Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Selby’s Lennox Community Theatre will once again be showcasing the many talents of the region during The Community Variety Show, starting Feb. 1.
The eight show run will include 7 p.m. start times on Feb. 1, 2, 8 and 9 with 2 p.m. matinees on Feb. 3, 4, 10 and 11.
“We have music, we have a couple of monologues, we have some really great talent coming back and joining us from last year and we have a few new people,” said Nicole Butler, who returns to produce the variety show for a third time. “It won’t be the same as it was last year, it’s going to be completely different.”
Last year saw a triumphant return to the variety show after a short hiatus due to the pandemic. The first variety show was actually the final production to take the Selby stage before the pandemic put a halt to live theatre in 2020.
For some of the acts the variety show is where they first experience the thrill of performing live theatre.
The cast and crew of the 2024 Community Variety Show. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
“We have some people who have never been on stage before and this is their first opportunity and then they realize that they love it and hopefully will come back,” said Butler.
“Last year we had a girl who had incredible stage fright and she had never sang in front of anybody, not even her family. She sang in her bedroom all alone. Then she decided to come here and try out and she ended up hiding behind one of the pieces of equipment and singing. Then she made it to the doorway. Then she made it out onto the stage and sang on stage. Now she’s back this year and this is not the only venue she’s been to as an artist. So she’s really been able to spread her wings and it’s been wonderful to see.”
Lennox Community Theatre makes for a perfect place for people to share their gifts as the audience is always extremely supportive.
“Creativity meets community, I think that’s what community theatre is,” said Butler. “I feel like this theatre in particular embodies that and the Variety Show for sure embodies that.”
The show will be stage managed by Colleen Knapp and feature the art of Michelle Hutchinson.
Tickets are $20 per person and available online at www.lennoxtheatre.ca/tickets or at the door, cash only if seats are still available.
Lennox Community Theatre is located at 2219 County Rd 11 in Selby.