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.
