It’s looking to be another exceptional year in regards to the performing arts at Red Deer College.

RDC’s 50th Anniversary year will be a year to remember for many reasons, especially for the performing arts season line up, staff say.

The theatre season kicks off with A Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, which runs Oct. 10-19 in Studio A.

Two sets of identical twins are separated at birth. When both sets end up in the town of Ephesus, a chain of mistaken identities and hilarious encounters with the unusual townsfolk occur. The result is one wacky and magical evening of comedy.

Next up is Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, adapted by Jim DeFelice with songs by Larry Reese. This production runs Nov. 21–30 on the Arts Centre’s mainstage.

Fresh from her journey to Wonderland, Alice begins another fantastical adventure through the looking glass. Join Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty and an assortment of silly kings and queens, and follow Alice into an imaginary world of musical adventure.

The Three Musketeers by Ken Ludwig runs Feb. 6-15 on the mainstage as well.

Young d’Artagnan, with his sister in tow, sets off for Paris to fulfill his dream of becoming a musketeer. Together with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, they race to defend the honour of the Queen of France against the evil Cardinal Richelieu. Heroism, treachery, sword fights and, above all, honour.

Wrapping up the year’s production is Ten Lost Years by Jack Winder and Cedric Smith which is slated for April 16–19.

Musically speaking, Thursday Live Concerts will be held at 1 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 31 and March 6 on the mainstage and on Nov. 28 and Feb. 6 in Studio A.

Mostly Acoustic Recitals run at 1 p.m. on Oct. 17, Nov. 21, March 13 and 27 in Studio

Film Works by RDC’s Motion Picture Arts students runs Feb. 6–10 at City Centre Stage downtown.

That’s Entertainment is set for March 22 at 7:30 p.m. on the mainstage, with another performance March 23 at 2 p.m. It’s the year-end concert that showcases the best performances of the year by the RDC music students.

Other music highlights include pianist Allen Reiser on Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. on the mainstage. Cheryl Cooney & Debra Bakland perform Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. on the mainstage as well. RDC professor emeritus Cheryl Cooney and CUC faculty member Debra Bakland present an evening of duo piano music by Bach, Lutoslawski, Brahms, Rachmaninov, and Rzewski.

Other highlights include Women of the Baton Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. on the mainstage. The RDC Symphonic Winds honours the women band directors of Central Alberta.

The annual Faculty Recital runs Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The RDC music faculty celebrates Red Deer’s Centennial and RDC’s 50th anniversary as they explore the music of those times.

The concert also features world premieres of works by RDC faculty members Malcolm Bell and Ruston Vuori.

A Rotary Seniors Concert – a variety show for seniors hosted by the Rotary Club and performed by the students and faculty of the music department, complete with snacks and visiting in the lobby afterwards – runs Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. on the mainstage.

It’s All Jazz is set for Dec. 3-4 at 7:30 p.m. in Studio A.

Heading into Christmastime, Sounds of The Season is set for Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. on the mainstage.

Highlights of the New Year include a Faculty Jazz Cabaret on Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Studio A; A concert featuring pianist Dale Wheeler on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. on the mainstage.

Dancing Through Time runs March 6 on the mainstage followed by An Evening of Percussion on March 7.

A Touch of Class runs April 3 on the mainstage, featuring the RDC Chamber Choir celebrating the end of their 10th anniversary season with a concert exploring themes of nature. They are joined by the RDC Symphonic Winds.

For ticket information and a complete list of season events, visit www.rdc.ab.ca/showtime.

Tickets are available online at www.bkticketcentre.ca or by phone at 403-343-6666 and toll free at 1-800-661-8793.

-Weber