Atlantic Blue is opening on Friday, August, 16th, at The Mack. Don’t miss it!
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Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse
Tag Archives: Atlantic Blue
Atlantic Blue Busts Out at the Mack
Full Company Announced for Atlantic Blue at The Charlottetown Festival
New, reimagined production of Tara MacLean’s ‘Atlantic Blue’ opens this Friday at The Mack
Confederation Centre of the Arts is thrilled to welcome Tara MacLean’s ode to Canada’s East Coast to The Charlottetown Festival. Sponsored by Honibe, Atlantic Blue open this Friday August 2 at 7:30 p.m. and plays Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights through September 27, 2019 atThe Mack. The title sponsor of The Charlottetown Festival is CIBC.
In this musical celebration of songwriters, MacLean explores the places and people behind iconic anthems like ‘Sonny’s Dream’, ‘Put Your Hand in the Hand’, ‘Fare Thee Well Love’, and many more. The JUNO-nominated performer and an all-star cast and band pay homage to those fellow musicians who found a way to create beauty from the challenging experiences in their own lives.
To say that anticipation is running hot for this new version of Atlantic Blue would be an understatement, with ticket sales flying all summer long and interested outside parties lining up to explore future touring for the new production.
After two years on offer at The Guild, some changes for the 2019 Festival version of this show include direction from Mary-Francis Moore; major visual design and structural changes; new musical orchestrations and arrangements; and the addition of four orchestra members and five back-up singers, who also provide narration.
These performers are all Festival favourites, and include Josée Boudreau (the star of 2015’s Evangeline), Alana Hibbert (‘Gertrude’ in this season’s Kronborg), Jacob MacInnis (Kronborg, Jesus Christ Superstar),Andrew McAllister (eighth season, Marcellus in Kronborg), and Brendan Wall (Spoon River, On the Road with Dutch Mason). Each are known for their powerful and signature vocal talents, presenting a stronghold of talent for MacLean and all the musicians to collaborate with.
Like these supporting voices, four members of The Charlottetown Festival Orchestra will also cross the street from regular performance with Anne of Green Gables—The Musical and Kronborg this summer. Joining in at The Mack are: Norman Adams (cello); Isabelle Fournier (violin); Karen Langilee (violin); andSusan Sayle (viola). Craig Fair is Music Director as well as the arranger and orchestrator for Atlantic Blue.
Returning at her side is MacLean’s ace band of Island musicians, known across the region for their individual careers spanning multiple genres and numerous accolades. The group includes band leader Deryl Gallant (bass); Todd MacLean (guitar, sax, piano); Cynthia MacLeod (fiddle, accordion); and Jon Matthews (guitar/percussion).
The Creative Team for Atlantic Blue includes Fair; Scenic Designer Ken MacDonald; Lighting DesignerJason Hand; Projection Designer Aaron Collier; Costumes from Bonnie Deakin; and choreography fromBrittany Banks.
Adam Brazier is artistic director of The Charlottetown Festival.
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.
PEI Professional Theatre Network
PEI Theatre is the Guild, Harbourfront Theatre,
Confederation Centre for the Arts,
Watermark Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse
Lifting the Curtain
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.
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.
Catch Atlantic Blue Before She’s Gone
Atlantic Blue is the story of the great iconic songwriters from the region. Tara MacLean, a PEI born veteran of the stage, takes the audience on a journey into the past, telling the story of how music arrived and thrived on the east coast of Canada.
Using film to tell the life stories of these brilliant writers, and then song to illustrate their work, Tara transports the audience to a place of deeper understanding and connection with Atlantic Canada and our most treasured music. The show is funny, heart wrenching and beautiful, with a new, up and coming guest artist each night
to take us into the future, to where our music is heading.
This show is a timeless thread that weaves through the ages. It will captivate and inspire. The show will be running Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights at The Guild in Charlottetown, PEI July 10th to September 8th 2018.
Atlantic Blue at the Guild
Atlantic Blue is the story of the great iconic songwriters from the region. Tara MacLean, a PEI born veteran of the stage, takes the audience on a journey into the past, telling the story of how music arrived and thrived on the east coast of Canada. Using film to tell the life stories of these brilliant writers, and then song to illustrate their work, Tara transports the audience to a place of deeper understanding and connection with Atlantic Canada and our most treasured music. The show is funny, heart wrenching and beautiful, with a new, up and coming guest artist each night to take us into the future, to where our music is heading. This show is a timeless thread that weaves through the ages. It will captivate and inspire. Atlantic Blue is at the Guild through September 13. Tickets are $30 and available online or at the Box Office.
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