Charlottetown -Charlottetown Festival newcomer Derek Wiens treats audiences to the music of Ray Charles, James Brown and Michael Jackson in the Charlottetown Festival’s production of British Invasion II: American Strikes Back!
Wiens was born in Nova Scotia but moved to Toronto at the age of five. At 16, Wiens was employed at Canada’s Wonderland where he realized he had an interest in performing. However, a strong interest in track and field kept him from pursuing a career in the performing arts. After university he got back into theatre and enrolled in Sheridan College. He was there for six months before getting his first show.
Wiens heard he landed a part in the Charlottetown Festival while performing on a cruise ship. He was hired on the good faith of Anne Allan, Artistic Director of the Charlottetown Festival, and he feels very lucky to be a part of it.
“My favourite artist to perform is James Brown. He likes to move a lot just like I do,” he says. “I also love singing Ray Charles’ Georgia.”
British Invasion II: America Strikes Back! plays on selected dates on the Mainstage at the Confederation Centre of the Arts until August 29.
Wiens can also be seen in Anne of Green Gables-The Musical™, playing on selected dates on the Mainstage at the Confederation Centre of the Arts until September 27.
Tickets to both shows are available at the Confederation Centre’s box office at 1-800-565-0278 or online at www.charlottetownfestival.com.
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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
or
Megan Gauthier, PR Assistant, phone (902) 628-1864 Ext 315 Email: confederationcentre.com