Theatre PEI
Story and Song
Tag Archives: Victoria Playhouse
New Seasons
| And now, drumroll pleease, our 2023 Festival Season! Victoria Playhouse Festival 2023, presented by Confederation Bridge: Our Lives in Story and Song |
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| Shirley ValentineBy Willy RussellDirected by Robert Tsonos Finally old enough for the role she played in 2008, Artistic Director Johanna Nutter will be our Shirley Valentine. Willy Russell’s heart-warming comedy premiered in 1986 and took the world by storm. Bookending our 41st season, audiences will have two distinct opportunities to follow Shirley on her quest to drink a glass of wine in a country where the grape is grown. A Liverpool housewife, Shirley makes chips’n egg for her husband while talking to the wall. What happened to her dreams? Out of the blue, her best friend offers her a trip to Greece for 2 weeks and she secretly packs her bags. Travel with Shirley as she learns how to fall in love with being alive again.“Absolutely smashing.” – The New York PostPreviews: July 5, 6, & 7Opening Night: July 8Performances: Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm July 5 – 23 & Sept 6 – 17 |
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| The Good Time Radio Variety ShowA collaboration with Farmgate TheatreDirected by Laurie MurdochThe sold-out hit of 2021 is back with an all-new version! Featuring hilarious radio drama, spine-chilling mystery theatre, dazzling music and thrilling sound effects all performed live before your very eyes. It’s always a good time for a good time!Victoria Playhouse is partnering with Farmgate Theatre for our upcoming summer season with an exciting new creation called The Good Time Radio Variety Show. It’s a modern version of a classic radio variety show where the Playhouse patrons become the live audience for the dynamic radio broadcast. A version of the show was produced in 2021 and it was a big success, selling out all the performances. The show is fun and fast-paced, filled with music and comedy and all the original content is based on PEI themes. Cameron MacDuffee and Julain Molnar are back as co-creators, and Ben Aitken, Music PEI’s 2021 Musician of the Year, is signed on as Musical Director. Also on board are Sarah Segal-Lazar, Founding Director of the Island Fringe Festival, veteran island musician Tim Hamming, and in an interesting Island twist, Judy Marshak, who played Marilla in Anne of Green Gables for 4 seasons at the Charlottetown Festival, will be joined by Director Laurie Murdoch, who played Matthew to great acclaim last season. “Just the right balance of music, comedy and adventure” – The Buzz Previews: August 2, 3, & 4Opening Night: August 5Performances: Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm August 2 – 27 |
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| Tree Huggers BallA Community Celebration hosted by Jon Rehder and friendswith Artistic Director Johanna Nutter These eclectic Tuesday evenings will provide an opportunity for everyone to process the tree grief we all went through with Fiona. The celebrations of PEI’s trees will be led by Jon Rehder with Reg Ballagh, Chris Gauthier, and Carlie Howell, accompanied by special invited guests each week. There will be songs and stories about trees, dancing, a participatory choir, and maybe even a clown with a chainsaw. Come honour the fallen and cheer for the new growth together. There will be 5 dates, all at 7:30PM:TUESDAY JULY 11TUESDAY JULY 18TUESDAY AUGUST 8TUESDAY AUGUST 15TUESDAY AUGUST 22 |
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| Empire of the SonCreated & Performed by Tetsuro ShigematsuDirected by Richard WolfeA former writer for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Tetsuro became the first person-of-colour to host a daily national radio program in Canada. A finalist for the 2019 Governor General’s Award, Vancouver’s Georgia Straight declared him to be, “one of the city’s best artists.” The story of two generations of CBC Broadcasters and the radio silence between them, Empire of the Son is a funny, emotional portrayal of parent/child relationships, and a reminder of no matter how far we journey out into the world to find ourselves – across decades and continents – we never stop being our parents’ children.“I’m telling all of the people I love most to see this show” – theatre critic Colin ThomasPerformances: Wednesday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pmAugust 30 – September 3 |
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| Other Events at Victoria Playhouse…We’re also collaborating with the folks at PRIDE PEI to bring something special for Pride Week (July 26 – 30), and with PEI Writers’ Guild on several events, working with the Victoria Historical Association for another edition of Our Island Talks, taking part in the Festival of Small Halls, and continuing our Monday Night Concert Series. It’s going to be a busy summer of celebrating Island life! |
| Get your FLEX PASSES 4 TICKETS for $120 (a savings of 25%) by calling TICKETPRO at 1-888-311-9090 or http://www.ticketpro.ca OUR WEBSITE IS GETTING A REVAMP! SEASON INFO (ALONG WITH INDIVIDUAL TICKETS) WILL BE AVAILABLE BY APRIL 15TH |
Theatre PEI
Humbug is Back
Open-door fundraiser at Victoria Playhouse.
Island performers & community
members in an abridged Dickens classic
Followed by sing-a-long & art raffle
CASH donations appreciated
receipts for $30+
Theatre PEI
An Exciting New Time
The Victoria Playhouse Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of Johanna Nutter as Artistic Director. Ms. Nutter is no stranger to the Victoria Playhouse having first performed alongside Bill McFadden in Trying in 2007, directed by founding Artistic Director Erskine Smith. In 2010, the Playhouse became the first theatre to present a full run of Johanna’s award-winning show My Pregnant Brother. She is a nationally recognized theatre creator who has performed on stages across Canada and Europe in both English and French. She’s known for authentic storytelling and surprising collaborations. In her words:
I’m deeply grateful to the Playhouse for this opportunity to dedicate myself to the theatre that raised me. Erskine gave me a chance when few others would and his trust and guidance helped me flourish as an artist. In Victoria by the Sea, and across the Island, I’ve met people full of heart and talent who welcome everyone with humour and grace. I look forward to serving our community, learning what we most need to share, and helping to get that on stage.
Darcy Gorman, President of the Victoria Playhouse Board of Directors, had this to say:
I am thrilled that Johanna is the new Artistic Director for the Victoria Playhouse. One need only speak to Johanna for a few moments to feel her passion for our little theatre company. Johanna’s experience, dedication, and vision will bring magic to the stage that will delight new and old audience members alike. Please join us at the theatre for this exciting new chapter.
We’re jumping in with both feet and there’s something special planned for the holiday season, so please stay tuned…
Theatre PEI
Beat the Rush
| The Victoria Playhouse Flex Pass is back! Four tickets to any of our 2023 Festival Season plays or concerts. Any day, any time, any combo! Fill someone’s stocking with joy this year and save 25% off the regular admission price. Treat your favourite theatre-lover…or yourself! |
| Or call our box office at 1-800-925-2025 |
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Stagecraft and Show Business
Victoria Playhouse is pleased to offer theatre classes for school-aged young people. With experienced instructor and practitioner, Becca Griffin, kids will enjoy learning about foundational practices, storytelling, movement, puppetry, improv, and more!
Classes will be offered in two age categories- Juniors: ages 5 to 11; and Seniors: ages 12 to 17. All are welcome and no previous experience is required!
Thursday afternoons from October 13th to December 15th (10 classes)
Senior Class 4:30 to 6:00
Fees: $150 for the session. Family discount: $125 for second child enrolled; $100 for third child enrolled.
If you would like to enroll your child or children or if you have any questions, please email emily@victoriaplayhouse.com or call 902-658-2370.
Theatre PEI
No Soldier Forgotten
Incredible book, incredible story. Be inspired, informed and entertained this Thursday at the Victoria Playhouse!
Theatre PEI
Stirring the Pot
Contempoary roots band Jabbour blends Cajun music with classic roots, Celtic, and old-time styles. The swinging rhythm and bilingual lyrics performed by these talented high-energy musicians will have your toes tapping at the Victoria Playhouse Monday August 8.
Jabbour
“This unique combo of Quebecois chansonnier Guillaume Jabbour, Durham County Poets bassist Carl Rufh, east coast collaborator Bill Collier and Bill Gossage has grown more cohesive with time. Now they’ve settled into a more mature sound that blends Cajun music with the classic roots stylings of acts like The Band and Neil Young – with nods to Celtic and old-time music.”
Theatre PEI
Open Casket Opening
| In concert this week: hailing from New Brunswick, Drowsy Maggie celebrates the traditional tunes of Atlantic Canada with fiddle, bodhran, and guitar. They’re sure to get your toes tapping! Drowsy Maggie plays on Monday, July 18 at 7:30pm |
Theatre PEI
It’s a Winner
Folks, we have a winner on our hands! Kristen Da Silva’s Beyond the Sea is up and running and The Buzz’s theatre reviewer Sean McQuaid says:
“Da Silva’s script, Charlotte Gowdy’s direction and the Nutter-Trithardt duo’s golden comedic chemistry probably gave me more and better laughs than any show I’ve seen in years”.
Read the full review here: https://buzzpei.com/ship-wracked/
You can catch Beyond the Sea this week at the Victoria Playhouse at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Call 1-800-925-2025 to book your tickets!
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