Four Island productions added to The 2025 Charlottetown Festival lineup

March 12, 2025 – Four shows full of Island talent will play at The Mack this summer as part of The 2025 Charlottetown Festival.

In addition to Tell Tale Harbour and Million Dollar Quartet at the Sobey Family Theatre, the Centre’s main stage, The Mack will host four productions featuring comedy, music, and Indigenous storytelling.

“Shows at The Mack created by and starring Islanders consistently resonate with Centre audiences, and we are thrilled to be bringing Festival favourites and some new faces to the stage,” says Adam Brazier, the Centre’s artistic director of performing arts. “Confederation Centre of the Arts continually fosters Island storytelling and is proud to nurture the ongoing development of Atlantic Canadian voices.”

Based on the book written by Lennox Island’s Richard Pellissier-Lush, The Creator’s Plan explores his coming of age as a Mi’kmaq. Richard grew up looking different than other Indigenous children, but his mother continually reminded him that he was part of the Creator’s plan and empowered him to embrace his culture, no matter what he looked like. Performed by the Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors, this story of encouragement and identity is told in an interactive show for all ages. Developed with support from TD Ready Commitment, The Creator’s Plan runs June 30 – August 1 with admission by donation.

Island comedian and storyteller Justin Shaw will return to the Festival with Have Jokes, Will Travel – a new show with hilarious tales that celebrate the experience of being an Islander on the mainland. A rising star heralded as the next Stuart McLean, Shaw is back after a sold-out run of 70 Mile Yard Sale last summer, as well as a hit Christmas show. Developed in partnership with The Blyth Festival with funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario, Have Jokes, Will Travel runs July 12 – 26.

Written by Mark Crawford, one of Canada’s funniest playwrights, Chase the Ace is a solo comedy show featuring 17 colorful characters in a hilarious story of greed and a local lottery. Directed by Charlottetown’s Charlotte Gowdy, the show follows a big-city radio personality who is forced to take a gig managing a small-town station after losing his job. A global pandemic begins during his first week, and he finds himself chasing a story of municipal corruption. Produced in association with Ship’s Company Theatre and Neptune Theatre, Chase the Ace runs July 30 – August 9.

Back by popular demand after a sold-out run at The 2024 Charlottetown Festival, Islander Jessica Gallant returns with the heartfelt and high-energy cabaret show Becoming Dolly. She takes a musical journey through the life of country music legend Dolly Parton with toe-tapping renditions of iconic songs like “9 to 5”, “Coat of Many Colours”, “Jolene”, and more. Sponsored by Key Murray Law, Becoming Dolly runs August 13 – 30.

More Island talent will be in main stage shows, with Melissa MacKenzie and Kristen Pottle in Tell Tale Harbour, and Jacob Hemphill set to play Johnny Cash in Million Dollar Quartet. The Festival kicks off with Tell Tale Harbour, running from June 14 – August 29. Sponsored by Tim Hortons, Million Dollar Quartet runs June 17 – August 30.

Tickets for these newly announced productions are on sale now to Centre members and to the public on Thursday, March 13. For a limited time, patrons can purchase a Festival Five package for $200 – which includes a ticket for each of the five ticketed shows at the Festival this summer. Patrons also have the option to purchase The Mack Pack for $100, which includes a ticket for each of the three ticketed performances at The Mack.

The 2025 Charlottetown Festival is sponsored by Cavendish Farms. Tickets for all Festival shows can be purchased at the Centre’s box office, online at confederationcentre.com/festival25, or via phone at 1-800-565-0278.

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Media Contact: 

Emily McMahon, Communications Manager, Confederation Centre of the Arts
emcmahon@confederationcentre.com | 902-628-6135