This is a really important night at the theatre and we hold a party to celebrate the coming year. 

As recognition for their loyalty, current subscribers are invited, it’s all terribly top secret and there was a positive, celebratory buzz in the air on Tuesday evening.

The short launch presentation featured two short performances; Lisette Bolton sang Mozart’s Alleluia accompanied by Hamish Tait and Michelle Brasier sang Popular accompanied by Peter J Casey. 

Lisette is 17 years old and completed her year 12 studies this year. 

She is a young soprano vocalist with a sincere desire to pursue a career in opera.

Michelle played the lead role of Elle Woods in the Theatre’s community production of Legally Blonde in 2015. 

Popular is one of the key songs from next year’s community production Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz.

The 2017 season represents a carefully curated selection of shows from high profile companies, from Queensland we have shake and stir with their new stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s twisted tale Dracula.

Bakersfield Mist is from The Tasmanian Theatre Company and features John Wood and Julie Nihill.  Based on a true story it’s a comedy set in the modern day.

From Victoria, Circus Oz returns with their new show Model Citizens.

At the Riverina Playhouse we will stage Hello Goodbye and Happy Birthday which originated at Malthouse Theatre.

Victoria is also the home of Hit Productions whose previous shows include The 39 Steps and Educating Rita, this year they present the comedy about Florence Foster Jenkins, Glorious! 

Originally from Melbourne, Dirty Pretty Theatre’s production Thérèse Raquin is a superb examination of corrupted morals, set in the notoriously dingy backstreets of Paris in the late 19th century.

The James Morrison Academy Jazz Orchestra is a 20 piece jazz big band noted for exceptional individual musicianship and tight ensemble performance based in Mt Gambier.

And with a perfect romp the State Theatre Company of South Australia promises to lift the roof in the silliest ways imaginable with the  Australian comedy classic, The Popular Mechanicals.

Our own state of NSW is the home of The Song Company who will perform a special acapella concert in the Wagga Art Gallery, the Sydney Dance Company who return to Wagga after an absence of five years with Frame of Mind.  Bell Shakespeare return to the city with The Merchant of Venice; Shakespeare’s great play of gender, politics and money.

The final show of the year is the community production of the Broadway smash hit, Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. Auditions will be held in May and rehearsals will begin in July or August.

To subscribe to the season you only need to select four shows, there are numerous benefits including delayed payment options, post show suppers, discounts and the ability to exchange to another show if your plans change.

The beautiful booklet with the plume of green smoke on the cover is available online at www.civictheatre.com.au, you can drop into the theatre and collect a copy, or call the Box Office on 6926 9688 and we’ll pop a copy in the mail.

IF YOU’RE in the mood for a pre-Christmas pick-me-up, an Elvis Presley sing fest or you just like the idea of a quality show for a budget price, then Pelvis is the show for you.

There are two performances on Wednesday, December 14 at 11am, and 7.30pm. 

The morning performance has a complimentary morning tea which is served from 10am. 

All tickets for both shows are $22.

Pelvis features the comedy styling and singing talents of Jamie Way and is directed by local theatre legend, Peter Cox. 

Tickets can be booked online at www.civictheatre.com.au or by phoning the Civic Theatre on 6926 9688.