran starred in 'Last Call' which was performed at the Lions Hall.
Jeremy Brooks and Richard Duran star alongside Sarain Soonlas in the play 'Last Call' which was performed at the Lions Hall.
Sylvan Lake's Theatre Trail returns — with some music in second weekend
Sylvan Lake Theatre Trail is returning next month — with an original musical.
by Lana Michelin
Four storytellers will lead the audience to four different locations to see four short plays presented in the community during Sylvan Lake's Theatre Trail on Sept. 7 and 8. This year there will also be an original musical staged the following weekend at the Sylvan Lake Golf and Country Club. (Contributed photo).
Sylvan Lake Theatre Trail is coming back next month — with a twist.
This year, the popular theatrical attraction that entails the audience being taken to four different locations in the town to see four locally written short plays, will only be happening during one weekend, Sept. 7 and 8, instead of the usual two.
On Sept 14 and 15, Sylvan Lake Theatre will be staging a family-oriented production called The Three: A Monster of a Musical, which will weave popular songs into four short stories that were re-imagined and adapted for the stage.
"I'm very excited," said the company's artistic director Tanya Ryga, who believes this will satisfy the community's desire for more family entertainment.
While Theatre Trail has been immensely well received — Ryga noted it was honoured by the community with two gold awards in the annual Best of Sylvan Lake Awards 2024 — its four short plays are usually aimed at a more mature audience.
The Three: A Monster of a Musical, meanwhile, will be "for anyone age five to 105," said Ryga, who describes this as an 'around the world adventure."
The comic production takes Norway's Three Billy Goats Gruff, as well as tales from the Middle East, China and Europe, and adapts them for the stage in unexpected ways. For instance, Ryga said the "troll" in the stage version of the three goats story will actually be a singing diva.
ABBA, pina coladas and Mounties will also play into The Three: A Monster of a Musical, which will be presented at the Sylvan Lake Golf and Country Club. "It's not what you expect," said Ryga, but instead pulls songs and dance moves from the worlds of pop, musical theatre, and hip-hop.
Regarding the four Theatre Trail plays, to be shown the first full weekend of September, they were chosen from 16 original script submissions — triple the amount received in the past, said Ryga. She is thrilled with the quality of these locally written plays, and the players staging them.
Change (written by Derryn Yeomans, directed by Barbara Jean Askin) shows what can happen when loose lips spill family secrets during an afternoon of crafting.
Bachelor Party (by Barbara Pettie, directed by Jenna Goldade) concerns a jittery groom-to-be who stumbles across a potential "deal-breaker" revelation about his fiance.
Enchanting Steps with Beauty and the Beast (by Fran Kimmel, directed by Jesslyn Miller) looks ahead at the 300th anniversary of the two fairy tale characters.
And Last Call (by Gillian Corsiatto, directed by Thomas Bradshaw) is about two construction workers with glamorous side jobs that involve big hair and stiletto heels. The plot is described as "two drag queens talk shop, life and love over a beer."
As usual, four storytellers (Cherish Shively, Veronica Balon, Pamela Cregg and Norene Cawthorn Reaume) will lead the audience to four locations throughout Sylvan Lake where each of these short plays will be presented. The storytellers will also be imparting some Sylvan Lake history — "and some of it will even be true," said Ryga.
For times and ticket information about Theatre Trail, as well as The Three: A Monster of a Musical, please visit sylvanlaketheatre.com.
