 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Maud Whitmore Benefit Concert returns to the Homburg TheatreAugust 20, 2012(Charlottetown) - Confederation Centre of the Arts invites Islanders and visitors alike to the 36th Annual Maud Whitmore Benefit Concert this Sunday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Homburg Theatre. The Centre staff, crew, cast and orchestra all volunteer their talents to create a memorable evening of music, dance and comedy to raise money for the Maud Whitmore Scholarship Fund - bursaries that support individuals in their professional arts development. This annual smorgasbord of The Charlottetown Festival talent will be hosted by familiar faces from Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash and Anne of Green Gables - The MusicalTM, Julain Molnar and Craig Fair. "Hosting the Maud is a great honour and a wonderful challenge," says Molnar, who calls Stratford, P.E.I. home. "Craig and I hope to pull things together with humour and reverence for our peers while also celebrating our own history with the Festival. We first worked together here 20 years ago. Coincidentally, so did Wade Lynch and Marlane O'Brien! They will also be celebrating this anniversary on the night." The Maud is not only a fan favourite each year, but a hit with the Festival Company as well. "It is a chance to play on our own terms and also help elevate those who win scholarships to new levels of knowledge and expertise," continues Molnar. "Everyone comes together in the spirit of community and joy." This concert is known to present a delightful variety of musical genres and dance numbers from members of The Charlottetown Festival and occasionally from some Confederation Centre staff. "It is a magical day and always an honour to be part of a benefit concert that provides scholarships for education in the arts," says Craig Fair, musical director of Ring of Fire. "This summer marks 20 years that Julain and I have known each other and worked together. We thought, what a way to celebrate." The late Maud Whitmore endeared herself to audiences from 1965 to 1977 at The Charlottetown Festival as the sharp-tongued, but kind-hearted Rachel Lynde in Anne of Green Gables - The MusicalTM. Her years of captivating performances inspired many young people to enter into theatre-related careers. The 36th annual Maud Whitmore Benefit Concert takes place on Sunday, August 26, 2012. Tickets are $18. Contact the Box Office at 902-566-1267 or visit www.charlottetownfestival.com for more. The concert is a family-friendly event and all ages are encouraged to attend. -30- Photo cutline: The Charlottetown Festival's Craig Fair and Julain Molnar will welcome audiences to the Homburg Theatre for the 36th Annual Maud Whitmore Benefit Concert. Media contact: Fraser McCallum, Communications Manager, Confederation Centre of the Arts T: 902.628.6135 (office) E: fmccallum@confederationcentre.com www.facebook.com/charlottetownfestival | Twitter: @confedboxoffice |