Concert performance of celebrated Canadian musical will star Josée Boudreau and Adam Brazier (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – An intimate concert performance of The House of Martin Guerre will be presented for one night only in the Homburg Theatre this Tuesday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. The Charlottetown Festival has announced complete casting for the musical, which is based on a famous true story from 16th century France.   Josée Boudreau will star opposite the Centre’s artistic director Adam Brazier. Boudreau, known for her celebrated turn as the titular heroine in Evangeline, will portray Bertrande, a peasant woman deserted by her angry husband of arranged marriage, Martin Guerre. Bertrande and their son are shocked when Guerre – played by Brazier – returns eight years later to assume his position as head of household. He presents himself as a changed man, transformed into a caring partner; however, community members denounce him as an impostor. Guerre is jailed and sent to trial and Bertrande is forced to consider how far she will go to follow her heart. This concert performance is directed by Mary Francis Moore, Festival associate artistic director, with musical direction by Wayne Gwillim. A concert presentation is a full performance of a musical without costumes, blocking, or set changes. Actors are seated at music stands and rise to speak and sing. This performance will include a full company on stage as well as the Festival orchestra. See complete casting in addendum.

Boudreau was riveted by Martin Guerre’s songwriting and storytelling, which were penned by Canadian theatre icon, Leslie Arden with contributions from Anna Theresa Cascio. “It is so important to find ways to promote Canadian musical theatre projects and I am honoured that the Centre has entrusted this amazing role to me!”  she remarks from her P.E.I. home.

Boudreau enjoyed some time away from the theatre recently as she and her family welcomed a second child, but is excited to return. “I’ve always considered the Centre my second home and was greeted with open arms,” she offers. “I feel that becoming a mother has given me a new perspective on life and I’m able to apply that experience to my work in this particular show.”

Tickets are available at the Confederation Centre Box Office at 1(800) 565-0278 or at confederationcentre.com. Special thanks are extended to the Festival’s title sponsor, CIBC. The Centre is thankful for the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Province of Prince Edward Island, and the City of Charlottetown, as well as that of media sponsors Ocean 100, Hot 105.5, CTV, and The Guardian.

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Photo Cutline: Josée Boudreau (L) and Adam Brazier (R) will star in The House of Martin Guerre (submitted photos).

 

Complete casting:

Bertrande Guerre – JOSÉE BOUDREAU

Arnaud du Tilh – ADAM BRAZIER

Pierre Guerre – CRAIG FAIR

Bernarde de Rols – REBECCA POFF

Wool Seller – BRITTANY BANKS

Young Martin Guerre – EVAN TAYLOR BENYACAR

Jeanette Guerre – AJ BRIDEL

Jean Peghula – SHELDON ELTER

Wine Merchant – JJ GERBER

Phillipe – ROBBIE GRAHAM-KUNTZ

Marguerite, Beggar Woman – ALEXANDRA GRATTON

Jehannot – AARON HASTELOW

Wise Woman – SUSAN HENLEY

Jehannot’s Wife – TARA JACKSON

Marie Guerre – KATIE KERR

Françoise Ferriere – CONNOR LUCAS

Jean de Coras – JACOB MACINNIS

Suzanne’s Husband, Soldier – JORDAN MAH

Father Boeri – ANDRW MCALLISTER

Antoine – ANDREA MENARD

Narrator – JULAIN MOLNAR

Toulouse Soloist – JAMIE MURRAY

Young Bertrande de Rols – NICOLE NORSWORTHY

Beggar Woman – KRISTEN POTTLE

Guilhaume – ADAM SERGISON

Carbon Barrau – LEE SIEGEL

Suzanne – ALICIA TONER

Catherine – SHAWNA VAN OMME

Little Sanxi – KILIAN WALL

Sanxi de Rols, Ox-Cart Driver – SHAWN WRIGHT

 

Music and Lyrics by LESLIE ARDEN

Book by LESLIE ARDEN and ANNA THERESA CASCIO

Orchestrations by BRUCE COUGHLIN

 

Directed by MARY FRANCIS MOORE

Music Direction by WAYNE GWILLIM

Stage Management by MATT MACINNIS and ERIKA MOREY

Sound Design by KEVIN MACLEAN

Lighting Design by BILL HIGGINS

 

Orchestra:

Conducted by WAYNE GWILLIM

Flute, Piccolo, Recorders: JENNIFER PUBLICOVER

Clarinet, Flute, Recorders: JAMES KALYN

Oboe, English Horn: SUZANNE LEMIEUX

Trumpet, Flugelhorn: BRENDAN CASSIN

French Horn: DAVID PARKER

Trombone: DALE SORENSEN

Cello 1: NORM ADAMS

Cello 2: NATALIE WILLIAMS CALHOUN

Bass: LENA TUROFSKY

Harp: JANICE LINDSKOOG

Keyboard: MORGAN SAULNIER

Percussion: RYAN DREW

Keyboard Programmer: WAYNE GWILLIM

Orchestra Contractor: DALE SORENSEN

 

Media contact:
Fraser McCallum, MPR

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