Stettler Variety Showcase hosted their second show of the 2022-2023 season on Dec. 4.
The first show of the season to take place in the Stettler Performing Arts Centre (PAC) featured the vocal talents of Canadian tenor Ken Lavigne.
Lavigne, a founding member of the Canadian quartet The Tenors, performed his show called Three Knights and a Tenor, with a Little Mistle Toe.
In the first half of the show, Lavigne, along with violinist Thomas Neville, bassist Casey Ryder, and pianist Nico Rhodes performed a variety of medley’s featuring music from Sir Paul McCartney, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, and Sir Elton John.
During the medley’s, Lavigne sung some of McCartney’s hits like Black Bird and Penny Lane, Elton John favourites like Crocodile Rock, and a selection of Andrew Lloyd Webber music from Phantom of the Opera and Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Intermixed with the music were — often hilarious — anecdotes and stories about his musical career and dating life.
After a break between sets, and a quick set change to make things a little more Christmas-themed, Lavigne and the others returned to the stage and performed a variety of Christmas classics including Jingle Bells, White Christmas, and others, before finishing with O Holy Night.
During the second half of the performance each member on stage with Lavigne was given an opportunity to showcase their talents individually as well.
Lavigne’s departure from the stage at the end of the last song did not last long, however. He was coaxed out with a standing ovation and performed an encore song, this time channeling Elvis Presley in a rendition of Blue Christmas.
Stettler Variety Showcase hosted two performances of Lavigne’s act on Dec. 4; there was an afternoon show at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m.
According to organizers, the afternoon performance had the PAC two-thirds full, while the evening performance was less well attended, about half-full.
With Lavigne’s show done, Stettler Variety Showcase will be taking a break over the festive season. The next show scheduled is Robert Uchida and Rafel Hoekman on Jan. 29. Tickets are available at Grate Kitchen Shoppe on Main Street.