The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery (2008)

The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery is a musical written by Adam-Michael James and composed by Leo Marchildon. Based on L.M. Montgomery's life, this musical biography premiered at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island on June 20, 2008. The musical premiere occurred on the exact day of the 100th anniversary of the publication of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. The musical celebrates the life and the characters created by the legendary Canada's author.

Adam-Michael James documented the progress of the musical in his blog The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery, which provides detailed information on how the production developed.

The official website for the musical provides the following description of the show:

"Maud" soars as she creates her most famous character, "Anne of Green Gables", then additional heroines Kilmeny, Sara, Emily, Valancy, Marigold, Pat, and Jane - making up her nine lives. But when Maud forgets that the power of imagination can change our lives for the negative as well as the positive, her heroines come to life to amuse, enlighten, and entertain!

The creation of Emmy-nominated composer Leo Marchildon and author Adam-Michael James, Nine Lives is an epic multimedia experience that has real-life and fictional characters backed by video footage, archival photos, evocative period music and sumptuous underscore.

Premiering on the 100th anniversary of the publication of "Anne", Nine Lives has been praised for its accuracy and importance to Canada and literature, twice nominated for the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation's Wendell Boyle Award.

The original cast recording for The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery was released in 2009 by Nine Lives Musicals, Inc. with the following CD release notes:

You've read her books - but how much do you know about her lives? In this dazzling musical by Leo Marchildon and Adam-Michael James, L.M. Montgomery is determined to become a writer and eventually becomes famous the world over for creating Anne of Green Gables. But, as her fictional characters materialize to help her through her increasing struggles, they discover that the power of imagination can change our lives in more ways than one.

Marchildon's sumptuous arrangements traverse the moods and styles of Montgomery's lifetime, from the Scottish reels of the 1880s to the Big Band flavor of the 1930s, while James' insightful lyrics constantly advances the story. The only musical on the life of the quintessential Canadian author comes to CD virtually complete, featuring the original 2008 cast and including Marchildon's "Character Themes Suite" that paints delightful portraits of all eight of Montgomery's fictional heroines. Whether you're a casual L.M. Montgomery fan or a self-professed die-hard, The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery brings all her lives to you in a fresh, exciting way! For more information about the show, visit ninelivesoflmm.com. Label: Nine Lives Musicals, Inc.

The album includes the following songs and character suites:

ACT I
1. Blank Verse/The Alpine Path
2. It's in My Nature
3. I Like You Best
4. An Orphan No More
5. So I Say Farewell
6. More Important Things
7. The Correspondence of Edwin
8. I Am a Newspaper Woman!
9. What Do You Propose
10. An Epoch in My Life
11. Island Hymn
12. Maud Meets Her Public
13. Too Late

ACT II
14. I Hate Interruptions
15. The Race That Knows Joseph
16. 1917
17. Eternally Lost
18. Grumble Book
19. The Dream Life Waltz
20. Character Analysis
21. Two-Timin' Timmy
22. Where is My Happy Ending?
23. The Alpine Path" (finale)

Character Theme Suites
24. Kilmeny
25. Sara
26. Emily
27. Valancy
28. Marigold
29. Pat
30. Jane
31. Anne

Official Site:
The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery (archived)

Image Credit:
Album cover for The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery.

Reference:
The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery - Original Broadway Cast 2008. Broadway World. Retrieved from: https://www.broadwayworld.com/recordings/The-Nine-Lives-of-L-MMontgomery-2008-Original-Broadway-Cast

Created December 2, 2006. Last updated May 12, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Avonlea (1997)

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 (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

Anne of Green Gables (1997)

Anne of Green Gables (1997) is a musical by Joseph Robinette and Evelyn Swensson based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The book is by Joseph Robinette, and the music and lyrics are by Evelyn Swensson. The musical made its world premiere at the Delaware Children's Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware where it was directed by Marie Swajeski. The script was published by Dramatic Publishing in 1997.

The musical has two acts and is approximately 105 minutes long. The script is available through Dramatic Publishing.

The musical is described as follows:
"This sparkling new musical further enhances the enduring story of Anne Shirley, the orphan girl whom Mark Twain called "the most delightful child of fiction since the immortal Alice." The exciting, melodious score offers great variety from the opening chorus number "Prince Edward Island," wherein we meet the townspeople of Avonlea, to the spirited "Charlottetown Rag." Other delightful songs include "Kindred Spirits" performed by Anne and Diana, "I Dare You," and the lilting "Green Gables." Eminently singable and easily staged, this humorous and heartwarming Anne of Green Gables is the ideal family musical."


Image Credit:
Anne of Green Gables (1997) book cover by Dramatic Publishing.

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

Anne With an “e” – The Green Gables Musical (1998)

Anne...With an “e” - The Green Gables Musical (1998) is a musical by Neil K. Newell and C. Michael Perry based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The musical was produced and made its world premiere at the Spanish Fork Community Theatre in Spanish Fork, Utah, USA on July 19, 1998.

The original production was directed by C. Michael Perry, produced by Cherie Murray, and choreographed by Tara Christopher. The musical direction was by Steve Boothe and Gregory Lawrence Duffin, and the sets were designed by Jim Nicholet and LeEarl Peck.

The musical has two acts and is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes long. The script is available through Eldridge Publishing.

The play is described as follows:
"Anne of Green Gables,” by L. M. Montgomery, is an enduring story of innocence, joy, and the true meaning of love that has delighted and inspired readers for over a century. Now this heartwarming story of the irrepressible Anne Shirley is impressively adapted to the stage and has inspired a musical score that will knock your socks off! The story begins as Anne arrives at Green Gables and follows her through mishaps and adventures, through Matthew’s death and her reconciliation with Gilbert, and finally to her determination to stay at Green Gables and help Marilla while pursuing her education. There are 20 songs including “Breath of Air!” “Bosom Friends” “The Lady of Shallot” “The Perfect Man,” and “Bend in the Road.” This charming, faithful adaptation appeals to those of every generation."


Image Credit:
Promotional artwork for Anne With an “e” - The Green Gables Musical.

Purchase and read Anne With an “e” – The Green Gables Musical - Vocal Selections Music Book :


Created September 24, 2006. Last updated September 2, 2024.
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Anne of Green Gables (1991)

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.
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Emily (1999)

Emily (1999) is a musical by Richard Ouzounian and Marek Norman based on the Emily of New Moon trilogy (Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs, and Emily’s Quest) by L.M. Montgomery. Richard Ouzounian, who is a theatre critic, writer, and director, wrote the book and lyrics. Marek Norman, who is a composer, actor, and producer, wrote the orchestral music.

Emily made its world premiere on June 19, 1999 at the Charlottetown Festival at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The musical starred Tracy Michalidis as Emily Starr. The musical was successful and returned the following season in 2000. The script was published by McArthur and Company in 2000.

Emily is described in the published script as follows:
"EMILY is a new Canadian musical based on the famous trilogy by Lucy Maud Montgomery: EMILY OF NEW MOON, EMILY CLIMBS, and EMILY'S QUEST. The three books deal with the growth of a young woman on Prince Edward Island at the turn of the century, both as an individual and as a writer. Many commentators feel that Emily contains Montgomery's fantasy of the choices she wishes she had made in her life. EMILY was first presented at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown in June of 1999 and instantly became a smash hit, proving to be one of the most popular shows in the festival's thirty-five year history. It will be returning for the 2000 season, and a subsequent tour is in the works. Included here is an introduction by Richard Ouzounian, the entire play's script, and four original songs from the musical.”

The four songs included in the book are: “The Dream Begins,” “Disappointed House,” “There Will Be Another Rainbow,” and “This Island.”


Image Credit:
Front cover of the Emily script by Richard Ouzounian and Marek Norman featuring a photograph of Tracy Michalidis as Emily Starr from The Charlottetown Festival (1999). The photograph is by Barrett and MacKay. The script was published by McArthur and Company in 2000.

Created May 21, 2006. Last updated June 22, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables (1990)

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:

Created May 21, 2006. Last updated June 13, 2024.
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The Strike at Putney Church (1990)

The Strike at Putney Church (1990) is a play written by Eliza Jane Wilson that was based on a short story by L.M. Montgomery. The play premiered at The Charlottetown Festival in 1990.

Eliza Jane Wilson based the play on an L.M. Montgomery short story, titled "The Strike at Putney," which was originally published in 1903. This story can be read in the collection Against the Odds: Tales of Achievement, which was edited by Rea Wilmshurst.

Wilson's play was published in 1990 by the Playwrights Union of Canada. The plot 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!"

In November , the play was performed at The Arts Guild in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

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

Acknowledgement:
Thank you to Scott Campbell for providing the play's premiere date.

References:
Gledhill, Christopher and Susan Spier. (February 7, 2006). Charlottetown Festival/Festival de Charlottetown. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/charlottetown-festivalfestival-de-charlottetown-emc.

History of The Charlottetown Festival. Confederation Centre of the Arts. https://confederationcentre.com/on-stage/the-charlottetown-festival/history-of-the-charlottetown-festival/


Created November 29, 2005. Last updated July 8, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne & Gilbert: The Musical (2005)

Anne & Gilbert: The Musical (2005) is a musical based on stories from the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. The musical premiered at the Victoria Playhouse in Victoria–By-the-Sea, Prince Edward Island on August 4, 2005. The first act of the musical is based on Anne of Avonlea, and the second act is based on Anne of the Island. The story was adapted for the stage by Jeff Hochhauser, Nancy White, and Bob Johnston.

I was fortunate to watch the musical in 2006 at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside. It's a wonderful production, and the songs are charming.

A CD featuring some of the songs and a book based on the Anne & Gilbert musical are available online. You can also listen to the album at Apple Music.


Official Site:
Anne and Gilbert: The Musical

Image Credit:
Promotional artwork from Anne & Gilbert: The Musical.

Purchase the Anne & Gilbert cast recording and check out the script and lyrics book:

Created June 3, 2005. Last updated May 12, 2024.
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Anne of Green Gables — The Musical (1965)

Anne of Green Gables — The Musical (1965) is based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Its music was composed by Norman Campbell, and the book is by Don Harron. The lyrics were written by Don Harron and Norman Campbell, with additional lyrics by Mavor Moore and Elaine Campbell. It was directed and choreographed by Alan Lund.

At the premiere in 1965, Anne Shirley was portrayed by Jamie Ray. Barbara Hamilton played Marilla Cuthbert, Peter Mews played Matthew Cuthbert, and Dean Regan played Gilbert Blythe. The stage musical was based on the 1956 Anne of Green Gables musical film that was produced for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and directed by Don Harron.

The musical is notably the longest running musical in Canadian history. After its premiere in 1965, the production ran every summer for more than 50 years at the Charlottetown Festival, which is hosted by the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Performances paused during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the musical returned to the stage in 2022. According to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, "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."

I saw this musical in Charlottetown in 2006, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The script is available is available through Concord Theatricals.

A cast recording of the musical was released by The Charlottetown Festival and you can listen to it at Amazon Music. The album includes the following 19 songs:

1. Overture / Great Workers for the Cause / Where Is Matthew Going?

2. Gee I'm Glad I'm No-One Else but Me

3. We Clearly Requested a Boy

4. The Facts

5. Humble Pie

6. Apology

7. Back to School

8. Wond'rin'

9. Did You Hear?

10. Ice Cream

11. Summer

12. Kindred Spirits

13. Open the Window

14. I'll Show Him

15. General Store

16. If It Hadn't Been for Me

17. Anne of Green Gables

18. The Words

19. Wond'rin' (Reprise)

Purchase the Anne of Green Gables — The Musical cast recording:

Official Site:
Anne of Green Gables — The Musical at the Confederation Centre of the Arts

Image Credit:
Anne of Green Gables — The Musical promotional image by the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Reference:
Confederation Centre of the Arts. Anne of Green Gables — The Musical™ to return to The Charlottetown Festival in 2024. Retrieved from: https://confederationcentre.com/anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-to-return-to-the-charlottetown-festival-in-2024/

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated July 9, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne (1998)

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.
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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

Songs of the Island (2002)

Songs of the Island (2002) is a musical tribute to L.M. Montgomery by Hank Stinson. This musical revue premiered at the Charlottetown Festival in Prince Edward Island, Canada in the summer of 2002. Songs of the Island was developed by The Castle Company, a Prince Edward Island-based musical theatre company.

Hank Stinson wrote the full text and lyrics, with the exception of the quotes and excerpts from L.M. Montgomery’s novels Emily of New Moon, Rainbow Valley and The Blue Castle. The revue also quotes the lyrics for "Peace," which was written by L.M. Montgomery in the article “Prince Edward Island” for the book, The Spirit of Canada: Dominion and Provinces (1939). In addition, musical includes five excerpts from L.M. Montgomery’s autobiography The Alpine Path.

In the musical’s dialogue, the performers explain that they consider the best way to learn about Maud is by reading her letters, poems, short stories, and novels, and that, “The key to understanding Maud is though her characters.” They emphasize that there is more to L.M. Montgomery than Anne of Green Gables. Thus, the musical revue aimed to show additional facets of Montgomery’s character by focusing on songs and scenes from Stinson’s previous musicals on L.M. Montgomery’s works: Emily of New Moon, Rainbow Valley and The Blue Castle. The music for The Blue Castle was by Hank Stinson with additional music by Helen MacRae. The music for Emily of New Moon and Rainbow Valley was by Dean Burry. Interspersed between the songs, the performers discuss the similarities between L.M. Montgomery and her characters.


Image Credit:
Graphic by The World of Anne Shirley.

References:
The Castle Co. Webpage (archived).
Songs of the Island at The Castle Co. (archived).
Dean Burry's Official Website

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

Rainbow Valley (2000)

Rainbow Valley (2000) is a musical play by Hank Stinson and Dean Burry that was based on the novel Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery. This musical was commissioned following the success of their collaboration in creating the musical Emily of New Moon in 1998. Hank Stinson wrote the script and lyrics for Rainbow Valley in the late 1990s, and Dean Burry composed the music. The musical was developed by The Castle Company, a Prince Edward Island-based musical theatre company.

Rainbow Valley premiered at the Stage Door Theatre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Canada in March 2000. Later, the musical went on to have a 140-show run at the Avonlea Village in Prince Edward Island. In 2002, portions of the musical were included as part of Hank Stinson’s Songs of the Island: A musical tribute to L.M. Montgomery at the Charlottetown Festival.

Rainbow Valley is a musical play in two acts. There is also a one-act version of the script for a smaller cast.

The musical is described as follows:

“Rainbow Valley centers around the lives of four boisterous children, their single father, his reluctant sweetheart, and a destitute home-girl, Mary Vance. The children lack the one thing that would make their house a home. The minister lacks the one thing that would make him truly happy. And Mary Vance? She finds the one thing she has been waiting for all her life. And in doing so she brings all the other things together.”


Image Credit:
Graphic by The World of Anne Shirley.

References:
The Castle Co. Webpage (archived)
Dean Burry's Official Website
Cole, Sally. (November 3, 2018). Bringing L.M. Montgomery's 'Rainbow Valley' to the stage on P.E.I. Saltwire. Retrieved from: https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/lifestyles/bringing-lm-montgomerys-rainbow-valley-to-the-stage-on-pei-256118/

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated June 17, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Emily of New Moon (1998)

Emily of New Moon (1998) is a musical by Hank Stinson and Dean Burry that was based on the novel Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery. Hank Stinson adapted the story for the stage, writing the book and lyrics, and Dean Burry composed the music. The musical was created by The Castle Company, a Prince Edward Island-based musical theatre company.

Emily of New Moon premiered at the Stage Door Theatre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Canada in 1998. Shows continued throughout the summer of 1998 at the historic Beaconsfield House in Charlottetown. In 2002, portions of the musical were included as part of Hank Stinson's Songs of the Island: A musical tribute to L.M. Montgomery at the Charlottetown Festival.

Emily of New Moon is a musical in one act. It is approximately 60 minutes long.

The musical is described as follows:
“Emily Byrd Starr, recently orphaned, goes to live with her stern Aunt Elizabeth Murray, her loving Aunt Laura and her whimsical Cousin Jimmy. She makes friends and enemies among the children in her new community and uses all her experiences as grist for her burgeoning writing career.”


Image Credit:
Image from The Castle Co. Webpage (archived).

References:
The Castle Co. Webpage (archived).
Dean Burry's Official Website
 
Created August 15, 2002. Last updated June 17, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Blue Castle (1993)

The Blue Castle: A Musical Love Story (1993) is a musical by Hank Stinson adapted from the novel The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. Stinson composed the musical and it featured additional music by Helen MacRae. The musical was created for The Castle Company, a Prince Edward Island-based musical theatre company. In 1992, the musical won the Theatre Prince Edward Island New Voices Playwrighting Contest.

Following workshops at the Muskoka Festival, the first community production of The Blue Castle took place in Prince Edward Island in 1993. There was a larger community production in 1994 at the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown. In 1995, the professional debut took place at the Oakville Summer Theatre in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

The Blue Castle is a two-act musical. There are two versions of the script for either a small or a large cast. The musical length runs for 1 hour and 20 minutes for the small cast version and 1 hour and 30 minutes for the large cast version.

The musical is described as follows:
“Based on the L.M. Montgomery novel, The Blue Castle tells the story of spinster Valancy Stirling's escape from her stultifying home life, her quest for identity, and her awakening as a woman. She is a true hero; a glowing example of courage and determination in the face of the unknown; ‘It's only when you realize that no one else is going to take care of you that you begin to take care of yourself.’”


Image Credit:
Adapted screencaptures from The Castle Co. webpage (archived).

Reference:
The Castle Co. webpage (archived).

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated June 17, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables (1956)

In March 1956, Anne of Green Gables was broadcast as a black and white television musical film by the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC). The 90-minute program aired as part of the CBC Folio series. The musical was based upon L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables and starred Toby Tarnow as Anne Shirley.

The musical film was directed by Don Harron, a Canadian actor, comedian, author, composer, director, and journalist. It written by James Costigan and Harron. Two years later, a second CBC-TV production aired on November 18, 1958, starring Kathy Willard as Anne Shirley. The 1956 television production was the basis for the stage production Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, which has been performed every summer since 1965 at the Charlottetown Festival in Prince Edward Island, Canada. This musical is the longest-running stage musical in Canada.

Image Credit:
"Anne of Green Gables in Hollis" by Michael Cleveland, Merrimack Journal, December 30, 2005.

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated June 12, 2021.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Avonlea (1940)

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

Anne of Green Gables (1937)

In 1937, Wilbur Braun, under the pseudonym Alice Chadwicke, adapted L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables into a three-act play titled Anne of Green Gables. This play was the first dramatization of Anne of Green Gables written for the stage. It was published by Samuel French, Inc.

Wilbur Braun (1894-1968) was an American playwright who wrote under over 50 pseudonyms. He was a prolific writer known for his dramatic and comedic stage adaptations, including Great Expectations, Pudd'nhead Wilson, Davy Crockett, Tish, and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.

In the opening pages of Anne of Green Gables (1937), the "Story of the Play" states, "for years this fascinating book has headed the list of best sellers. It has been printed and reprinted, has been made twice as a movie, once as a silent picture and only recently as a talkie, but it has remained for the distinguished dramatist, Alice Chadwicke, to make the first and only dramatization of this magically beautiful story."

The dedication of the play reads:

TO
L.M. MONTGOMERY,

who created the most lovable heroine
the world of fiction has ever known,
this play is most earnestly dedicated.

ALICE CHADWICKE.

Anne of Green Gables by Alice Chadwicke is available for purchase and licensing through Concord Theatricals, which acquired Samuel French, Inc. in 2018.

Purchase and read the Anne of Green Gables (1937) play script:

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