STAGE / FILM
Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™
This family classic relives the poignant and funny story of Anne Shirley, the spunky, red-headed orphan who comes to Avonlea, hoping to find a happy home. With her fiery temper, passion for melodrama, and penchant for misadventures Anne brings laughter, love and more than a little consternation to Avonlea. Show is directed and choreographed by Anne Allan with book by Donald Harron, music by Norman Campbell, lyrics by Donald Harron, Norman Campell, Mavor Moore, and Elaine Campbell. It is based on the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery. Show plays Mon, Tue, Wed and Sat at 7:30 pm to Sept 27. Confederation Centre, Ch’town. 1-800-565-0278 www.charlottetownfestival.com
Anne & Gilbert
Anne & Gilbert is the story of Anne Shirley’s journey into young adulthood as she experiences her first job, university and a tumultuous romance with Gilbert Blythe. Anne & Gilbert, a musical by Jeffrey Hochhauser, Robert Johnston, and Nancy White is based upon the novels Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery. Show plays to Oct 4 Sun at 2 pm, Tue at 7:30 pm and Thur at 7:30 pm at Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside. 1-800-708-6505 www.jubileetheatre.com
The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom
The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom is the biographical play celebrating Stompin’ Tom and is based on his own books, Before the Fame and The Connors Tone. It features songs, stories and scenes from Tom’s early years on the streets, life in the orphanage where young Tom learned that telling stories could be the best ticket to survival, his days in Skinner’s Pond, PEI to his breakout success in Timmins and beyond. This production is directed by Wade Lynch with script by David Scott and story and songs by Stompin’ Tom Connors. J.D. Nicholsen is Stompin’ Tom. Show plays Mon to Sat to Sept 20 at 7:30 pm with matinees at 2 pm on Sat to Aug 30 at The Mack Theatre, Ch’town. 1-800-565-0278 www.charlottetownfestival.com
Cox and Box—A Boarding-House Musical
Beaconsfield Historic House is presenting Cox and Box—A Boarding-House Musical” on September 19. It’s the perfect scam—Landlady Bouncer is getting double rent for the same seedy room. Cox works by day, Box by night. Until today, they’ve never met. Come into Beaconsfield’s boarding house as the Rataplan Players—Duncan Miller, Tony Marshall, and Jacqui Good, accompanied by Leon Cole—sing and squabble through this 50-minute Victorian gem by Sir Arthur Sullivan (of “Gilbert and Sullivan”) and F.C. Burnand. Then, following the presentation, become one of the audience chorus for selections from Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, led by Carl Mathis. The evening will conclude with Victorian refreshments from Lady Baker's Tea Trolley. The fundraiser, in aid of Beaconsfield’s Garden Project, takes place in the Carriage House, corner of West and Kent in Charlottetown, on Sept 19 at 7:30 pm. 368-6603
Defending The Caveman
Sept 20 at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside and Sept 21 at the Kings Playhouse in Georgetown audiences will be treated to an evening of comedy with Defending The Caveman, written by Rob Becker. The longest running solo play in Broadway history, Defending the Caveman, is the popular comedy that has become a peacemaker in the ongoing misunderstandings between men and women. This production stars Dave Lapsley.Defending the Caveman mines the common themes in relationships, and goes straight to the funny bone. This show has won the hearts of millions in over 30 countries, and has been dubbed a nationwide comic phenomenon by the New York Times. Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside, www.harbourfronttheatre.com; Kings Playhouse, Georgetown, 902-652-2053, 888-346-5666 www.kingsplayhouse.com
The Dumb Waiter
The Dumb Waiter will be presented by Sheep-for-Wheat productions at The Guild in Charlottetown on Aug 30, 31, Sept 6 and 7. The two-man show is a brooding Harold Pinter play about status, communication, and violent silence. The show stars Ben Rayner and Chris Doiron as two hitmen, Ben and Gus, who apprehensively await orders to strike. A short film sequence from this production of the Pinter play will begin the show and original music will be performed by Keith Baglole. The crew is rounded out by Chera-lee Hickox and Fraser McCallum as producers and Kelsey Moore as stage director. The show is licensed with doors open at 8 pm. The Guild, 111 Queen St., Ch’town. 620-3333 www.theguildpei.com
The Foursome
The Victoria Playhouse Festival presents Norm Foster’s ‘buddies-on-the-green’ comedy The Foursome Aug 8–31. Directed by Artistic Director Erskine, and starring Stephen MacDougall, Dale Harrington, Will McFadden and Josh Weale, the play shoots straight to the heart of the male psyche. A fifteen year college reunion brings together four buddies who take to the golf course to catch up with each other’s lives. As they progress from tee to tee their successes and failures spill out and the bittersweet comedy of their lives is revealed. Shows play Aug 8–31 (except Mon) at 8 pm with 2 pm matinee on Sun. Victoria-by-the-Sea. 1-800-925-2025 www.victoriaplayhouse.com
Hedgerow
Harmony House Theatre will present Hedgerow on Sept 20. Drawing inspiration from the Island and its people, this award-winning group knits together authentic stories and original songs with humourous tradition and honest emotion. Hedgerow is storyteller Alan Buchanan, singer-songwriter Allan Rankin, along with musicians Perry Williams and Brad Fremlin. The group has performed to audiences throughout the Island and toured within the Maritimes and to western Canada. “There is much to discover as you walk along the hedgerows that divide Island fields—old apple trees and wildflowers, horse-drawn farm implements—remnants of another time when stories were told around the kitchen table and the world was a much smaller place,” says Allan Rankin in explaining the significance of the group’s name. Harmony House Theatre, Hunter River. 964-2255 www.harmonyhousepei.com
Shirley Valentine
The Victoria Playhouse will present the London and Broadway hit comedy Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell Sept 6–21. The production is directed by Erskine Smith and stars Johanna Nutter. Resident scenic designer Scott MacConnell has designed the set. A story of escape, Shirley Valentine takes the form of a monologue by a Liverpool mother and housewife, Mrs. Joe Bradshaw, before and after a transforming holiday to Greece. Inside Mrs. Joe Bradshaw, the former Shirley Valentine is longing to emerge. Her self-esteem is battered by school, marriage and life in general, and she finds herself talking to the wall while her husband is out working. When her best friend wins an all expenses paid vacation to Greece for two, Shirley grasps the opportunity to head for the sun, leave her current drudgery behind and rediscover herself (stretch marks and all). Victoria Playhouse, Victoria. 1-800-925-2025, 658-2025 www.victoriaplayhouse.com
Sketch 22
The Gotta Go festival presents Sketch 22, for their 5th season at The Guild. Featuring the creative wits of Rob MacDonald, Graham Putnam, Jason Rogerson, Andrew Sprague, Dennis Trainor, and newcomer Lennie MacPherson, the show explores the Island way of life through original and satirical live sketches and videos that blend together seamlessly to create an evening of laughter and unforgettable characters. Show runs Thur and Fri at 8 pm to Sept 11 with additional show Sept 13. Doors open at 7 pm. Licensed, this show contains explicit material. sketch22.ca. The Guild, 111 Queen St., Ch’town. 620-3333 www.theguildpei.com
Stones In His Pockets
In this tongue-in-cheek comedy two actors portray 13 characters amidst a film production of The Quiet Valley. The Studio attempts to exploit the authenticity of the local people in a rural Irish village all the while missing out on the real life stories behind the small timers with big dreams. When tragedy intervenes, the community reassesses the shallow nature of film and Hollywood style fantasies. Show is written by Marie Jones and directed by Marlane O’Brien starring Wade Lynch and Patrick Masurkevitch. Show runs Tue, Thur, Fri to Aug 29 at 7:30 pm in the Studio Theatre, Confederation Centre, Ch’town. 1-800-565-0278 www.charlottetownfestival.com
Two Alans & an Erskine
The infamouse Island trio celebrates all that is true and real and funny, funny, funny about our beloved Island and its characters. Join storytellers Alan Buchanan and Erskine Smith and singer-songwriter Allan Rankin for an evening of story and song. Show plays Sept 9 at 8 pm at Victoria Playhouse, Victoria by the Sea. 1-800-925-2025 www.victoriaplayhouse.com