Evangeline opens for new run at Confederation Centre

Evangeline, a Canadian musical that made its debut at the Confederation Centre two years ago, is back on stage on P.E.I. again before moving on to Edmonton next month.

The play tells the story of two young lovers separated during the expulsion of the Acadians from the Maritimes in the 18th century. Director Bob Baker told CBC News he wanted this new production to reflect some of the darker aspects of that history.

"We changed the look and the feel of it. I wanted the show to be more gritty, and still romantic, but more dangerous and dark," said Baker.

"It was a painful part of history, and I didn't want that to be shortchanged."

There are some set changes as well. A revolve on the stage turns the set around and speeds up the transition between scenes.

"The scene changes are much more kinetic and fluid, so it moves like a film. Because it's an episodic adventure, I want it to keep flowing and flowing and flowing," said Baker.

This production features a different cast from the 2013 production, and is a co-production with the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton.

Evangeline opens Friday and will run to Oct. 10. It will then head to Edmonton to run at Citadel Theatre until late November.