ESTEVAN — The first production at the Souris Valley Theatre this season will be a musical send-up of one of the most popular television series in recent years.
Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical, written by Randy Apostle, will open July 7. Performances will be at the theatre's Frehlick Hall at 7:30 p.m. from July 7-11 and July 14-18, and there will be a 2 p.m. matinee July 10.
Brad Wiebe, who is in his fourth season directing productions for the theatre, said rehearsals are coming together well and all the pieces were coming together. They have been rehearing since June 19.
"We have such a great cast and crew," said Wiebe. "Everybody's offering suggestions of how we could do something … and we've been able to try to incorporate pretty much everything, so we have a very helpful, collaborative team."
The musical is loosely based on the TV series Yellowstone that wrapped up last year, but there are some comedy bits and some other nostalgia that aren't from the show.
"If you do like the TV show, I think you'll get a good kick out of this show, because the characters are there, but they're in a completely different situation than you're using to seeing them in."
The Yellowstone musical follows the exploits of the Mutton family, and there's a character named Teeter, but other connections to the series are secrets, he said.
Wiebe's wife is the choreographer and they love coming to Estevan every year, he said. Despite their busy schedule, they always make time to come to a city they call "their second home".
Wiebe has worked with most of the cast previously. Four of the cast members are in Estevan for the first time.
"We're really excited to have them here and they're excited to be here. The people who have been here before that are in the show have really psyched up the place and let them [the new performers] know it's a great place to be."
One of those first-timers is Jarrod Smith, who uses the stage name of Lawrence Pasloske. He will portray lawyer Jaimie Mutton and wild west cowboy Waylon Whiskey Jr. He said the theatre has a really cool vibe, and he compared the theatre and the neighbouring camping area that's used for the cast and crew to the barn and the bunkhouse in Yellowstone.
"We stroll over to the barn and back to the bunkhouse. It's just a fun little summer vacation working," said Pasloske.
Since arriving in Estevan, Pasloske and the other cast members have been busy promoting the show. They sang the national anthems during the Estevan Motor Speedway's program June 21 and they participated in the Canada Day parade in Bienfait.
"I was throwing candy at kids, dressed as a cowboy. I don't know what more you could ask for from a promo."
Pasloske recently became a fan of the series, and has been binge-watching episodes as part of his preparations for his role. He said people can look forward to the music, with a lot of classics and some more modern songs mixed in.
"If you've seen the TV show, this is a really fun time," Pasloske said. "As great as the show is, it's really stressful sometimes. It's one of those shows where every scene leaves you on the edge of your seat."
The musical is a nice avenue to put the stress aside and have "a nice cowboy adventure" with characters the audience knows.
Robyn Sanderson, who plays Beth Mutton, was at the theatre several years ago to perform in Snowbirds, which was a short-term production written by Lampman's Maureen Ulrich.
"It was a lot of fun," Sanderson said. "We got to perform on the stage and experience that."
Sanderson marvelled at the work that goes into making the theatre happen, with constant upgrades to sound, lights and more.
"They didn't have as many bells and whistles when I was here last," said Sanderson.
She predicted the Yellowstone musical would be a "whirlwind of comic enjoyment", with great music, so many funny little bits and fun throughout the show.
She's a fan of the Yellowstone series, and has been watching episodes a lot leading up to opening night, but she said it's more dramatic than the musical in Estevan. Those who are fans of the series will see some of Beth Dutton in Sanderson's character, although in a more family-friendly fashion.
This is the first time Sanderson has worked with any of the cast members, so she is getting to know them and their characters.
"It's learning different people you're now working with, and it's been a lot of fun to meet a bunch of new people."
When they did the Canada Day parade, there were so many people who told her they were coming to see the show.
"I'm hoping that we do make Souris Valley proud and do a really good one for them all," she said.
Tickets can be purchased at sourisvalleytheatre.com or at Henders Drugs.
The season at the theatre kicks off July 3 with a concert by Saskatchewan musician Jeffery Straker, starting at 7:30 p.m. The acclaimed musician has been in Estevan previously and has performed throughout the province.
The next main-stage show will be Golden Gals Vacation in August.
