By Chris Brown

Still performing

Medicine Hat Musical Theatre looks on the bright side of life

Apr 27, 2020 | 4:52 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The folks at Medicine Hat Musical Theatre know better than most that the show must go on, and they took that to heart last week.

As what should have been opening weekend for “Spamalot” approached, the cast and crew were a bit down in the dumps, said cast member Amber Stark, who also handles the group’s social media. While having a socially-distanced driveway drink with her neighbour last week, he gave her the idea of putting together a video of the cast singing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” one of the show’s most popular songs.

Stark proposed it to the cast and they ran with it.

“It’s kind of perfect for the situation right now,” she said. “It turned out to be the perfect distraction for all of us this weekend. We were laughing, having a good time, coming up with ideas and we put it together and it distracted us from the reality that we’re not at the playhouse putting on a show.”

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Meant also as a tribute to MHMT’s fans and patrons, it’s lightened the mood for them as well, said Stark.

“It looks like everybody’s really enjoyed it and it’s really put a smile on a lot of people’s faces and that was really the point,” she said. “I hope everybody enjoys it and I hope everybody can look on the bright side of life during all of this.”

Stark said they’re now looking at December to stage “Spamalot,” but like everyone are waiting on word about loosening of public health restrictions on mass gatherings. Whenever that is, Stark said they’ll have to come up a realistic timeline for starting again from the beginning of rehearsals and getting to the actual production.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also thrown plans for the next season out the window. Stark said they had a rough idea of what the 2020-21 season was going to be before the pandemic hit.

“We’re not sure that we will have a fall show but but we’re keeping things open just like everyone else.”