After two years of fundraising, new seats have been installed in the Prince Charles Theatre, and the Creston Community Auditorium Society is ready to celebrate. On Saturday, more than 20 performers will take to the stage to offer a concert — which the audience can enjoy in greater comfort than before.
“We’re thrilled to present this lineup of some of Creston’s best talent,” said auditorium society vice-president Brian Lawrence. “There will be music, singing and dancing, offering an excellent cross-section of the diverse talent that uses the stage.”
The performances in Take Your Seat include groups such as the women’s choir Key of She, Steppin’ Out (Debra Mehrer, Eric Johnson, Lorraine Smith) and the Swan Charmers (Ilana Cameron, Kurt Goltz, Karl Sommerfeld), and duets by Rhonda MacLellan and Bob van der Poel, and Ian Mackay and Velle Weitman.
Solo singers include Cory Hammond, Brooke Douma, Marlene Nash, Erin Collison, Marybeth Stenhouse, Jolah Hockley, Willow Adams, Morgan Benty and Frances Collision, with instrumental numbers provided by Skylar Eyre, Noah Koehoorn, Ethan Greentree and Dan Caverly.
Musical theatre is also well represented, with songs from The Music Man, Shenadoah, Carousel and Kiss Me, Kate performed by, respectively, Lawrence, Matt Hansen, Jennifer Adams and Gary Atha.
And fancy footwork isn’t left out, with numbers by Anna Payne and Christie Booker, as well as the line dancing club.
“This is a big night,” said Lawrence. “We’re all excited to perform knowing that the audience won’t be squirming in their seats, trying to stay comfortable.”
The seat campaign started over two years ago, with a significant contribution coming from the Creston and District Credit Union, which matched the first $25,000 in donations from the community. It was followed earlier this year by a $57,000 donation from the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
The seats arrived in mid-October and were installed, with volunteers assisting a professional installer, in time for the Creston Valley Music Teachers’ Association’s concerts on Oct. 23 and 25.
“The auditorium society is grateful to all of our donors and volunteers,” said Lawrence. “The financial and physical efforts associated with this project have certainly been appreciated.”
Take Your Seat runs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/students and $5 for children under 12, available at Black Bear Books, Kingfisher Used Books and Creative Fix, and at the door.
—CRESTON COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM SOCIETY