Little Anne Shirley, the pride of PEI, all grown up and headed to the altar? Yes, indeed. But the getting her to the church isn’t going to be easy, as we’ll find out with Anne & Gilbert, the upcoming musical production by the Elora Community Theatre.
![Anne & Gilbert draws on two of the books, Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island, that continue the story of Anne Shirley. Alandra Zimmerman is Josie Pye and Moody MacPherson is Alten. [Submitted]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/post_arts_anne.jpg)
While many of us have a picture of the young redheaded orphan of Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery followed her 1908 classic with a string of novels that depicted Anne through the years. Anne & Gilbert, a musical adapted to the stage by Jeff Hochlauser, Bob Johnston, Nancy White and first staged in 2005, draws on the next two books, Anne of Avonlea (1909) and Anne of the Island (1915).
As the title suggests, the story focuses on the relationship between Anne and Gilbert Blythe, her high school academic rival who at this point has given up his job as Avonlea schoolmaster to Anne so that she can remain close to home.
Gilbert, of course, is in love with Anne, but she seems to be immune to his attempts to woo her. In the end, Anne realizes what everyone else already knows: that Gilbert is the love of her life.
“I describe it as Anne of Green Gables in love,” says director Deb Stanson of the production.
Given the tumultuous relationship between Anne and Gilbert, however, it’s not a love story that’s all smooth sailing. In fact, Anne receives three marriage proposals, almost accepting one from someone not named Gilbert.
Having directed productions of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, Stanson is no stranger to the story. Watching Anne grow up and delivering her to the altar seems something like closure for her.
“I’m done with Anne after this,” she laughs. “She’s all grown up. I can send her on her way.”
At the heart of the production is our own love affair with Anne, a fictional character who’s spawned a very real industry, including a recreation of Avonlea in PEI that remains a huge tourist magnet to this day.
Along with the underdog tale of an orphan who has to overcome plenty of adversity, the books paint a lovely picture of idyllic 19th century life out on the island, says Stanson.
We can’t help but root for her as “she realizes that she has many wonderful people in her life that love and care for her.”
Those wonderful people include Avonlea staples such as Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew, as well as Anne’s best friend Diana Barry and nemesis Josie Pye. The musical also introduces new characters.
Being a musical, Anne & Gilbert is full of singing and dancing, requiring plenty of work for Stanson, musical directors Kara Shaw and Jill Peterson, and choreographer Rachel Parent.
“The cast has just been great,” says Stanson. “There’s some wonderful music. “I really love the ensemble numbers, like ‘The Island’ – it’s a phenomenal song.”
Set in the 1880s – “I love the period pieces” – the musical features more than a hundred costumes. A ballroom scene filled with gowns and tuxedos meant for lots of work for costumers Suzanne Trivers and Maggie Parent.
The Elora Community Theatre production of Anne & Gilbert runs November 7-9 and November 14-16 at the Fergus Grand Theatre. Show time is 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17-$20 ($10 for children), available from the theatre box office, 244 St. Andrew St. W., Fergus, by calling (519) 787-1981 or online at www.fergusgrandtheatre.ca.
