Students at St. Anthony’s School are taking to the stage for their first music production.
The students are producing Into the Woods Jr., and have been working hard on this fractured fairy tale. It will be on stage May 11-13.
“We have done small productions before, but this is the first full-on musical,” said drama specialist and art teacher Angela Jusseaume. “Grade 7-12s were able to audition. The majority of the cast is from Junior High, but we have all the grades represented."
Jusseaume explains Into the Woods Jr. is a new take on the Stephen Sondheim Broadway fairy tale musical, leaning on Grimm's fairy tale characters.
“It's a version of a fractured fairy tale. It has all the usual cast of fairy tale characters. We have Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf, Cinderella, Rapunzel, the witch, and the various cast of princes and stepsisters,” she said.
Jusseaume says the students are really excited about the production and learning as they go.
“We are really blessed with the cast. They are enthusiastic to learn the trade and craft,” she said.
Students are taking on all roles in the play, from on stage to behind the scenes.
Pella LaDrew is adding her expertise to the choreography.
“I have the youngest stage manager I have ever worked with and they will be controlling the show,” said Jusseaume.
She enjoys working with the students and watching them learn.
“The cast and crew really become a tight-knit community, almost like it's the play family. It's great to see their excitement all the way through, but especially after the shows are done, it is such a rewarding experience for all of us. I am already seeing possibilities for future shows with these amazing actors and crew members,” said Jusseaume. “It is such a welcoming environment. We’re all in it together, they are helping each other out. I have seen confidence grow and I believe it will continue to grow. It is a really cool experience.”

It’s a spring thaw tradition that turns 25 this year. Boogie in the Badlands is back on Saturday, May 27, hoping for a strong turnout.
The local car club, Valley Cruisers are already busy organizing the show. It is the perfect opportunity to boost the battery, top up fluids and spray the dust off your signature ride and head down and boogie. The show is open to all makes, models and condition. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be your pride.
The show follows up on a wildly successful 2022 show where cars from across the province descend on downtown Drumheller. This year they are prepared to have a better-than-ever show.
“It was a huge show last year. We had about 160 entries,” said Valley Cruisers secretary Shauna Jensen. “It was very good considering it was the first show after COVID and the weather started out cloudy.”
“We’re not Three Hills and we’re not High River, but we are growing, and I think it is amazing,” said Jensen.
On the day of the event, they will have a large portion of downtown set aside for the show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is already open online. There are all kinds of activities planned, including four bands, vendors, prizes, curated photo opportunities for your ride with professional photographers and a Pin Up contest, hosted by True North Pin Up Magazine.
They have heard from surrounding car clubs that are geared up for the show, and word has spread throughout the province, including a promotion at this year’s World of Wheels.
The event will be bookmarked by opportunities for cruises, on the evening before to Wayne and on Sunday there are opportunities for cruises. It is a great chance to head out to East Coulee for its monthly pancake breakfast.
“We are trying to bring businesses to the downtown core,” said Jensen. “We have people going out today to businesses affected,” adding this is a great opportunity for businesses to take advantage of the attendance to put their best foot forward.
The Valley Cruisers have been growing over the last few years and Jensen says they are not just about the annual car show. The group meets weekly throughout the summer for events and to share knowledge and camaraderie. They organize cruises that take the cars parading into various attractions and even campsites.
“The cruises are hugely successful. Our members love it and we hope we bring some business to some places on Thursday night when they need an extra bump. It’s a lot of fun for us.”
They also organize the annual Mother’s Day and Father’s Day drive-by parades for seniors in the community.
“You don’t have to have a fancy car, you just have to want to support the Moms and Dads in town,” said Jensen.
To learn more or to register for Boogie in the Badlands go to valleycruisers.ca