THE 2013 CHARLOTTETOWN FESTIVAL - PLAYBILL
EVANGELINE - “An epic tale of love, survival and the strength of human spirit.”
World premiere: Summer 2013 at The Charlottetown Festival
Opens Saturday July 6 / Plays Thurs – Saturday until September 28
Homburg Theatre (1100 seat Class-A theatre)
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A lively blend of musical and dance styles; Maritime, Acadian, Cajun, Frican
A cast of 35 will bring this story to life
A national audition search for actors for the roles of Evangeline and Gabriel will
begin immediately
Book/Lyrics: Ted Dykstra
Inspired by Longfellow’s famous poem ‘Evangeline’
Musical Director: Bob Foster
Co-directors:
o Ted Dykstra – Writer/Co-Director
 creator of 2 Pianos, 4 Hands; nominated for awards as; actor, writer
director, producer; co-founder Soulpepper Theatre
o Anne Allan – Co-Director
 10 seasons as Artistic Director at The Charlottetown Festival;
creator/writer/director of CANADA Rocks!, British Invasion; has
directed at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and was private dance
instructor to Diana, Princess of Wales from 1981-89.
This commanding love story is based on poet Longfellow’s famed heroine Evangeline who
becomes separated from her lover, Gabriel, during the expulsion of the Acadians from the
Maritimes in the 1750s. This sweeping adventure weaves villains and heroes, history and culture,
and the strength of human spirit — all framed by the lively traditional music and dance of the
Acadian, Maritime and Cajun cultures.
Ted Dykstra is a veteran of The Charlottetown Festival having brought his internationally
renowned musical comedy 2 Piano, 4 Hands to the Homburg Theatre in 1996 and 1997. 2
Pianos, 4 Hands has played on 5 continents, in over 150 cities, to over 2 million people since it
opened at the Tarragon Theatre (Toronto, Ontario) in April 1996.
Angèle Arsenault, noted Canadian Songwriter from PEI’s Evangeline Region, on Evangeline:
“The writing of Evangeline is a work of art. Bravo, Confederation Centre for producing this
most important and historic story which, is in my opinion, as beautiful as Anne of Green GablesThe Musical™ and as poignant as Les Misérables. Acadians, Canadians, Americans - buy your
tickets! Evangeline is sure to touch your hearts and move you to tears with powerful messages of
love, courage and hope.''
DEAR JOHNNY DEERE- “A touching new musical woven around the alt-country songs of
Ontario roots legend, Fred Eaglesmith.”
****/4 Stars – The Toronto Star
World premiere: Summer 2012 at Blyth Festival, Ontario
Opens June 28, 2013 / Plays Monday-Saturday until August 31
The Mack Theatre (220 seats)
Book/Musical Arrangement:
o Ken Cameron – Playwright
 Author of more than 15 plays, including; Harvest, which The Calgary
Herald described as ‘comic gold’, My Morocco and My One and Only.
Former Artistic Director of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival
Original Music:
o Fred Eaglesmith – Canadian alternative country singer-songwriter
 Has released 19 albums; his songs have been recorded by Toby Keith,
Alan Jackson, Cowboy Junkies, and Miranda Lambert.
Director:
o Wade Lynch –Director
 6 seasons as Associate Artistic Director at The Charlottetown Festival;
co-creator/director of Come-All-Ye, CANADA Rocks!, and four
Confederation Centre Young Company shows; has acted and directed
across Canada; member of The Charlottetown Festival since 1992.
Making its East Coast debut is a new musical woven around the toe-tapping songs of Canadian
roots legend Fred Eaglesmith. This hybrid musical offers an expressive, touching and sometimes
hilarious glimpse into the choices that Canadian families must face in preserving their rural way
of life. Eaglesmith’s heartfelt lyrics and driving rhythms score the tale of one farmer’s
relationship with the one he loves most.
19 of Eaglesmith’s alt-country hits set the scene in rural Ontario where farmers Johnny and
Caroline burn with a deep passion for both their changing community and for one another. Folk
and Americana tunes such as ‘Ordinary Guy’, ‘John Deere’, ‘White Trash’ and ‘Freight Train’
mix the sugar of wit with the salt of tears in this unforgettable musical written by Ken Cameron
and directed by Festival favourite Wade Lynch.
“…This journey is a fascinating one, made even richer by Eaglesmith songs like ‘Wilder Than
Her,’ ‘Time To Get a Gun’ and ‘Freight Train’.
- Richard Ouzounian, – The Toronto Star
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES-THE MUSICAL™ - ‘A classic inspired by a classic’
World premiere: Summer 1965 at The Charlottetown Festival, P.E.I.
Opens Thursday July 4, 2013 / Plays Mon - Wednesday until September 25
(1100 seat Class-A theatre)
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Based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
2.4 million people have attended Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ at The
Charlottetown Festival since 1965
Has toured with the Centre's cast across Canada, to New York’s Broadway, to Japan,
London and more.
More than 60 cast and crew will bring this story to life for the 2013 season
A comprehensive audition search for actors for the roles of Anne and Gilbert will
begin immediately
Book: Don Harron
Music: Norman Campbell
Lyrics: Don Harron and Norman Campbell
Additional lyrics by Mavor Moore and Elaine Campbell
Canada’s longest running musical returns for its 49th season with two new stars as Anne and
Gilbert! Anne™ is an enduring classic told with modern sets, staging, and choreography and will
have you laughing, singing along and even wiping away a tear. Experience the magic; make
Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ a family tradition this summer.
Reviews:
‘3.5/4 Stars’ – The Globe and Mail,
“Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ in Charlottetown is a must see.” – The Calgary Herald
‘The vocals, the dancing, the energy — it’s all so inspiring.” – The Guardian
“This is, I feel, the best production of Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ I have ever seen.”
- Don Harron (2012)
‘I’ve seen and enjoyed Anne of Green Gables - the Musical on stage at the Confederation Centre
many times now, and I do believe this is my favourite year. – The Guardian (2012)
“This year's production of the re-invented Anne™ is spectacular, may it last for the next fifty
years.” - Don Harron (2012)