THEATRE COMPANY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Globus Theatre is reaching for the stars for this year's season of shows in more ways than one — double digits actually.

This year marks the company's 20th season, which is set to be bigger and better than ever. The extended season of plays, music and comedy, celebrating two decades of producing professional theatre in the Kawartha Lakes, kicks off April 22 with the Starlight Ball gala evening.

The celebration continues from?may 10 to Dec. 17, featuring nine mainstage shows and four eclectic one-nighters.

"When Sarah (Quick) and I founded the company in 2003 we could not have predicted the path that Globus would forge over the next two decades; especially given the tumultuous past few years," said Globus artistic producer James Barrett.

"Globus is thriving. Over the course of the last three years, we have seen an increase in new audiences, and a renewed vigour in the interest and support from our longtime patrons. With an extended celebratory season and the continuation of an exciting capital campaign to purchase our venue, 2023 marks a milestone year for Globus and we look forward to sharing it."

Not surprisingly, the season kicks off with Norm Foster's "Mending Fences."

"Norm cut the ribbon for us when Globus moved into the Lakeview Arts Barn 18 years ago. Since then, one of his plays has featured almost every season," noted Quick, who is not only the company's artistic director, but also a playwright who has penned a brand-new murder mystery for this year's season.

"We have produced over a dozen original murder mysteries to date. We used to do them solely in the offseason, but two years ago, as we were pivoting all over the place, we produced one in the summertime and it was a smash hit."

The season includes: "The Crooner Show" by Rick Kish (June 6 to 10); "Sexy Laundry" by Michele Riml (June 21 to July 8); "Tip of the Iceberg" by C. Rait, M. Williams and J. Bouw (Aug. 2 to 12); and

"Hurry Hard" by Kristen Da Silva (Aug. 16 to 26).

Other shows include: Leisa Way's "Rhinestone Cowgirl! A Tribute to Dolly Parton" (Oct. 17 to 21); "A Christmas Story ... of Murder!"(nov.

15 to 25); Quick's annual traditional British panto, "Puss in Boots" (Dec. 5 to 17); and four one-nighters featuring the awardwinning improv troupe Slap Happy, Alex Dallas,

Chris Gibbs and Girls Nite Out; back for its 18th year.

All shows take place at the Lakeview Arts Barn on Pigeon Lake Road.

For more information, visit globustheatre.com.