Like father, like son: Julien Kitson appearing in musical father Joey starred in 8 years ago

Young Island musician Julien Kitson is part of the cast of a summer play honouring the musical works ofStan Rogers.

The Charlottetown-native is spending his summer on stage at Halifax's Neptune Theatre, where he is performing in Geordie Brown's production of Stan Rogers: A Matter of Heart.

The 15-year-old has previously appeared at The Guild inCharlottetown, where he performed for two seasons in thesummer musical Anne & Gilbert.

Kitson is also a solorecording artist. At just 13, he earned a Music P.E.I. nomination for Acadian/Francophone Artist of the Year for his debut record Thirteen.

A familiar tune

The Stan Rogers show is close to Kitson's heart.

He was a cast member in The Guild's production of the musical tribute show last summer.His fatherJoey Kitson, lead singer of the Celtic musicgroup Rawlins Cross, starred in the Charlottetown Festival's production of the showin 2009.

You don't really realize how like specialthe Maritimes are and how special Atlantic Canada is.- JulienKitson

"I was familiar with Stan before doing the show," Kitson toldAngela Walker onMainstreet P.E.I.

"There was a period of time where that's all he [hisfather] sang."

'It's amazing'

In the Neptune production of the show, which opens July 18, Kitson will sing andplay drums, bass and the mandolin.

He said the musical tribute to Rogers reminds him of the beauty of the Maritimes.

It opens so many doors in life.- JulienKitson

"You don't really realize how like specialthe Maritimes are and how special Atlantic Canada is," Kitson said.

"The way he tells the stories, the way he talks about the Maritimes . . . it's amazing."

Huge networking opportunity

This is Kitson's first off-Island stage production. He said he is excited to have the opportunity to network with theatre professionals from across Atlantic Canada.

"It opens so many doors in life," he said.

He's also looking forward to spending his summer in Halifax.

"My dad keeps saying all the record store owners will be happy that I'm in Halifax. I'll be spending all my money on records."

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