Broadway-Aimed Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical Acquired by Broadway Licensing

Broadway Licensing has added Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical to its catalogue. The musical is a contemporary adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables by Matte O’Brien and Matt Vinson. Broadway Licensing Global plans to bring the musical to Broadway and to introduce the show to audiences worldwide.

In a press release, Broadway Licensing Global announced the following:

Broadway Licensing, the dedicated musical imprint of Broadway Licensing Global, proudly announces its acquisition of Matte O'Brien and Matt Vinson's Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical. Also home to play imprints, Dramatists Play Service and Playscripts, BLG is currently represented on Broadway by Oh, Mary, recently featured by Water for Elephants, and soon to be represented by the highly anticipated productions of Eureka Day and John Proctor is the Villain.

L.M. Montgomery's, Anne of Green Gables, is one of the best-selling books of all time, with more than 50 million copies sold in over 50 languages. The definitive classic follows the imaginative and fiercely independent Anne Shirley, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is sent to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert at their farm, Green Gables. Anne navigates her place in this close-knit community, ultimately learning what it means to truly belong. With a clever book and a contemporary score, O'Brien and Vinson faithfully adapt this beloved story for today's modern landscape of theater.

"Our entire team is captivated by this vibrant and new adaptation" says Ted Chapin, Chief Executive Officer of BLG. "Welcoming Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical into our catalogue allows us, alongside lead producers Eric Cornell and Jack Sennott of Cornice Productions, to introduce this exciting new piece to audiences worldwide."

Christopher Arnott of the Hartford Courant calls Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical, "a sharp re-thinking of a timeless coming-of-age tale." In kind, Ariana Straznicky-Packer of BroadwayWorld raves that the musical exudes, "the sharp wit and stylistic speed of Gilmore Girls, nods to award-winning Broadway musical favorites Wicked, The Bridges of Madison County, The Drowsy Chaperone, and more; all blended together into something entirely new and exciting."

"There is genuine excitement for a new stage adaptation of Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical and we have already received a number of licensing requests. We are thrilled to strategically partner with Broadway Licensing to meet this demand as part of our Broadway, touring, and international planning," says Cornell.

Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical was originally produced and presented as a World Premiere at Goodspeed Musicals in 2022. It was earlier developed and produced by Justin Nichols and The Rev Theatre Company (Brett Smock, Producing Artistic Director) in 2018. A Concept Recording was released in 2020 on Broadway Records.

"Anne Shirley has always been a 'Different Kind of Girl' and ahead of her time," Chapin adds. "At BLG, 'different' is our specialty."

Follow Anne of Green Gables on all social media channels: @aoggmusical or visit www.aoggmusical.com for more information. The Concept Recording can be found on Spotify.

Learn more at: broadwaylicensing.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY LICENSING GLOBAL

Broadway Licensing Global and its family of imprints (Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, Stageworks, and Broadway on Demand) is the global leader in theatrical licensing and distribution. Representing an astonishing 40 Tony Awards® and 49 Pulitzer Prize-winning iconic works, BLG titles epitomize the greatest collection of authors, composers, lyricists, and underlying rights holders across the globe, including Stephen King, Alan Menken, Arthur Miller, Lynn Nottage, Elvis Presley, Paula Vogel, Tennessee Williams, the Beatles, the Bee-Gees, and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

MEDIA CONTACT & ASSETS
For Broadway Licensing Global:
Hannah Thulin & Lindsey Rathjen | Account Director, Interdependence | broadwaylicensinggroup@interdependence.com

Official Site:
Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical

Image Credit:
Cast of Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical (Goodspeed Musicals, 2022) featuring Juliette Redden as Anne Shirley. Photo by Diane Sobolewski.

References:
Logan Culwell-Block. (December 10, 2024). Broadway-Aimed Anne of Green Gables Musical Joins Broadway Licensing Catalogue: The adaptation of the L.M. Montgomery book made its world premiere at Goodspeed Musicals in 2022. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/broadway-aimed-anne-of-green-gables-musical-joins-broadway-licensing-catalogue.

Broadway-Aimed Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical Joins Broadway Licensing. (December 10, 2024). PR Newswire. Retrieved from: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/broadway-aimed-anne-of-green-gables-a-new-musical-joins-broadway-licensing-302325776.html.

Created January 8, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

A Green Gables Christmas

This weekend, the Green Gables Heritage Place is holding a festive event called "A Green Gables Christmas." It is their third annual Christmas event, and this year they are also celebrating L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday.

Visitors will have the chance to meet with Anne Shirley and view the beautifully decorated Green Gables House. The event will also feature cookie decorating, carolers, a snow globe light display, food and drinks, and a group dance.

A Green Gables Christmas takes place on November 30 to December 1, 2024 at the Green Gables Heritage Place on 8619 Route 6 in Cavendish, PEI. Adult tickets cost $18.75 CAD, and admission is free for children under 17 (accompanied by an adult). Visitors can also purchase a Green Gables Christmas mini photo session and have special holiday photos taken in the Green Gables house for $120 CAD.

Event details:

Families and friends are invited to the third annual Christmas event at Green Gables! It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore Anne’s house, beautifully decorated for the holidays, while enjoying a variety of fun activities together.

Throughout the day, guests will have the chance to meet Anne, who will be greeting visitors and adding a special touch to the festivities!

Children can get creative by decorating Christmas cookies, listening to cheerful carolers, and capturing memories at the enchanting snow globe light display. There’s plenty of entertainment for everyone—kids will love the Tunes and Tall Tales read-and-sing holiday story, along with a special performance by The Nest, a multilingual children's music studio, happening on both Saturday and Sunday!

All attendees can indulge in yummy sweets and warm drinks provided throughout the event. And they won’t want to miss the chance to celebrate L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday with a festive birthday celebration and a fun guided group dance to cap off the day!

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Tunes & Tall Tales
11:00 am - 11:45 am: Live Music
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: TBD
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: UPEI Carolers
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Tunes & Tall Tales
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Montgomery's Birthday Celebration
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm: The Nest with Madame Abbey
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Group Dance with Historical Dance Society

It looks like such a fun way to start off the holiday season!

Official Websites:
A Green Gables Christmas - Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday - learn about the event at the Tourism PEI website
A Green Gables Christmas - Book tickets for the event at the Tourism Cavendish Beach website
A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday at the Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour website

Image Credit:
Photograph of Anne Shirley decorating the Christmas tree at Green Gables Heritage Place from A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday.

Created November 25, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Xenis Anne of Green Gables Doll

I came across these beautiful handcrafted Anne of Green Gables dolls by Xenis. Made in Canada, each doll is carved from wood and delicately hand painted. The dolls can be posed and feature movable joints. Each is unique and made to order for $1450.00 USD. These Anne Shirley dolls look like such treasures for doll collectors and fans of Anne Shirley.

Here is the description of the Anne of Green Gables doll from the Xenis website:

Anne of Green Gables remains a testament to the powers of hope, friendship and imagination.

Anne stands 12” in height with 13 moveable joints.

Anne is made under license from the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority. She has a hand painted face, mohair wig and is dressed in natural fiber fabrics. She comes with a straw hat, wooden schoolbooks and a carpetbag. She comes with a 36 note Swiss movement music box that plays the song “Anne of Green Gables” from the musical production.

$1450.00 USD

Official Website:
Anne of Green Gables at Xenis: Gallery of Wooden Wonders

Image credit:
Photograph of the Anne of Green Gables doll from Xenis: Gallery of Wooden Wonders


Created November 17, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Book-Shaped Ceramic Vase

If you're looking for a gift for a fan of Anne of Green Gables, then this ceramic vase by Steel Mill and Co. might be the perfect gift. The vase is shaped like a book, and you can place flowers in it. You can also use it in the kitchen to store utensils.

Last year, my mother gave me The Secret Garden book vase as a Christmas gift, and I love it. I have it displayed on my bookshelf as a bookend with some artificial flowers in it.

The Secret Garden vase is a smaller size than the Anne of Green Gables vase. Steel Mill and Co. offers several vases featuring different books, including Pride & Prejudice, The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, Dracula, and The Great Gatsby.

Image credit:
Photograph of the Anne of Green Gables book-shaped ceramic vase by Steel Mill and Co.

Purchase an Anne of Green Gables book-shaped ceramic vase:


Created November 14, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables in Fukuoka

While traveling in Japan, among several personal quests, I wanted to find signs of Anne of Green Gables. I wasn't sure if I would spot her, but I did. I managed to find Anne Shirley in Fukuoka.

I was spending some time in JR Hakata City, a giant mall with a major train station hub at its core. While there, I visited the Bandai Namco Crossstore. The place was kind of mesmerizing, with a giant Pac-Man video game and lots of toys and other games. One section of the store had hundreds of capsule toy machines (gachapon). You drop 400 yen into a machine, turn a lever, and receive a random toy from a selection of toys pictured on the machine. I walked around a bit, wondering if I might spot a machine featuring World Masterpiece Theater toys, and I found one pretty quickly.


The machine contained five toys, and among them was an Anne of Green Gables (Akage no An) model. It took a bit of trying, but I got the toy I wanted.



Above, you can see the model out of its capsule. Little Anne Shirley is waiting at the Bright River Station. She's not in PEI though. She's actually waiting with me at the Hiroshima station on a bullet train to Tokyo. We're keeping each other company.

Image credits:
Photographs by World of Anne Shirley.

Created May 30, 2024. Last updated March 11, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Crochet Doll

Last summer, I purchased an Anne of Green Gables crochet doll on Etsy from Zeylum's store. I thought the doll would a cute companion for my Anne of Green Gables books. It turned out that the Anne Shirley doll I was sent was different from the product photos.

Here's the product photo from Etsy:



My doll has much shorter braids, no bangs, and less hair. It has a higher forehead and less rosy cheeks. Its hat has also a different shape and has differently colored flowers. I much prefer the wide brimmed hat with the yellow, pink, and blue colored flowers in the product photo.

It's a bit disappointing. If you're thinking of purchasing one of these Anne Shirley dolls, then you might want to keep in mind that your doll may look different from the pictures online.

Image credits:
Photograph by World of Anne Shirley and product photo from Etsy.

Created May 22, 2024. Last updated June 4, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Beauty to life

"I’d like to add some beauty to life."
-L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Avonlea

Read more quotes by L.M. Montgomery.

Image credit:
Photograph by World of Anne Shirley.

Purchase and read Anne of Avonlea and the Anne of Green Gables series:



Created May 21, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne around the World: L.M. Montgomery and Her Classic

Anne around the World: L.M. Montgomery and Her Classic was published in May 2013 by McGill-Queen’s University Press. This book of scholarship examines the broad and lasting international appeal of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. It was edited by Jane Ledwell and Jean Mitchell. The volume contains contributions Yoshiko Akamatsu, Doreley Carolina Coll, Brooke Collins-Gearing, Margaret Doody, Elizabeth R. Epperly, Barbara Carman Garner, Caroline E. Jones, Paul Keen, Jane Ledwell, Jennie MacDonald, Susan Meyer, Jean Mitchell, Mary Henley Rubio, Gholamreza Sami, Wendy Shilton, Cynthia Sugars, Tanfer Emin Tunc, Åsa Warnqvist, Elizabeth Hillman Waterston, and Budge Wilson.

Here is the description of the volume from McGill-Queen’s University Press:

What makes Anne of Green Gables an international, time-honoured classic? International audiences have described reading L.M. Montgomery's most celebrated novel as an experience in enchantment. Balancing criticism and celebration, Jane Ledwell and Jean Mitchell bring together essays that consider the sources of the wonder that Montgomery's work inspires.

The popular appeal of Montgomery's classic is undeniable, but the reasons for its worldwide resonance are less obvious. From a range of perspectives, the contributors to Anne around the World focus on the numerous themes the novel raises, showcasing why it has charmed readers across the globe - from Iran to Australia, and from Sweden to Japan. Essays consider issues of class, race, and colonial history, discuss Anne's place in children's literature, her passion for writing, and the ways in which L.M. Montgomery and her red-haired protagonist are celebrated by legions of fans.

Featuring contributions from many international writers, Anne around the World traces the meaning and influence of a story that spread far from its place of origin on a small Canadian island to distant and culturally diverse places.

Contributors include Yoshiko Akamatsu (Notre Dame Seishin University, Japan), Doreley Carolina Coll (University of Prince Edward Island), Brooke Collins-Gearing (School of Humanities and Social Science, New South Wales), Margaret Doody (Notre Dame University), Elizabeth R. Epperly (emeritus, University of Prince Edward Island), Barbara Carman Garner (Carleton University), Caroline E. Jones (Texas State University-San Marcos), Paul Keen (Carleton University), Jane Ledwell, Jennie MacDonald (PhD, University of Denver), Susan Meyer (Wellesley College), Jean Mitchell, Mary Henley Rubio (emeritus, University of Guelph), Gholamreza Sami (Sussex University), Wendy Shilton (University of Prince Edward Island), Cynthia Sugars (University of Ottawa), Tanfer Emin Tunc (Hacettepe University, Turkey), Åsa Warnqvist (Stockholm University, Sweden), Elizabeth Hillman Waterston (emeritus, University of Guelph), and Budge Wilson (author).

Reviews

"Anne around the World is a notable and memorable collection of essays which should become an important reference text in the academic field and an attractive read for general readers around the world who have an interest in L.M. Montgomery." Joy Alexander, School of English, Queen's University, Belfast

The book includes the following essays:

Situating Montgomery and Her Classic

Anne of Green Gables - and Afterward by Elizabeth Hillman Waterston
Lasting Images of Anne of Green Gables by Elizabeth R. Epperly
Uncertainties Surrounding the Death of L.M. Montgomery by Mary Henley Rubio
A Century of Critical Reflection on Anne of Green Gables by Barbara Carman Garner

The Terrain of the Classic: Allusions and Intertexts

L.M. Montgomery and the Significance of “Classics,” Ancient and Modern by Margaret Doody
“So- so- commonplace”: Romancing the Local in Anne of Green Gables and Aurora Leigh by Paul Keen
“Matthew’s school of critics”: Learning to Read Anne of Green Gables by Cynthia Sugars
Anne of Green Gables as Centre and Circumference by Wendy Shilton

Provoking the Classic: Class, Colonialism, and Christianity

“Nice Folks”: L.M. Montgomery’s Classic and Subversive Inscriptions and Transgressions of Class by Caroline E. Jones
Civilizing Anne: Missionaries of the South Seas, Cavendish Evangelicalism, and the Crafting of Anne of Green Gables by Jean Mitchell
Narrating the “Classic” on Stolen Ground: Anne of Green Gables by Brooke Collins-Gearing

Anne and After: The Local and Global Circulation of the Classic Text

Teaching and Reading Anne of Green Gables in Iran, the Land of Omar Khayyam by Gholamreza Samigorganroodi
Reading Anne of Green Gables in Montevideo by Doreley Carolina Coll
Teaching Anne and Antonia in Turkey: Feminist Girlhood in L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and Willa Cather’s My Antonia by Tanfer Emin Tunc
The Continuous Popularity of Red-haired Anne in Japan: An Interview with Yoshiko Akamatsu by Yoshiko Akamatsu
“I experienced a light that became a part of me”: Reading Anne of Green Gables in Sweden by Åsa Warnqvist

Paratext and Aftertexts: Further Words on Anne

“I just love pretty clothes”: Considering the Sartorial in Anne of Green Gables by Jennie MacDonald
Writing after Anne: L.M. Montgomery’s Influence on Canadian Children’s Literature by Susan Meyer
Writing Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson


Image credit:
Book cover of Anne around the World: L.M. Montgomery and Her Classic from McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Purchase and read Anne around the World: L.M. Montgomery and Her Classic:


Created May 18, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Pullip Anne of Green Gables Dolls

In April 2004, the Korean fashion doll company Pullip released an Anne of Green Gables doll (Item F-516). These dolls were sold through a Japanese company called Jun Planning.

The Anne Shirley doll wears an olive green corduroy dress with a white pinafore or apron, white bloomers and black lace-up boots. The doll's deep red hair is arranged in two braids that are tied with red ribbons, and its face is framed with bangs. It has bright blue eyes and freckles. Also included is a hat decorated with white flowers, a carpet bag, and a doll stand.

Pullip dolls are 12 inches tall. Their articulated plastic bodies are designed on a 1:6 scale, and the dolls have oversized heads that are designed on a 1:3 scale. Levers on the back of each doll's head enable its eyes to blink and move from side to side. The jointed body allows for customization and posing. New collectible dolls are released monthly.

There is also a miniature Little Pullip Anne Shirley doll, but I'm not sure in which years it was released. If anyone has info on it, please let me know.

In May 2012, Pullip re-released the Anne Shirley doll due to its popularity as part of its Regeneration Series (Item RE-814). These dolls were sold through the Korean company Groove (which began distributing Pullip dolls in 2009).

I've only seen the Anne Shirley Pullip doll in photos, and I find them so intriguing looking...a touch charming, and a touch creepy. I hope to one day see the doll in person.

Image credits:
Promotional photographs of the 2004 and 2012 Pullip Anne of Green Gables dolls by Pullip.

Created May 13, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Audible Audiobook

A new Anne of Green Gables audiobook published by Audible Originals dramatizes L.M. Montgomery's classic story. The performances were directed by Megan Follows, who starred as Anne Shirley in the acclaimed Anne of Green Gables (1985) and its sequels Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987) and Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000).

A Canadian cast brings the story to life. Anne of Green Gables is narrated by Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy, Killing Eve, The Chair), an Asian-Canadian-American actress. Anne Shirley is voiced by 17-year-old Canadian actress Michela Luci (Dino Dana), who won a Daytime Emmy Award. Marilla Cuthbert is voiced by Canadian Emmy Award winner Catherine O’Hara (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone, Schitt's Creek). Matthew Cuthbert is voiced by the Canadian actor Victor Garber (Alias, Milk, DC's Legends of Tomorrow), who has received multiple Emmy and Tony nominations.

This retelling of Anne of Green Gables was released on November 30, 2023, which is L.M. Montgomery's birthday. L.M. Montgomery's story was adapted by Abi Hynes, and the production has an original score and immersive sound.

In an interview with the CBC, Megan Follows says, "I loved the idea of going back and deeply immersing myself in the text, in the writing of Lucy Maud Montgomery." Follows goes describe Anne as rare considering the historical period saying, "That advocacy of a female to have the right to speak up and to be heard and to be seen was unheard of at that time. She was revolutionary in that way — to have an imagination, to have feeling, to express feelings, and for girls to express anger."


Official Websites:
Anne of Green Gables Audible Audiobook - watch the trailer, and view a behind-the-scenes video
Anne of Green Gables Audible audiobook at Amazon.com

Image Credit:
Promotional image for the Anne of Green Gables Audible audiobook.

Reference:
Yarr, Kevin. (2023, December 3). Anne of Green Gables audiobook 'a whole new world,' says Megan Follows: Follows directs all-star Canadian cast in latest dramatization of Montgomery work. CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-anne-green-gables-audible-audiobook-1.7043654

Created May 8, 2024. Last updated June 5, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet (2019)

Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet is a retelling of the story Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery through dance. The ballet was choreographed by Bengt Jörgen, the founder and artistic director of Ballet Jörgen. Jörgen based the production on Anne of Green Gables – The Musical. Alexander Levkovich arranged the ballet score based on Norman Campbell’s original music. A 78-piece symphony orchestra plays the score, and the performance is two hours in length, expanding the one-hour long score of the musical.

In 2019, Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet made its world premiere at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax starring Hannah Mae Cruddas as Anne Shirley.


Official Site:
Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet

Image Credit:
Photograph of dancers from Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet.

Reference:
Lyth, Emily. (2024, February 5). Ballet Jörgen brings a beloved Canadian classic to life with Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet. Stir. Retrieved from: https://www.createastir.ca/articles/ballet-jorgen-anne-of-green-gables-the-ballet-massey-theatre

Created May 7, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical (2022)

Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical made its world premiere in 2022 at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, Connecticut. It's a reimagined folk-rock musical based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The musical's book and lyrics are by Matte O’Brien, and the music is by Matt Vinson.

The 2022 production featured Juliette Redden as Anne Shirley, Sharon Catherine Brown as Marilla Cuthbert, D.C. Anderson as Matthew Cuthbert, Pierre Marais as Gilbert Blythe, and Michelle Vientimilla as Diana Barry. The musical was directed by Jenn Thompson and choreographed by Jennifer Jancuska.

The musical was initially developed and produced with the title Anne of Green Gables: A New Folk Rock Musical by the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in 2018.

Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical is described as follows by Goodspeed Musicals:

"Anne Shirley just arrived on Prince Edward Island and she’s already making waves. Adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, Anne is feisty, smart and eager to find her own place in the world. But is the world ready for her? Fall in love with the spirited redhead of the classic novel, now reimagined as a vibrant folk-rock musical for all generations. With bold choreography, witty humor and a revolutionary spirit, this is Green Gables as you’ve never seen it before!"

The concept album for the musical is available on Spotify.

Official Site:
Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical

Image Credit:
Promotional artwork from Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical (2022).

References:
Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical. Goodspeed Musicals. Retrieved from: https://www.goodspeed.org/shows/anne-of-green-gables

Ashley, Natasha. (2018, July 8). Review: A Bold and Creative ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: A NEW FOLK ROCK MUSICAL Makes History at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Broadway World. Retrieved from: https://www.broadwayworld.com/central-new-york/article/BWW-Review-A-Bold-and-Creative-ANNE-OF-GREEN-GABLES-A-NEW-FOLK-ROCK-MUSICAL-Makes-History-at-Merry-Go-Round-Playhouse-20180708.

Created May 4, 2024. Last updated June 5, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com