"We are thrilled with the success of the 2006 Charlottetown Festival," says MacKenzie. "CANADA ROCKS! The Hit Musical Revue and Shear Madness performed far above our expectations. The revitalization of Anne of Green Gables - The Musical(tm) with new lighting and casting, and a shorter running time was very well received. Overall the Festival achieved budget projections. Our goal is to exceed this success - financially and artistically - during the 2007 Festival season."

"Over its 43-year history, the Charlottetown Festival has drawn audiences from around the world as well as from Canada, "says Allan. "We are globally connected through music, dance and story. In 2007, we will take our audiences across national and international borders with the uniquely Canadian Anne(tm) and Salt-Water Moon, the North American smash hit Shear Madness, and the Canadian-written, British-inspired The British Invasion."

The Festival, which runs from June 18 to September 29, opens with Canada's longest running musical Anne of Green Gables - The Musical(tm), back for its 43rd season on the Mainstage. Based on L.M. Montgomery's novel about a young orphan in search of a home, the show plays on selected dates until September 29.

The Festival continues its musical journey with a musical revue, The British Invasion, created by Allan, Nevin Grant and Howard Pechet, with musical supervision by Bob Foster. Starting in 1964 when the Beatles burst onto the North American music scene, this production focuses on the huge impact that British artists have had on the industry in North America. Having played to sell-out audiences in Calgary and Toronto, The British Invasion comes to the Mainstage from June 19 to August 31.

Shear Madness, the hit murder mystery that played to sell-out crowds in 2006, returns to The Mack from July 2 to September 1. Wade Lynch, associate artistic director of the Charlottetown Festival, will again delight audiences in the lead role of flamboyant and hilarious Tony Whitcomb, owner of the Shear Madness Hair Salon where the crime takes place.

Canadian playwright David French makes his directing debut with his award-winning play Salt-Water Moon, which will play in the Studio Theatre from July 23 to August 18. This funny and romantic play about a young Newfoundland couple struggling to deal with their relationship during a time of turbulent social and cultural change played to critical acclaim at the Charlottetown Festival in 1986 and 1987. Since then hundreds of productions of the play have taken place around the world.

From July 2 to August 17, the Confederation Centre Young Company, made up of non-professional performing artists from across Canada, will again hone their performance skills and receive training in other aspects of their profession, from voice, dance and acting classes to the basic business principles of working in Canadian theatre.

Performing arts education will be front and centre at the Festival again this year with two two-week theatre camps for aspiring young performers aged 8 to 13 and one-week intensive camps for students aged 13 and older in dance, acting, musical theatre and film.

Watch for an exciting line-up for the Confederation Bridge Concert Series and French programming. -- www.capitalcommission.pe.ca