GEORGETOWN, P.E.I. — It’s 45 minutes before showtime, and storyteller Gary Evans is sitting in a quiet corner of Kings Playhouse.
Well known for his work with the popular P.E.I. quartet, the Four Tellers, when the troupe split up Evans joined forces with award-winning singer-songwriter Rachel Beck to produce “Tellers & Tunes” a weekly celebration of story, song and humour at the theatre this summer.
After finalizing all the details of the show with the P.E.I. singer-songwriter, he’s relaxed but alert, as he awaits his 8 p.m. call time.
“I’m feeling good about tonight. But it’s a little different than the rest of the shows we’re doing this year.”
That’s because David Weale and his son, Josh, have teamed up to tell a story in the second half of the show about how, as young people, they each made a trip to Seattle, for different reasons.
“So, I’m on my own, during the first half. It’s not our usual format (of “Tellers and Tunes”),” says Evans who later told some of his childhood stories as well as tales about politicians and his former teacher, Mary Peters.
This summer, Evans and Beck welcome one teller and one songwriter each week from an A-list of P.E.I. performers; with the idea that the show flows from song to story and story to song.
“Tonight, we’re welcoming Ashley Condon as our musical guest. My sister, Amy, and I are excited about collaborating with her on a few tunes,” says Beck.
“Tellers & Tunes”, which runs Monday nights (except for July 15) this summer, is one of several shows in the Kings Playhouse Festival’s lineup in Georgetown.
There’s programming six days a week, offering a mixture for all ages.
Just the facts
What: Tellers & Tunes
Where: Kings Playhouse, Georgetown
Special guests: July 22, Alan Buchanan, Margie Carmichael; July 29 - Eddy Quinn, Alan Buchanan; Aug. 5 - Margie Carmichael, Dennis Ellsworth; Aug. 12 - Alicia Toner, Alan Buchanan; Aug. 19 - Margie Carmichael and Jessica Rhaye; Aug. 26 - Kelley Mooney, Alan Buchanan; Sept. 2 - Margie Carmichael, Dylan Menzie.
Information: Tickets for this show and others at the theatre are available by calling the box office at 902- 652-2053 or going to https://kingsplayhouse.com.
“We’re excited about this summer’s lineup. It’s a nice, diverse program filled with storytelling, music, community theatre, dinner theatre, historic stories and a new children’s show that we’re producing,” says Haley Zavo, executive director.
The lineup is creating a vibrant, new energy in Georgetown that’s drawing more and more people to the Kings County community.
“It’s exciting to see that in a place that you love...and it’s such a joy to share it with other people.”
It’s also a joy for Rowena and Hank Stinson to perform “Down with Demon Run”, their musical show about P.E.I.’s rum-running days, on Fridays at 6 p.m. It includes a meal of fish cakes, baked beans and rum cake, provided by the Wheel House.
“We’re excited. We’re looking forward to the run in Georgetown. It’s a chance to get out and play again,” says Rowena.
It’s the third time they have performed the show, which includes new stories and songs.
“We loved having an opportunity to discover more about the Dicks family, who are from Georgetown,” says Hank.
There’s also plenty to enjoy earlier in the week at the theatre.
On Tuesday, it’s Hootenanny at the Playhouse at 8 p.m. featuring P.E.I. singer-songwriter Jo-Anne Ford. It’s also an open mic night with local musicians and dancers.
On Wednesday, it’s “Murder Inn”, a murder mystery comedy by P.E.I. playwright Jonah Anderson. It starts at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s everything you want in a murder mystery. There are bad accents and mistaken identities and you’ll die laughing,” says Zavo.
Then on Thursday it’s Haunted Georgetown at 9:15 p.m. Back for its third year, it’s a spooky tour of the historic town.
“This year we have some new stories, historic facts and just a little bit of spookiness,” says Zavo.
On Sunday at 1 p.m., there’s a traditional high tea, provided by Eden’s Gate. It’s served on the back deck of the theatre, overlooking the gardens. Then at 3 p.m. it’s “The Winkle Pickers”, a family musical by P.E.I.’s Hank Stinson, performed by The United Unicorns, the Kings Playhouse new youth theatre company.
