Presenting: An Evening of One Acts

Rivercity Players is pleased to present "An Evening of One Acts," a three-play production at the Rivercity Stage in November. This entertaining evening of live theatre features the thrilling suspense of Whitney Ryan Garrity's Murder Next Door, a warm and witty holiday adaptation of O. Henry's classic The Gift of the Magi, and an entertaining celebration of the Bard with Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits.

Murder Next Door is a modern-day murder mystery set in rural England and has twists and turns that will challenge even the best armchair detective. A best-selling mystery writer finds it challenging to finish her latest creation as she contends with chaos created by her husband and nosy neighbours which inevitably ends in murder. Actors Melissa Lanyon, Deirdre Hartwell, William Selby and Cielo Richardson will be bringing these characters to life.

First time director Chris Willcock is taking on this new role for Rivercity Players. “The cast has done a fantastic job of bringing these eccentric characters to life and death on the stage,” he says. “Fun, lively murder mystery at its best!”

Adapted by Anne Coulter Martens, The Gift of the Magi was first published in 1905, and tells the story of a young, penniless, married couple desperately trying to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been popular for adaptation – in fact, there have been more than 20 film versions, as well as numerous versions for theatre, TV, stories, etc.

Dee Poulton is directing this play, which stars Kaydon Bailey, Trinity Graham, Ruth Cox, Barb Baldwin, Kate Humphreys, Brandon Lepine and Jen McGowan

Shakespeare's Greatest Hits, created and performed by Brian Down, presents a collection of Shakespeare's famous speeches and characters that illustrate his depth of understanding of the human condition and experience.  Whether he is describing a battle that was a turning point in history, a betrayal that impacts nations, or a simple love story, Shakespeare's language and characters set a standard that few writers since have been able to equal. 

Down's presentation will also include background stories and explanations to help make Shakespeare and his works more approachable and enjoyable.

This production will run November 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th at 7:30 PM, with a November 29th matinee at 2 PM.  All shows will be at the Rivercity Stage, 1080 Hemlock Street.  Tickets are $27 each and available online at rivercitytickets.ca.

William Selby and Melissa Lanyon - Murder Next Door

Laughter with Heart: The Kitchen Witches Cooks Up Comedy and Community Support for Opening Night

Get ready for rivalry, recipes, and nonstop laughs as Rivercity Players opens its fall production of The Kitchen Witches on Wednesday October 14th. Opening night on offers audiences double the impact: enjoying a fantastic night of live local comedy while directly supporting essential, grassroots community care across Campbell River.

​Every dollar raised from ticket sales for the October 14 opening night performance will be donated directly to

Caremongering Campbell River (CMCR). Founded in March 2020 by former social worker Tara Jordan, CMCR began with a single delivery of essential supplies to a mother in need. Today, the volunteer-led initiative has expanded into a network of over 6,800 members—representing more than 15% of the local population—and over 50 dedicated volunteers helping neighbors with groceries, hot meals, emergency aid, and daily household support.

​“Almost everyone either has time and resources to share or needs a little help at some point in our lives, so it has been beyond wonderful to be able to connect these dots on a bigger scale,” says Tara Jordan, founder of Caremongering Campbell River.

​By combining forces with Rivercity Players, opening night patrons can experience high-energy, hilarious community theatre while helping to ensure no neighbour must face difficult times alone.

​Event & Ticket Details:

• ​What: The Kitchen Witches Opening Night

• ​When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM

• ​Where: Rivercity Stage, 1080 Hemlock Street, Campbell River

• ​Tickets: Available for purchase online at rivercitytickets.ca

  
  

​Join us for an evening of local entertainment where every seat filled helps care for a neighbour.

Rivercity Players is bringing big laughs and high-stakes culinary drama to the community with their fall production of Caroline Smith’s award-winning comedy, The Kitchen Witches.

Winner of the Samuel French Best Canadian Play award, this laugh-out-loud production follows Isobel Lomax, played by Christina Peterson and Dolly Biddle, played by Julie Rigby, as two cable-access cooking show hosts who have loathed each other for decades. When a public, insult-hurling brawl on set turns them into an overnight viral sensation, a producer jumps at the chance to give them their own joint show: The Kitchen Witches. The problem? They still can’t stand each other. As the flour flies, the insults get hotter, and the ratings soar, the duo proves that revenge is a dish best served live on air.

Joining the fray is Joel Loeve as Dolly’s long-suffering producer son, Stephen, along with an energetic camera gal played by Cielo Richardson ready to turn the theater into a live television studio.

Directed by Melony Larre, the production brings high-stakes rivalries, fast-paced slapstick, and plenty of heart to the local stage.

The Kitchen Witches will run on the Rivercity Stage October 14,15,16,17,21, 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 PM and October 18 and 24 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $27 available online now at www.rivercitytickets.ca 

Treat yourself to a night of big laughs and book your ticket today!