Monthly Archives: September 2017

News Flash

Holiday Spectacular Wants You!

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The Holiday Spectacular Wants Island Community and Family Groups to Audition

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Holiday Spectacular is a powerhouse FESTIVE event where our community is the star. We’re inviting all island and family groups of performers to audition and be a part of our Island’s holiday variety show. From dancing and singing to comedy and musical groups, we’re looking for it all. The sky is the limit. 

So ring in the joy of the season by showcasing your family’s hidden talents with us.

Holiday Spectacular is happening December 14 -16 @2 p.m. / 7 p.m.

Artistic Director Adam Brazier will be holding auditions on Saturday, October 28th and Sunday, October 29th. To book an audition time please contact Cindy Riley at criley@confederationcentre.com.

News Flash

Gold Winner ‘Green Rights’ at the Guild

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“Green Rights” a documentary by Silver Donald Cameron
October 2, 2017 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
With the support of Atlantic Credit Unions, celebrated author/filmmaker Silver Donald
Cameron’s feature-length documentary film Green Rights: The Human Right to a Healthy
World will be screened at The Guild on October 2nd, as part of an 8 stop maritime tour.
Green Rights explores the human right to clean air, pure water, and healthy food, a right
which is legally recognized in more than 180 nations – but not in Canada. The film tells
stories of ordinary people and dedicated lawyers from every continent except Antarctica
who are suing multinational corporations and unresponsive governments on behalf of
future generations and Mother Nature herself. They’re winning big victories in the
courts of Argentina, The Philippines, Ecuador, The Netherlands and other countries.
Admission by donation, The film will start at 7 PM on the 2nd.
Music, Performance Art

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The trio of award winning fiddler Kendra MacGillivray with long-time CBC Compass personalities Bruce Rainnie and Kevin “Boomer” Gallant have been a favourite of Harbourfront Theatre audiences for more than a decade. Rainnie chose the tongue-in-cheek title for the final show, and all three have fond words about the impending performance.

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Bruce: “It only seems fitting that we have one final farewell show at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside. We’ve had such wonderful moments in that theatre over the years. One more show will be the perfect way to say, ‘Thank you, and hope to see you again.’ ”

Boomer: “It’ll be awesome to take the stage one more time with Kendra and Bruce. I anticipate lots of costumes, lots of laughs, lots of spontaneity and lots of great music. Can’t wait!”

Kendra: “The annual shows at the Harbourfront have always been my favorites. To have the chance to do one more is very special for all of us. We plan to make it very memorable.”\

End of an Error is at the Harbourfront Theatre September 30 and October 1 at 7:30 PM.

News Flash

All Aboard for Fredericton

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History will come alive when The Confederation Players visit Fredericton, New Brunswick on Sept. 24th – 25th. This troupe of costumed, young, bilingual Canadians, trained as the Fathers and Ladies of Confederation, will be making stops in the city to provide people with a glimpse into the cultural and historical context of the Charlottetown Conference.

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Through their portrayal of key figures such as Sir John A. Macdonald, George Coles, and Sir George-Étienne Cartier, The Players for Confederation Centre of the Arts are heading to Fredericton to walk and perform throughout the city streets.

”We are proud to be a sponsor of the Confederation Players, especially this year as we celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary. At CN, we are not only proud of our history as a nation building and economic actor, but we are also proud of Canadian history,” said Sean Finn, CN Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services, and Chief Legal Officer. “As part of this year’s celebration, we are excited to bring the Confederation Players to different events in different cities.”

 First stop in Fredericton is the Canadian Chamber of Commerce conference where CN will be presenting the Confederation Players as their gift to the members. The Players will be opening the conference with the singing of O Canada and having a role throughout the conference in emceeing, historic interpretations, and reception hosts.

Also, while in the New Brunswick capital, the Players will be emceeing Tree Planting on September 25 at the Old Government House, located at 51 Woodstock Road at 10:00 am. This tree planting is a part of CN EcoConnexion program From the Ground Up in partnership with Tree Canada. Make sure to lookout for the Confederation Players during the two days while they walk around town.

Special thanks are extended to the Government of Canada for their support of Confederation Centre. Appreciation is extended to media sponsors Ocean 100, Hot 105.5, CTV, and The Guardian.

News Flash

A Celebration of Rock, Blues, and Gables

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The Charlottetown Festival 2018: A Celebration of Rock, Blues and Local Treasures

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The 2018 playbill features rock-opera Jesus Christ Superstar; a world premiere of Dutch Mason and Stories from the Red Dirt Road.

Confederation Centre of the Arts has announced a sensational lineup for next summer’s Charlottetown Festival. The 2018 Festival will run June 7 to September 22 and include the 54th season of the international sensation Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™; the phenomenal rock-opera Jesus Christ Superstar; two new Festival-spawned musicals, Dutch Mason and Stories from the Red Dirt Road.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over 40 years. It’s a timeless rock opera set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.  Artistic Director, Adam Brazier is thrilled to be at the helm as director to put his creative stamp on the iconic piece.

“The themes of this timeless classic remain universal, their resonance today is palpable, as western civilization wrestles with existential questions about where power is held, where it should be held, and how fame affects the balance,” said Brazier.

Presented in tandem with Jesus Christ Superstar is the Island Festival’s crown jewel, Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™. With a company of 23 amazing triple threats from across the nation, this iconic musical has delighted more than 2.5 million people over 2,500 times at the Centre, and remains the quintessential Canadian musical.

At The Mack, Dutch Mason, inspired by the non-fictional book “On the Road with Dutch Mason” by David Bedford and Harvey Sawler, will take audiences on a fictional tour through Atlantic Canada with The Prime Minister of the Blues. When Dutch Mason’s regular harmonica player is sidelined, a political science professor and amateur harp player is recruited to join Dutch and his band on a historic road trip that will shock the professor out of his buttoned-down conformity.

Also at The Mack is Stories from the Red Dirt Road, adapted by our beloved festival regular, Marlane O’Brien, from the book “And My Name Is…Stories from The Quilt” by Margie Carmichael.  This is a funny, inspiring, heartfelt piece of four Island stories woven together through song and the red dirt road itself that joins our lives together.

 Additional announcements will be made at a later date, including a new Young Company production, so stay tuned.

The Centre wishes to acknowledge the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Government of P.E.I., and the City of Charlottetown for their continued support. Media sponsors are The Guardian, Hot 105.5, Ocean 100, and CTV. 

 The Pick 3 Pass is back! Pick three Charlottetown Festival shows and pay only $129. The Pick 3 Pass and Festival tickets go on sale to members of CCOA September 20 & 21 and E-news subscribers September 21. Public tickets go on sale September 22.

• Jesus Christ Superstar: June 7 – September 22 (1:30/8 p.m.) – Homburg Theatre.
• Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™: June 18 – September 22 (1:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.) – Homburg Theatre.
• Dutch Mason: June 30 – Sept 22 (8 p.m.) – The Mack.
• Stories From the Red Dirt Road: August 2 – September 21 (7:30 p.m.) – The Mack.

News Flash

Busting the Box Office

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Watermark Box Office up 22.57% for 2017 Summer Season

Watermark Theatre is thrilled to announce that box office revenue for the recently completed 2017 summer season was up by an impressive 22.57% over last year. Productions of Barefoot in the Park and Mrs. Warren’s Profession both exceeded expectations while season subscription passes jumped significantly. A one week extension to the season was a contributing factor to the increase of sales but strong attendance throughout the summer for both productions also contributed. The productions success was generated by wonderful word-of-mouth throughout the Island, a successful marketing plan, and exceptional reviews.

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Review Quotes For Mrs. Warren’s Profession
“…the most satisfying piece of theatre I’ve seen on Prince Edward Island…Highly recommended” – The Guardian
“…delivered with intelligence and sensitivity…I am so whole-heartedly grateful for the Watermark Theatre” – The Buzz

Review Quotes for Barefoot in the Park
“…hard work, talent, charm and honesty can help carry the day…played with genuine commitment” – The Guardian
“…a comedy about relationships, full of zingy dialogue and zany antics…a great summer evening” – The Buzz

Some may remember that last summer (2016) the company saw a 30% jump in individual ticket sales. Increasing box office by an additional 22% this summer is an impressive first two years for Artistic Director Robert Tsonos who is of course thrilled with how audiences have responded so far during his tenure. “We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing and continue to build our audiences as best we can”, says Tsonos. “There was a real sense of excitement this year about our productions and we continue to strive to the highest standards of excellence and our patrons are really responding”.

General Manager Andrea Surich adds that everyone at the theatre played their part. “From our wonderful volunteers, box office and bar staff right through to our talented production team and acting company, everyone contributed to the success of the season. The local North Rusticans were also very supportive this year and we are so grateful for their continued support of our theatre”, adds Surich.

Programming for Watermark’s 2018 summer season will be announced very soon.

For more information please contact Andrea Surich at 902-963-3963 or generalmanager@watermarktheatre.com

On Stage

Canada, It’s Complicated Goes On Tour

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The brand new comedy production Canada, It’s Complicated takes to stages across Canada this September!

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Written by Gemini award winner Mary Walsh and featuring our country’s freshest comedic talent, Canada, It’s Complicated combines satirical sketches and songs that examine the joys, foibles, tragedies and triumphs of Canada as it is today — and where it will be in the future.

Canada, It’s Complicated features the collaborative work of leading Canadian comedians, musicians and playwrights including: Mary Walsh, Derek Seguin, Quantum Tangle, Marie Clements and Mike Allison.

Headlined by players representing Canada’s broad cultural mosaic, the live performance will be accompanied by a soundscape and multi-media stage design by award-winning designer Félix Fradet-Faguy and Normal Studio of Montreal.

It’s Complicated is at the Harbourfront Theatre on September 27 at 8 PM.

News Flash

All Aboard for Players Tour

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History will come alive when our Confederation Players visit Ottawa, ON from Sept 16th – 18th and Fredericton, NB on Sept. 24th – 25th. This troupe of costumed, young, bilingual Canadians, trained as the Fathers and Ladies of Confederation, will be making stops in both cities to provide people with a glimpse into the cultural and historical context of the Charlottetown Conference.

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Through their portrayal of key figures such as Sir John A. Macdonald, George Coles, and Sir George-Étienne Cartier, the Confederation Players kick off their tour walking and performing through the streets of Downtown Ottawa. On Monday, the troupe will perform on the steps of Parliament to welcome back all MP’s for the first day of the House of Commons fall sitting. Next stop, is the CN Community Reception in Support of CHEO (Children’s Hospitals of Eastern Ontario) in the Great Hall at the National Gallery of Canada. This event being hosted by CN, the players will be in full character to mingle with guests. The last stop on this tour, will be a behind-the-scenes tour of the beautiful National Arts Centre as part of their commitment to continuing education.

 ”We are proud to be a sponsor of the Confederation Players, especially this year as we celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary. At CN, we are not only proud of our history as a nation building and economic actor, but we are also proud of Canadian history,” said Sean Finn, CN Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services, and Chief Legal Officer. “As part of this year’s celebration, we are excited to bring the Confederation Players to different events in different cities.”

First stop in Fredericton is the Canadian Chamber of Commerce conference where CN will be presenting the Confederation Players as their gift to the members. The Players will be opening the conference with the singing of O Canada and having a role throughout the conference in emceeing, historic interpretations, and reception hosts. Also, while in the New Brunswick capital, the Players will be emceeing Tree Planting at the Old Government House located at 51 Woodstock Road at 10:00 am. This tree planting is a part of CN EcoConnexion program From the Ground Up in partnership with Tree Canada. Make sure to lookout for the Confederation Players during the weekend while they walk around town.

Special thanks are extended to the Government of Canada for their support of Confederation Centre; and The Charlottetown Festival sponsor, CIBC. Appreciation is extended to media sponsors Ocean 100, Hot 105.5, CTV, and The Guardian.

On Stage

Snowbirds in September

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MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 7:00 PM

Harbourfront Theatre
All Seats: Free, limit of 6 per party

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Join us for a FREE event to celebrate the snowbird lifestyle! Entertainment includes Canadian country superstar Michelle Wright, Scottish-Canadian tenor John McDermott, and the funny fisherman, Jimmy Flynn; event also includes a special presentation by Canadian Snowbird Association President Karen Huestis.

Sponsored by Medipac Travel Insurance and The Canadian Snowbird Association.

www.snowbirdextravaganza.com/slp.html

Admission is FREE  – limit of 6 tickets per party, please!

On Stage

Not Quite Sherlock Finds Itself

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Not Quite Sherlock: The Case of the Deceptive Detective

 
Dust off your deerstalkers and pull out your pipes. Sherlock Holmes is (not quite) coming to Victoria Playhouse!
Chris Gibbs is back and better than ever with his hilarious one-man play about Victorian London’s most overlooked detective. But there’s more: Not Quite Sherlock is also a ridiculous comedy about an ex-street-performing comedian attempting to do a one-man comedy play about Victorian London’s most overlooked detective.
With wit, charm, timing, and almost no respect for the rules of theatre, Chris Gibbs creates a simple, hilarious theatrical experience unlike any other.
“Gibbs’ performance as the witless and self-deprecating Barnaby is near flawless. His martini-dry wit is characteristically sharp, in both script and performance, and his comic timing is beautiful.” – Joff Schmidt, CBC
“Clueless, guileless and absolutely priceless.” – Liz Nicholls, Edmonton Journal
“a highly skilled, confident comic actor whose writing is unrelentingly clever and whimsical” – Adrian Chamberlain, Victoria Times Columnist
Not Quite Sherlock is at the Victoria Playhouse September 13 – 17.