Key City Theatre in Cranbrook B.C. is preparing for their Spectacular! Spectacular! Gala celebrating the theatres 25 years of performing arts in the community. The Gala is set to have performances from the early days of the theatre to future performances.

“The event Spectacular Spectacular is a gala to celebrate that 25-year history and the focus for the evening really is to do a look back and a celebration of those years and a little bit of a look forward to what’s coming up next,” said Key City Theatre managing director Galen Olstead.

The Gala will have two special feature performances honouring Rod Osiowy and Paul Kershaw both who have put on large scale productions over the years in Cranbrook.

“Rod was a theatre teacher over at Mt. Baker Secondary and had a number of musicals and plays. He had a long history of working with students and really complex, over the top productions. They were really quite something,” said Olstead.

Olstead stated that performers who had previously worked with Osiowy will perform one of his performances and give the audience a look back at his work.

“The really important thing to understand about Rod Osiowy’s impact on the students that he worked with in his literally dozens of plays and musicals is that he’s so inspired,” said Key City Theatre marketing director Sioban Staplin. “Really most of these kids started out on stage with their first baby steps of very very small roles, and he so inspired some of these kids and worked so closely with them that they have gone on to professional careers.”

The second honouree of the evening is Paul Kershaw, also a teacher at Mt. Baker Secondary, who brought many productions to the stage, working with Cranbrook and surrounding area performers.

The event is a fancy attire event with a red carpet, paparazzi awaiting your arrival to the Gala and an All That Jazz reception. With Dean Smith Trio playing while guest enjoys appetizers from The Heid Out and bid on silent and live auction items.

“The prizes we have at the auctions are pretty cool — one of them is a guitar that we have signed by a whole bunch of artist who have been through over the last 10 years. So there’s just some unbelievable names on there, there’s Randy Travis, Jessie Cook, Pablo, Liona Boyd,” said Olstead.

Throughout the evening guest will enjoy performances by Sarah Aleem, Symphony of the Kootenays, Tyrel Hawke, Amy Morrison, and many more.

“As much as we’re honouring these incredible luminaries and these people who have contributed so much. We’re really recognizing and thanking the public — our patrons who have supported us for 25 years. It’s like a big huge hug and thank you, because without our patrons, and our members, these folks wouldn’t have an audience,” said Staplin.

Tickets for the Saturday, April 22nd gala are $55 for nonmembers and $49 for members. Key City Theatre is recommending people try to purchase their tickets by April 14th to ensure you get one. Tickets are available at the Key City Theatre box office, online, or by phone at 250 426-7006.