CHARLOTTETOWN FESTIVAL 2017: A Celebration of Rock, Laughter, and Canada's 150th Anniversary

2017 playbill features East Coast premiere of Million Dollar Quartet; world premiere of A Misfortune; and return of Bittergirl: The Musical and Glenda's Kitchen

CHARLOTTETOWN, Oct. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Confederation Centre of the Arts has announced a dazzling lineup for next summer's Charlottetown Festival, presented by CIBC. The 2017 Festival will run June 3 to September 24 and include the 53rd season of the international sensation Anne of Green Gables-The Musical™; the iconic rock'n'roll mega-concert Million Dollar Quartet; and the return of two beloved Festival-spawned musicals, Bittergirl and Glenda's Kitchen.

Million Dollar Quartet is a hit musical inspired by the true story of the famed 1956 recording session in which producer Sam Phillips brought together the "godfathers of rock n' roll" - Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley - for one unforgettable jam session. Set in a Memphis studio, this story-and-song musical brings to light an extraordinary tale of broken promises, secrets, and a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of four friends that is both poignant and heartwarming. Featured are such hallmark hits as Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Fever, Great Balls Of Fire, Walk The Line, Folsom Prison Blues, and many more.

Presented in rep with Quartet is the Island festival's crown jewel, Anne of Green Gables-The Musical™. For the first time, the internationally acclaimed musical will be directed by Artistic Director Adam Brazier, leading a company of 23 amazing triple threats from across the nation. Having delighted more than 2.5 million people over 3,200 times at the Centre, Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™ remains the quintessential Canadian musical, and Brazier is thrilled to put his creative stamp on the classic.

"2017 is a year to celebrate Canada and being Canadian, and this storied musical rests at the very heart of our national identity," says Brazier. "Searching for love and belonging in a time of strife and strain, Anne represents all Canadians coming to this country, or those searching for light every day in their own trials."

Back at The Mack theatre is the howlingly funny cabaret show on getting over getting dumped -- Bittergirl: The Musical. This Canadian-made comedy virtually sold out its entire run when first premiering at the Festival in 2015. Having now played Edmonton's Citadel Theatre and headed for Winnipeg and a tour of British Columbia, it will return in 2017 with new songs and scenes, and the same great soundtrack of doo-wop favourites, including I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, I Will Survive, and Too Many Fish In The Sea.          

Also playing The Mack will be the world premiere of a new Canadian musical, A Misfortune. The story follows a young lawyer and a married woman in pre-revolutionary Russia on a walk through the woods; their friendship has reached an impasse. Soon they gather with friends for a night in the country, discussing the inanity of their lives over an evening drink—and with each drink, more sordid secrets are revealed. Adapted from a short story by Anton Chekhov, one of the world's most enduring writers, A Misfortune is a romantic, bittersweet musical about small moments and momentous decisions.

Returning to the intimate Studio 1 theatre is Glenda's Kitchen, offering curious patrons a taste of the Island, literally and culturally! Festival icon, Glenda Landry and The Charlottetown Festival Orchestra lead this charming musical, exploring the many bounties of P.E.I.'s people, deep-seated traditions, and world-famous food. This afternoon cabaret is a must-see for Islanders and travelers alike and will feature new tunes and tales from Glenda and cast.

Festival tickets go on sale October 22 via confederationcentre.com. Additional announcements will be made in November centering on more special anniversary programming for Canada's 150^th birthday, held across Confederation Centre and including visual arts and heritage programming.

Background on Confederation Centre:    
Confederation Centre of the Arts is Canada's national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Home to The Charlottetown Festival - with the long-running Anne of Green Gables-The Musical™as its crown jewel - and a major Canadian art gallery, this living memorial welcomes more than 250,000 visitors each year. First opened by HRM Queen Elizabeth II in 1964, Confederation Centre continues to present the finest in Canadian visual and performing arts, heritage, and arts education to visitors from across Canada and around the world.

SOURCE Confederation Centre of the Arts

Media Contact: Fraser McCallum, Communications Manager | Gérant des communications, Confederation Centre of the Arts | Le Centre des arts de la Confédération, 902.628.6135 (office | bureau) | [email protected], facebook.com/charlottetownfestival | Twitter/Instagram: @confedcentre | confederationcentre.com | #ChFest2017