ABRAM-VILLAGE - May 11, 2023 - Crazy comedy, vibrant music, captivating singing, breathtaking dancing and delicious food – all served up in great quantity – will be featured on the menu as the Village musical acadien (VMA) in Abram-Village presents the 2023 edition of its very popular "La Veillée au Village" dinner-theatre this summer. The fantastic show will be presented in French every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in July and August, starting July 11, at 6:30 p.m.

"We are very fortunate to have on stage this summer the same Acadian troupe that so captivated our audiences last summer. This guarantees good comedy and great music because these five artists are among the best on Prince Edward Island," says VMA president Marcel Bernard. 

In fact, the troupe is made up of the super-energetic fiddler extraordinaire Louise Arsenault (Barachois, Gadelle, Les Girls, etc.) and two of her children, her son, the fantastic guitarist and singer Jonathan Arsenault, and her daughter, the wonderful professional singer/musician Angie Arsenault. All three have performed in many dinner-theatre shows, some in La Cuisine à Mémé in Mont-Carmel back in the 1990s or more recently in the summer shows at the VMA, as well as in countless musical shows all over the place. The trio also recorded (with another sister) the family album The Roots Project a few years ago.

The other two returning members of the troupe this year are the very talented actor/musicians Dawson Arsenault (Accord'elle) and Shane Arsenault, both of whom have played in various musical groups. Dawson contributed vocally and musically to the recording of the album "Des vieilles nouvelles" by various young people from the Evangeline region, while Shane contributed greatly to the recording of the album "Yousque l'hell" by the group Aubin pi la scb. Both also have considerable acting experience.

WINNING FORMULA

The brother-and-sister duo of Albert Arsenault and Hélène Bergeron, both former members of the internationally renowned group Barachois, are writing and directing the show again this year. They have however added to their musical and artistic direction team two other people who have tonnes of experience in show business, both from a performer perspective and a production and technical perspective: Rémi Arsenault and Sylvie Toupin. “We are extremely pleased to have them on board to help bring new flavors to the show. Their contributions are incomparable,” affirms Bergeron.

Together, the team has opted to continue with the same style of show that has been used in recent years – a comedy and music revue – since they feel they have struck a winning formula. "The format is timeless, but the look is classic, especially as our performers present their musical numbers. But when they present their skits, you can expect all sorts of surprises in regards to costumes and props," says Bergeron. 

Audiences can once again expect a young heat-bearing announcer to introduce the various acts as well as to present some hilarious "commercials". There are plans to incorporate some additional video clips into the show this year. 

Arsenault noted that there are "absolutely superb" vocalists in the cast, so this year there will be a lot more emphasis on their voices and harmonies. As for the music, audiences can definitely expect some traditional fiddle tunes as well as other amazing instrumental pieces. As for the song selection, there will be contemporary selections as well as familiar pieces of various styles. "You'll hear a nice variety of songs," he emphasizes. "Then you can also expect some dancing, including stepdancing and maybe a few steps from some other style of dancing," he adds with a smile.

As always, the directors and the cast are working hard to ensure that the crowd has lots of fun and can go home with a light heart.

The evening will begin with the first two courses of the meal, including a salad and a choice of either a delicious seafood casserole or the fantastic Acadian variety (râpure, meatpie and fricot). The first half of the show (45 minutes) will be presented, dessert will be served, and then the final half of the show (also 45 minutes) will be performed.

Tickets for “La Veillée au Village 2023” dinner-theatre must be reserved or purchased in advance either online at www.villagemusical.ca or at the Village musical acadien reception desk. It is suggested that everyone get their tickets early to ensure seats are available on their preferred dates. 

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PHOTO: The cast of "La Veillée au Village 2023" dinner-theatre show features five fantastic actor-musicians, all bearing the Arsenault family name. They are, from left, Dawson, Shane, Jonathan, Louise and Angie. (Photo: Raymond J. Arsenault)

For more information, please contact

Hélène Bergeron
Writer/director
(902) 303-5407
helenann_bergeron@yahoo.ca

Albert Arsenault
Writer/Director
(902) 439-2679
arsenaultsavoie@gmail.com