Western Canada Theatre Turns 50 with a Dazzling New Production of a Classic

Kamloops’ very own theatre company has been the hub of the local art and culture scene for more than five decades now, and the creative minds of Western Canada Theatre (WCT) are celebrating in the way they know best—by putting on a fabulous, all-Canadian season of shows. After all, milestones like this don’t come along every day.

What started in the early 1970s as a way to promote local arts and culture in the Kamloops community has blossomed into one of Western Canada’s foremost theatre groups, a nationally recognized company that has brought countless smiles to its patrons’ faces. According to Kirk Smith, the company’s Communications Director, part of the reason WCT is so well-loved is that they have never forgotten their connection to the community.

“WCT began fifty years ago as the result of a local high-school drama teacher’s courage to dream, and our beginnings as a community youth theatre have shaped us just as much as our successes as a professional theatre,” Smith tells us. To celebrate their milestone, WCT wanted to put something together for their big holiday production that would convey a message of courage and community spirit—and it wasn’t hard to decide on what that production should be.

Fifty Years of Magic: Western Canada Theatre Revives a Timeless Favourite

Saying ‘Thank-you’ to the people of Kamloops involves a throw-back to those early days of Kamloops stage productions—by revamping a classic. A stage version of “Anne of Green Gables – The Musical” premiered in WCT’s very first season, so it only made sense to revisit the iconic story when marking half a century of stage productions. “We are really excited to be featuring this show,” says Kirk. “Not only is it a trip down memory lane, but there are even ties back to the original production.”

Smith is referring to the return of well-known personalities, such as Canadian actor, artistic director, and choreographer Valerie Easton, who played Anne in the original 1975 production. Easton will return as choreographer for this 50th anniversary edition, working with a tremendously talented group that includes Vancouverite Kyra Leroux, cast as Anne. Leroux played this role in Richmond, BC’s 2022 production, proving herself to be a spectacular reincarnation of the plucky Anne.

Anne of Green Gables – The Musical

The production promises to be a heartwarming retelling, sharing a time-honoured saga of Canada’s feisty, redheaded young Anne. Set in 20th-century Prince Edward Island, Anne arrives as the adopted daughter in a pioneering family. Personality plus, Anne, with her trademark red braids, sets the community ablaze with her fiery personality. The confidence and determination of “Anne – with an E!” breaks down barriers and brings her adopted community of Avonlea together, a message perfect for honouring WCT’s legacy of creating welcoming spaces in their community.

The WCT team are thrilled to bring back such an important play. “We have people coming to see Anne of Green Gables who are the fourth generation of families supporting us,” Kirk tells us proudly. With its timeless themes of belonging, resilience, and the power of imagination, this cherished Canadian musical continues to captivate audiences of all ages. It is also perfect that this choice for the 50-year celebration production features a young lead, as WCT continually dedicates itself to mentoring young enthusiasts of the stage.

A Long Legacy of Supporting Up-And-Coming Stage Enthusiasts

“This production continues a long tradition in our holiday musicals of casting a group of local youth to work alongside seasoned professionals,” explains Smith. “Having that opportunity at an early age builds confidence and opens a lot of doors,” he continues. WCT has never forgotten that, and it is one of the essential ways that the company maintains a strong connection to the community that continues to offer much-needed support.

Marking a Half-Century With a Celebration to Honour Its Roots

In addition to the productions slated for the season, Western Canada Theatre will invite audiences to join them in celebrating the group’s fifty-year legacy with an exclusive, one-night-only fundraising event on April 24, 2026. The event at the Sagebrush Theatre is titled Breaking Ground: A ’70s Themed Fundraising Celebration, and patrons will enjoy signature cocktails, delicious snacks, live music, a silent auction, and fun, festive activities before the main event — a star-studded concert featuring excerpts from previous WCT productions, performed by some of Kamloops’ favourite performers from near and far.

The whole team at WCT is understandably excited to host this gala fundraiser, as it promises to be a fun, emotionally charged romp through the half-century of WCT productions. “This is a fundraiser, of course, but it is very much a celebration, reviving some of the most memorable stage moments from years past, and culminating in a disco dance party that people will be talking about for years to come.” Tickets are $125, with $75 of that amount eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

Make sure to secure your tickets early, as you will not want to miss out on this opportunity to support a great cause. Art is the glue that holds a community together, reflecting the Kamloops area’s shared stories, dreams, and aspirations. So, take a moment out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life to support the Theatre, and get ready for a heartwarming night of entertainment.

WCT looks forward to many more seasons of professional theatre in Kamloops. The funds generated by ticket sales represent only a small portion of the cost needed to put on the first-rate stage shows for which they are renowned, and they are grateful to the continuing support of individual donors who believe in the value of live performance. Of course, finances are not the only way to make a difference. Interested in volunteering? Not only is volunteering rewarding, but it is also a great way to experience the exciting work that goes into producing stage productions. This selfless support of the community is summed up beautifully in Picasso’s quote, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Visit www.wctlive.ca/support to discover the various ways you can contribute.

To find out more about upcoming shows and events, check out WCT on Instagram, Facebook, or their website.

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