The Souris Valley Theatre closed out its 2025 season on a high note last week with a sold-out performance by the Johner Brothers featuring the Johner Boys.
“It was a fantastic season, just a fantastic season this year,” said theatre president Allison Holzer. “Our attendance was up, and it was wonderful to end with the Johner Boys. We had no weather issues, which has been a challenge in past years, so everything ran really smoothly.”
The season featured a mix of musical performances and plays, including Yellowstone, Golden Gals, and a concert by Jeffrey Straker. Holzer said audiences embraced the variety.
“Everybody was just happy. They thought the shows were amazing,” she said. “Reviews on social media were great. People especially loved Yellowstone, since the TV show is still fresh in everyone’s mind, and Golden Gals really connected with people who remember The Golden Girls.”
Theatre regular Randy Apostle once again played a key role in this year’s lineup. Apostle, a playwright and director who has long been connected to the Souris Valley Theatre, has provided shows and leadership for several seasons.
“Years ago, Randy wrote Ranchers and Rustlers, which started his connection with the theatre,” Holzer explained. “Since then, he has had a soft spot for us. The last couple of years, we have relied entirely on his shows. He writes them, brings in a director and choreographer, and then we hire our stage managers. It has worked really well.”
Apostle also operates a dinner theatre in Winnipeg, which allows him to test his newer shows before bringing them to Estevan.
“By the time they get here, we know they are successful,” Holzer said.
Holzer also extended a heartfelt thank you to theatre manager Shirley Hildebrandt, who she said plays a vital role behind the scenes, handling everything from concessions to the daily operations that keep the theatre running smoothly.
While the mainstage season has wrapped up, the Souris Valley Theatre remained active throughout the summer with its youth camps, which Holzer said were well received. Each week ended with performances for family members, which became a highlight for many of the young participants.
Looking ahead, the theatre is already working with Apostle to plan next year’s season and explore new shows to add to the lineup.