2008 will be a year of milestones for the Charlottetown Festival.

The 100th anniversary of the publication of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables will make Anne a major focus for the festival with special events and extras planned throughout the season.

“This is a big year for Anne Shirley and we plan to make a big deal about her as well,” says Anne Allan, now in her fifth year as the festival’s artistic director. “The gala opening for Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ in June will have exciting added attractions. Plus we are promising some very special touches to each show.”

Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™, Canada’s longest running musical, returns for its 44th season on the Mainstage.

“The astounding success of The British Invasion in 2007 led us to taking it one step further in 2008,” says Allan, “We’re very excited to present our first ever sequel, America Strikes Back! British Invasion II.”

With artists such as The Four Seasons, Ike & Tina Turner, The Beach Boys, Sonny & Cher, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, America Strikes Back! showcases America’s response to the invasion of British music over the decades.

“It has British music and American music. It was an era when they tried to outdo each other. It is a tribute to incredible artists. These are people who influenced music around the world,” adds Allan, one of the show’s co-writers.

The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom will play at The Mack in 2008. This recent play, written by David Scott with songs by Stompin’ Tom Connors, tells the Canadian music legend’s compelling story over several decades of his life.

“It is more than just his music. The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom is his incredible story, it is funny, it is touching,” says Allan. “We want to honour and recognize people and their stories this season, and all our shows reflect that.”

Wade Lynch returns with more comedy at the Studio Theatre in Stones in His Pocket, a Tony Award nominated contemporary Irish play. Two actors take on 13 roles in this story of Hollywood colliding with rural characters and down home sensibilities.

“This production is really in pursuit of our goal to include the spoken word in the festival as well as music,” says Lynch. “Stones in His Pocket is international, it has been a success internationally, and is a great fit for the Charlottetown Festival.”

The 2008 Charlottetown Festival runs June 12 to September 27. Allan and Lynch announced the line-up at the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island’s annual general meeting on Friday, November 30.

Future announcements will launch the Confederation Bridge Concert Series, the French Programme, the Young Company performance, and performing arts education programming.

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Media contact: Dan Wall, publicist, Confederation Centre of the Arts, phone (902) 628-6135
Email: confederationcentre.com, web www.confederationcentre.com