New Brunswick

Who's in the spotlight at Fredericton Playhouse?

From classic rock to jazz, puppetry to local songwriters, there's a lot happening at Fredericton Playhouse

Eclectic lineup takes centre stage

The Fredericton Playhouse Spotlight Series and Kidstage Series invite some of the most exciting artists touring today to the Playhouse stage, offering East Coast favourites, internationally acclaimed ensembles, up-and-coming musicians, innovative dance and circus shows, hilarious comedy performances, inspiring theatre pieces and much more.

Here are some acts coming to The Playhouse in January and February:

CBC East Coast Music Hour Song Camp

A poster for CBC East Coast Music Hour Song Camp. In the top left corner are the words Shivering Songs in white on a black background. There are six separate photos in a row with six songwriters from left, Rose Cousins,  Jah’Mila, P’tit Bellieveau, Julie Doiron, Wolf Castle, and Jake Nicoll. Above the photos are the words: CBC East Coast Music Hour Song Camp. The CBC logo is in white on the bottom left corner.
(Shivering Songs/CBC)

Thursday, Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m.
In the three days leading up to Shivering Songs festival, CBC East Coast Music Hour will bring together six songwriters from across Atlantic Canada to weave something entirely new. Six voices, one creative space—collaborating, experimenting, and letting new songs take shape. These songs, created by Rose Cousins, Julie Doiron, Wolf Castle, Jah'Mila, P'tit Belliveau, Jake Nicoll, will find their first breath on the opening night. Hosted by Bill Roach from CBC's East Coast Music Hour, the evening will open with New Brunswick's The Hello Crows. 

Spotlight Series

A Black woman with braided long black hair flowing out in front of her. She is against a teal blue background.
Montreal's Dominique Fils-Aimé won the JUNO Award for vocal jazz album in 2020 and 2024. Get swept away by her masterful storytelling while she tours her brand-new album Our Roots Run Deep. (Courtesy of Fredericton Playhouse)
Dominique Fils-Aimé, Friday, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.
The Montreal-based JUNO award-winning singer-songwriter puts the history of African-American musical culture into the heart of her work, reflecting on the social realities that influenced the genres of blues, jazz and soul. Dominique's music sheds light on the history of Afro American music, inspired by soul icons such as Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Etta James. After exploring her African-American musical influences in her album trilogy, Dominique's new show featuring her newest album Our Roots Run Deep, invites the audience to delve into the roots of her soul.

A Black woman sings into a microphone on a dark stage. she has her right hand in the air pointing to the ceiling.
In Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play, Tymisha Harris presents the story of a woman who broke boundaries of race, gender, and sexuality in a time before America had begun coming to terms with the concept of diversity. (Courtesy of Fredericton Playhouse)
Josephine: A Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play - Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play is an international award-winning one-woman biographical musical that combines cabaret, theatre and dance to tell the story of the iconic Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century. Tymisha Harris stars in this dazzling retelling of Josephine Baker's revolutionary life as singer, movie star, WWII spy, civil rights activist, and cultural icon.
Josephine Baker led a revolutionary life, and that life comes alive on stage in a burlesque cabaret dream play. Tim Yerxa told us about the show, Josephine.
Musicians playing various instruments performing on stage and basked in lighting of purples, blues and reds.
Classic Albums LIve returns to the Playhouse stage this time with The Eagles Greatest Hits - you'll hear chart-toppers like Witchy Woman, The Best of My Love to Take It Easy. (Courtesy of Fredericton Playhouse)
Classic Albums Live presents The Eagles - Greatest Hits - Thursday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.
If you're a fan of the Eagles, you won't want to miss this walk down memory lane by revisiting the first compilation album by this incredible band. A perennial Playhouse favourite, Classic Albums Live presents skilled musicians who recreate the greatest albums of the '60s and '70s live on stage – note for note, cut for cut. Founded in 2003 by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live takes the greatest albums and recreates them live on stage - note for note, cut for cut, using the best musicians.
 
Five members of The New North Collective ensemble on stage, around a piano. There are two women and three men.
The New North Collective is an ensemble of Northern Canadian performing artists from Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavik/Nunavut. (Courtesy of Fredericton Playhouse)
The New North Collective - Circumpolar Soundscape - Sunday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.
The New North Collective explores ideas of north - from the land to the people; from the traditional to the contemporary. Their shared music focuses on an in-depth look at being a northern person and a northern artist with the impact of north on the music they are creating using the musical lens of folk, jazz, traditional, experimental, spoken word, and rock. This music and media arts event is a Circumpolar Soundscape that is current, traditional, and thought provoking for diverse audiences, reaching many demographics and musical tastes.
 
A man with black hair and goatee looking right sitting on a stool with a guitar in his right hand. He's wearing a black suit and a red and white polkadot shirt.
Gifted storyteller Stephen Fearing returns to The Playhouse stage with a collection of tunes from his 10 solo albums. (Courtesy of Fredericton Playhouse)
An Evening with Stephen Fearing - Thursday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Experience the musical journey of Stephen Fearing, the Canadian folk nomad who has spent a lifetime on the road perfecting his internationally celebrated music- with special guest, M.C. Hansen. From his formative years in Dublin to life on the road with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Fearing's story unfolds in concert through his soul-stirring lyrics and masterful guitar work.

Kidstage Series

A doll's head on a hand (that looks like a person's body. With two fingers as legs with small ice skates attached. It's part of The Baby Tyler puppet show coming to the Fredericton Playhouse.
Puppeteer Ingrid Hansen brings a child friendly show to the Kidstage. (Courtesy of Fredericton Playhouse)
The Baby Tyler Show - Saturday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m.
It's tough being small when the world is so big. Baby Tyler comes to life in this absurd and hilarious show from Jim Henson Company puppeteer Ingrid Hansen. She lends Tyler a hand and creates a live puppet film before your very eyes, using only household objects, a camera, and her bare hands. Expect a child friendly puppet show jam packed with physical comedy.