Tag Archives: Anne of Green Gables – The Musical

On Stage

Anne’s Family Pack

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Treat the whole family to an Anne-mazing night out! Family Pack Includes: four show tickets to Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ and an Anne souvenir program for $150.

Up to four additional tickets can be purchased for $37.50 per ticket. Souvenir programs must be picked up at the box office prior to the shows start. Available on select shows performances June 25, 27, 28; tier 2 & 3 seats.

✨Use promo code: annefam22 ✨

Buy Tickets: https://confederationcentre.com/wha…/anne-of-green-gables/

Title Sponsor: The Gray Group Real Estate & Development

Production Sponsor: CAA | Atlantic

Theatre PEI

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News Flash

The Red Head is Back

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Full Cast and Creative Team Announced for Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™ at The Charlottetown Festival

After a two-year hiatus, P.E.I.’s most iconic redhead is back with a talented cast of performers from across Canada.  

Proudly sponsored by The Gray Group Real Estate & Development, The 2022 Charlottetown Festival includes seven productions across Confederation Centre of the Arts’ three venues – including Tell Tale Harbour, Betty’s Song, and Hey Viola! 

Sponsored by CAA Atlantic, this summer marks the first time Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ has been staged at the Centre since 2019 due to COVID-related challenges.  

The Centre previously announced that the titular role will be played by Kelsey Verzotti, a Calgary-born, Toronto-based performer who has entertained audiences across the country. The character’s best friend and kindred spirit, Diana Barry, will be performed by Emma Rudy, who returns after playing the titular character in the Festival’s 2019 production as well as the 2020 broadcast special Feelin’ Mighty Proud.  

The ensemble features a mixture of Festival alumni and fresh faces. Laurie Murdoch and Islander Marlane O’Brien, who were originally cast in the cancelled 2020 production, will play reluctant adopters Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, with Justin Eddy as foe turned friend Gilbert Blythe.  

Other Islanders in the cast include Cameron MacDuffee, Charlotte Moore, Kristen Pottle, and Charlottetown’s Nadia Haddad, who will make her mainstage debut after performing at the Centre’s Outdoor Amphitheatre. “I have always dreamed of being on the Centre’s mainstage,” says Haddad. “It is really special to have my debut in a show that means so much to P.E.I.”  

Ten Island youth have also been cast as the children of Avonlea: Cole Brioux, Blaire Dudley, Nathan Dudley, Paige Dudley, Katie Grandy, Brielle Hunter, Adia Laureijs, James Morum, Hanaye Ono, and Zoe White.  

Several Festival alumni are set to make their return, including Stephen Guy-McGrath, Alana Hibbert, Jacob MacInnis, Laurie Murdoch, Jamie Murray, and Nicole Norsworthy. 

Cast members making their Festival debut include Michelle Bardach, Jahlen Barnes, Alexander Batycki, Lyndsey Britten, Justin Eddy, Taran Kim, Tama Martin, Trevor Patt, Shakeil Rollock, Brian Ross, Stéphanie Visconti, Marquita Walsh, and Alison Woolridge. 

The musical will be directed by Adam Brazier, the Centre’s artistic director of performing arts. “We are so excited to bring the Island’s most beloved orphan back to the stage,” he says. “This talented ensemble will breathe new life into this classic show while honouring the cultural and historic importance of the piece.”

Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ starts previews June 18, with opening night slated for June 25. The production will run until September 3. For tickets and more information, visit confederationcentre.com or call the box office at 1-800-565-0278.  

Theatre PEI

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On Stage

The New New Anne

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New Anne cast for The 2022 Charlottetown Festival

– Select Festival tickets on sale to celebrate –

To usher in Islander Day weekend, Confederation Centre of the Arts announced the latest actor taking on the legacy of P.E.I.’s iconic redhead, Anne Shirley. 

And to celebrate the return of Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™, one of two mainstage shows at this summer’s Charlottetown Festival, select tickets will be on sale this holiday Monday. 

The titular role will be played by Kelsey Verzotti, a Calgary-born, Toronto-based performer. She has entertained audiences across the country in productions at the Shaw Festival, Young People’s Theatre, The Musical Stage Company, Theatre Calgary, and more. Verzotti was also one of the top 10 contestants on the CBC reality talent competition Over the Rainbow (2012). 

“The opportunity to play Anne means so much to me,” says Verzotti. “She is a character who lives so presently in the moment while challenging her environment and the people around her, and she always speaks her truth.” 

Verzotti is no stranger to the story of Anne, having previously played the character’s best friend and kindred spirit Diana Barry in a 2019 production at Thousand Islands Playhouse in Ontario. The 2022 Charlottetown Festival will have the role of Diana performed by Emma Rudy, who returns after playing the titular character in the Festival’s 2019 production as well as the 2020 broadcast special Feelin’ Mighty Proud!

“We traditionally discover new performers to play Anne every three years, and, like the many Annes before her, Kelsey is exceptional,” says Adam Brazier, Artistic Director of Performing Arts at Confederation Centre. “We are always thrilled to have exciting young talent on our stages.” 

This summer marks the first time Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ has been staged at the Centre since 2019. The production ran annually since the Festival’s launch in 1965 and is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest-running annual musical. The Centre was unable to produce the show in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-related challenges. Verzotti is the twentieth actor to take on the role of Anne Shirley.  

For Islander Day only – Monday, February 21 – patrons can get 40% off tickets to Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ and Tell Tale Harbour for performances through July 15. The sale runs exclusively online through the Centre’s website using the promo code ‘Island22’. This discount is valid on new purchases and does not apply to openings or preview performances.

Additional casting for the Festival will be announced soon. For tickets and more information, visit confederationcentre.com.  

Theatre PEI

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On Stage

Anne is Back

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After a two-year hiatus, P.E.I.’s most iconic redhead is returning to the Confederation Centre of the Arts stage. 

Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ will be one of two mainstage productions of the 2022 Charlottetown Festival, marking the first time the show will be staged since 2019. The production ran annually since the Festival’s launch in 1965 and is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest-running annual musical. The Centre was unable to produce the show in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-related challenges but is thrilled to be bringing it back this summer. 

“We are so excited to welcome the Island’s most beloved orphan back to the stage next season,” says Adam Brazier, Artistic Director of Performing Arts. “The 2022 Festival will focus on stories from our region; stories that speak to east coast culture, resilience, and determination. No one epitomizes that more than Anne of Green Gables.”

Sponsored by CAA Atlantic, the production is a quintessential part of the Island’s summer entertainment offering, and a cornerstone of the province’s tourism product.

Premier Dennis King says Anne™ returning to the mainstage is a sure sign that there are more good things to come for Prince Edward Island’s 2022 tourism season.

“I applaud Confederation Centre of the Arts for being so creative and innovative in the ways they have adopted COVID-19 public health measures over the past couple years,” said Premier King. “I know it hasn’t been easy, but they’ve continued to persevere and deliver quality entertainment that comforted and brought joy to Islanders and visitors when we needed it the most.”

Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ starts previews June 18, with opening night slated for June 25. The production will run until September 3. Announcements about casting will be made in the coming months.

The full 2022 Charlottetown Festival lineup will be announced via a virtual launch on November 16 at noon. The launch can be streamed on the Confederation Centre’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. 

Festival tickets will go on sale to Confederation Centre members on November 16, and to the public on November 18. Visit confederationcentre.com for all the details.

Theatre PEI

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News Flash

Feelin’ Mighty Proud!

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Confederation Centre announces broadcast special celebrating Anne across the Island; 

Guest appearances include Amybeth McNulty, Lennie Gallant, Meaghan Blanchard, Gracie Finley, Emma Rudy and more!

Confederation Centre of the Arts is set to release a one-hour broadcast special entitled Feelin’ Mighty Proud! This Island-wide celebration weaves highlights from the iconic Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ with a summertime journey across the Island, stopping at key destinations that focus on the works of L.M. Montgomery and the lore of Anne Shirley. 

Feelin’ Mighty Proud! is an homage to Montgomery, the original Anne of Green Gables novel, our famed Anne musical, and the Island as a whole,” shares Adam Brazier, artistic director with the Centre. “This project will make every Canadian proud and is a heartfelt reminder of the incredible impact our heroine has made world-wide—one who has brought so many people together for generations.”

Directed by Brazier with Jason Rogerson, this new production is rich with special appearances, including video interviews from such luminaries as Amybeth McNulty (Anne with an E), RH Thompson, Gracie Finley and Glenda Landry, and current ‘Anne’, Emma Rudy. This past summer would have marked Rudy’s second straight season starring in Charlottetown. This season marked the first time in the musical’s 55-year Guinness Record-setting run that it could not be mounted, as the entire Charlottetown Festival was cancelled due to COVID-19. 

Rudy is joined here by Hank Stinson and Marlane O’Brien as the Cuthberts, and Catherine O’Brien as Rachel Lynde in a selection of scenes shot on the iconic Homburg Theatre mainstage. More than a dozen Charlottetown Festival company members also appear performing the musical’s title theme, including Islanders Aaron Hastelow, Michelle Bouey, and Josée Boudreau, as well as the Festival Orchestra. 

New performances for the special include rousing original interpretations of the songs of the famed musical, such as ‘If it Hadn’t Been for Me’ by Vishten; ‘The Words’  by Lennie Gallant; ‘Gee I’m Glad I’m No One Else But Me’ from Meaghan Blanchard shot in the famed ‘Anne house’ in Cavendish, ‘Kindred Spirits’ from Ava and Lilly Rashed, and more. Click here to enjoy two sneak peek audio samples from the special!

Feelin’ Mighty Proud will be broadcast in late September and is made possible due to the generous support of Canadian Heritage, the Province of Prince Edward Island, title sponsor CIBC, and production sponsor, CAA. Patrons can follow the Centre’s social media pages and confederationcentre.com for broadcast date and platform details.

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

Lucas Gets Gilbert Role

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Festival Casting: Connor Lucas To Play Gilbert Blythe

Shawn Wright & Susan Henley to reprise roles in Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™ alongside Emma Rudy & Lucas

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Artistic Director Adam Brazier has announced select casting for the 55th consecutive season ofAnne of Green Gables—The Musical™.

Connor Lucas will return to The Charlottetown Festival this summer, making his debut as Anne’s academic rival and would-be beau, ‘Gilbert Blythe’. Lucas and his ‘Anne Shirley’ counterpart, Emma Rudy will also both appear in the Festival’s productions of Kronborg—The Hamlet Rock Musical and Mamma Mia! this summer.

Hailing from Comox Valley B.C. Lucas first debuted at the Festival as part of the TD Confederation Centre Young Company. In 2017 he made the jump to the mainstage as ‘Moody’ in Anne™ as well as originating the role of ‘Ivan’ in the world premiere of A Misfortune at The Mack.

For his part, the Sheridan College grad can’t wait to return to P.E.I. “Having the opportunity to play Gilbert has been a dream of mine ever since first performing in the Young Company five years ago. I am so grateful to now have the chance to explore the role as part of such a fabulous company, in a terrific show, on a beautiful Island.”

Also returning to Avonlea under Brazier’s direction will be Shawn Wright and Susan Henley, who drew accolades last summer for their portrayals of Anne’s guardians, ‘Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert’. Wright also turned heads with the 2018 Festival staging of his award-winning one-man show Ghost Light. For her part, Henley will carry leading roles on opposite ends of the theatre spectrum, returning for her third season as Marilla, and also taking it up the octave as ‘Rosie’ in Mamma Mia!

Sponsored by CAA, Anne™ previews in the Homburg Theatre on June 24 and 25, opening June 29 and playing through September 28, 2019. With a company of 28 amazing Canadian talents and a 14-member live orchestra, this treasured Canadian musical is a humorous, touching, and truly athletic experience that will inspire and mesmerize patrons of all ages with both graceful and exhilarating song and dance.

This 2019 staging is led by Brazier, Music Director Bob Foster; Choreographer Robin Calvert; Associate Music Director David Theriault; Costume & Scenic Designer Cory Sincennes; Lighting Designer Michael Walton; Sound Designer Peter McBoyle; and Conductor Craig Fair.

Confederation Centre wishes to acknowledge the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Government of P.E.I., and the City of Charlottetown for their continued support.  The title sponsor of The Charlottetown Festival is CIBC.

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

Lifting the Curtain

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A fiery redhead. A grieving son. A gregarious family on the Rock. The musical pull of the Atlantic. A young woman’s search for family. Sit a spell. Have we got a story for you! Confederation Centre has announced the playbill for The Charlottetown Festival–the largest musical theatre festival in Atlantic Canada.

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Sponsored by CIBC, the Festival will commence June 28 with the much anticipated return of Kronborg–The Hamlet Rock Musical. This original Canadian work has become a cult favourite for Islanders who recall the 1975 production starring Brent Carver and Beverly D’Angelo. This remains the only production in the history of the Festival to be produced on Broadway.

Based on the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet, originally written by Cliff Jones, this musical rocked the rafters in 2017, selling out a concert presentation at the Historic St. Mary’s Church in Indian River and later packing the Homburg Theatre. Next summer’s fully realized production will weave the story of a prince who plots revenge on his uncle for taking his beloved father’s life.

Festival favourite and Island son Aaron Hastelow, coming off rave reviews as the lead in this season’s Jesus Christ Superstar, will return to star as Hamlet next year. Additional major casting information will be revealed later this fall, when the Centre offers a ‘Buy-1-Get-1’ sale for a limited time only, from November 17 to December 1. The Festival will also announce production information on the 2019 Confederation Centre Young Company.

The Festival’s crown jewel Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ will return for its 55th consecutive summer, a testament to the global appeal of a classic inspired by a classic. This enduring story of an orphan girl who came from away and changed the Island forever will run June 29 to September 28.

A mother, a daughter, three possible dads, and a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Back to the Centre by popular demand, it’s Mamma Mia! This sunny ABBA-driven tale follows a daughter’s quest to find her father by inviting three men from her mother’s past to her wedding. Presented as a co-production with the Grand Theatre in London, Mamma Mia! will play on P.E.I. from August 9 to September 28.

Over at The Mack, the Festival is thrilled to welcome Tara MacLean’s Maritime love-letter, Atlantic Blue. This celebration of East Coast songwriters previously played at The Guild, and will show from August 2 to September 28. MacLean explores the place and people behind classic songs like ‘Sonny’s Dream’, ‘Put Your Hand in the Hand’, ‘Fare Thee Well Love’, and more. The Island songwriter celebrates those who found a way to create beauty from the challenging experiences in their own lives. With the addition of members of the Festival and its orchestra, this new production will make every Atlantic Canadian proud.

From July 20 through September 28, Spinning Yarns will shine a light on Newfoundland and Labrador in the early ‘80s: a world of raucous adventures, death defying escapades, and dubious childcare! This hilarious evening of story and song stars festival favourite, Stephen Guy-McGrath (Evangeline, Million Dollar Quartet). Through it all shines a fierce love of family and a boundless longing for home.

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.