Date Range

1966-2002

Physical Description

13 cm of textual records

History Biographical

The Lethbridge Musical Theatre grew out of a series of concerts started in 1962 by the Lethbridge Symphony Association. 'Review 62' (later 'Southern Showcase') was a variety show that featured popular music by the symphony orchestra and chorus, as well as performances by other groups and soloists from southern Alberta. The success of the performances sparked discussion about the possibility of staging Broadway musicals, and Lethbridge Musical Theatre (LMT) was formed as an adjunct to the Lethbridge Symphony Association. The association continued until 1968, when LMT became an independent organization Founders of LMT included Albert Rodnunsky, Dick Mells, Gordon Moir, Douglas Card and Ross Whitmore. In the early years of the organization, three people stand out for their creative talents and leadership of LMT: Muriel Jolliffe (choreographer), Dick Mells (producer and director) and Albert Rodnunsky (musical director). Local amateur talent was occasionally supplemented by professional performers brought in for specific shows. In the early years, most of the musicians who accompanied the performances were members of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. After 1968 however, when LMT became an independent group, more and more of the musicians were recruited from local school band instructors and the students who played in those bands. The Lethbridge Musical Theatre has been a theatre company for the last 50 years. The company has put on yearly shows and other smaller productions since the inception, and they perform mainly at the Yates Memorial Centre.

Scope and Content

2019.1068/001: Music Theatre Programs, Part 1/3, 1966-1973. 2019.1068/002: Music Theatre Programs, Part 2/3, 1974-1985. 2019.1068/003: Music Theatre Programs, Part 3/3, 1985-2002.

Collection

Archive

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