Showing posts with label Play. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Play. Show all posts

October 01, 2024

Stratford Festival Commissions a New Play Based on Anne of Green Gables

Screencapture of part of the Stratford Festival 2025 Playbill featuring Anne of Green Gables

Last month, the internationally acclaimed Stratford Festival announced that they are developing a new play based on Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The new adaptation is by playwright Kat Sandler, who will also direct the production. The play will premiere at the Avon Theatre as part of the Festival's 2025 season.

Founded in 1953, the Stratford Festival is a theatre festival that runs from April to October each year in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. The Festival is renowned for its productions of Shakespeare's plays, and it also presents a variety of other plays and musicals. The Festival has featured many talented actors over the years, including several who starred in adaptations of L.M. Montgomery works, including Megan Follows, Jonathan Crombie, Jackie Burroughs, Sarah Polley, and Charmion King.

The new Anne of Green Gables play is a Stratford Festival commission sponsored by The Schulich Foundation. The Stratford Festival's website describes the play as follows:

"Is there a Canadian title with more global recognition than Anne of Green Gables? More than 56 million copies have been sold, and it has been translated into 30 languages.

Anne of Green Gables by Kat Sandler is a bold adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's timeless tale of imagination, resilience and the transformative power of love. Set in the picturesque village of Avonlea, it follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an irrepressible orphan with a vivid imagination and an unyielding spirit.

Sandler, who will also direct, is known for her deeply funny yet poignant plays and has written and directed extensively across Canada. She has enormous affection and respect for this story and wants to bring it vibrantly to life for another generation. The story of an outsider, an orphan, who finds happiness and wins the hearts not only of her adoptive family but of her doubting community is a story for the ages."

In a recent CBC News interview with Kat Sandler and Keith Barker (the Stratford Festival's director of new play development), the pair talk about reintroducing Anne Shirley's timeless story to a new generation of viewers. Barker states that they aim to be true to the novel, which he says, "reads beautifully" and "it's accessible, it's funny, it's smart." Sandler comments on the story's timeless themes saying, "Love, belonging, chosen family, community, loss, class — like, these are really big, big themes with high stakes." Sandler hopes that her adaptation reflects these themes.


Official Website:
Stratford Festival

Image Credit:
Screencapture of part of the Stratford Festival's 2025 Playbill featuring Anne of Green Gables.

References:
How the Stratford Festival wants to reimagine 'Canadian epic' Anne of Green Gables for a new era. (2024, September 8). CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6502563.

Ryan, Carolyn. (2024, September 8). Renowned Stratford Festival commissions new Anne of Green Gables play. CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-anne-of-green-gables-stratford-festival-1.7313342.

Created October 1, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

November 15, 2008

Anne of Green Gables (2007)

Anne of Green Gables - Musical with book and lyrics by Gretchen Cryer and music by Nancy Ford

Based on L.M. Montgomery's novel, Anne of Green Gables (2007) is a musical featuring a book and lyrics by Gretchen Cryer and music by Nancy Ford. The musical premiered at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and had its off-Broadway run from March 29 to May 5, 2007. It was commissioned by Theatreworks USA.

The musical starred Piper Goodeve as Anne Shirley and was directed by Tyler Marchant. Playbill described the musical according to its press notes, saying that it: "follows the journey of the wildly independent and adventurous red-haired orphan, Anne Shirley, who is mistakenly sent to Green Gables to live with an elderly bachelor and his spinster sister. Soon after her arrival, she quickly turns the entire community upside-down with her indomitable spirit and scope for imagination."

Anne of Green Gables - Musical with book and lyrics by Gretchen Cryer and music by Nancy Ford

A cast recording was released by Jay Records and includes the following songs:

1. "Around the Bend"
Piper Goodeve, Erick Devine, Bethe B. Austin, Heather Macrae, Michael Mendiola

2. "A Pretty Kettle of Fish"
Bethe B. Austin, Piper Goodeve, Erick Devine

3. "I Can Stay"
Piper Goodeve, Bethe B. Austin, Erick Devine

4. "It's the Strangest Thing"
Heather Macrae, Piper Goodeve, Alison Faircloth, Michael Mendiola

5. "Kindred Spirits"
Piper Goodeve, Erick Devine

6. "Making for Lost Time"
Jessica Grove, Piper Goodeve

7. "The Use of the Colon / Two Weeks"
Michael Mendiola, Piper Goodeve, Drew Gehling, Jessica Grove, Alison Faircloth

8. "It Was Not Because of Gilbert Blythe"
Piper Goodeve, Jessica Grove

9. "Drunk!"
Heather Macrae, Alison Faircloth, Bethe B. Austin, Piper Goodeve, Erick Devine

10. "The Clock Keeps Ticking"
Jessica Grove, Piper Goodeve, Erick Devine, Michael Mendiola

11. "It's the Strangest Thing (Reprise)"
Heather Macrae, Alison Faircloth, Michael Mendiola

12. "First Day At the Academy / It's Nice to Know"
Piper Goodeve, Drew Gehling, Alison Faircloth, Erick Devine, Bethe B. Austin

13. "The Graduation"
Michael Mendiola

14. "Matthew's Death"
Erick Devine, Piper Goodeve

15. "Around the Bend (Reprise)"
Bethe B. Austin, Piper Goodeve, Jessica Grove

16. "Making Up for Lost Time (Reprise) / Finale"
Drew Gehling, Jessica Goodeve

You can listen to the cast recording at YouTube Music, iTunes, and Amazon Music.

Anne of Green Gables
is available for license at the Music Theatre International website, which provides the following full synopsis of the show:

Full Synopsis

At an early twentieth-century train station, Anne Shirley, a skinny twelve-year-old, anxiously waits with her baggage, trying to keep up her spirits ("Around the Bend"). Unseen by her, Matthew Cuthbert arrives and converses with the Station Master. When the Station Master tells Matthew that the girl he was expecting has arrived, Matthew protests that he was actually expecting a young orphan boy to help him on his farm, Green Gables. Anne greets Matthew with enthusiasm, however, and he shyly takes her along.

Meanwhile, Matthew's sister, Marilla, is being visited at Green Gables by a nosy neighbor, Rachel Lynde. Rachel warns Marilla that adopting orphans is a risky undertaking.

As Mathew and Anne approach Green Gables, she grows increasingly excited. Matthew explains the mix-up to Marilla – the orphanage has sent them a girl instead of a boy. Upon hearing this, Anne bursts into tears. Marilla consoles her ("A Pretty Kettle of Fish"). Matthew has taken an instant liking to Anne, but Marilla is determined to send her back.

Marilla and Anne ride into town to sort out the mistake but, on the way, Marilla begins to warm to Anne. In the end, it's determined that an attempt will be made to find Anne a home with another local family so that she won't have to go back to the asylum.

That night, Anne shares her history with Marilla: both of her parents died when she was three years old and she passed through a succession of foster families until she was recently sent to the asylum. Her formal education has been limited, but she is an avid reader.

Marilla tells Matthew that Anne can stay with them on a trial basis. Anne overhears this and is delighted ("I Can Stay").

A few days later, Rachel visits for tea and, again, warns of the danger of adoption. Marissa introduces Anne to Rachel. Rachel immediately insults Anne's appearance rudely. Anne is stunned and exclaims that she hates Rachel. Marilla reproaches Rachel and punishes Anne.

Rachel spreads vile rumors around town about Anne ("It's the Strangest Thing").

Anne remains confined to her room until she agrees to apologize to Rachel, which Matthew convinces her to do. Anne does ask Rachel for forgiveness, and Rachel accepts the apology. Anne feels that this act has pleased Marilla ("Kindred Spirits").

As Anne and Matthew are celebrating, a young neighbor, Gilbert Blythe, arrives. He is a self-assured charmer. Gilbert's first meeting with Anne does not go well, as he unintentionally upsets her with his teasing. After Gilbert departs, Matthew assures Anne that the boy meant no harm. Matthew explains that Gilbert's father once courted Marilla.

Not long after, Marissa is preparing to take Anne over to the home of the Barry family, which includes Diana, a girl Anne's age, whom she hopes to befriend. Anne and Diana do indeed hit it off, and Anne asks Diana to vow to be her "bosom friend" ("Making up for Lost Time").

Not long thereafter, the two girls are on their way to school in a downpour and encounter Gilbert, their fellow classmate. Diane accompanies Gilbert, who has an umbrella, but Anne refuses to do the same. As a result, she arrives late (and wet) for class. The teacher, Mr. Phillips, begins class with a lesson on punctuation ("The Use of the Colon"). Gilbert flirts with Anne during the lesson, but she rebuffs him. After class, he again tries to approach her, but she reacts badly to his teasing advances ("Two Weeks").

Marilla is preparing to depart the house for a meeting while Diana is coming to visit Anne. Marilla tells Anne that the girls can have tea and gives her some raspberry cordial (unbeknownst to any of them, it is alcoholic). Unfortunately, because Gilbert had teased Anne about her red hair, she has accidentally dyed it green in an attempt to turn it black. As Marilla departs, Diana arrives and is shocked at Anne's green hair. The two girls enjoy some raspberry cordial and Diana loosens up in short order. She suggests that Gilbert is indeed the reason that Anne tried to dye her hair, but Anne vehemently denies this ("It Was Not Because of Gilbert Blythe"). Diana feels sick as she gets increasingly more drunk.

Later, Rachel accosts Marilla in the kitchen, reporting the claim of Diana's mother that Anne got Diana drunk ("Drunk!"). Anne denies this. Marilla realizes that she gave Anne the wrong cordial. Diana's mother decrees that the girls will no longer see each other. Marilla charges to Anne's defense but is unable to persuade Diana's mother of Anne's innocence.

Six months later, Anne has managed to regrow about three inches of hair after having her green locks sheared. She misses her friend, Diana, and Matthew consoles her. Suddenly, Diana arrives, explaining that her baby sister, Minnie May, is very sick with the croup and she doesn't know what to do. Matthew leaves to fetch the doctor.

Anne is experienced with treating the croup, so the girls hurry over to Diana's house and begin to treat the baby ("The Clock Keeps Ticking"). Matthew and the Doctor arrive, and the Doctor announces that the baby will be saved... thanks to Anne's help.

On her way home that night, Anne falls and injures herself. Fortunately, though, having heard of Anne's heroism, Gilbert arrives and helps her to get home.

Rachel is gossiping about Anne around town again but, this time, she's claiming that she always knew Anne was something special and she can't understand why nobody else recognized Anne's good character. Diana's mother apologizes to Anne.

Anne graduates from school, tied with Gilbert at the top of their class. Anne is accepted at the Teacher's Academy, and Matthew and Marilla proudly present her with a beautiful dress. A private conversation between Matthew and Marilla reveals that Marilla is concealing an illness from Anne, not wanting anything to distract Anne from her studies. Anne departs for the Academy.

Diana is unable to join Anne at the Academy, but Gilbert and several of their other classmates are there, including the vapid Josie Pye, whom Anne loathes. Gilbert and Anne are comforted by each other's presence at the school ("It's Nice to Know").

On graduation day from the Academy, it is announced that both Gilbert and Anne have won academic awards, and that Anne has won a four-year scholarship to Redmond College. When Anne returns home for the summer, Marilla reveals that she and Gilbert's father were once sweethearts, but that the relationship ended badly after an argument. Anne regrets being so stubborn in her attitude towards Gilbert. Matthew suffers a heart attack and collapses, dying. Anne tells him that, if only he had gotten the boy from the orphanage that he had wanted, he wouldn't have overworked himself. Matthew tells Anne that he couldn't be more proud of her.

Gilbert replaces Mr. Phillips as the local schoolteacher. Marilla plans to sell Green Gables, but Anne offers to forego her scholarship and teach locally so that Marilla can keep the farm ("Around the Bend – Reprise"). Gilbert gives his teaching position to Anne. Anne apologizes to Gilbert for her past unkindness to him, and the two acknowledge one another as kindred spirits ("Making Up for Lost Time / Around the Bend – Reprise"). They kiss at the train station as Gilbert departs to seek another teaching position in a neighboring community, promising to return for the weekend. The two look forward to spending the rest of their lives together.


Image Credits:
Poster from Anne of Green Gables from the Internet Off-Broadway Database.
Album artwork for the Anne of Green Gables Original Cast Recording of the Theatreworks USA Production.

Reference:
Gans, Andrew. (2007, March 23). Anne of Green Gables — with Goodeve, Grové and Mac Rae — Begins Off-Broadway Run March 23. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/anne-of-green-gables-with-goodeve-grove-and-mac-rae-begins-off-broadway-run-march-23-com-139501

Created November 15, 2008. Last updated May 12, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

September 09, 2007

Anne of Green Gables (2007)

Anne of Green Gables - Play adapted by Peter DeLaurier

Anne of Green Gables (2007) is a play adapted by Peter DeLaurier from the novel by L.M. Montgomery. The play premiered at the at The People's Light & Theatre Company in January 2007 as part of the Philadelphia New Play Festival. It was nominated for Outstanding New Play in the annual Barrymore Awards. The play was directed by Shannon O'Donnell.

Playbill described the story as follows: "Matthew Cuthbert and his no-nonsense sister Marilla send for an orphan to help with the farm at Green Gables. But instead of a sturdy boy, they get skinny Anne Shirley, an accident-prone redhead with a natural flair for drama. It doesn't take long though for this imaginative young heroine to work her way into the hearts of her reluctant new parents, and to transform their stodgy, old-fashioned neighbors on Prince Edward Island into a host of 'kindred spirits.' This new adaptation captures all the spirit of the beloved classic. Best appreciated by ages 7 and up. www.peopleslight.org."

Anne of Green Gables was published by Playscripts, Incorporated in 2009, and is available for purchase at the Playscripts website.

Image Credit:
Promotional artwork for Anne of Green Gables (2007) from the Playscripts website.

Acknowledgement:
Thank you to Peter DeLaurier for sending me info about his play.

Reference:
Jones, Kenneth. (2006, December 28). Nine Theatres to Sprout Premieres in First Philly New Play Fest in Early 2007. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20070930191530/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/104459.html

Created September 9, 2007. Last updated May 20, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

March 09, 2007

Anne of Green Gables (1994)

Photograph of Katy Killackey as Anne Shirley in the world premiere of Anne of Green Gables at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles, California


Anne of Green Gables (1994) is a play adapted by Jody Johnson Davidson from the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The play was produced by the Serendipity Theatre Company and made its world premiere at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA on April 15, 1994.

In the original production, Katy Killackey starred as Anne Shirley. The cast also included Caryn Ronis as Marilla Cuthbert, Kathy Kinney as Rachel Lynde/Mrs. Blewitt/Miss Harris, Joe Powers as Matthew Cuthbert, Jasmine Abdul Wahid as Diana Barry, and Kristipher Maschek as Gilbert Blythe. The play was directed by Joyce Guy.

The full-length play is 60 minutes long. The script is available through Pioneer Drama Service.

The play is described as follows:
"Share the adventures of Anne Shirley and her 'best friend for life,' Diana Barry, as they travel from childhood to maturity in this heartwarming adaptation which beautifully captures the highlights of the classic novel.

Maria Cuthbert asks for an orphan boy to help her and her brother take care of Green Gables, but the orphanage sends Anne with an 'e' — an independent, red-headed, freckle-faced girl who changes their lives and touches the hearts of all who come to know and love her. Delight in Anne’s high-spirited antics as she narrowly escapes Mrs. Blewett’s clutches at the orphanage, whacks Gilbert over the head with her slate, saves little Minnie May from her deathbed and, when she has come of age, finally lets Gilbert into her life. In the touching words of Marilla, Anne is 'the dearest mistake' that’s ever come into her life, and she doesn’t know how she could love her more.

Whether your audience already loves Anne’s story or is first discovering it, this sweet and sincere rendition of the classic novel will open their hearts and minds. Flexible staging makes this skillful adaptation suitable for all levels of performance from schools to professional theatres."


Image Credit:

Photograph of Katy Killackey as Anne Shirley in the world premiere of Anne of Green Gables at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles from Encore Performance Publishing (archived webpage).

Created March 9, 2007. Last updated June 20, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

September 24, 2006

Anne of Avonlea (1997)

Anne of Avonlea is a play by Joseph Robinette based on the novel by L.M. Montgomery,


Anne of Avonlea (1997) is a play by Joseph Robinette based on the novel Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery. Joseph Robinette also wrote an Anne of Green Gables play (published in 1989) as well as an Anne of Green Gables musical (with Evelyn Swensson).

The premise of the play is that Anne is applying to Redmond College and is struggling to write a one-page autobiography for her application. Marilla suggests that Anne "talk it out" before she decides what to write. The story unfolds from there. There is some retelling of Anne's story from Anne of Green Gables, but most of the play is set during Anne of Avonlea.

Anne of Avonlea is a full-length play that is approximately 120 minutes long. The script was published by Dramatic Publishing in 1997 and is available through the Dramatic Publishing website.

The play is described as follows:
"This delightful, enchanting sequel to Anne of Green Gables continues the exciting adventures of one of literature's most enduring characters, Anne Shirley. From her first days as a young teacher to her departure for Redmond College, we are reacquainted with such old friends as Marilla Cuthbert, Rachel Lynde, Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe. We also meet many new ones: a cantankerous neighbor, Mr. Harrison (and his offstage parrot!); the mysterious Miss Lavendar; the beguiling Charlotta the Fourth; the irrepressible twins, Dora and Davy; and Anne's lively, but (usually) lovable, high-spirited students. Rejoin Anne and enjoy the embarrassment of mistakenly selling Mr. Harrison's cow, the anxiety of her first day teaching school, the humorous essay-writing assignment, the plum marmalade incident, the encounter with Miss Lavendar, the devastating storm and its aftermath, and the wedding at Echo Lodge. There are also flashbacks to Anne's young life and how she came to live at Green Gables. Anne of Avonlea is ideal for junior highs, high schools and community theatres and is a true ensemble piece. This heartwarming and humorously uplifting play will be fondly remembered by audiences and performer alike long after the final curtain."


Image Credit:

Adapted Anne of Avonlea (1997) book cover by Dramatic Publishing.

Created September 24, 2006. Last updated June 21, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables (1989)

Anne of Green Gables, a play by Joseph Robinette


Anne of Green Gables (1989) is a play by Joseph Robinette based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

It is a full-length play and is approximately 105 minutes long. The script was published by Dramatic Publishing in 1989 and is available through the Dramatic Publishing website.

The play is described as follows:
"This dramatization captures the charm and excitement of L.M. Montgomery's enduring classic about an orphan girl, Anne Shirley, from her first encounter with her austere guardian to her thrilling graduation from Queen's Academy. The play faithfully recreates the memorable events and characters from the brilliant novel. All the tragedies and triumphs that mark Anne's growth from adolescence to early adulthood are here: her friendship with Diana, her feuds with Gilbert, her adoration of Matthew, the mistaken wine bottle, the cake disaster, the broken leg, the scholastic achievements, and the saving of Green Gables. Whether the playgoer is an "old friend" of Anne's or meeting her for the first time, this play will solidify a lasting friendship between the audience and one of literature's most unforgettable characters. The flexibility of casting and the simplicity of the set make this an ideal production for community and school groups."


Image Credit:

Image adapted from Anne of Green Gables (1989) poster by Dramatic Publishing.

Created September 24, 2006. Last updated June 21, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

May 22, 2006

Anne of Green Gables (1991)

Photograph by Chris Bennion of Anne of Green Gables (1991), a play by R.N. Sandberg, which was performed at the Seattle Children's Theatre.


Anne of Green Gables (1991) is a play adapted by R.N. Sandberg from the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The play was commissioned by the Seattle Children’s Theatre in Seattle, Washington and had its world premiere there in 1991.

The full-length play is 105 minutes long. There is also a one-act version of the play that is 60 minutes long. The scripts for both the full-length and one-act versions of the play are available through Dramatic Publishing.

The play is described as follows:
“A faithful, unsentimental dramatization of the first part of the beloved classic. Commissioned and premiered by Seattle’s Children’s Theatre.

Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew request an orphan boy to help work their farm but are mistakenly sent the high-spirited, red-headed Anne Shirley. Knowing they are ill equipped to raise a child, Marilla attempts to send Anne back to the orphanage. With Matthew lobbying to keep Anne, Marilla ultimately agrees to let her stay at Green Gables. The trials and tribulations Marilla fears come to pass as Anne insults Marilla's best friend, “loses” Marilla's most cherished brooch, smacks the school's prize pupil with a slate, and inadvertently gets her best friend Diana drunk on cherry cordial. She also turns out to be bright, charming and resourceful, full of irresistible imagination. Marilla and Matthew admit she is the best thing that ever happened to them, and Anne comes to understand she is a loved, worthwhile person.”


Image Credit:

Photograph by Chris Bennion of Anne of Green Gables by R.N. Sandberg, which was performed at the Seattle Children's Theatre in 1991. The photograph is featured on R.N. Sanberg's website.

Created May 22, 2006. Last updated June 16, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

May 21, 2006

Anne of Green Gables (1990)

Photograph from Anne of Green Gables (1990), a play by Sylvia Ashby, which was performed at the Lubbock Community Theatre, featuring Ali Selim as Anne Shirley and Susan Andrews as Mrs. Blewitt


Anne of Green Gables (1990) is a play adapted by Sylvia Ashby from the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The play premiered at the Lubbock Community Theatre in Lubbock, Texas in October 1990. It was directed by Cliff Ashby. The cast featured Ali Selim as Anne Shirley, Linda Huckabee as Marilla Cuthbert, Harlan Reddell as Matthew Cuthbert, Karen Copple as Rachel Lynde, Susan Andrews as Mrs. Blewitt, Andy Hutton as Gilbert Blythe, Jamie Boylan as Diana Barry, and Alayna Roberts as Josie Pye.

The two-act play is 120 minutes long. The script is available through Baker’s Plays and Concord Theatricals.

The play is described as follows:
“A refreshing, contemporary telling of the classic story. Stern Marilla and her warm-hearted brother Matthew hoped to adopt a boy to work on their farm. But the orphanage sends young, befreckled Anne by mistake, and their lives will never be the same. Her warmth and wit affect everyone around her - even, eventually, the cold Marilla. We follow Anne through her rebellious years, her transformation into a young woman, and her romantic pairing with Gilbert. This play has been charming audiences around the world.”

Image Credit:

Photograph of Anne of Green Gables featuring Ali Selim as Anne Shirley and Susan Andrews as Mrs. Blewitt posted by the Lubbock Community Theatre.

Purchase the Anne of Green Gables script:

Anne of Green Gables (1990), a play by Sylvia Ashby

Created May 21, 2006. Last updated June 13, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

November 29, 2005

The Strike at Putney Church (2005)

Poster for The Strike at Putney Church (2005), a play by Eliza Jane Wilson based on a short story by L.M. Montgomery

The Strike at Putney Church (2005) is a play written by Eliza Jane Wilson that was based on a short story by L.M. Montgomery. The play premiered at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on November 17, 2005. The play was produced by ACT (A Community Theatre) and was directed by Paul Whelan.

Eliza Jane Wilson based the play on an L.M. Montgomery short story, titled "The Strike at Putney." This story can be read in the collection Against the Odds: Tales of Achievement, which was edited by Rea Wilmshurst.

The play is described as follows: "It is 1922 in rural PEI. The women of Putney Church are outraged when the elders deny a famous female missionary the opportunity to speak in the church. The women retaliate by going on strike!"

Image Credit:
Poster for The Strike at Putney Church (2005) from the ACT website.

Created November 29, 2005. Last updated May 21, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

August 15, 2002

Anne (1998)

Anne - Anne of Green Gables play by Paul Ledoux


Anne (1998) is a play adapted by Paul Ledoux from the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The play premiered at the Young People's Theatre in Toronto, Ontario on April 5, 1998 and was directed by Patricia Vanstone. Jennie Raymond, a native of Prince Edward Island, starred as Anne Shirley. The cast featured Janet Amos as Marilla Cuthbert, Robin Craig as Rachel Lynde,
Jerry Franken as Matthew Cuthbert, Catherine Gatotos as Diana Barry, Carolyn Hay as Josie Pye, Jamie Robinson as Gilbert Blythe, and Eliza-Jane Scott as Ruby Gillis.

The two-act play is 125 minutes long. Its script was published in 1999 by Playwrights Canada Press.

The play is described as follows:
"They wanted a young boy from the orphanage to help out around the farm. Instead, Matthew and Marilla got the irrepressible Anne Shirley. Their lives and the community of Avonlea would never be the same again."

A review in Variety described the production, saying: "What Ledoux has created is a rich evocation of turn-of-the-century life on tiny Prince Edward Island, with Anne at its center. In his hands Marilla and Matthew, Anne’s adoptive parents, and nosy neighbor Rachel Lynde, come alive as powerful archetypes whose gentle story is deeply sentimental, but never saccharine in its delivery of a timely message about the importance of community."

The play is available at the Canadian Play Outlet.

Image Credit:

Cover of Anne published by the Playwrights Canada Press.

References:

Friedlander, Mira. (1998, May 11). Anne. Variety. Retrieved from: https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/anne-1200453779/

Young People's Theatre. Young People's Theatre Production History 1966 to 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ALL-SEASONS-revised-Fall-2021.pdf

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated May 8, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Wooden Hill (1994)


The Wooden Hill (1994) is a play by the Canadian playwright and novelist Don Hannah about the life of L.M. Montgomery. The play made its world premiere at the Canadian Stage in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1994. It was directed by Bob Baker.

Don Hannah based the play on L.M. Montgomery’s recently published journals. In the play, it is 1942, and Montgomery is nearing the end of her life. She looks back on her experiences, including her grief over her mother’s death, her difficulties pleasing her father, her relationship with her strict grandparents, her dissatisfying marriage, and her career as a writer.

The play is 120 minutes long. The script is available through the Canadian Play Outlet.

The Wooden Hill was honored with the AT&T OnStage Award. In addition, the play received a Dora Mavor Moore Nomination.

The play is described as follows:
“A dream play that takes place in 1942 at the end of L.M. Montgomery's life.”


Image Credit:
Graphic by The World of Anne Shirley.

References:
Don Hannah’s Official Website.
The Wooden Hill by Don Hannah at the Canadian Play Outlet.

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated June 18, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Avonlea (1940)

Anne of Avonlea Play by Jeanette Carlisle

In 1940, James Reach, writing under the pseudonym Jeanette Carlisle, adapted L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Avonlea into a play titled Anne of Avonlea: A Comedy in Three Acts. This play was the first dramatization of Anne of Avonlea written for the stage. It was published by Samuel French, Inc., the same company that printed the 1937 stage adaptation of Anne of Green Gables by Wilbur Braun (pseudonym Alice Chadwicke).

James Reach (1909–1970) was an American playwright who wrote under several pseudonyms. Along with writing under the name Jeanette Carlisle, he also published plays under the names Hilda Manning, John Rand, and Thomas Sutton. Reach wrote many comedies, mystery-comedies, and dramatic plays, including The Wagon To The Star, Women in White, Afraid of the Dark, Blind Gambit, and Life Begins at Sixteen.

In the opening pages of Anne of Avonlea, the "Story of the Play" states,

"Here is the first dramatization of L. M. Montgomery’s famous novel which has been read and loved by millions since its publication more than thirty years ago. The play is in one simple living-room set, with most of the characters young ones, and should appeal particularly to clubs, schools and churches. Its heroine is the same adorable little red-headed vixen whose acquaintance so many of you have made in 'Anne of Green Gables.' But the little girl of 'Green Gables' has become a grown-up school teacher of seventeen. How she faces and overcomes the first real problems of her life form the basis of Miss Carlisle’s faithful adaptation, of which it may be said, as Meredith Nicholson said of the original, 'A story to lift the spirit and send the pessimist into bankruptcy!'"

The story involves Anne’s experiences teaching at the Avonlea School, her friendships with Diana and Gilbert, her neighbor Mr. Harrison, and her work with the Avonlea Village Improvement Society to beautify Avonlea. The introductory “Story of the Play” states, “Miss Carlisle has magically blended these into a whole that will capture and hold your interest from curtain to curtain, that will bring you much wholesome laughter and a few sentimental tears...”

Anne of Avonlea by Jeanette Carlisle is available for purchase and licensing through Concord Theatricals, which acquired Samuel French, Inc. in 2018.

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated May 12, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com