Key City Theatre has a jolly Christmas season planned for young and old, with events starting up this Saturday.
The ever-popular PT the Clown will kick off the action on December 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under and are available at the door or box office ahead of the show.
Cranbrook's local schools will be hitting the stage in droves to celebrate the season, starting with Parkland Middle School on December 11 at 7 p.m. The Mount Baker Secondary School Band will take to the Key City stage on December 12 at 7:30 p.m. (See related story below) Highlands and Amy Woodland elementary schools will have their turn on December 13 and 18, respectively. Both shows start at 7 p.m.
Cranbrook's Connect Church wants everyone to have a great Christmas, and is holding a great play for everyone on December 15 and 16. The event is priced for the family, with tickets set at $5 for both evenings. The church said they priced the tickets that way so that all families can afford to attend. They promise classic Christmas carols turned up a notch. The show starts at 6:30 p.m.
Anyone with a unique recipient on their Christmas list will enjoy the Affordable Art Show at the Key City Gallery, which continues to December 19. All items are priced under $300.
Through the holidays, things will slow down a bit for the Key City. The theatre will be closed December 24 through 26, and will open again on the 27th to 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jenn Smith, marketing manager, said staff have enjoyed a successful first half season.
"With 2013 quickly approaching that means our 2012/13 Season is halfway done," Smith said. "We've had a very successful season so far. The Theatre has seen everything from Sloan, Barney Bentall, Grammy award winner Alison Brown to the bright new talent of Meaghan Smith, getting us ready for the holidays."
There were also plenty of non-musical acts at the theatre this season, which many in this community will never forget.
"Along with the theatre's shows, who could forget Toopy & Binoo, Dr. Jane Goodall, Silvia Brown, Stuart MacLean, just to name a few of our highlights," Smith said.
Looking into the New Year, the theatre is starting off 2013 with a bang on January 5 with the Banff Film Festival.
Bard in Your Backyard will return with a six-show run of Merchant of Venice on January 24, 25, 26, 31 and February 1 and 2. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $20.
Smith said the season was supported by many dedicated volunteers and sponsors.
The Key City updates their schedule regularly, and Smith said the theatre's Facebook group is a great place to learn about events as soon as they are announced. Memberships to the theatre are on sale now, and are a perfect gift for the theatre lover in your family.