Showing posts with label Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theatre. Show all posts

January 08, 2025

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

Cast of Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical featuring Juliette Redden as Anne Shirley. Photo by Diane Sobolewski

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

October 30, 2024

Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family (2024)

Poster for Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family (2024), a play by Chris Henry

Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family (2024) is a play by Chris Henry that adapts L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables for the stage. The play presents Marilla Cuthbert's perspective and is the second part of a two-part adaptation of the story. The first part is titled Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home. The two productions can be watched independently as stand-alone plays or viewed together as a whole.

The plays premiered on October 17, 2024 and will run through November 4, 2024 at the Royal Family Performing Arts Space in Times Square located on 145 West 46th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036. Both plays were produced by Royal Family Productions, where Chris Henry serves as the artistic director, and they were adapted and co-directed by Henry, with choreography and co-direction by Lorna Ventura. The cast of Marilla of Green Gables includes Ephraim Birney, Francesca Fernandez, Desi Waters, Emily Anne Davis, and Madison McLean.

Chris Henry discussed her inspiration to bring the plays to the stage because of her personal connection to the story with BroadwayWorld saying, "As someone who was adopted, the story of a fiery, strong, imaginative orphan girl really resonated with me throughout my childhood and throughout my life. I was inspired to take this material and adapt Ms. Montgomery's text for the Royal Family stage with my collaborator, Lorna Ventura. We have stripped down the book to its essence and have broken it up into two parts. We hope that anyone who has ever tried to find their place in the world will find joy, inspiration, and home in the story of Anne of Green Gables."

The play is described as follows:

"Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family shifts over to Marilla’s point of view as we see her navigate what becoming a mother really means as she continues to deal with Anne’s adventures growing up. Royal Family Productions presents this world premiere in repertory with Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home. These pieces are each stand-alone plays, but together they tell the story of three unlikely people meeting and eventually becoming a family."


Tickets are $35 for general admission, $100/$65 for tax-deductible reserved seats, and $250/$215 for tax-deductible VIP tickets. The show is 1 hour and 25 minutes long, with no intermission.


Official Website:
Royal Family Productions

Image Credit:
Poster for Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family (2024) from Royal Family Productions.

References:
Rabinowitz, Chloe. (2024, October 3). Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home & Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family to Run Off-Broadway. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved from: https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/ANNE-OF-GREEN-GABLES-FINDING-HOME-MARILLA-OF-GREEN-GABLES-BECOMING-A-FAMILY-to-Run-Off-Broadway-20241003.

Created October 30, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home (2024)

Poster for Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home (2024), a play by Chris Henry

Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home (2024) is a play by Chris Henry that brings L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables to life on the stage. The play is the first part of a two-part adaptation of the story; the second part is titled Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family. The two productions can be watched independently as stand-alone plays or viewed together as a whole.

The plays premiered on October 17, 2024 and will run through November 4, 2024 at the Royal Family Performing Arts Space in Times Square located on 145 West 46th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036. Both plays were produced by Royal Family Productions, where Chris Henry serves as the artistic director, and they were adapted and co-directed by Henry, with choreography and co-direction by Lorna Ventura. The cast of Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home features Emmaline Goia and Maggie Langhorne.

Chris Henry discussed her inspiration to bring the plays to the stage because of her personal connection to the story with BroadwayWorld saying, "As someone who was adopted, the story of a fiery, strong, imaginative orphan girl really resonated with me throughout my childhood and throughout my life. I was inspired to take this material and adapt Ms. Montgomery's text for the Royal Family stage with my collaborator, Lorna Ventura. We have stripped down the book to its essence and have broken it up into two parts. We hope that anyone who has ever tried to find their place in the world will find joy, inspiration, and home in the story of Anne of Green Gables."

Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home was previously presented in 2019 in a substantially different form.

The new version of the play is described as follows:

"Royal Family artistic director Chris Henry’s Anne of Green Gables is a one-woman, movement-fueled, theatrical experience for all ages, featuring dynamic choreography by Lorna Ventura. Finding Home shares the journey of Anne Shirley, an imaginative, red-headed, hot-tempered, eleven-year-old orphan, and what happens when she is accidentally brought to the home of quiet siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert in Prince Edward Island. Royal Family Productions presents this new version in repertory with the world premiere of Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family."


Tickets are $35 for general admission, $100/$65 for tax-deductible reserved seats, and $250/$215 for tax-deductible VIP tickets. The show is 1 hour long, with no intermission.


Official Website:
Royal Family Productions

Image Credit:

Poster for Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home (2024) from Royal Family Productions.

References:
Rabinowitz, Chloe. (2024, October 3). Anne of Green Gables: Finding Home & Marilla of Green Gables: Becoming a Family to Run Off-Broadway. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved from: https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/ANNE-OF-GREEN-GABLES-FINDING-HOME-MARILLA-OF-GREEN-GABLES-BECOMING-A-FAMILY-to-Run-Off-Broadway-20241003.

Created October 30, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

October 07, 2024

Patterns and Puffed Sleeves - Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables

Patterns and Puffed Sleeves – Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables, Toronto Public Library Exhibit 2024, Photograph showing Megan Follows as Anne Shirley wearing a costume by Martha Mann and Martha Mann's costume drawing.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery's birth, The Toronto Reference Library is presenting a special exhibit called "Patterns and Puffed Sleeves – Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables."

The exhibit highlights costume designs from four screen and stage productions of L.M. Montgomery's most famous story Anne of Green Gables. Designs are featured from Sullivan Entertainment’s Anne of Green Gables (1985) and Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987). Costume designs are also displayed from the 1994 production of Anne of Green Gables by Theatre Calgary and the 1974 production of The Charlottetown Festival’s Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. The exhibit features the work of award-winning costume designers Martha Mann and Marie Day. Along with viewing their hand-drawn designs, visitors can view the final costumes themselves, as well as photographs and memorabilia from the productions.

Patterns and Puffed Sleeves – Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables, Toronto Public Library Exhibit 2024

Here is the description of the exhibit from the Toronto Public Library:

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lucy Maud Montgomery!

Lucy Maud Montgomery is an iconic Canadian author whose works are popular world-wide. In celebration of the anniversary of her birth we are exploring one of her most notable pieces of literature — Anne of Green Gables.

This exhibition features original costume designs, from both stage and screen, by designers Martha Mann and Marie Day from TPL's Special Collections in the Arts. These designs were used in Sullivan Entertainment’s Emmy award-winning Anne of Green Gables series, Theatre Calgary’s 1994 production and Charlottetown Festival’s long-running Anne of Green Gables musical.

Explore the world of Anne of Green Gables through the lens of a costume designer! See how they use fashion to bring the story to theatrical life!

Do not miss out seeing actual garments from the 1985 Sullivan Entertainment production of Anne of Green Gables in the entrance window to the Toronto Reference Library.

Special thanks

Sullivan Entertainment Inc. for sponsoring the exhibit through loans of costumes and photographs from their productions of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel.

Theatre Calgary for providing a program and images of their 1994 production of Anne of Green Gables.


The "Patterns and Puffed Sleeves" exhibit opened on October 5, 2024 and will continue through January 12, 2025. It is located in the TD Gallery at The Toronto Reference Library on 789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8. Entry to the exhibit is free, and free guided tours will take place on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. during the exhibit's run.


Official Website:
Patterns and Puffed Sleeves - Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables Exhibit at The Toronto Reference Library

Image Credit:
Images from Patterns and Puffed Sleeves - Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables Exhibit at The Toronto Reference Library.

Reference:
Patterns and Puffed Sleeves: Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables. (2024, October). Toronto Public Library. Retrieved from: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/exhibits/patterns-and-puffed-sleeves.jsp.

Created October 7, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

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

July 11, 2024

A Nod to Maud Events Celebrating L.M. Montgomery's 150th Birthday in Leaskdale, Ontario

A Nod to Maud Events Celebrating L.M. Montgomery's 150th Birthday in Leaskdale, Ontario

The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario (LMMSO) is celebrating L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday with special “A Nod to Maud” events throughout 2024. Following L.M. Montgomery's wedding, she and her husband Ewen moved to Leaskdale, Ontario, a town located north of Uxbridge. They lived there in the Leaskdale Manse for 15 years.

Check the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario’s website for updates to their "A Nod to Maud” calendar of events.

Here are some of the highlights:

Throughout July and August, the LMMSO will hold their annual Summer Luncheon Teas at the Historic Leaskdale Church.

June 15, 2024 - Gardens of Uxbridge Tour.

July 21, 2024 - Downtown Summer Social - Actors dressed as Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Maud Montgomery will be at various locations in downtown Uxbridge and at the Farmer’s Market to meet fans and pose for photos. There will be an Anne of Green Gables look-a-like contest at Blue Heron Books and special displays in storefront windows. For more of the events, see this article by the Uxbridge Times-Journal.

August 15, August 17, and August 18, 2024 - The LMMSO will present a one-woman play called Maud of Leaskdale starring Jennifer Carroll as L.M. Montgomery at the Historic Leaskdale Church. On August 15th, attendees can enjoy dinner theatre beginning at 6:00 pm featuring a menu chosen from Maud’s time for $60. On August 17 and 18th at 3:00 PM, attendees can see the matinee show for $25.

November 30, 2024 - Maud’s Birthday Party in Leaskdale.

December 8, 2024 - The finale of "A Nod to Maud" includes a skating party at the Uxbridge Arena and cupcakes for all.


Official Website:
The Official Website of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario

Image credit:
Poster for "A Nod to Maud" from The Official Website of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario

References:
A 150th birthday party: Uxbridge celebrates Lucy Maud Montgomery on July 21. (2024, July 13). Uxbridge Times Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.durhamregion.com/things-to-do/a-150th-birthday-party-uxbridge-celebrates-lucy-maud-montgomery-on-july-21/article_86d97a65-d538-5fc4-b588-41b989e879ce.html.

Boyce, Conrad. (2024, July 19). Huge ‘nod to Maud’ happening with festivities this weekend. Penticton Herald. Retrieved from: https://www.pentictonherald.ca/spare_news/article_77417c4c-1ff3-595a-8b32-6c0dad73eb17.html.

Uxbridge marking 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery. (2024, July 10). Durham Post. Retrieved from: https://durhampost.ca/uxbridge-marking-150th-birthday-of-lucy-maud-montgomery.

Created July 11, 2024. Last updated July 19, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

May 07, 2024

Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet (2019)

Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet (2019), Photograph of Anne Shirley leaning into and embracing Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.

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

May 04, 2024

Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical (2022)

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

November 28, 2022

Anne of Green Gables — The Musical Will No Longer Be Performed Annually in Charlottetown

Promotional Photograph for Anne of Green Gables — The Musical

On November 24, 2022, the Confederation Centre of the Arts announced in a press release that Anne of Green Gables — The Musical would no longer be staged annually in Charlottetown, but instead once every two years. The production will return to the stage in 2024 in commemoration of the 150th birthday of L.M. Montgomery.

The press release states, "Confederation Centre of the Arts is delighted to announce the extension and expansion to its agreement with the show’s rights holders. Starting in 2024, Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ will be playing on the mainstage every two years (biennially) coinciding with the 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery. The production ran annually for over fifty years from 1965-2019 and was presented in 2022 after a brief hiatus due to COVID-related challenges."

The announcement was met with concern about how the decision may affect tourism on Prince Edward Island.

Image Credit:
Promotional photograph for Anne of Green Gables — The Musical from the Confederation Centre of the Arts website.

References:
Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ to return to The Charlottetown Festival in 2024. (November 24, 2022). Confederation Centre of the Arts. Retrieved from: https://confederationcentre.com/anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-to-return-to-the-charlottetown-festival-in-2024/.

Austen, Ian. (December 3, 2022). After Half a Century, Prince Edward Island’s Musical Tradition Takes a Break. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/03/world/canada/prince-edward-island-musical.html.

P.E.I.'s long-running 'Anne of Green Gables — The Musical' no longer an annual event. (November 24, 2022). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from: https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/p-e-i-s-long-running-anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-no-longer-an/article_fc3d2ee5-929c-5b2f-88fe-96129abda91f.html.


Created November 28, 2022. Last updated December 3, 2022.
© worldofanneshirley.com

July 15, 2014

Maud of Leaskdale (2011)

Maud of Leaskdale poster from 2024 with a photograph of Jennifer Carroll as Lucy Maud Montgomery


Maud of Leaskdale (2011) is a one-woman play by Conrad Boyce about L.M. Montgomery's years living in Leaskdale, Ontario, Canada. Based upon L.M. Montgomery's journals, Maud of Leaskdale is told using Montgomery's own words and is two hours long. Boyce wrote the script by "choosing excerpts from L.M. Montgomery’s journals and shaping the excerpts into a coherent account of her inner and outer life." The play was produced by the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario (LMMSO).

Conrad Boyce wrote Maud of Leaskdale with a specific actress in mind to play the title role of Maud—Jennifer Carroll. Happily, Carroll agreed to play the role of Lucy Maud Montgomery. In October 2011, Maud of Leaskdale premiered at the LMMSO International Conference. In the summer of 2012, Carroll performed the play at the Historic Leaskdale Church, where Ewan Macdonald, L.M. Montgomery’s husband, was minister from 1910 to 1926. In 2014, Jennifer Carroll presented the show at the biennial conference held by the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island. Carroll has continued to portray Maud for more than a decade in Leaskdale where the production has been celebrated.

The play is described as follows:

“Experience the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery during her first 15 years in Ontario (1911-1926), when she became a devoted mother, a world-famous author, and the loyal wife of a Presbyterian Minister. It was a time of simple joys and heart-rending tragedy, brought to life through Montgomery’s own powerful words. Compiled and directed by Conrad Boyce.”



Image Credit:

Maud of Leaskdale poster advertising the play from 2024 from DiscoverUxbridge.ca.

References:
Maud of Leaskdale starring Jennifer Carroll. 2024. Discover Uxbridge. Retrieved from: https://discoveruxbridge.ca/events/event/maud-of-leaskdale-starring-jennifer-carroll/.

MacDonald, Shane. (2016, August 17). Uxbridge’s Jennifer Carroll brings Lucy Maud Montgomery to life in Maud of Leaskdale play. DurhamRegion.com. Retrieved from: https://www.durhamregion.com/things-to-do/uxbridge-s-jennifer-carroll-brings-lucy-maud-montgomery-to-life-in-maud-of-leaskdale-play/article_119e01f2-925c-5f8d-ae21-472b41deff89.html

Pratt, Barb. (2021, August 5). Maud of Leaskdale – Ten Years! The Standard. Retrieved from: https://www.thestandardnewspaper.ca/post/maud-of-leaskdale-ten-years


Created July 15, 2014. Last updated October 21, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

May 20, 2011

Rainbow Valley (2011)

Photograph of the cast of Rainbow Valley, a musical adaptation of the novel Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery with book and lyrics by Felice Kuan and music by Dimitri Landrain

Rainbow Valley (2011) is a musical adaptation of the novel Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery with book and lyrics by Felice Kuan and music by Dimitri Landrain. Kuan and Landrain both graduated from NYU's Musical Theatre Graduate Program.

A reading for the musical was presented as part of Emerging Artists Theatre's 7th Annual New Works Series on May 19, 2011. David Alpert staged the reading of the first act, and the musical direction was by Andrew Smithson. The reading was led by Autumn Hurlbert, and the cast also included Merrill Grant, Brian Bailey, Justin Goodemoot, Sara Benjamin, Nick Caruso, Katie Whetsell, Lisa Mindelle, Jessica Dillan, Martin Landry, Cassandra Sandberg, Tiffany Dissette, Paul Luoma, Dan Lawler, and Janice Mays Landry. The reading took place at 6:30 p.m. at the TADA! Theatre on 15 W. 28th Street in Manhattan, NY, and tickets cost $10.

Rainbow Valley was also presented as part of the CDP Summer Workshop Series in 2011. You can watch a New York Minute video with some of the cast, crew, and audience members of the production.

The musical is described as follows:

Rainbow Valley follows the four motherless children of absent-minded minister John Meredith: laid-back Jerry, spitfire Faith, curious Carl, and shy Una. Growing up in the stern and proper town of Glen St. Mary, Canada, they are surrounded by neighbors who disapprove of their bedraggled appearance and scandalous antics. Wanting to protect their father from criticism and gossip, they form a Good Conduct Club to teach themselves how to behave, but the results turn out differently than they plan.”


Image Credit:
Photograph of the cast of Rainbow Valley from the CDP Summer Workshop Series from Rob Heller's website.

References:
Hetrick, Adam. (May 18, 2011). "Anne of Green Gables" Musical Rainbow Valley Will Get May 19 Workshop With Autumn Hurlbert. Autumn Hurlbert will lead a reading of Rainbow Valley, a musical adaptation of the seventh book in L. M. Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" series, which will be presented May 19 in Manhattan. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/anne-of-green-gables-musical-rainbow-valley-will-get-may-19-workshop-with-autumn-hurlbert-com-179337

Rainbow Valley, Reading (2011). Ovrtur.

Rainbow Valley. Rob Heller.

Created May 20, 2011. Last updated January 27, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

February 02, 2011

Anne of Green Gables (2010)

Anne of Green Gables (2010), a musical by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman

Anne of Green Gables (2010) is a musical with books, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The musical made its world premiere on November 10, 2010 at Village Theatre in Issaquah, Washington and ran through January 30, 2011. Kasey Nusbickel starred as Anne Shirley, and the production also featured Suzy Hunt, Matthew John Kacergis, and Dennis Bateman.

An earlier version of the musical, then titled Green Gables, was performed at Victoria Theatre in Cincinnati in 2005, and a reading was performed as part of York's Developmental Reading Series at York Theatre Company in New York City in February 2006. In addition, the musical was previously presented as part of the Village Originals 9th Annual Festival of New Musicals.

The full two-act version of the musical is 136 minutes long. A one-act version is also available that runs 70 minutes. The musical is licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

The musical is described as follows by Theatrical Rights Worldwide:

"A new musical lovingly based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s timeless classic with its unforgettable characters, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES brings the comical adventures of spunky red-headed orphan Anne Shirley to life, as she wins over her new family and the rest of Prince Edward Island, as well, with her spirit and imagination in this heartwarming story about love, family, and home."

Village Theatre described the musical as follows:

"Bright, Inspiring Classic
Captivating readers for over a century, Lucy Maud Montgomery's treasured, best-selling novel is transformed into this charming new musical. When the Cuthberts expect to adopt a boy, imagine their surprise when a talkative and clever young girl steps off the train in Avonlea. Witness Anne's transformation from a playful young girl to a confident young woman as she finds her way into the hearts of everyone she meets-despite a knack for getting into trouble! Set to an unforgettably beautiful score, this is an enduring story for all ages."


Image Credit:

Anne of Green Gables musical artwork from Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

References:

Anne of Green Gables. janet yates vogt & mark friedman. Retrieved from: http://vogtfriedmancomposers.com/anne_of_green_gables.

Anne of Green Gables. Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Retrieved from: https://www.theatricalrights.com/show/anne-of-green-gables/.

Anne of Green Gables. Village Theatre. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20101201175334/http://villagetheatre.org/anne.php (archived).

Cain, Scott. (May 6, 2005). Regional Reviews: Cincinnati: Green Gables, The Musical. Talkin' Broadway. Retrieved from: https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/cincy/cincy126.html.

Gans, Andrew. (February 7, 2006). Nancy Opel Part of Free Green Gables Reading Feb. 7: A reading of the musical Green Gables, which features book, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, will be presented Feb. 7 at the York Theatre Company. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/nancy-opel-part-of-free-green-gables-reading-feb-7-com-130724.

Hetrick, Adam. (March 3, 2010). Village Theatre to Stage Iron Curtain, Green Gables, Sleuth, Superstar and Full Monty: The new musicals Iron Curtain and Anne of Green Gables are on the 2010-2011 season bill for the Village Theatre in Issaquah, WA. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/village-theatre-to-stage-iron-curtain-green-gables-sleuth-superstar-and-full-monty-com-166443.

Seattle Spotlight: November 2010: Christmas Story Time. (October 31, 2010). TheatreMania. Retrieved from: https://www.theatermania.com/news/seattle-spotlight-november-2010_31587/.

Created February 2, 2011. Last updated January 24, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com