Monthly Archives: March 2019

Funniness

Never Snowed In On Saturday Nights

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Snowed in Comedy Tour

| Homburg Theatre

The Snowed In Comedy Tour has turned in to a Canadian success story, celebrating its
eleventh year. In a market still dominated by American acts with American TV credits a
small Canadian comedy tour has managed to succeed.

 

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Like the Tragically Hip they have done it by touring and making more and more people laugh year after year.  The tour has now performed in Australia, The US, France, and Switzerland. The 2018 tour received numerous Standing Ovations and was the most successful to date. It has now grown to become the biggest comedy tour in Canada. Playing in 65 cities this year coast to coast.

Four international comedians come together to create one amazing show with each bringing a unique and hilarious take providing something for everyone. Just for Laughs winner Dan Quinn returns as well as the Great Canadian Laugh Off winner, Paul Myrehaug. 5 time Canadian Comedian of the year nominee Pete Zedlacher is back.

We are proud to announce that Debra DiGiovanni, 3 time female comedian of the year and from Video on Trial, will be joining us. Don’t miss out on the comedy show called “Better than the Just for Laughs Tour” and “Delivers a Flurry of Laughs”.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse
Performance Art

Up the Pole Down the Pole

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Chute Libre is a highly physical performance integrating circus arts, contemporary dance, and the art of parkour. A creation with five artists that plays with risk, trust and gravity, trying to reset the verticality of the body.  This is a show that challenges perspectives, a playground for five acrobats navigating one same space. Imagine contemporary dance, parkour, partnering acrobatics, Chinese pole, aerial hoop, and live music in a 60-minute show.

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Five individuals explore their environment, creating their own path interlaced with the others. They develop their unique physical language and challenge the trust relations that emerge between them. Breath, wind, and suspension animate these bodies in movement as well as the raw energy and play that drive them to overcome their limits.=

Artistic direction and choreography: Simon Durocher-Gosselin and Elise Legrand
Artists on stage: Joachim Yensen-Martin, Gabriel Catudal, Marc Benazet, Simon Durocher-Gosselin and Elise Legrand.

How does Pay What You Will work?
You still need a ticket for the show – you can book your seats by visiting our box office, by phone 1.800.565.0278 or online.

You decide the price of your tickets! When you attend the performance, we’ll provide you with an envelope, and will ask you to pay whatever amount you wish (based on your own individual experience) following the show, using cash, credit card or cheque.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse
Music

Queen for a Day

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Wednesday, April 3rd, 7:30 pm at the Harbourfront Theatre
Regular seating: $44.75 (tax & fees included)
Under 19 yrs: $22.75 (tax & fees included)

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CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE PERFORMS:
QUEEN – A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Note for Note. Cut for Cut.

Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’ was a game changer for rock ’n’ roll. If you grew up in the 70s, this album was everywhere. All of a sudden, long haired rockers were singing along to operatic songs with soaring arrangements. A far cry from Foghat.

Queen became one of the world’s greatest bands by working hard. They toured endlessly and in the studio – they strived for perfection. And that’s our challenge. How do you learn perfection? Answer: By working hard.

Nick Walsh rallied to sing this album. Originally a rock singer, Nick found his theatre vibe singing the David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust album. Now he’s immersed in the brilliance and effortlessness of Freddie Mercury’s voice. Alongside the vocals comes the challenge of Brian May’s overdubbed guitar sound. We’ve got a small army of guitarists to cover the flash and fun.

Classic Albums Live loves a good challenge. Queen provides just that. We’re all familiar with “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “You’re My Best Friend” but it’s the deep tracks like “Prophet Song” and “Love of My Life” that reveal a profound depth of songwriting. We’re ready.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse
News Flash

Celebrating a Pioneer

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The Charlottetown Festival Celebrates the Life of Founding Member Fen Watkin

Member of the Order of Canada, Watkin had a profound influence on Canadian musical theatre

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The Confederation Centre of the Arts community is mourning the passing ofJoseph Fenwick “Fen” Watkin, O.C. 

Watkin was a founding member of the team that brought Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™ to life in 1965 and was a driving force within The Charlottetown Festival for more than 40 years. Watkin passed away Thursday in Toronto. He was 96 years young.

“Fen will always be remembered for his kindness and humour,” offers Adam Brazier, artistic director of Confederation Centre. “His love of music and storytelling kept him engaged in the theatre throughout his celebrated life. He was a blessing to everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.”

Joseph Fenwick “Fen” Watkin was a virtuoso pianist and a highly accomplished arranger, conductor, and musical director involved in more than 200 original Canadian productions. He served for 12 years as associate music director of The Charlottetown Festival and 28 years as music director, spanning more than four decades from 1965 to the late 2000s.

The Toronto Symphony, CBC variety shows, and countless community theatre projects also benefitted from Watkin’s talents. As a mentor and coach he inspired generations of amateur and professional performers. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2005 for his considerable contribution to musical theatre.

Dean Constable, general manager of theatre at the Centre, fondly remembers Watkin, with whom he collaborated during the musical director’s final season leading Anne™. “Working alongside Fen you immediately realized that he was at the heart of those who had built The Charlottetown Festival,” Constable recalls. “He had a wonderful, gentle demeanour, and a terrific sense of humour, but rest assured if you were doing something wrong musically, he would see it corrected. The Canadian musical theatre community has lost an instrumental member and friend and we are grateful for his many contributions.”

Watkin first served as associate musical director at The Charlottetown Festival from 1965-77 alongside John Fenwick during a thriving era for musical theatre in Canada. Working with then artistic director Alan Lund, both Fenwick and Watkin conducted the orchestra for Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™and dozens of other productions, such as By George!, Kronborg 1582, Johnny Belinda, Singin’ & Dancin’ TONIGHT, and many more. Watkin became musical director in 1978 and continued to lead in this way until the mid-2000’s, including national and international tours of Anne™.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse
News Flash

Sing Along With the Show

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Celebrate World Theatre Day with a Sing-along Choir at Confederation Centre

Adam Brazier and Jenn Cullen to lead group singalong of Kronborg musical tune, Wednesday, March 27

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In celebration of World Theatre Day, Artistic Director Adam Brazier is inviting anyone and everyone onto the Homburg Theatre stage for a pop-up choir event, this Wednesday, March 27. The group will learn a song from this summer’s much anticipated production, Kronborg—The Hamlet Rock Musical.

This special event for World Theatre Day will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Homburg Theatre. World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 and is celebrated each year by the theatre community across the globe to share the joy of theatre and its impact in the arts community with others.

Performing Arts instructor, Jennifer Cullen, participants will be handed lyrics and sheet music for ‘Something’s Rockin’ in Denmark’, a spirited anthem from Kronborg, written and composed by Cliff Jones. Equal parts singing and community-engagement, the night will unfold in a fun and easy-going setting, in the spirit of other drop-in groups like Treble with Choir and Choir! Choir! Choir!

Arriving in the theatre lobby, guests will be escorted backstage to the renowned Homburg Theatre stage where singers will be divided into sections based on range. After learning the arrangements, the groups will reunite to sing through this energetic number on the professional stage, looking out at the sea of 1,100 red seats, just like The Charlottetown Festival company! Everyone will have a blast and go home with a catchy ‘ear-worm’ they can sing from the musical.

No previous choir or singing experience is necessary but interested parties should RSVP. Sheet music is available ahead of time, upon registration. Singers and others can register or send any send questions to Ellen Theuerkauf,development and events coordinator, at etheuerkauf@confederationcentre.com or (902) 629-1159.

Set in Kronborg Castle in Denmark, Kronborg–The Hamlet Rock Musical revolves around the revenge Prince Hamlet is called to wreak upon his uncle by the ghost of his father, King Hamlet. P.E.I. favourite son Aaron Hastelow will star in the powerhouse rock show, sponsored by SYSCO Food Services. Playing June 28 to July 20, 2019, this summer’s electrifying production features a thrilling rock opera score, a cast of 28 stellar Canadian actors, and a full orchestra.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse
News Flash

Celebrate the Day

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Drop by any time between 12 & 5 PM, and you’ll get to enjoy cake and refreshments AND get 40% off tickets in-person at our Harbourfront Theatre Box Office for select summer/fall presentations going on sale that day, including SEARCHING FOR ABEGWEIT: The Island Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant.

(Please note: Special deals offered for World Theatre Day will only be available from 12-5 PM in-person at Box Office on March 27th. Box Office phone sales will not be available that day, and World Theatre Day deals cannot be accessed online or through TicketPro Toll-Free.) 

Also as part of the day’s celebrations, guests will have the opportunity to take a theatre tour to learn more about Harbourfront’s history and the history of theatre in general. Tours will be offered at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, & 4:30 PM.

We hope to see you there! To learn what shows will be eligible for the 40% World Theatre Day in-person Box Office discount, be sure to subscribe to our e-news. We’ll send an email to all our subscribers that morning with the show announcements.

#KidFriendly #WTD2019 #OurTheatreYourTheatre

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and Victoria Playhouse
State of the Art

Howard’s ‘Healing’ at The Guild

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‘The Texture of Healing’ by Emily Howard at The Guild.
We all have energy that we radiate as we walk through life. Places that we consider sacred tend to have a beautiful energetic glow to them. The salted air at the beach, a walk through the woods on a fall day. These places have a way of healing people of everyday worry and anxiety. You simply trade your frazzled state for that of these calm places.
I have found that people can generate this type of healing, calm energy within themselves and in doing that, heal the people around them just by simply being there. What does this healing look like in the air swirling around people? Places?

The Texture of Healing is a story told through paintings. It’s also an offering of an energy exchange when we all need it the most, mid winter. Come and experience the calm.

All paintings can be purchased through donating to Lennon House.

Through March 31st.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and Victoria Playhouse
News Flash

Feds Support the Arts

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Federal Budget 2019 supports Live Concerts and Arts Presenters across Canada

Confederation Centre of the Arts (CCOA) is pleased to learn the Government of Canada has announced an increase to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) of $16-million over two years. This strategic investment helps festivals and presenters across the country showcase Canadian productions domestically.

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Steve Bellamy, CEO for Confederation Centre of the Arts says, “Support for the domestic performing arts market is critical to the success of Canada’s world-class artists. This wise investment complements the national strategies for arts production and export, making it possible to showcase Canada’s rich diversity of culture and heritage which benefits audiences from coast to coast to coast.”

CCOA is a proud member of the Canadian Arts Coalition (CAC), which is a collaborative non-partisan movement spearheaded by a group of national arts service and membership organizations. CAC has spent the past year advocating for an increase to the CAPF fund, including an enormous effort of more than 100 sector representatives at “Arts Day on the Hill” in October, 2018.

Confederation Centre of the Arts congratulates CAC Co-Chairs Frédéric Julien and Kate Cornell and all cultural sector allies for the many presentations to government, including to the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance, and to the Standing Committee on Finance of the House of Commons. We thank Ministers Rodriguez and Morneau for recognizing the value of the performing arts sector to all Canadians, and for providing the conditions necessary to support Canadian artists at home and abroad.

Confederation Centre of the Arts (CCOA) provides Canadians and visitors with an opportunity to experience multiple cultures, histories, stories, and contexts of Canada’s origins and evolution. CCOA engages through visual arts exhibitions, theatrical performances, music, dance, education, and heritage programming.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

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PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and Victoria Playhouse
News Flash

New GM and Exec Take the Helm

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Executive Director and General Manager Named at Victoria Playhouse

The Board of Directors of the Victoria Playhouse is excited to announce that Emily Smith has been hired as the Executive Director and Susan Williams Bulman will assume the role of General Manager. Founding General Manager Pat Stunden Smith retired at the end of January but will continue to work on special project initiatives on an ad hoc basis. “I am confident the new management team has the skills and vision to carry on the valuable work of Prince Edward Island’s longest Running Little Theatre. Emily and Susan understand and value our place within the Island community and will bring a fresh energy moving forward,” commented Smith.

Emily Smith brings both experience and a diverse background to the newly formed role of Executive Director. The daughter of Founding Artistic Director Erskine Smith and Pat Stunden Smith, Emily spent many of her formative years onstage as part of the Victoria Playhouse Drama Club. After graduating from UPEI with a BA she moved to Montreal where she obtained her MA in Literature from Concordia University. While in Montreal, she worked with McGill University in the Department of Development and Alumni Relations.  After returning to the Island in 2009, she joined the team in the Holland College Advancement Office.  She has been in a mentorship role preparing for this transition for the past three years. “The Playhouse has been a part of my life since I was a child. It’s a place that I, like many others, have a deep connection with and it’s both exciting and a little scary to be at the helm.”

Susan Williams Bulman has worked with the Playhouse for the past 27 years as the Assistant Administrator and bookkeeper. She earned a Business Administration degree from UPEI and also runs her own bookkeeping business. Susan is the volunteer treasurer for South Shore Health & Wellness Inc. and has worked as the CAO for the Municipalities of Crapaud and Victoria. Susan reflected on her role at the Playhouse “I am very lucky. I love my job and the people I work with.”

PEI Professional Theatre Network

28660348_162333201093170_735205771249634989_n

PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and Victoria Playhouse
Music

Banjo Stand-up Bass Mandolin Dobro Fiddle Bluegrass Jamboree

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SATURDAY, MARCH 23RD, 7:00 PM at the Harbourfront Theatre All Seats: $23.50 (fees included)

20th Annual Bluegrass Old Country Jamboree
Sponsored by Atlantic Equipment Repair

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Join us for the 2oth Annual Bluegrass Old Country Jamboree featuring Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, The Bluegrass Brothers, and PEI’s own Joe Casey & Westwind. The Master of Ceremonies for the night will be Marilyn Singer.

About Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass:
Virginia-based Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass play powerful, unadorned, and intense traditional bluegrass. There is no hybrid or genre-bending music here. Their combination of instrumentation and vocals convey the energy and emotion of classic bluegrass and country music. Danny’s lead vocals will captivate your senses, so much so that many prominent musicians, including Alison Krauss, have considered Danny as one of their favorite singers.

About The Bluegrass Brothers:
Nominees for Instrumental Group of the year at the 2017 SPBGMA Awards. The Virgina-based band consists of Jamie Sparks (banjo), Donald Dowdy (mandolin), Victor Dowdy (bass), & Chris Hart (dobro). The band performs the traditional bluegrass music they grew up with.

Weekend Packages Available through Quality Inn:
Package includes 2 nights accommodations and 2 tickets for Saturday’s show at the Harbourfront Theatre.

Call the Quality Inn Garden of the Gulf (902-436-2295 or 800-265-5551) to book your accommodations for a weekend filled with excellent music!

Please note: There will be a 7 PM open mic at the Quality Inn on Friday, March 22nd.

PEI Professional Theatre Network

28660348_162333201093170_735205771249634989_n

PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and Victoria Playhouse