New West’s latest is a sequel to one of its greatest hits

By Lethbridge Herald on August 5, 2025.

Sam Leishman
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A high-energy celebration of music and memories will make for an electrifying start to New West Theatre’s 2025-2026 season.

A small but mighty cast of eight performers will take audiences back through seven decades of rock and roll hits, from Chuck Berry to Chappell Roan, during the two week run of Decades: Remixed. The show opens at the Yates Theatre on Aug. 7.

For Kelly Reay, New West’s Artistic Director, it has been a joy to see this much anticipated sequel to the first and well-received Decades production, which was featured back in 2022, come to life.

He says the first act will cover the icons of the vinyl era from the 1950s to the 1980s, while the second act will be a mixture of contemporary hitmakers from the 1990s up until today.

Final preparations are coming together well, according to Reay, who points out that the performers have a big task at hand.

“There’s almost 30 songs in the show. There’s choreography and comedy sketches they’ve had to learn. They’re hard at it.”

A large part of the Decades: Remixed cast are familiar New West regulars. That includes co-director Grahame Renyk, veteran performer Erica Hunt, Devon Brayne, Katie Fellger, Alinafe Lupwayi and Keenan Pezderic. Rylan Kunkel and Jocelyn Brayne, the other half of the husband-wife duo, will also be returning to the stage after some time away.

Pezderic and Kunkel, on the drums and keys respectively, will join forces with guitarist Scott Mezei and bassist Greg Paskuski in the band, as well.

While this is Jessica Ens’ first time in the co-director’s chair alongside Renyk, she has brought a wealth of experience as choreographer for this production.

Renyk and Ens add that this production is a meaningful tribute to the legacy of the late Arlene Bedster, who passed away in June at the age of 55. Bedster was a force among the New West organization from 1992 to the early 2000s with unforgettable characters and vocals.

“Her presence, spirit and laughter are deeply missed, but her impact echoes in every harmony, every step and every smile happening on this stage,” the co-directors wrote in the performance program. “We’ve tried to follow Arlene’s example in our leadership, infusing our approach with kindness, joy, love and laughter – lots and lots of laughter (with just a tiny bit of mischief mixed in for good measure).”

Decades: Remixed is a family-friendly show that Reay says is suited to music and theatre enthusiasts of all ages.

“Music is something that transcends generations. It can resonate deeply, no matter when you were born. I really think folks who love music will love this show!”

Tickets are available now on the New West Theatre website.