Superstar alt-country siblings The Band Perry are coming to Red Deer — as is Canada’s duct tape-wielding handyman Red Green, and Canadian operatic superstar Ben Heppner.
These are just a few of the famous faces set to appear before local audiences in the coming months as the fall entertainment season of music, theatre and comedy begins to unfold.
So far, the biggest concert news appears to be a tie between the Jan. 15 Centrium performance by Alabama-based The Band Perry, known for the hits If I Die Young and Better Dig Two, and Heppner.
Hepner, Canada’s celebrity tenor recognized for his dramatic repertoire, is sure to make a mark on the local classical music scene when he performs at a gala fundraiser in March for the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra.
Aside from Heppner, a bevy of lesser-known world-class guest soloists will also help the RDSO deliver a season of meaty musical fare.
Classical music lovers will particularly relish another pairing of the Red Deer and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras for a concert of Russian music in May.
In the meantime, other talented musicians are ready to take smaller stages around town. One of the more anticipated is the Great Big Sea appearance in October.
The East Coasters who put a modern spin on traditional Celtic tunes are so popular in Central Alberta that the Memorial Centre concert is already a sellout.
Those who didn’t get tickets for Great Big Sea can still get into a lively “kitchen party” show by Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys in October at the Elks Lodge.
There’s also roots act Elliott BROOD, alt-rockers Crash Karma and One Bad Son, and Canada’s folky favourite, Valdy, appearing in various live music venues this fall — as well as country singers Chad Brownlee, Jason Blaine and Deric Ruttan in a November triple bill.
For those who like the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons or Elvis Presley, it will be interpreted in the tribute shows Oh What a Night! and Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!
Local musicians will get a chance to shine when Red Deer College’s Big Band, Symphonic Winds and Percussion Ensemble bring jazz, classical and Latin-flavoured music to the RDC Arts Centre throughout the season.
On the theatre side, D’Artagnan and his swashbuckling friends, Athos, Porthos and Aramis will appear in the Red Deer College Theatre Studies production of Alexandre Dumas’s The Three Musketeers at the RDC Arts Centre.
RDC Theatre Studies also presents Lewis Carroll’s plucky heroine Alice stepping into another topsy-turvey world in Alice Through the Looking Glass, and Shakespeare’s long-suffering merchant, Egeon, appearing in the mistaken-identities farce The Comedy of Errors.
Central Alberta Theatre brings kooky, free-spirited Jill Tanner in Butterflies are Free to the Nickle Studio. Among other memorable characters to be brought to life by CAT are the southern women of Steel Magnolias and the notorious Nurse Ratched, who butts heads with rebellious mental patient Randle P. McMurphy, in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
CAT’s Christmas show at the Memorial Centre is an original fairy tale musical spoof, Cinderella Dances With the Stars, written by Red Deer’s Albert Azzara.
Tree House Youth Theatre is also preparing for a varied program that will wrap up next spring with the macabre musical Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Since belly laughs are very welcome during our long fall and winter, Red Green will share his tongue-in-cheek wisdom with an audience in October. And fans of stand-up comedy can catch the Rat Pack Edition of the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour, which stops at the Memorial Centre in November.
It features comedians Darrin Rose, Tom Papa, Alonzo Bodden and Orney Adams.
More regular laughs can be had over the local comic antics of the Bull Skit crew, seen monthly at the Scott Block.
The crack team of improvisers is also staging biweekly Bull Prov shows, as well as a brand-new Calf Skit show to take kids on an adventure with new twists on classic storybook tales.
These are all good reasons to switch off the TV, computer or Xbox and get an electric charge out of live performances happening around the city.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 14 — Raise the Woof, a comedy night in support of the SPCA runs at the Red Deer Curling Centre. A ticket for the show and 7 p.m. dinner is $80.25. A ticket for the 8 p.m. show only is $45.50 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 — Spanish dancers click their heels in Puertas, featuring the Fiona Malena Flamenco Ensemble, at 8 p.m. at Red Deer’s Memorial Centre. Tickets are $25 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre, or $29 at the door.
Sept. 20 — Alt-country band Elliott BROOD strikes up tunes at The Hideout, south of Red Deer. Tickets for the 9 p.m. show are $20 in advance from the venue, 53rd Street Music, or Gord’s Smoke Shop, or $25 at the door.
Sept. 20, 21 — Bull Skit kicks off its season of laughs with sketch comedy, improvisation and music by Amy Lou at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
Sept. 21 — Calf Skit allows kids at the 2 p.m. matinee at the Scott Block to determine where improvised adventure stories will lead. There’s a different story each month in this interactive family show by Against the Wall Theatre. (Recommended for children 10 and under). Tickets are $20 per family at the door and include free popcorn.
Sept. 22 — Tree House Youth Theatre presents the award-winning Canadian play, I Met A Bully On the Hill, by Martha Brooks and Maureen Hunter, at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. It tells a powerful and timely story of a young girl’s struggle with a school bully. The suggested donation for the 7:30 p.m. performance is $10. Suitable for ages 6 and up.
Sept. 26-Oct. 12 — Central Alberta Theatre presents the kooky ’60s-era comedy Butterflies are Free, by Leonard Gershe, in the Nickle Studio, upstairs at the Memorial Centre. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show (2 p.m. Sunday matinee) are $31.45 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Sept. 26 — Singer/songwriter Valdy brings his country-folk ballads to The Hideout. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $20 in advance from the venue, 53rd Street Music, or Gord’s Smoke Shop, or $25 at the door.
Sept. 27 — Calgary pianist Allen Reiser’s all-Chopin recital is on at 8 p.m. at the Red Deer College Arts Centre. Tickets are $23.10 ($18.90 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Sept. 28 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
Sept. 30 — Canada’s zaniest handyman, Red Green, shares more duct-tape wisdom in his How to Do Everything Show, which stops at 7 p.m. at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $65.80 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
OCTOBER
Oct. 4 — Rockers Crash Karma and One Bad Son perform at The Vat in Red Deer. Tickets for the 9 p.m. show are $20 from the venue.
Oct. 5 — The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra presents Bold and Beethoven, featuring solo pianist Corey Hamm, an 8 p.m. concert at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $54.75 ($52.75 students/seniors, $39.25 youths/first four rows) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre. (A few season subscriptions are still available before this first concert).
Oct. 5 — There’s no denying the eternal appeal of Elvis, Elvis, Elvis! The 8 p.m. tribute show runs at Red Deer’s Memorial Centre. Tickets are $45 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Oct. 10 — Local pianists Cheryl Cooney and Debra Bakland put on a duo concert of music from Bach, Brahms and other classical composers at 7:30 p.m. at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $22.25 ($18.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Oct. 10-19 — William Shakespeare’s wacky Comedy of Errors, about two sets of identical twins separated at birth, is staged at 7:30 p.m. by Red Deer College Theatre Studies in Studio A of the RDC Arts Centre (1 p.m. Saturday matinees). Tickets are $21.25 ($19.95 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Oct. 12 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
Oct. 19 — East Coast “kitchen party” band Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys put on a lively fiddling show at the Elk’s Lodge in Red Deer. Tickets to this Central Music Festival Society-sponsored concert are $30, including dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m., show is at 7:30 p.m. Visit centralmusicfest.com for tickets.
Oct. 24 — Women of the Baton are featured by the RDC Symphonic Winds at a 7:30 p.m. concert at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $19.25 ($16.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Oct. 25, 26 — Local band Waskasoo joins the Bull Skit crew for a night of sketch comedy, improvisation and music at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
Oct. 26 — A Red Deer College faculty recital celebrates Red Deer’s centennial and RDC’s 50th birthday with music — including premieres of original compositions by Malcolm Bell and Ruston Vuori. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert at the RDC Arts Centre are $23.10 ($18.90 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Oct. 26 — Calf Skit allows kids at the 2 p.m. matinee at the Scott Block to determine where improvised adventure stories will lead. There’s a different story each month in this interactive family show by Against the Wall Theatre. (Recommended for children 10 and under). Tickets are $20 per family at the door and include free popcorn.
Oct. 27 — Direct from Las Vegas comes Oh What a Night!, a musical tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, at 7 p.m. at Red Deer’s Memorial Centre. Tickets are $60 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Oct. 28 — Red Deer loves the Celtic rock band Great Big Sea. The Memorial Centre concert is already sold out.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 1-16 — Central Alberta Theatre presents Steel Magnolias, a three-hankie dramedy by Robert Harling, at City Centre Stage in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show (2 p.m. Sunday matinee) are $31.80 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Nov. 2 — The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra presents London Calling, featuring solo flutist Leslie Newman, an 8 p.m. concert at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $54.75 ($52.75 students/seniors, $39.25 youths/first four rows) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Nov. 7, 8 — Ski and snowboard films are screened at the Pursuit Film Festival at the Scott Block. The shows start at 7 p.m. Ticket information is to be announced at pursuitfilmfest.ca.
Nov. 9 — Your Town Throw Down, a country triple threat concert featuring Chad Brownlee, Jason Blaine and Deric Ruttan, goes at 7 p.m. at Cowboys Bar and Nightclub in Red Deer. Tickets are $25.25 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre. No minors.
Nov. 9 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
Nov. 16 — The Capital One Just for Laughs Comedy Tour stops at 7 p.m. at Red Deer’s Memorial Centre. Tickets are $46.50 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Nov. 16 — Singer/songwriter Kim Wempe, a former RDC student who’s winning raves for her music on the East Coast, is back for a CD release party for her new album Coalition. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $20 at the door (other outlets TBA).
Nov. 21-30 — Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice Through The Looking Glass is enacted as a stage musical by RDC Theatre Studies. This topsy-turvey tale is adapted by Jim DeFelice, with songs by Red Deer’s Larry Reese. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. shows at the RDC Arts Centre (1 p.m. Saturday matinees) are $26.25 ($21.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Nov. 22, 23 — Bull Skit continues its season of sketch comedy and improvisation, this time with music by Garrett Olsen, at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
Nov. 23 — Calf Skit allows kids at the 2 p.m. matinee at the Scott Block to determine where improvised adventure stories will lead. There’s a different story each month in this interactive family show by Against the Wall Theatre. (Recommended for children 10 and under). Tickets are $20 per family at the door and include free popcorn.
DECEMBER
Dec. 3, 4 — It’s all Jazz, at 7:30 p.m. in Studio A of the RDC Arts Centre, features the RDC Big Band and student and faculty jazz combos performing high-energy tunes from jazz greats. Tickets are $19.25 ($16.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Dec. 5-7, 12-14 — Tree House Youth Theatre stages Winter Wonderland 2.0 to help create more magical Yuletide memories. There will be food, “reindeer games” and Christmas-themed entertainment for the whole family at the Scott Block. Tickets for the 7 p.m. shows (2 p.m. Saturday matinees) are $17.50 until Oct. 31 and $22.50 after from www.treehouseyouththeatre.ca. Ideal for Christmas parties.
Dec. 6 — Sounds of the Season are rung in by the RDC Symphonic Winds and the college’s Chamber Choir. Tickets to this 7:30 p.m. concert of angel-related compositions at the RDC Arts Centre are $22.25 ($18.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Dec. 7 — The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra presents Yuletide Delights, featuring the Rosedale Valley Strings, an 8 p.m. concert at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $54.75 ($52.75 students/seniors, $39.25 youths/first four rows) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Dec. 7 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
Dec. 13-21 — Central Alberta Theatre presents the slapstick musical Cinderella Dances With the Stars, by local playwright Albert Azzara, at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Centre (1 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday). Tickets are $25.45, or $20.45 each for a family of four, from the Black Knight Ticket Centre. (Group rates also available).
Dec. 13, 14 —In RDC’s First Year Theatre Showcase, students perform some thrilling stage combat, stately period dances, scenes from plays, and will sing and perform choral works at City Centre Stage. Shows at 7 p.m. Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. “Pay what you dare” for admission. Proceeds will support the students’ final production Out of the Box.
Dec. 14, 15 — The Nutcracker, a perennial Christmas-time favourite, is staged by local ballet students of all ages at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets for the 7 p.m. shows (1:30 p.m. Sunday matinee) are $22.25 ($20.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Dec. 18 — Charles Dickens’ story of A Christmas Carol gets the roots music treatment by Bill Bourne and other notable Edmonton musicians when A Carol Project is presented at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show, brought in by the Central Music Festival Society, are $30 and are available from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
JANUARY
Jan. 11 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
Jan. 15 — The U.S. alt-country trio The Band Perry performs If I Die Young and other hits for fans on the Centrium Stage. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.
Jan. 16-Feb. 1 — Sylvia, a canine comedy by A.R. Gurney, is reprised by Central Alberta Theatre at 7:30 p.m. at the City Centre Stage (2 p.m. Sunday matinee). Tickets are $31.80 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Jan. 19 — Classical guitarist Shannon Frizzell and friends perform a 2 p.m. concert at Margaret Parsons Theatre at Red Deer College. Tickets are $23.10 ($18.90 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Jan 24, 25 — The Half Chance Heroes join Bull Skit for an evening of sketch comedy, improvisation and music at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
Jan. 25 — Calf Skit allows kids at the 2 p.m. matinee at the Scott Block to determine where improvised adventure stories will lead. There’s a different story each month in this interactive family show by Against the Wall Theatre. (Recommended for children 10 and under). Tickets are $20 per family at the door and include free popcorn.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 1 — The RDC Faculty Jazz Cabaret includes the music of Elvis, The Beatles, funk and fusion at 7:30 p.m. in Studio A of the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $23.10 ($18.90 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Feb. 6-15 — Alexandre Dumas’s swashbuckling tale of The Three Musketeers, adapted by Ken Ludwig, is staged by RDC Theatre Studies students at 7:30 p.m. the RDC Arts Centre (1 p.m. Saturday matinees). Tickets are $26.25 ($21.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Feb. 8 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
Feb. 20-March 8 — Central Alberta Theatre presents Oldest Profession, a musical satire about senior hookers by Paula Vogel, at 7:30 p.m. at the Nickle Studio (2 p.m. Sunday matinee). Tickets are $31.45 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Feb. 21, 22 — Bull Skit continues going for laughs with sketch comedy, improvisation — as well as music by Oldbury —at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
Feb. 22 — The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra presents Voices of Heaven, an 8 p.m. choral concert of Bach’s Great Mass with Early Music Voices, at the Gaetz Memorial United Church. Tickets are $53.70 ($51.70 students/seniors, $38.20 youths) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
Feb. 22 — Calf Skit allows kids at the 2 p.m. matinee at the Scott Block to determine where improvised adventure stories will lead. There’s a different story each month in this interactive family show by Against the Wall Theatre. (Recommended for children 10 and under). Tickets are $20 per family at the door and include free popcorn.
Feb. 23 — Dale Wheeler’s piano recital features works by Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin and others at 7:30 p.m. at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $23.10 ($18.90 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
MARCH
March 6 — The RDC Symphonic Winds and the Red Deer Community Youth Orchestra are Dancing Through Time with a program of ballet, theatre and dance music. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert at the RDC Arts Centre are $19.25 ($16.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
March 7 — An evening of Latin, jazz and rock music on marimbas, vibraphones, xylophones and drums is presented by the RDC Percussion Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $19.25 ($16.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
March 8 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
March 21, 22 — Bull Skit provides sketch comedy, improvisation and music by Lauren Busheikin at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
March 22, 23 — That’s Entertainment, a showcase of best performances of the year by RDC music students, is on at 7:30 p.m. on March 22 and 2 p.m. on March 23 at the RDC Arts centre. Tickets are $25.25 ($21.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
March 22 — Calf Skit allows kids at the 2 p.m. matinee at the Scott Block to determine where improvised adventure stories will lead. There’s a different story each month in this interactive family show by Against the Wall Theatre. (Recommended for children 10 and under). Tickets are $20 per family at the door and include free popcorn.
March 26 — Canada’s superstar operatic tenor Ben Heppner performs at a special fundraising gala for the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $159.20 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
March 27-April 12 — Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is presented by Central Alberta Theatre at 7:30 p.m. at City Centre Stage (2 p.m. Sunday matinee). Tickets are $31.80 at the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
March 28 — Alberta’s Got Jazz features performances by the RDC Big Band and guest jazz artists at 7:30 p.m. at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $19.25 ($16.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
APRIL
April 3 — The RDC Chamber Choir celebrates its 10th anniversary season with a Touch of Class concert spotlighting nature songs at 7:30 p.m. at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $19.25 ($16.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
April 9-12 — The graduating students of RDC Theatre Studies devises a site-specific show called Out of the Box, to be staged at a non-traditional performance venue somewhere in Red Deer. Thematically challenging, it will feature thrilling, avant-garde performances and the audience will get a real theatrical experience. Venue, times and ticket prices to be announced.
April 12 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
April 14 — Popular Scottish-Canadian tenor John McDermott performs Celtic hits during his Looking Back tour which stops at 7:30 p.m. at Red Deer’s Memorial Centre. Tickets are $52.75 from Red Deer’s Memorial Centre.
April 16-19 — Ten Lost Years, a play about bravery during the Canadian Depression, by Jack Winder and Cedric Smith, is brought to life by RDC Theatre Studies students at City Centre Stage in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows (1 p.m. Saturday matinee) are $21.25 ($17.25 students/seniors) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
April 25, 26 — Edmonton singer/songwriter Ben Sures joins the Bull Skit crew for a night of sketch comedy, improvisation and music at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
April 26 — Calf Skit allows kids at the 2 p.m. matinee at the Scott Block to determine where improvised adventure stories will lead. There’s a different story each month in this interactive family show by Against the Wall Theatre. (Recommended for children 10 and under). Tickets are $20 per family at the door and include free popcorn.
April 26 — The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra presents Angels of Amadeus, featuring solo horn player Allene Hackman, an 8 p.m. concert at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $54.75 ($52.75 students/seniors, $39.25 youths/first four rows) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
MAY
May 1-17 — Looking, a Norm Foster comedy about four 40-somethings searching for love, is presented by Central Alberta Theatre at 7:30 p.m. at the Nickle Studio, upstairs at the Memorial Centre (2 p.m. Sunday matinee). Tickets are $31.45 at the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
May 10 — Bull Prov, an all-improv show, is brought to you by Against the Wall Theatre. Tickets to the 7 and 9 p.m. shows are $10 at the door at the Centennial Stage of the Scott Block (entrance from the alley). Various special guests.
May 16 — The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra presents A Stroll Through Red Square, a joint 8 p.m. concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, at the RDC Arts Centre. Tickets are $54.75 ($52.75 students/seniors, $39.25 youths/first four rows) from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
May 22-24 — The Best of Bull Skit runs with sketch comedy, improvisation and music at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Tickets for this 8 p.m. Against the Wall Theatre presentation are $23 ($18 students/seniors) from www.BullSkitComedy.com.
May 29-31, June 5-7 — Tree House Youth Theatre presents Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a gripping, macabre musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler about a barber and pie-maker who get revenge by turning their enemies into baked goods. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows (1:30 p.m. Saturday matinees) are $15 from www.treehouseyouththeatre.ca. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
JUNE
June 12-21 — Central Alberta Theatre’s One-Act Play Festival runs at 7:30 p.m. at the Nickle Studio, upstairs at the Memorial Centre. Tickets are $20 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com